Ok, so here is chapter 5. I'd like to say thank you for the positive response to the previous chapter. I would also like to apologise to the anon on tumblr who asked me when this chapter would be up and I said at the weekend. I realise that it is a couple days late but there was a lot of very serious rugby that had to be watched but it's all good, Ireland won!

Chapter 5: An Unexpected Proposition

It seems like it's been hours since Delphine went to speak to Cyrus when really it's only been about one. When I started to hear raised voices I took it that things weren't going well and I took it upon myself to go chill in the garden so that I wouldn't be able to hear. Believe me, I wanted to eavesdrop so badly but my respect for Cyrus as my brother and for Delphine as my friend won out.

Even though it's a beautiful sunny day I stick to the shade beneath the oak tree at the end of the garden. I've long since given up on trying to tan, I've accepted that I'm just meant to be pasty forever.

I texted Sarah a while ago but she hasn't replied. I wish she would just get back to me, I'm dying to know why she didn't show last night. I'd be more annoyed if I didn't end up having such a good time with Delphine. But still, I'm a little worried, maybe something went down between her and Cal.

I had dozed off for I don't know how long when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Sarah finally replied to my message.

Sarah: I did show up, genius.

Me: I think I would have seen you..

Sarah: I'm not so sure, you looked fairly…occupied ;)

Me: What is that supposed to mean?

Sarah: I'll admit, I was a little later than I said I would be but I don't think you would have noticed me even if I had done a jig right in front of you.

Me: That still doesn't answer my question.

Sarah: Delphine of course! You and her were having a pretty intense game of beer pong when I showed up and I didn't want to interrupt your fun. She's hot by the way, I can see why you're so fixated.

Me: I am not fixated.

Sarah: Infatuated then.

Me: ok yeah, you've got me there…

Sarah: Thought so.

Me: Ugh you're so annoying.

Sarah: Anyway, tell me what went down. I thought Cyrus was gonna be there and I didn't see him.

Me: He fucked off to who knows where shortly after we arrived. He's been acting super weird recently. Delphine went to talk to him earlier to find out what the hell is going on.

Sarah: And…?

Me: She isn't back yet and the suspense is killing me.

Sarah: Patience was never your virtue :P

Me: This isn't funny. I'm really worried, I heard them arguing so I left the house.

Sarah: Where are you?

Me: Just in the garden.

I hear the back door open and look up to see my Mom walking towards me.

"Cosima, tell me you have some idea what's going on!" She calls down to me.

"What do you mean?" I ask, propping myself up on my elbows.

"Your father and I both got texts at work from Cyrus asking us to come home. He said he has something he wants to talk to us about," she explains.

"Have you seen him yet?"

"No, he's still up in his room with Delphine. Did something happen between the two of them?" She wonders, thoroughly intrigued.

"I don't know. Cyrus was being weird last night and Delphine went to talk to him this morning," I recount.

"What do you think happened?"

I shrug my shoulders to make it clear I don't know. I've been trying not to let my mind wander to that question. I can speculate all I want but what's the point? I know that I'll get an answer eventually.

"Do you think he cheated on her?" Mom asks, being the typical gossip she is.

"Mom! No, I don't think he cheated on her! Really mom, for one thing you should have more faith in your own son and two, when the hell would he have had the time to cheat on her?" I rationalise.

"Well maybe it was with someone back in France?"

"I doubt it, the school was small and Delphine knew everyone there, it would have gotten back to her," I say dismissing her theory.

"Maybe he dated someone in France before Delphine?"

"Mom, that is a very long stretch," I sigh.

"Maybe he got some poor girl pregnant and she just told him about it now!" She says in shock and lifts her hand to cover her mouth.

"We don't live in a soap opera, mom. Please stop being so ridiculous," I beg.

I'm desperate for her to stop suggesting things like that because are they really such ridiculous things to wonder? Like anyone his age I'm sure Cyrus had a few one nights stands while he was on his year abroad which makes it completely plausible that he slept with someone before Delphine. What if he did get someone pregnant? What if he decides to go live in Paris to try and support her and the baby?

"I shouldn't listen to a thing you say, Mom," I say reproachfully. "You always jump to the worst case scenario."

"I'm just trying to figure all this out," she replies defensively.

"Could you two please come inside?" Dad calls from the back door. "Cyrus has something he wants to tell us."

A lump rises in my throat and bite my lip nervously. Mom and I exchange worried glances as she holds out her hand to pull me up.

When I walk into the dining room Cyrus is standing at the top of the table with Delphine sitting adjacent to him. Mom takes the seat beside Delphine and Dad sits across from Mom. That leaves me with the seat across from Delphine or the one opposite Cyrus at the other end of the table. I opt for the latter. It becomes clear to me ask I walk to the end of the room to sit down that Delphine has been crying. Her eyes are puffy and she has a tissue gripped in her hand, wiping her nose every now and then. She refuses to look up from the table which I take to be a bad sign. If everything was alright I'm sure she would have managed to smile at me through her tears.

"I have to be back in the office in an hour, Cy, so not to rush you or anything but would you what this is all about?" Dad asks kindly.

"Right yeah ok, so last night I got an email," he starts.

"Oh my god, Cosima I told you!" Mom exclaims. "Who is she? Where is she? When is it due?!" She cries.

Cyrus looks at Mom and then at me, completely befuddled. I give him a look as if to say I've got this.

"Mom, he hasn't said anything yet, find your chill!" I order. She looks at me stunned and I look right back at her pointedly. "Just let him say what he has to say."

Cyrus shakes off Mom's weird outburst and continues. "So anyway, I got an email last night. You see before I left for France I applied to a load of companies to do an internship this summer. They all rejected me saying that while my GPA was impressive, I'm a bit young and to try again next year. But one of them had an intern drop out and they want me to fill the place. When I got the email I left to call them straight away. They told me that the placement starts on Monday and that if I was still interested that I needed to tell them immediately or they would give the place away," he finishes.

"So have they given you a day or so to decide or something?" Mom asks.

"Uh well that's the thing, I kind of got over excited and said yes right away," he murmurs.

Delphine scoffs and rolls her eyes, clearly hearing this information for the second time.

"Well this is an amazing opportunity for you, son, congratulations," Dad cheers. "And I know it will keep you busy but Delphine I'm sure Cyrus will find time to spend with you."

A tear rolls down Delphine's cheek and she shakes her head. She looks at Cyrus belligerently, forcing him to continue.

"That's the thing, it's pretty much a full time gig and it's in L.A."

"What?!" The three of us shout in unison.

"So what are you going to do?" I ask flatly.

"I have to move down there, it starts on Monday," he says as if it's obvious.

"But what about Delphine?!" I ask incredulously.

"Well that's the issue. I have room and board provided by the company but Delphine can't stay with me because it's a dorm with the other interns and if you're not in the program you can't stay there. And Delphine can't afford to live in L.A on her own so we've been trying to decide what's the best thing to do," Cyrus explains, feeling awkward about the position he's gotten himself into.

"What have you come up with so far?" Mom questions.

"We're not happy about it but since I'm not going to be here and won't be able to spend time with her, it makes sense that Delphine goes home," he says guiltily.

"What?!' I shout as I look to Delphine and see another tear roll down her cheek.

"Look, we're just trying to be realistic here. We were supposed to have this amazing summer together but we both knew the relationship was going to have to end when she left," he retorts.

"Could you be more insensitive?!" I exclaim. "Is this what you want, Delphine?"

She looks up at me in surprise.

"I don't see what other option there is, Cosima. Once Cyrus leaves I couldn't possibly stay here and I didn't factor accommodation into my budget. I would have to ask my parents to send me money and even if they did, I don't know anyone else here and I wasn't exactly planning on seeing San Francisco alone," Delphine explains despondently.

"Of course you can stay here!" I automatically reply and watch as four sets of eyes widen in shock. "Look, you're my friend now too and I know it's not the summer you were expecting but you could spend it with me! I had all of this stuff planned that I was gonna do with Cyrus but we can do it all! And I completely understand if this isn't something you want to do or you're too upset and would rather go home but please think about it? I was even planning on doing a road trip so we could even stop in and see Cyrus on our way and on the way back. If you'll still want to see him that is," I mutter. "Ok, I'm totally rambling but think about it."

Delphine looks at Cyrus and he takes her hand.

"I know it's not a lot but this way we could probably see each other a few more times before the end of the Summer so we wouldn't have to break up right away," he says hopefully, clearly liking the idea.

I grimace, that was not what I was suggesting at all. I still thought that they would break up and that if they could still be friends we would go to see him while we were on the road. The glint in Delphine's eyes fades a bit as well. Maybe she had liked my idea and had interpreted it the way I meant to convey it but now she knows what Cyrus wants.

"Only if it's ok with your parents, I don't want to impose," she relents.

"Of course you aren't, darling," Mom assures her. "But while Cosima's idea is lovely, we know this isn't the trip you expected so maybe think about it before you decide, in case you want to go home?"

"No, it has been a dream of mine to properly experience San Francisco and from what Cosima is saying we would see even more than that. So Cosima, if you are serious, I would love to spend the summer with you," Delphine says finally brightening up again.

I smile brightly at her and get up from the table. I walk around to her and pull her into a big hug.

"We're gonna have such a great time, I promise," I say into her hair. I let go of her and look at Cyrus who has a mixed expression.

"While I hate the idea of missing out on all the fun and I hate that I messed this all up, I hope you can have an amazing time with Cos," he says genuinely as he too pulls Delphine into a hug. "Plus," he says pulling back but keeping his arms wrapped around her waist, "we don't have to break up just yet, we have some more time together, however brief it is."

"Well we better head back to work," Mom says getting up from the table. "I'm glad we won't be losing you so soon, Delphine." Mom pulls her into a short hug and Dad pats her on the shoulder.

"Congratulations again son," he says proudly throwing his arm around Cyrus' shoulders. "When I get home later we'll have to sit down and you can tell me all the details about your internship."

"Will do, Dad."

I watch Mom and Dad leave and breathe a sigh of relief. It hadn't been what I was expecting but I think I managed to get the best arrangement possible. Well, close to the best arrangement possible. If only Cyrus and Delphine would choose to break up now then I wouldn't feel so guilty for all the feelings I've been having. I am pretty stoked that I'm going to get to spend so much time with Delphine though.

When I focus on the room again I see that Cyrus has pulled Delphine back in for another long hug. He's probably trying to let her know how sorry he is that he effectively ruined her trip. I slip out of the room quietly, starting to feel a little awkward just standing there watching them hug.

I head up to my room and drop myself onto the bed. From my bed side table I pull out my travel journal. I had spent a lot of time over the year planning mine and Cyrus' trip which I guess is mine and Delphine's now. I bite my lip, trying to suppress the smile that is spreading across my face. I shouldn't be this happy that Delphine is replacing Cyrus. But really she isn't replacing him because he baled on it so the place was there for the taking.

It bothers me a little that both my parents and Cy think that Delphine is settling for second best by spending the summer with me but really I know that this is the kind of summer that she expected from Cyrus. They all didn't know that she was getting fed up of just hanging out with Cyrus and his friends. He hadn't even given her a proper tour of the city. I'll prove to her that this unexpected turn of events if going to give her the trip of a life time.

I flick through my journal reminding myself of what I had even put into it. I had been excessively organised. I had cut out and stuck in reviews on hostels we should stay in, what the different routes have to offer, where the cheapest but the best food is, literally everything you could think of I had considered it. I may have to revise some of the tourist things that I had picked though. I had made my selection with Cyrus in mind, knowing what kind of things he would go for and what he wouldn't. I'm sure after some time though I'll be able to substitute in places that will suit Delphine better. If I'm being honest though I already feel like I know her so well that within a heartbeat of reading a place I would know if Delphine would be interested in it or not.

There's a knock on my door and I shove my journal under my pillow.

"Come in," I call.

Cyrus pokes his head around the door and smiles at me before properly entering. He walks over and sits on my desk that I have shoved against the far wall.

"What's up?" I ask curiously. "Where's Delphine?"

"She's just freshening up. She said she wanted to get the feeling of crying of her face," he explains wistfully. "Anyway, I came in here to thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, Cy," I scoff, waving a hand at him.

"No, I really do," he urges. "I know you had your reservations about Delphine from the start. I cancelled our plans, she had to move into your room and now you're willing to spend your summer with her. You're really saving me, you have no idea how upset she was," he says, gripping the edge of the desk tightly. I can see how disappointed he is in himself that he upset her.

"Well I can see why she would be this way. She flew half way around the world to spend the summer with you, her boyfriend and then she finds out not even two weeks in that she has to break up with you and fly home? Saying she has the right to be upset is an understatement," state.

"I know," Cyrus agrees pensively, "but I don't think breaking up with me was the reason she was upset."

"What do you mean?" I ask intrigued.

"It's just that, we both knew the relationship was temporary, you know? And we have fun together and everything but ever since we got here it hasn't been like it was in France. Delphine couldn't wait to get here but I feel like it isn't what she expected. It's like we've dulled or something so I guess I'm saying I don't think it was me she was sad about," he concludes.

I purse my lips and wonder what he's getting at. Absolutely nothing has happened between me and Delphine so he couldn't possibly be suggesting that she would be upset about leaving because of me. Even though if that were the case that would give me a bit of an ego boost, not gonna lie.

"Cy, are you suggesting that Delphine was more upset at the thought of leaving San Francisco without really experiencing it than she was at the thought of leaving you?"

He looks up at me and gapes wordlessly.

"All I'm saying is that I could see how she would think that coming here was a waste of time and money since she didn't really get to do anything. So yeah, I do think it was more about leaving San Francisco, it just makes sense," he sighs.

"Even if that is the case, Cyrus, you can't judge her for it. Anyone in her position would do the same thing. Like, I dunno, let's say I got with an exchange student from Australia and she offered for me to spend the summer with her in Melbourne, even if I wasn't absolutely 100% I love with her I would still say yes!"

He bows his head and smiles a little.

"You're right, I know you're right," he concedes. "But I just can't help but feel like there was more to it than that."

I'm about to ask him to try and elaborate on that when we here the bathroom door open.

"Anyway, none of that matters now. You and Delphine are going to have an amazing summer and I can't thank you enough for that," he says warmly. He then walks over and gives me a hug.

I return the hug hesitantly. I feel so guilty receiving all this appreciation she I know that I made the offer entirely for my own selfish reasons. I rest my head on Cyrus' shoulder and I spot Delphine standing quietly in the doorway. We haven't even spoken since she accepted my offer and yet she looks at me in a way that suggests she has an inkling as to why I offered my help. Her wide eyes bore into mine for long seconds before she bites her lip and looks down at the ground. She slightly tilts her head back up to see if I'm still looking at her which I definitely am.

I wonder how she reads the expression on my face because I don't know if I'm masking anything. Small creases appear on her forehead as she looks at me worriedly and I know she can see the fear in my eyes at the path that I have opened up for us. I gulp and pull out of Cyrus' hug, effectively ending my eye contact with Delphine. I force a smile up at him which he returns before turning around. He smiles softly at Delphine before exiting the room.

"Let me guess, you're here to thank me too?" I joke nervously.

Delphine takes a few steps towards me.

"Yes, actually," she says surprising me. "We both know that you didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to," I reply honestly, not being able to filter my thoughts.

"Why?" She asks, stepping even closer.

"Ehh…" I stutter. I need to think of something quickly. "It was a selfish decision really. I was still annoyed that I wasn't going to get to go on the trip I had planned for me and Cy and this way I still get to do it."

"Oh…" Delphine mumbles, sounding disappointed. "For a moment I thought…nothing never mind."

"What? You thought what?" I ask urgently stepping towards her and putting my hand on her forearm. I know it's dangerous but I crave to know what she's thinking and I never seem to be able to maintain an appropriate distance from her.

I look up at Delphine and I already know she is going to lie to me. I can see her calculating her words in her mind, debating what to say.

"I just thought you might actually be excited to go on the trip with me," she says, exhaling softly and I can feel her breath on my face.

It's only a half a lie and I know it. We both seem to be able to read each other extremely well and we are both skirting around the real issue. It makes me think that if we are both avoiding it then it definitely isn't the time to address it. We'll have plenty of time together soon to be open and honest with each other.

"I am excited to go on the trip with you," I murmur quietly, almost afraid that she'll hear me and doubly afraid that she won't.

"Good," she says breathlessly, leaning in close to me and ghosting a barely there kiss on my cheek, mere millimetres from the corner or my mouth. "Because I'm excited too."

We have a fraction of a second of eye contact as she straightens and turns away from me, exiting the room briskly.

I stand up straight and put my hands on my hips before exhaling shakily.

"Holy shit," I say to the empty room.

This is going to be some road trip.

…

I know this chapter is a little shorter than the last couple but as you can probably tell the story is going to be taking a very different turn from next chapter onwards so I thought this was a necessary place to break it up. I hope you enjoyed it :)

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