[audrey-emerson-blog]

“Miles…” Audrey said, shutting her eyes and trying to swallow the lump in her throat away. She hadn’t expected him to promise her that, but she just wanted him to be happy and if that couldn’t be with her, she wanted it to be with someone else. He needed to make new memories, ones that wouldn’t feel so painful because right now it just felt like they were standing on the edge of the cliff, about to topple off, each happy memory they had together make that feeling of dread worse and worse and she knew that’d never change from here. At least not for her. Those memories, every time they’d spent, the good, the bad, every look, every touch, the clumsy kisses and the ones that made her feel like her body was on fire — they would all be a constant reminder of everything they are. Everything they were. It was simply just history repeating itself but this time without the hope and naivety on her behalf. This time there was no hope, no wonder, just sadness and pain. She opened her eyes to meet his again, feeling her own watering as she tried to blink the tears away, “Well I hope you do. You deserve love and happiness and as much as it hurts me to say, if it can’t be me, I want it to be somebody else — and I don’t care if you don’t want it. I want you to be happy and if you’re leaving you at least owe me that. I want to you to get over me.” That was all she could say without it feeling like she was actually stabbing herself. She hoped he knew she was saying it because she loved him because everything he had said was true. The thought of Miles sharing his secrets, him lying under the stars, talking of adventures made her turn cold. The thought of Miles being happy with someone, anybody else was painful. But, it was less painful than the thought of him being unhappy because of her. That was something she couldn’t bear.

It felt like her whole body was numb as Miles started walking towards the door, their hands still interlinked as if they were still trying to hold onto something when they both knew the end was here. They stopped at the door, and she felt his face against hers, “You have nothing to be sorry for. Don’t blame yourself Miles, this isn’t your fault,” her voice soft, almost pleading. This wasn’t his fault, it wasn’t either of their faults really, just life and time, plaing their cruel tricks on the couple again. It had always been their demise and aparantly it always would. As they stood there, It seemed like they were delaying every last second, trying to stop the inevitable, drawing out the pain but not wanting to let go. However, Miles finally pulled away and reached for the doorknob, shattering whatever last thread of control Audrey had, tears starting to trickle down her cheeks again. “I don’t think I could ever not love you,” she said through her tears, as she felt her fingers slipping out of Miles’ grasp. “And you? — Will you always love me?”

[milesknox]

Miles felt his breathing intensify with every word that came out of her lips. The tears in his eyes could no longer be held behind and one slipped down his cheek, but his free hand was quick to wipe it off. He could not cry, at least not in front of her. Things would only be worse, for the both of them. Get over her, if he hadn't done it the first time around, why would this be any different. This time around they had done so much more that he knew for a fact, Audrey would never leave his mind. She would stay there like a ghost, haunting every moment of his life. If only things had worked out like they did in the movies. If only their timing was never off. If only they could be together.

At Audreys question, Miles couldn't fight back the urge to kiss her. So without thinking twice about it, he turned and pressed his lips tightly onto hers. His hand wrapping around her waist, brining her as close as he could to him. "I will always love you---don't you forget that," he replied as another tear rolled down his cheek. And like that, Miles turned once more to open the door. This time actually doing so. "Goodbye Audrey--" he mumbled, eyes locked towards the driveway. He couldn't look back and see her crying, he didn't want the last image of her like this. Only the good was going to stay in his head, now and forever.

[audrey-emerson-blog]

Sometimes Audrey wondered if Miles could get any more perfect. She knew how hard this was for him too and had just shut down any of hope of his of them living their fantsy together, yet here he was, his forehead on hers, professing his heart to her. As he stood up, his hands leaving her face she took the opportunity to wipe her now red and puffy eyes with the back of her hands, wiping them on her skirt. She wished it could be different. She wanted it more than anything. Even if Miles stayed, Audrey knew he would never be happy stuck in Northpoint no matter how much he said being with her was what made him happy. Both of them craved more, craved adventure — that was the thing that had brought them together. Northpoint could never provide that. It’d always be small and everything that made her parents want to raise her here. Yet, for Audrey at least there was something holding her back from that great leap, maybe it was her parents or school or whatever crappy excuses she came up with, or maybe it was the fact she was truely terrified deep down, of being somewhere else for the first time in her life. But whatever it was it was holding her back from being with Miles, as much as he kept saying it was his fault.

The brunette helplessly stared at up at Miles as he stood before her telling her the things that made it the most painful - everything else being uncertain, the whens, the wears, the whos and the how longs, everything uncertain but the fact they were madly in love with each other. Life had been so unfair to them, but she couldn’t leave him with ‘I can’ts.’ So, she composed herself slightly before standing up, taking a moment to take in Miles - their height difference, the colour of his eyes, taking a mental picture of him because it might be the last time she saw - before taking a step closer to him and burying her tear-stained face in his shoulder, her arms pulling him close, never wanting to let go. “I won’t forget that,” she wispered into his chest, “I could never forget that. Ever. And I don’t want you to forget that I love you so much. So, so much. I don’t know if I could ever love anybody else as much as I love you.” Her voice was still a whisper, afraid if she tried anything more the tears would start back up. She was still clinging onto him, but she forced her arms to let go, her hand moving to interlock with one of his, “I want you to find someone else though. Promise me that. Please. I want you to be happy with someone else.” As much as that hurt to think about, it seemed her body had finally accepted what they were doing. She had thought breaking up was supposed to feel right, like you knew even if it hurt it was for the best, but all this did was hurt. It was like someone had ripped a chasm in her heart and it was only capable of producing pain. It felt the opposite of right. However, her eyes remained on his, waiting for him to promise her, whether either of them wanted it or not.

[milesknox]

It wasn't until the moment Miles heard Audrey say I won't forget, that he realized it was over. The whole situation was undermined by the emotions that were blinding his judgement, but this was just making things clear. Never again would he see her, hold her, or kiss her. Everything that had been and ever would be ended tonight. All the empty promises would eventually just become memories and things that would haunt them years later. A knot turned in the pit of his stomach, obstructing Miles from saying anything remotely related to forgetting her. He knew he never would, and she probably did too. Audrey was to Miles exactly what he was to her. "I would never---" he finally managed to mumble to her hair. His heart felt like it was slowly losing beats while his lungs struggled to contain any air.

Miles slipped his arm and shifted in front of her, "You're ridiculous to think that I could ever find someone to make me happy that isn't you. Do you realize what you're asking me to do? I would be fucking furious to see you with someone else ---" he began, feeling an intense burn within his skin. "--the thought of someone else holding you---no." With his chest quickly collapsing up and down, Miles was able to stop and think about his sudden harshness. "But if you do find someone, and they make you happy....then who am I to stop you. After all this is my fault." Miles began walking towards the door, slowly dragging Adurey along. The last thing he wanted was to make this ten time harder. He knew she'd have to clean up their perfect night, and staying to help would just push the two off the edge. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead aganst hers. "I'm sorry---" he mumbled again, eyes closing as she slipped his hand into hers. Her rosy lips drew him close, but the male was able to stop himself before doing anything. Another kiss and the breakup would just be unbearable. With his free hand, Miles reached for the door knob yet he remained frozen. He wanted to hear Audrey say she loved him one last time. "Will you always love me?" he asked, still gripping her hand but no longer in proximity.

[audrey-emerson-blog]

His words were everything Audrey wanted to hear and more. She wanted to hear about how much he loved her and how happy she made him, she really did. It made her feel like the most amazing person in the world, it made her forget about anybody else but Miles and this small, perfect, world they’d created for each other. A world where they could just be madly in love and forget about anything and anybosy else. But, after hearing what Miles had needed to tell her, the words also felt like they were stabbing her in the heart. He couldn’t tell her this. Not if he was going to leave.

“Miles -” she started, her eyes locking up to meet his only to be interrupted by his lips. Miles had slid Audrey to the edge of her seat, pulling her in close as for a moment she was able to completely lose herself in Miles — his smell, the feel of his arms around her, how his skin felt, the taste of his lips. She wanted it to last forever as they held each other close, their lips’ moving in time. However, that was not to be as they pulled away for a breath and Audrey was plunged back into their situation, what was happening, his touch once again turning painful. She tortured herself once more, maybe that was going to be the last kiss they’d ever share.

However she didn’t have much of a chance to think about much, or even catch her breath before Miles starting blurting out their fantasy to her. Running away, being together, not giving a shit what other people thought, exploring together. It was pefect. A dream. And for now that’s all it ever could be — a dream. Every bone in her body wanted to slam her lips against Miles’ and tell him she wanted to run away with him, to share all of her life with him, to be together. But, she couldn’t. As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t. His words were just a painful reminder as her heart ached. She shut her eyes once again, “Miles,” she barely managed to get over the new lump in her throat, her voice pained, “Y-you, you know I can’t.” She was surprised if there would be anything left of her heart at the end of this as she continued to talk, “I want to, I want to more than anyting. But, Miles…. I can’t.” Her tears started up again as she opened her eyes, them locking with Miles as words continued to spill out of her mouth, “I can’t Miles, I have school, I can’t just get up and leave that, it’s my only hope forbeing able to actually get out — I can’t rely on you.” She swallowed, knowing what was going to come out next, “And, Miles… my parents. I can’t leave them, they’d be devestated. I love them Miles and if I just left, they’d never speak to me again, they’d be worried sick. I want to, so badly, I want to be with you, but I, I can’t.” Every part of her but her brain screamed that she needed to shut up and go with him, but she couldn’t and she didn’t know how much longer she could sit here with him, especially now since she knew she was breaking his heart as much as his news had broken hers.

[milesknox]

Miles felt like the only thing that could end the misery he was living through was if the ground could swallow him whole. For a split second, the male believed that maybe Audrey would follow her heart for the first time in her life. But instead she decided to live in fear and under the control of her parents. He understood, however, the circumstances that attached the love of his life to the small town he wanted to call home. Just like she had unfinished business, Miles did too. His tears beaome heavier every time she said I can't. The pain had began to feel unbareable and he could no longer look at Audrey the same.

"I know..." he finally managed to mumble. "It's fine." Miles cupped her cheeks once again, but this time around he kept distance in between their lips. He pressed his forehead against her while locking eyes, "Don't forget I love you then..." he released her and soon got back at his feet. Nothing in the room seemed untouched, but Miles would be walking away a different peron. "I'm sorry." Miles got up and looked towards the ceiling, then back down at Audrey. "I don't know when I'll be back. I don't know if you're going to have someone else. But what I do know is that regardless of what happens you will forever be the love of my life. You are the reason why I've been my happiest."

[audrey-emerson-blog]

If she thought looking at him was hard, she hadn’t even imagined what his touch would feel like —the warm feel of his hands on her cheeks was almost painfu. His face was so close too. She could see the guilt that was written all over it and it only made her heart crack more, if that was possible. The last thing she had wanted was Miles to feel like this about something that he was passionate about. That was one of the things she loved about him. The way his eyes would light up when he talked about his work as they sat together and the sound of the smile in his voice if they lay together. He loved it as much as she loved the idea of it and she would’ve given anything to go with them, to run away like they had taunting each other about ever since he had come back. But she knew it was impossible. She couldn’t go and that was her fault alone, that was on her, she couldn’t blame Miles for that one. So the reality was she was going to have to stay here, stay in Northpoint, reliving the history of three years ago. Or maybe this time she wouldn’t be so naïve, they had tried long distance and failed miserably. Besides, nothing was certain, he could be gone for months, years — they were going to have to let go. Maybe for good. Looking back now it was something she had known deep down for far too long, covered by the denial and the feelings that lit up inside of her when they were together. Thinking about that made it to hard to look at him for a moment, her eyes flicking back down to her lap, trying to find something to say. Anything. 

“I know,” she said quietly, “That doesn’t mean it still doesn’t hurt.” She let out a shaky laugh, “I actually think that happens to be the thing that’s making it worse.” She still wasn’t looking at him, she couldn’t look at the guilty look on his face again without having that gutwrenching feeling of the fact she was making him guilty for something he loved doing. The tears still ran down her face as she spoke, “I want you to be happy, and despite the crap you keep saying about it, you love what you do Miles — it makes you happy. You need to go and do that.” 

It felt like someone had stabbed her, there was actual physical pain in her chest. It hadn’t hurt this much last time. Her own words were still ringing in her ears, her brain still racing and emotions all of over the place as she sat still, silent tears making their way down her face. Maybe they wouldn’t get a happy ending. Maybe she was destined to be stuck alone and caged for the rest of her life. Maybe their story would be one of the ones that ended out like a grimm’s tale rather than the fairy one.

[milesknox]

"But you make me the happiest," Miles replied as his brain finally began to process what was going on. "Sure this job assures my well being but you. You're the one that puts a smile on my face, the one that makes me feel like I'm invincible. Like my lifes complete and there is not a thing in the world I'm missing. You made me discover what love is and now that I've had a taste I can't be without you." Miles pulled Audrey closer to him and pressed his lips against hers. Never in the time they had been together had he kissed her with such passion. He wanted her to know that he meant every single word. The male pulled apart only to catch a breath of air, "Come with me!" he blurted out. "This is it Audrey come with me. Screw this place-- screw anyone who wants to get in the way of us. Isn't that what you want?" he asked, raising an eye brow. Before he gave her a chance to speak he continued, "I know it's unfair to put you in this position. I'm the one to blame and I don't want you to think that by saying "No" you're the bad person. I get it, but imagine. You and me. Together in a place no one knows us."

[audrey-emerson-blog]

Though only a few minutes of silence had passed, the silence between them lingered and felt like it had been there for hours. Audrey searched for something to say, her emotions bubbling all over the place — however her mouth stayed shut and she sat, staring at her lap, tears stinging her eyes and her baked chicken going cold. She wanted to say so much to him and the eerie space that surrounded them was about as far from what was going on her in mind as you could get. She was confused and angry and hurt and guilty for feeling all of those things all at once. She wanted to punch him for ruining her night and for leaving three years ago and thinking it was going to be okay to come back into her life when they both knew deep down it was just going to end up like this again. She wanted to punch him for hurting her when he knew that’s what this was going to do. She wanted to slap herself for being such a bitch and so selfish in wanting Miles to drop his dream job and the thing he loved to do for her, just so they could be together and he wasn’t kidding anyone. She wanted to slap herself for not having enough courage to stand up to her parents and go with him and she wanted to slap her parents for keeping her so locked up and making her feel like she couldn’t be with someone or do something that made her happy just because they would worry or not approve. She wanted to scream because no matter how perfect things ever were for them and no matter how hard they tried or how perfect each kiss, each touch, each moment was, eventually everything would always end up crashinng around them like this. But most of all, she had this overwhelming sense of doom that it was going to be worse than last time. She had been younger then, he had been younger then, she was more naïve and she hadn’t said she loved him. She hadn’t said she loved him and he hadn’t said that he loved her. And she did - she loved him, she loved him so much. There wasn’t something about Miles that she didn’t love. Not one thing. Now that fact was out in the open and leaving behind someone after that was going to be so much harder. She would’ve thought that if they’d admitted it to each other it’d make it less painful because their love could get through the issues, or some other crap that never ended up being true for them. But it only made it worse. 

Not really sure how to feel, Audrey wiped the tears that had began to fall out of her eyes before forcing herself to look at him. She wanted to tell that it wasn’t his fault, because it really wasn’t, and she wanted to say that she wasn’t going to be in the way of his work and what made him happy, because she didn’t want that for him. She wanted him to be happy. However, maybe it was the fact that she’d forced herself to look at him but all that came out was, “Why’d you have to make that promise?”

[milesknox]

Miles was numb through it all. His heart had been broken into pieces so small putting it back together seemed impossible. How could he made her so happy for weeks and now the only thing he was making her feel was pain. There was nothing in the world that could possibly take back the horrific moments they were both going through. Miles stood from his chair and knelt before her, his hands grasping her face. "Audrey I-I..." his words stopped at the end of his tongue. There was no excuse for his lack of commitment to the promise, but this was his job. Even though living his dream next to Audrey made him happy, he had to return to his reality. "I wish this stupid project never kicked off. I thought it wasn't and now----I have to go." Miles just wanted to reel her into a kiss like the night they were star gazing. But instead he kept his eyes fixed on the tears that rolled down her cheeks, "This doesn't mean I don't love you Audrey. This doesn't change the way I feel for you."

[audrey-emerson-blog]

When the words fell from Miles’ lips Audrey turned numb. She thought she had misheard him for second, but her eyes were locked on his face, which told it all. He was leaving. It was if all the breath had been drawn out of the girl. It had felt like she’d been winded, like someone had punched her in the stomach. She almost couldn’t believe him, hoping it was some kind of cruel joke, her warm brown eyes staring at him with a mix of disbelief and pain. He was going. Just like last time. Goodbye Northpoint, goodbye Audrey. She tried to work words out out behind the lump that was growing in her throat, but she couldn’t manage anything, just opening her mouth to close it again. He couldn’t leave. Not now. Everything was so perfect. They were so perfect. The last few months had been so magical together, each time they kissed, the nights they went star gazing, the feel of Miles’ arms around her and that amazing, fuzzy, indescribable feeling she got when he said he loved her. It was perfect. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. It was supposed to be special. But all that was happening was a repeat of history. She didn’t want to go down the same path again, the one where she’d be miserable and stuck in Northpoint for another three years with a broken heart. ‘I told you so’ the nagging voice in the back of her head said. She’d known all along it would end like this and now it had finally been proved right.

Her eyes were still locked on Miles, but they flicked down when she felt them start to water — she didn’t want to cry. She should’ve been more prepared for this. Nevertheless, she felt a tear slip down her face and drop down onto her hand, which now felt cold without Miles’ ontop of it. She licked her lips, her eyes still on her hands as all she managed to work out was a small “Oh” past the lump in her throat.

[milesknox]

The disbelief in Audreys eyes were enough to convince him that he'd lost her, this time for good. Once again he'd been selfish and cruel to choose his life over theirs. His mind jumping into a sea of emotions made it difficult to try and reply to her subtle sigh. On one hand he felt guilt and sadness at the thought of leaving her and Northpoint and everything they had behind. This was when Miles was at his true happiness, around her and doing what he loved. But on the other hand he felt almost a bit of anger because he didn't want to feel guilty. Since his arrival Miles made it clear that his stay was temporary. Even as their relationship began to blossom, he made it clear that even though neither of them wanted it their relationship was going to be cut short. Then after realizing that he was the villian in the story, the hint of anger diminished and he was completely taken over by guilt. "I'm sorry---" he said with a lump in his throat. His hand went in for hers, but stopped being only centimeters away. He knew his touch wouldn't to anything to erase what was happening.

[dontbesuchabeach]

[milesknox]

Audrey practically glowed as Miles’ complimented her. Out of everyone Miles’ opinion was the most important to her. However, it seemed that was all he was going to say as they sat in silence, Audrey waiting for Miles to say something. Her eyes would flick up every few minutes, but he was only staring at his plate. She swallowed, maybe she hadn’t been so wrong after all. Maybe there really was something bothering him. She tried racking her brain to think of a reason — Had she done something wrong? The last time things had been like this was when Audrey hadn’t returned how she felt about Miles, but they were past that and usually all over one another. Maybe this had been too much for him. Was it something to do with his dad or his grandparents, had they said something? Was he breaking up with her? She chewed at her lip, not wanting to think about any of those things. Especially the last one. She looked up again, this time her eyes meeting with his. Her smile was gone but as the words fell from his lips and he placed his hand on hers it dropped completely, her eyes gowing full of worry. I’m Sorry. “Miles…” Audrey said, as she felt a small lump growing in her throat as she wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear him continue.

Miles felt his heart rate dramatically spike up while his hands began to tremble in fear. Fear because knew he'd be responsible for the pain he was about to bring upon Audrey. Miles jerked his hand off hers, not wanting to show that he was in a worse condition than she was. "I'm sorry---but I...." a knot in his throat kept the truth sealed in for a couple more seconds. "I can't keep my promise." His mind flashedback to the night he promised to never again leave the way he had three years ago. "They've called me in. The reasearch trip is a go."

[milesknox]

The girl brow furrowed slightly, however the smile never leaving her lips, “Of course you do,” she said softly, finding his hand and lacing her fingers through it. “You deserve all of it, I wouldn’t do it otherwise.” Her eyes met his across the table, “I love you remember?” She only unlaced their fingers to take a sip of the wine. The uneasy feeling that she had when he had hugged her had come back. Maybe she was just over analysing it. But something certainly felt off. Like Miles wasn’t really with himself. Audrey knew Miles to well to continue to ignore the little signals he was unconsciously giving her - usually he wasn’t so distracted and though she wasn’t complaining about the affection, he didn’t usually didn’t get so deep within the first twenty minutes of arriving. Maybe she was just thinking too much into it, he had a smile on his face, she couldn’t let her brain get the better of her. Especially tonight.

“Wow, You really should be proud of me,” Audrey laughed after taking the first bite of the chicken which had turned out about one thousand times better than what she imagined, “This isn’t actually too bad. I honestly thought you might have to pretend to like it for me.”

Audreys persistant smile and cheery attitude magnifide the serious pain he would cause her if he were to bring up the elephant in the room. By now she must have picked up on his behavior, she was an intelligent girl, but what surprised him even more was the fact she wasn't questioning it. Miles couldn't bring himself around to answer Audrey, instead he simply gave her a smile. "I'm sure I won't have to pretend," he finally replied picking up his knife and fork to try the food. Once he cut the appropriate bite and put it in his mouth, Miles quickly looked up at Audrey with eyes wide open. "This is really good, actually. And I promise I'm not lying!" A couple of bites later and Miles had remained quiet. It felt as if he spoke another word the world might just crumble beneath them. When he realized he'd been letting it go on for to long he acted upon his instinct to speak without thinking. "I'm sorry----" he mumbled, reaching over and placing his hand over her fingers, locking his eyes to hers.

[milesknox]

Her skin tingled where their arms brushed and she couldn’t help but relax as Miles flashed her a smile. She wasn’t sure whether it was the fact it had been late or something completely different, but he did seem a little off — getting lost in thoughts was her thing. But his smile pushed those worries out of her head as she nodded, “The timer should be going off any second now, I’ll bring it through.” She squeezed his hand back and placed one more soft kiss on his lips - something she could never get enough of - before heading to the kitchen.

Surprisingly the meal had gone quite well. Audrey was not famous for her cooking and hadn’t wanted to admit that her first attempt for dinner that night had been binned, however the second had seemed to go pretty much to plan. Sure it was pretty simple baked chicken, but it was doing better than the risotto had. She couldn’t stop smiling as she took the chicken out of the oven, humming to herself quietly. It was soothing how natural it felt to do these things, the kissing and the being together in her house, it made her think of maybe what the future could for them, after all, they did love each other and Miles had tempted her with running away so many times. She dished up the chicken and brought out a bottle of wine from her parents cupboard that she didn’t thin they’d miss, the smile still not gone from her face. She has wanted tonight to be special and ir seemed fate was finally in her hands for once as everything was going to plan.

She brough the two plate through, balacing them carefully alongside the bottle of wine , setting them down at the table, grinning at Miles. “They didn’t burn and it didn’t turn out half bad,” she said with a small chuckle, “You should be proud.” Both her hands and her lips quickly found his again as she placed one more lingering kiss on his lips before sliding into one of the chairs she’s set out, her eyes filled with love and happiness. “I got some wine too,” she said, “According to Mom’s cook book it’s they’re supposed to go well together.”

Miles had been lost deep in his train of thoughts that the sound of Audrey walking back in startled him to the point of slightly jumping. He tried to play it off, pretending he was pulling out a chair but his reaction was too late. He'd even forgotten to move his lips as Audrey went in for a kiss. "I am proud---" he replied, hoping his respond made sense.

For the most part, Miles had missed most of what Audrey was saying; she'd went on about burning and cookbooks. Although he wanted to pay attention and pretend everything was fine, Miles simply took his seat and kept a smile on his face. "Wine is good." As she poured their drinks and placed the food carefully in his plate, Miles watched along and recorded every detail he could of her smile. It was his favorite thing about Audrey, and being the reason why she smiled made him too proud. But soon it would all change, he knew exaclty who this would end like. "Thank you--" he replied short once they were ready to eat. "I don't deserve all this. Everything you do for me---everything you are to me."

[milesknox]

Seeing Miles instantly made Audrey brighten up, the feeling she had completely washed away and replaced by the tingly, heart-skipping-a-beat feeling. If it were possible, her grin grew wider as he stepped through the door, his lips meeting hers. As Miles deepend their kiss, she wrapped her arms aroud him slightly surprised but not complaining - she figured it was because he’d been late. But her mind wasn’t focused on the details anymore, it was lost in Miles. “Don’t worry about it,” Audrey said, her hand quickly finding his as the came apart, squeezing his hand softly. She didn’t want him to beat himself up for being late, besides, he was here now.

Her cheeks were tinged pink as he spoke, the in-awe tone of his voice making her blush. “Thanks,” she mumbled, unable to hide her happiness that he liked it, “I just wanted this night to be special, so I figured I could go all-out…” She was cut off my Miles walking over and wrapping his arms around her. “Somebody’s affectionate tonight,” she said with a small giggle. However her voice grew more serious as she lay her head against his shoulder “I know, I won’t,” she said softly, “I love you too remember? A lot.” She placed another small kiss on his lips, letting them rest there for a few seconds, her arms once again, pulling him closer as they stood, entwined for a few seconds. She knew Miles well that she could pick something was troubling him, she hoped it wasn’t the fact that he was late, because she really didn’t mind. So, just just let it go, linking her fingers through his again. “You actually came at a perfect time because dinner’s almost ready and hopefully it won’t burn if you don’t distract me too much,” she chuckled.

Miles rubbed the back of his neck, a little stressed with the situation. It would be ten times easier for him to break the news now before he continued to lead her on, but as soon as he heard her say that she wanted tonight to be special, his lips froze. He'd definately break her heart now, and it wouldn't be much worse than the first time around.

All Miles could do was flash smiles at Audrey as she eagerly looked over at him. He hoped that they were convincing enough for her not to ask questions as to why he kept losing himself in his thoughts. "Then you should go check on dinner...." he suggested, tightening his grip on her hand. "It smells delicious and I'd hate for it to go to waste."

As Audrey went into the kitchen, Miles took the alone time to take deep breaths. He'd seemed to have been holding it since the moment he stepped in. He trailed his fingers along the edge of the table, eyes fixed on everything she'd done. This was the only opportunity they had to be a normal couple, and he'd be the one to ruin it. The promises he made under the stars, on the rooftops were going to be broken by something as simple as a job.

[milesknox]

“Are you here to state the obvious, or is there actually something you have to say that’s worth my time, kid?”

"By that attitude I don't think anything is worth to you."

[milesknox]

“I’m leaving.”

"Where to? You don't seem very excited?"

[milesknox]

With a somewhat annoyed expression, Audrey fiddled with her appearance in the mirror, fixing her hair, smoothing it back into place with a few pins. She had finally finished setting up for Miles to come over and was nervous waiting for him, so like she usually did, tended to pick on the finer details like her hair or whether the placemats were straight enough or not. It was rare that Miles was able to come over to her house and stay, besides the night they’d spent together this was the first time this Summer he would be able to be with her at her own house. Her father had a work convention and with reluctance they’d let her stay at home, the fact that she now had Uni as working in her favour. Though it was supposed to be relativly low-key she wanted it to be special, Miles meant a lot to her and she wanted to show that. So, she had tried to make it as special as she could. Despite the lack of knowledge she had when it came to cooking she had managed to make a passable dinner that was now in oven and has cleaned up the living room for a movie. Now all she had to do was wait for Miles. 

He wasn’t usually late when it came to these sort of things, but he was running a bit behind schedual today it seemed. So, she had plodded herself down on the sofa as she waited for him, letting the excitement and nerves get the better of her as she started picking lint of the cushions. She was about to get out her phone when the bell finally did ding, she shot up, taking once last glance at herself and the house - caring very much about the not trying hard look - before she skipped over to the door, the ear-to-ear smile already starting across her face. As she pulled open the door to reveal Miles, her smile only grew. “Hey Stranger.”

Miles felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach as she greeted him happily. The thought of wiping the smile off her face caused him great pain, and he didn't want to go through with it. It took Miles a moment to realize he was standing at the doorway instead of stepping in. "Hello to you, stranger," finally acting normal, he went in for a kiss. The fact it wasn't a normal quick peck instead a longated deeper kiss might have given something away but Miles was much too nervous to see his behavior. "Sorry I was late my granddad--didn't want to go buy milk and my grandmom wanted cereal s-so I had to go you know..." Miles stepped forward, eyes finally landing on what she'd probably spent the entire afternoon doing.

"Audrey-----" he mumbled, walking closer to the dinner table. His eyes picking up every detail she'd put attention to. While his nose picked up the aroma of the food she'd managed to cook, because lets face it between the two Miles was the better cook. "You shouldn't have done all this. I mean I love it---I more than love it, if that's possible." Miles stood still, remembering why this night was going to go downhill. The only thing that could make him feel better was being close to Audrey, so he made his way over and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, don't forget that."

[milesknox]

Chloe rubbed her eyes tiredly, then looked up at him trying to focus on the movements of his mouth. Being tired only made it harder for her to read his lips. “Help? –No. It’s okay. I have two weeks to finish packing everything. I just took care of the smaller things today.”

"Oh okay---are you going somewhere?"

[milesknox]

“I’m sorry, I’m just exhausted right now. I spent the whole day packing.”

"It's fine---do you need any help? Or I'm guessing you're all done."

[milesknox]

“If you really think about it.. it’s kind of ironic.”

"Of course it's ironic. There's no humane way of killing."