Dual flames

Three weeks into the  relationship and it felt so awkward. It wasn't dramatic at first, No big fights Just little things that piled up like sand against the door, slowly blocking the light.

Daniel still called me his girlfriend, still kissed me good morning in front of the parents. Still snuck into my bunk most nights, teasing me until I'm breathless. He knew exactly how to touch me now, how to make me fall apart quietly so we wouldn't wake Simon or the house.

But outside of those stolen moments, he was...somewhere else.

Mornings, he'd be gone before I woke, out surfing with his friends. he'd disappear to hang out at someone's pool or grab food in town. Sometimes he'd invite me. Most times he didn't, showing up late to family dinner, hair wet from a shower that definitely wasn't at our house, smelling faintly of someone else's coconut sunscreen.

I felt a strange feeling..., something I was not used to. I've always dreamt of dating Daniel but this was not how I've imagined it. 

But the little things kept coming.

He kept on making excuses whenever I bring up conservation that are not convinent for him.  

 A month into our relationship, we were at a big beach party a few houses down. The music was loud, bonfire huge and red cups everywhere.

Daniel was in his element-center of the circle, telling stories, making everyone laugh. Girls orbited him like satellites. One in particular-tall, red bikini, hair in perfect waves-kept finding reasons to touch his arm, his shoulder, his chest.

He didn't stop her.

I stood on the edge of the group, drink warming in my hand, watching.

When she leaned in and whispered something in his ear, he laughed and whispered back.

Something inside me snapped.

I turned and walked away, down the dark beach until the music faded to a dull thump.

I didn't realize Simon had followed until he sat beside me in the sand.

We were quiet for a long time.

Finally, he said, "You don't have to pretend with me, Lis."

I swallowed hard. "I'm not pretending."

"You are." His voice was soft. "You've been pretending for weeks."

Tears stung my eyes.

"He's just... being Daniel," I whispered. "He's always been like this. I knew that."

Simon turned to face me. "That's the problem.  You keep on making excuses for him, can't you see what he's doing to you?"

I looked at him then-really looked. The firelight from far away caught the edges of his face, the worry in his eyes, the tight line of his mouth.

"Why do you care so much?" I asked, voice breaking.

He laughed, bitter and quiet. "You really have to ask?"

The air between us felt suddenly thick.

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

He stood up, brushing sand off his shorts. "Come on. I'll walk you back."

We walked in silence. When we reached the house, he paused at the steps.

"He doesn't see you," Simon said quietly. "Not the way you need to be seen."

I was left confused.

Then he went inside.

I stood there long after, heart pounding. Not bothering to think about it, I went straight to bed.

The house was quiet-everyone still asleep or out early. I slipped out of the bunk room in my oversized T-shirt and shorts, padding barefoot to the kitchen for something to eat.

The counter was cluttered with last night's dishes

Daniel had left his phone on the kitchen counter while he showered. It buzzed-once, twice, three times.

I didn't mean to look.

But the preview lit up the screen.

miss you already, when can we hang again?

From a name I didn't know. With a heart emoji.

My stomach dropped.

When he came downstairs, towel around his waist, I held the phone out.

"Who's Kayla?"

He froze for half a second-then recovered with an easy smile.

"Just a friend."

"She misses you. Wants to hang again."

He sighed, running a hand through his wet hair. "It's not what you think."

"Then what is it?"

He stepped closer, taking the phone gently from my hand. "We hooked up a couple times before you. That's all. She's just being flirty. I haven't seen her since we got together."

I searched his face. "Promise?"

"Promise." He kissed my forehead. "You're the only one I want, Lis. You know that."

I wanted to believe him.

So I did.

He spent the whole day making it up to me-taking me out on the boat again, just us, kissing me slow and deep until I forgot the texts. Telling me I was beautiful. That I was his.

But the crack was getting widening.

He'd cancel plans last minute more often and get defensive when I asked where he'd been.

He did it again tonight. He  had bailed on our movie plans to help a friend with something, I found myself crying in the bunk room.

Simon came in late, saw me curled up pretending to sleep, and paused.

"You don't have to hide it," he said softly.

I sat up, wiping my face. "I'm fine."

"You're not."

He sat on the edge of my bunk-the first time in years.

"Talk to me."

And I did.

Everything spilled out. For some reason, I could not hold back the pain anymore. the distance, the flirting, the texts, the way Daniel made me feel like it was too much.

Simon listened without interrupting.

When I finished, he was quiet for a long moment.

Then "He's never going to change, Lis. Not for you. Not for anyone."

I started crying again.

He pulled me into his arms-careful, like I might break-and held me while I fell apart.

 "I told you so."

Just steady warmth

When the tears slowed, he didn't let go.

"You deserve someone who chooses you every day," he whispered into my hair. "Not just when it's convenient."

I pulled back, looking at him through blurry eyes.

His face was inches from mine.

For one heartbeat, the air shifted.

Then he stood up abruptly.

"Get some sleep," he said, voice rough. "You'll feel better tomorrow."

He climbed into the top bunk without another word.

I lay awake long after, listening to him not sleeping above me.

The fairy tale life I've always imagined was crumbling and I could not do anything about it or if I even wanted to anymore.