For anyone who read Down the Road, I mentioned I'd be posting the start of TLG after spring break. Well, here it is.
So…
Welcome to The Long Game! The sequel picks up immediately after the events of chapter 26 of Endgame. There'll just be some reflections for the first couple of chapters, but after that will come the first date and all the things that comes in relationships. Prepare yourselves for the laughs, the tears, and possibly some rage.
I made two new rules for writing the sequel. One: every chapter will be between 500 to 1,000 words. Two: there will be dialogue. Yes guys, looking back to Endgame, it was hard not to add dialogue. There are conversations in EG I wished I could've written. Adding dialogue means having to increase the word count, thus explaining the first rule. New characters will be introduced. Old characters will play a larger role in E & B's story.
Rambling aside, let's get right to it!
Chapter 1: HE – Cloud Nine
He's incredibly happy. Several months ago, he pinned himself over a girl that made him an emotional wreck. A few weeks ago, he believed destiny was back on his good side, relishing every single time he ran into her. Three days ago, he made the decision to stop being a coward and take the plunge. Twenty-four hours ago, the plunge was worth it. He and Bella are finally together.
"I love you," he whispers, grabbing her face in his hands. "I don't think I'll ever love another girl besides you."
Her mouth curves into a wider smile. "You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that."
"I can say it a thousand times if you want me to."
"I dare you to. You'll be out of breath before you reach the hundredth 'I love you.'"
He chuckles. He always did love her crazy, out-of-the-blue jokes. "Then let me say it in my head. I'm already on the tenth 'I love you.'"
"You're nuts." She slaps his shoulder playfully. "But I like that. You're my Nutty E."
"Nutty E? Is that your insane idea of coming up with a pet name for me?"
"Why not? It beats honey, sweetheart, and the overused baby. I'd pick bae over baby any day."
He scoffs. "Oh please. I'm your bae any day."
"Stop it." She winds her arms around his waist. "Nutty E will do."
He sighs. He can't believe that moment just happened yesterday. They've always been playful around each other, but never the way they were yesterday. Yesterday, with the truth out, they no longer had anything to hold back. They fell for each other for how they are. If they are going to work out as a couple, he needs to show her just how crazy he can be.
He looks down on his phone. 8:30 A.M. They both have one class today, though his is at 10:45 and hers is at 12:15. They won't be able to catch and ride the same bus today. But they can do that three times a week. Three out of five weekdays with morning bus rides spent with her is enough. They have all weekend to spend time with each other.
His face flushes when he thinks about this weekend. They're going on their first date on Saturday. He can hardly wait. He's the man and he should be acting cool about all this. But his insides are melting at the thought of their upcoming date. He has never been on a date, not counting going with Tanya to prom. He has no idea what to expect. He doesn't even have a clue where to take her. She doesn't mind where their first date is going to be, as long as he doesn't try too hard to impress her.
"Just be you," she told him. "Don't take me to a five-star restaurant. You do that and I'll whack your head if you have to spend over a hundred bucks for food."
So where will he take her? McDonald's? He scrunches his nose at the thought. The beach? She doesn't swim, but they could walk around. She is the type to enjoy watching beautiful sceneries. Maybe they could watch a sunset together. Do a picnic.
Beachside sunset picnic. He smiles. That could work. He can make a few sandwiches, make a couple of salads, and bring Kool-laid (she prefers juice over soda). All he wants is to spend time with her. If they do a picnic, they can talk all they want and get to know each other on a personal level. For a first date, they have to talk about more things beyond school, even if academics are important to them.
He looks up. His bus is here. At least he knows what and where their date will be.
How the date will go is questionable.