Twenty.

“Wow, where have you been?” Liam asked walking into the apartment one night. I was lying on couch watching a movie. I hadn’t realized that I haven’t seen Liam for I don’t know how many days.

“I have just been at the library or the coffee shop or the hospital.” I said.

“For the past week?” He asked sitting down putting my feet on his lap.

“Yeah.. I have huge tests this week. Well actually I just took my last one.” I said.

“Why have you been at the hospital?”

“Just volunteering and such. You know.. the usual.” I said.

“You stretch yourself too thin.” He said.

“I’m only taking three classes.” I said.

“Three classes this summer session! You are taking 18 credits this summer.” He said.

“I know, Liam. I know.. I wish I didn’t do it, but I did. I’m just going to do it. I don’t have anything better to do with my life.” I said sitting up a little bit.

“Talk to Sidney?” He asked.

“Yeah.. we have been trying to talk on the phone atleast once a day. We email and text a lot. Its not the same though.” I said.

“Its already been two weeks.” He said.

“I know, and I know that I like him but you know.” I said.

“No, I don’t really know.” He said.

“Well he comes back next Tuesday.” I said smiling.

“Good.” He said.

“Any hey.. don’t go missing for weeks at a time from now on.” He said getting up.

“I have been around.” I said and he just gave me a look.

“ I have been sleeping here!” I said defending myself.

“Yeah, nothing else.” He said.

“Sorry Liam.. I will pencil you in from now on.” I said throwing a pillow at him.

“Well I just missed you.” He said.

“Me too.. breakfast tomorrow?” I asked.

“Sure.” He said.

Liam was right. Lately, I haven’t really been around. I had an exam in each of my classes, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus. Besides studying, I have been at the hospital a lot. Now that I have one year of nursing school under my belt, I am able to see more so I have been staying at the hospital. Its been an exhausting week, but I couldn’t wait to see Sidney. The past two weeks aren’t really what I thought when he left. He went to the Bahamas for a week or something so we talked less but still it really wasn’t what I thought. We do talk a lot and we text a lot, but I still feel like there is so much for me to know about him.

Few Days Later.

“Did you get your mail yet?” Sidney said on the phone.

“No.. why?” I asked a little confused.

“I sent you something.” He said.

“Okay, hold on.. I’ll go out and see.” I said walking to the door.

When I opened the door, I found Sidney standing there holding a single white rose. I put my hand over my mouth in complete shock. I couldn’t believe that he was standing there. He wasn’t suppose to come in until tomorrow afternoon, I really wasn’t expecting him at all. I wasn’t expecting anything.. I guess that’s when good things usually happen.

“Oh my gosh!” I said putting my arms around his neck.

“Surprised?!” He said before giving me a kiss.

“I didn’t think you were coming until tomorrow.” I said.

“I wanted to surprise you.” He said heading to the couch.

“Well I was so surprised! I can’t believe you are actually here right now.” I said touching his arm.

“I missed you.” He said touching my face and kissing me.

“Me too.” I said in between kisses.

After awhile of fooling around, I finally said something again. “You are like the best thing to happen in the past two weeks.” I said.

“I know last week was rough for you.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to go to class this week knowing that you are here.” I said.

“I have to golf and stuff. We will be together every second that we can be.” He said.

“Okay, good. I won’t volunteer though. I just want to be with you.” I said snuggling up to his chest.

“You can still volunteer, Grace.” He said.

“I know, I just want to be with you, because I am going to miss you when you leave.” I said.

“Lets not think about me leaving.” He said.

“I know.” I said and heard the door open.

“Hey man. Did you pull off the surprise?” Liam asked.

“Yeah.. definitely didn’t think I would be able too.” Sidney said.

“You knew he was coming?” I asked Liam.

“Of course I knew. I’m the best friend.. he tells me things.” Liam said laughing.

“Oh yeah, I’m sure.” I said laughing and looking at Sidney.

“Well, I’m just going to get some stuff and head home. I’ll let you guys have the place for a few days.” Liam said.

“You don’t have too.” I said.

“Yeah you can stay.” Sidney said.

“No, its fine.” Liam said.

About ten minutes later, Liam walked out of his bed room with some of his stuff.

“You two kids have fun.” He said smiling and shut the door.

“I thought you said he wasn’t staying in the city for the summer?” Sidney asked me.

“Liam has a big family and not that big of a house.” I said.

“Like how big?”

“He has an older sister that is home for the summer and three younger brothers and a younger sister. He shares a room with one of his brothers.” I explained.

“Oh wow. That is big.” He said.

“Yeah, he loves his family and I love them too.. they are great, don’t get me wrong.. its just being with them for that long when you haven’t been, its hard for him.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.” He said.

“Okay, lets do something! I don’t want to spend the few days I have with you talking!” I said lauging.

“What do you want to do instead?” He said with a little smirk.

“Eat! Lets go to dinner!” I said.

“I didn’t expect that to be your answer.” He said.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, Mr. Crosby.” I said reaching for his hand and pulling him behind me.