The Three-Month Rule

Chapter 15 - Everything's About to Change

"Would you do me the honour of becoming my girlfriend?" he asked her, a hopeful smile echoing his question.

Allegra stared at the floor, lost in a daydream, and said nothing.

"I know things are moving awfully fast, but..." Tom paused, letting out a deep sigh that sounded like he'd supressed for a long time. "There are very few things in my life that I have been sure about. But for this, I am," he continued.

He observed her expression, the night's natural light illuminating the high points of her face and casting shadows on the low points, making her face look unnaturally slim as she wandered aimlessly through her own thoughts.

"Allie?" he whispered, lowering his head to look directly into her eyes and disturbing her from her daydream.

"Sorry, I just had a flashback," she apologised, a frown settling on her face as she tried to grasp reality once more.

"To what?"

"It doesn't matter," she replied, shaking her body to rid the past. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

Tom paused again and bit his lip, the corner of his mouth raising gently as he observed her presence.

"Will you be mine?" he asked her again.

"I would love to be, Tom," Allegra gasped, happy tears threatening to form.

"You make me the happiest I have ever been," he told her, tucking her hair behind her ear and caressing her cheek with his thumb.

"And you, I," she said, the tears forming.

"So," he smiled.

"So," she echoed.

"There is something I need to tell you, my dear," the smile disappeared from his lips.

"What's that?" Allegra's heart lurched as the wind picked up, making her feel colder each second she waited for his response.

"I have to travel to America," he said, avoiding eye contact with her.

"Ok. When?" she asked him, hugging her shoulders as the wind continued to grow stronger.

"Tomorrow. After the broadcast."

"Oh," Allegra frowned, her eyes settling on the grass of the maze they were stood in. She wondered why he was telling her this now.

"It's for 'Endgame'," he began. "My agent, Christian, has booked me some interviews, photoshoots, panels and such. And we have to film a few sections out there, so..." he trailed off, reflecting her frown.

"Oh," was all she could say.

"Are you cold?" he asked her, noticing the tiny goosebumps that formed on her soft skin.

"You're going to America?" she repeated to herself.

"...I know it's short notice, and I understand if you say no, but..." Tom sighed hopefully. "Will you come with me?"

"What?" Allegra asked, shocked, as if the wind has stolen the air right out of her lungs.

"To America. Will you come?"