#thedaytheweatherchanged

[kimmiessimmies]

The Day The Weather Changed (4/11)

She had driven to Appaloosa Plains through dreary and foggy weather. It had been a sunny autumn so far, but the weather seemed to be changing now.

Checking her hair one last time in the rearview mirror, Sadie took a deep breath. Rachel’s words still swam around her head. Was this surprise visit really a good idea? What if it was too confronting for James? Don’t overthink this Sade, this will be good. Right. And she would take it easy. She had decided to tell James that if this was not a good time for him, she didn’t mind at all, and would just go and come back another time. But he wrote that he couldn’t wait to see her, so he’d be happy. Of course he would be. She cast her reflection a smile. “We got this, girl,” she whispered and stepped out of her car.

As she made her way up the path from the parking space to the house, she saw two people sitting on the bench under the canopy roof. Sadie smiled. Even from a distance, she recognised James instantly. For a fraction of a second, she thought about calling his name, but from their postures it seemed James and the other guy were having a serious conversation. Best not to disturb and wait a bit. Sadie watched them from a distance. Would that other guy be James’ friend he wrote about? Dante? She figured it must be. Even though she couldn’t hear what they were saying from where she was standing, the conversation seemed deep, and James hadn’t mentioned anyone else he was close to in this house.

Sadie was still watching the boys when Presumably-Dante suddenly put his arm around James’ shoulder. Sadie froze. What was happening? What was going on?! An alarming sense of panic rose within her as she saw both guys leaning in towards each other. And then their lips locked, and they were kissing. They were kissing. James was kissing. James was kissing someone who wasn’t Sadie. James was kissing this boy!

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The Day The Weather Changed (9/11)

It was somewhat of a miracle Sadie made it back to Honeycomb Hills without causing an accident, driving almost on autopilot. But eventually, she found herself back at her dorm. It had started to rain.

Feeling numb, she walked back to her room.

“What…? Who!?” Rachel’s voice shrieked as she entered, and Rachel and Malte jumped up off Rachel’s bed, quickly adjusting clothing. Sadie barely even noticed and just stared ahead as she sat down on her own bed.

“Sadie?” Rachel said, sounding incredulous. “How are you back already? I didn’t expect you back for hours…”

Sadie couldn’t say anything. She just sat down on her bed and felt nothing but empty.

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[kimmiessimmies]

The Day The Weather Changed (1/11)

Sadie nervously wrung her hands together. The mailman came by their dorm every day between noon and quarter past, pretty much without fail, but it was 12:20 now, and she hadn’t seen him yet. Of course, there might not be a letter. She never knew if there would be a letter, but she hoped and wished every day that there would be, and so far, there had been a letter every week. When James had first let her know he’d rather write than call because that felt more peaceful to him, she had felt a little apprehensive. She had been scared their contact would dwindle if they didn’t speak, but soon, she discovered just how meaningful letters were. How very personal and heartwarming it felt to know that James had sat down and actually taken some time to write to her. Thought about the words and wrote them down, especially for her.

The way he wrote his letters was so loving, too. And so very James. She could almost hear him speak. She also loved writing back to him. Just telling him little things about her days. She steered clear from anything too sentimental of mushy. That wouldn’t be helpful right now, she thought. So, she wrote light little anecdotes about classes and professors and sent him song lyrics she had been trying out. 

“Hello miss”, the deep voice pulled Sadie out of her thoughts,

“Waiting for your love letter again, are ya’?”

Sadie forced a smile for the mailman. She was happy to see him, but he made the same joke every day.

“It’s only one letter today, so I hope it’s what you're waiting for,” the mailman said, handing her a single envelope. Sadie knew there was always a chance it wasn’t for her. After all, the dorm housed eleven students, and there had been days when the pile of mail had been big but still hadn’t contained a letter from James.

Now, however, she saw it the minute the mailman handed her the letter: “To Sadie Stevens,” it said in an unmistakable, fast-written, but nice, flowing hand.

Quickly mumbling a ‘thank you’ to the mailman, Sadie made her way back inside, the letter pressed against her chest.

The route to the chair in the corner of the little dorm library was all too familiar now. Looking for a place to read her letters in complete privacy, Sadie had found that quiet corner a few weeks ago. It had quickly become her go-to spot.

“My dearest Sade”, the letter began. Sadie smiled, she loved when James said “my”, it felt intimate.

“Horseback riding?!” she exclaimed out loud, slapping a hand to her mouth immediately.  She read on and her eyes grew wide.

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The Day The Weather Changed (11/11)

Rachel shook her head, “No… Honestly, no, Sadie… He was kissing a boy. I’m sure he didn’t do that on a whim… Maybe, as much as I do understand how it hurts, but maybe give him space to have this. Explore that side of himself?”

“But Rach… What if that ‘exploring’ leads to him never coming back to me…?” Sadie asked, her bottom lip wobbling as she tried to hold her voice steady.

“Then… He wasn’t your person, sweetie… I don’t mean to be harsh, but I just don’t want to see you invest yourself completely and then get your heart broken…”

Sadie shook her head, “Too late for that…”

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The Day The Weather Changed (10/11)

“I think she needs me… Would you mind? I’ll come to your house tonight if I can?” Sadie vaguely heard Rachel say.

“Yes, of course, elskede,” Malte’s voice sounded, “Take your time. And… good luck…”

The door opened and closed again, and shortly after, Sadie felt the bed dip as Rachel carefully sat down next to her.

“Sadie? What happened, sweetie?”

Sadie turned to her friend and looked at her blankly, “I saw James kissing a boy.” she said, surprisingly clearly, but then she broke and could only sob. Rachel’s eyes grew wide, and she immediately pulled Sadie into a hug, “Oh honey… Oh... I’m sorry…”

In between sobs, Sadie explained to Rachel what she saw and what happened next.

“…And then I left,” she concluded. “It was a lousy excuse and I think he knew it was an excuse too… But I couldn’t stay… Was I wrong? Should I go back?”

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The Day The Weather Changed (8/11)

“In fact, I… er… came here because I wanted to see you before I got too busy… But I can’t stay long and I should go… Sorry, but I have so much studying to do, and it’s stressing me out a lot. So, I’m really sorry, but I should go.”

“What? But you just got here…” James said, confusion in his eyes as he looked at Sadie. Ugh, she hated making him look that way. But she had to go, before she would burst into tears. James would feel responsible, and she didn’t want to put that on him. He hadn’t done anything wrong after all.

“Yes… I know... Sorry… I just wanted to tell you in person that I might not be very responsive or talkative for a while. I need to pass this…”

“Okay… If that’s what you need. Sure.” James looked sad as he said that. “I was hoping to have a talk with you, but it’s nothing that can’t wait. I’ll walk you to your car then?”

Sadie just nodded.

They said goodbye at her car, accompanied by an awkward hug, and then James slacked back to the house.

Sadie swallowed a lump in her throat as she watched him go. This is for the best… He needs to be able to focus on his new romance without interference. I’ll be okay… “I’ll be okay,” she repeated out loud to herself. But the tears streaming down her face told a different story.

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The Day The Weather Changed (7/11)

“I’m so happy to see you,” James smiled. They were seated in the dining room of the house. James had gotten Sadie a cup of tea and a piece of cake, which she had barely touched because she felt too nauseous to eat anything. Also, she needed all her attention to focus on suppressing the huge bubble of panic rising up within her. She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. She wanted to run away. But instead she mustered something resembling a smile in response to James. James… Her James, who wasn’t hers at all.

“How… um… how are you doing?” She asked, trying to sound normal.

“I'm actually doing very well,” James replied. “I feel a lot calmer and Sasha has helped me understand myself better. I still have a bit of a road ahead, I don’t think I’m coming back yet, but I am doing better. Small steps. And I have a friend here, which also helps. Dante has been a great support.” He smiled.

“What about you, though? How are you? Please tell me what you’ve been doing and how things are going. How’s Rachel? And um…  how’s Finn?”

Sadie had difficulty registering what James was asking her. All she heard was “Dante”, and the image of that kiss lingered in front of her like she was still seeing it.

“Sorry. What was that?” she asked, trying to buy herself time to align her thoughts.

“How is Finn? Are you two… still… good?” James asked, seeming somewhat hesitant.

Finn… She had come here in part to tell him she had broken up with Finn. But now that seemed like such a moot point. She was finally single, and James was in love with someone else… Was that why he asked? Because he wanted her to be okay? That would be very much like him…

She forced a smile as wide as she could. “Finn and I are great!” She was stunned at how easy these lies came. “Never better. Everyone is doing really great. Just… busy, you know… Mid term exams are coming up…”

“In fact…!” An escape had suddenly popped into her head.

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The Day The Weather Changed (6/11)

“Sade!” James jumped up and came walking towards her with big strides.

“What a great surprise! I was just wondering when you would write back, and now you’re here! Oh, you can’t believe how happy I am to see you!” James proclaimed happily as he wrapped his arms around her.

Sadie felt stunned and confused at the same time. He was happy to see her? After he was just kissing Presumably-Dante? That did happen, didn’t it? Sadie felt like she got stuck in some alternate universe.

“Sade?” James then said, looking at her, “Are you okay? You look very pale and you haven’t said a word…”

Words. Right. Of course he expected words from her. Sadie forced a smile. “I’m… er… just cold and tired from the ride, but, hi.”

“Oh, yes, it’s freezing.” James said, “Let’s go inside and get you a hot cup of tea.”

He put his arm around her waist and gently led her towards the house. “I… um… I think you just missed Dante…” James said and Sadie glanced at his face to see if she could detect any telltale sign in his face. Was she mistaken or was there a slight blush on James’s cheeks as he said “Did you see him? On that bench with me…?”

“No.” Sadie spoke that lie without even thinking about it. “I didn’t see him. I only just got here.”

“Ah!” James said, “Well, that’s… a pity. But you might meet him later.”

“I would love to.” Sadie said. Another lie.

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