Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. If I did, I'd be living in some sort of tropical paradise with my girls and Vector.
A/N: I love all the guesses you guys are coming up with in the reviews, so keep 'em coming! Don't hate me for the slight cliffie here…It was inspired by a review left from chapter 11. To protect the reviewer from any potential flying pitch forks I shall not reveal their name, but if you want to know if you're the cause for the twist in the story, just ask and I'll let you know.
Grad school brought a host of challenges to our relationship. The school year started out great, the both of us excited about beginning our graduate studies, on track to enter into doctoral programs pending the outcomes of evaluations after our first grad year. What we both failed to realize was how much more time grad school would take up.
We were both busier than we ever were when we had midterms or finals during undergrad. Our coursework had tripled, causing us both to spend more time apart than we ever did before. We barely even managed to text or talk on the phone anymore because of our conflicting schedules.
Finally, tonight we were going to have some time to ourselves, a short weekend getaway for our one year anniversary. The both of us were looking forward to this; the both of us needed this…desperately.
Our plans were set, a weekend away at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, where we could just spend time together. Grabbing my travel bag and my car keys, I head out to my car, and get ready to head over to the hotel. Just as I start the car, I hear my phone ring.
"Hey babe. I'm heading to the hotel now." I say, the smile I'm wearing evident in my voice.
"Babe? Sorry to disappoint you, but it's Riley. We have a problem."
Riley, my research partner. I can only imagine what they want. My sweetie already had issues with Riley since they can be a bit…flirty at times, even though I've made it abundantly clear I'm off the market.
"Make it quick Riley" I huff. "I have plans for the weekend and I'm running late as it is."
"Oh…um, I think you might need to cancel those plans. One of the undergrads was working in the research lab and accidentally downloaded some sort of virus to the computer system" explains Riley.
Immediately I get nervous. We had done so much research over the past two weeks, almost 100 hours between the two of us, and all of it was stored on the lab's computers.
"Please tell me the research is safe" I say through gritted teeth, already knowing the answer.
I hear the sigh before Riley speaks and tells me "It's all gone. Everything on the computers is gone. The virus destroyed the mainframe…"
As Riley drones on about some techie speak that I don't understand, all I can think of is how pissed my sweetie will be when I call them telling them I have to cancel our anniversary weekend. I finally tune in as Riley wraps up what he's saying.
"…so they brought over two laptops from the IT department, but I need you back on campus now, we need to get everything reloaded for our review with the research committee on Monday."
Sighing, I reply "I know…just…give me half an hour and I'll be there. I…I have to cancel my weekend plans."
Riley tells me they'll see me soon, and I make the call I'm dreading having to make.
They pick up after the third ring, excitement in their voice.
"Hi baby! Are you on your way? I can't wait for you to get here."
Crossing my fingers that they won't be too upset, I cut right to the chase, opting for the Band-Aid method of delivering bad news.
"I'm so sorry babe. There was an accident in the lab…all my research got lost and…"
"And you're not coming are you?" They question, their voice suddenly cold and angry.
"No…I want to baby, I really do, but…with the review with the committee on Monday…" I trail off, as I try to fight the tears that are ready to spill.
"Fine. Go do whatever. Just don't expect me to be waiting here when you're done." They tell me.
"Please don't be angry babe. I wish I could be there. We'll plan another weekend, I promise." I whisper, nervous because I've never heard them sound so upset before.
"Sure we will, and then something will happen and you'll cancel that too. Something always happens, doesn't it. So just go…spend OUR anniversary weekend with Riley." They shout through the phone.
"Babe…please don't make this any harder…you're making it sound like there's something going on with me and Riley." I manage to mumble through the tears.
"How do I know there isn't? They way they're always flirting with you, and you spend all your time with them…I should have known better than to think this would last…I should have just stuck with my choice to go to NYU." They say, the anger and disdain dripping in their voice.
"Babe…you don't really mean that do you?" I murmur, as I feel my heart begin to shatter.
"I don't know! Maybe I do…I just…I think we need some time apart. I need you to not call me for a while." They say before hanging up, never giving me the chance to say anything else.
A/N: Please don't hate me! I promise, this is a light piece BUT...no relationship is perfect or without its fair share of arguments. Stick with me folks…it's gonna get better. On another note…just to add to your confusion as to who the mystery couple is…remember that Riley is a gender neutral name, so Riley can be either a boy or a girl. Stay confused my friends, and I promise the next chapter will be up soon.
