Page 25 of Just Try, Again and Again

He pulls a cigarette out of a pack and lights it up, blowing the smoke in the direction opposite me. “I won’t take handouts, man.”

“But you’ll happily let me take you to parties so you can get all these college kids drugged up?” I cock an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest. “Sounds noble.”

“It’s called market expansion. Don’t they teach you that in business 101?” After Cameron’s laughter dies down, his eyes tell me his conflicting feelings. “I appreciate you doing this for me, Bryce, and I appreciate your offer. But what am I supposed to do? Take your money and sell magnets to tourists? Flip burgers? I can’t do that. Not with my sister with us.”

“This is the last party I’m taking you to, man, alright? I’ve made enough introductions. After this, you’re on your own. It’s not a good look for me or you. You’re not selling weed anymore, Cam. At the rate you’re going, you’re going to get yourself into some deep shit a few years from now.”

Cameron gives me an understanding nod. “Anyway, tell me more about your trip to Japan. How was it?”

I’ve been on a lot of vacations in my life, but nothing tops the week I spent in Tokyo with Haruki. Which is why I was crushed when I found out that I was one of the few students selected to go to Berlin in March. A visiting professor from Germany is going back to Berlin and he has invited a few students tocome for a semester as exchange students. Since the summer semester in Germany runs from March until July, with the professor requesting us to stay until August to participate in his international business management project, I can’t fly to Japan for spring break or summer break. Unfortunately for me, Haruki will be starting her bachelor’s degree during that time. She has been waiting so long for this and she’s working all the hours she can at her dad’s place to be able to afford a better camera and video camera for her studies. Just like Cameron, that girl is too stubborn to accept my help.

“Earth to Bryce.” Cameron snaps his fingers in front of my face. “You’re zoning out on me. What’s up?”

“Sorry, dude.” I smile. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately. Smiling. And zoning out.Like a motherfucking chick-flick on legs. “Cam, I want to tell you something, but you can’t tell anyone else.”

“Bryce.” My name comes out with a concerned undertone. “Did you get your girl pregnant?”

“Nope, but I did get hitched.” Cameron looks at me like I’m speaking in tongues. “Back in Hawaii. Spur of the moment thing.”

He crushes his cigarette butt on the ground as he snorts. “Count on you to marry the first girl you fall in love with, Casanova.” A shit-eating grin forms on his face. “What does Papa Arthur think about this?”

“Papa Arthur doesn’t know. And neither does her family, for that matter,” I admit, scratching the side of my head. “You’re the first person I’m telling this to. We’re keeping it on the down low.”

My best friend chuckles and shakes his head, probably still digesting the bomb I just dropped on him. “I can’t see this not blowing up in your face,” he says as he puts a hand on my shoulder. “But congrats, man.”

Just as I am about to say something to Cameron, I feel a friendly slap on my back. I turn around to see two emerald green eyes looking at me. Once I realize who this guy is, I immediately open my arms and a wide grin breaks out on my face, pulling my cheeks tightly. “Logan, how are you, man?”

Logan goes in for a light hug before pulling away and standing across from me, eye-to-eye in front of Cameron. “I’m good. Crazy that we haven’t bumped into each other yet. How’s your wife?”

“She’s good. Thanks again for everything. I owe you. Big time.”

And then I invite Logan to chill with us for the night. I don’t want to enable Cameron any more than I already am, but what harm can one more introduction to a rich RadTech student do, right?

22

Haruki - 19 years old

Spring Semester, Start of University for Haruki

Ismile to myself, noticing the bounce in my step and the lightness of my shoulders. In Japan, the academic year starts on the first of April, together with the bloom of sakura. My mother always theorized that it was because, just like flowers in the spring, young adults should bloom during this time. My mother was right. I feel like I’m finally going somewhere with my life. And I feel her with me, guiding me every step of the way.

Haruki Sano. First-year student, majoring in photography with a focus on commercial photography. The university I’m attending requires us to pick a focus. Since they don’t offer nature photography, it was either that or photojournalism, but I don’t mind. Besides, these things are semantics. Everything is portfolio-based in the end, anyway.

I open the door to the house I ran away from last year.Things really do happen for a reason.Lily’s mother did what she did with malicious intent, but she ended up reconnecting me withmy father. As much as I miss Bryce every second of every day, I wouldn’t trade the life that I have right now for anything. It just sucks that I can’t have my cake and eat it, too.Soon, Haruki. Soon.

My phone vibrates in my hand. Without even opening the message, I already know that my father is reminding me that I have to edit the pictures and videos of a listing he needs online by tomorrow morning. As I quickly make my way to my room so I can do what he’s asking of me, my phone vibrates a second time. This time it’s longer, and my heart feels as light as my steps when I see who is on the other end.

“You’re already awake,” I squeal, not bothering to hide my happiness that he’s calling. Bryce is still lying in bed by the looks of it. His blond hair is tousled on top of the white pillow. If I were there, I would gently run my fingers through it.

“Yeah,” he answers with a sleepy voice. “I set an alarm so I can catch you before your next class. I know you have a big break in between today.”

“You memorized my class schedule, didn’t you?”

A cheeky smile spreads across his face, making me yearn to be next to him and kiss his lips even more. “And your work schedule. Ever since you started college, you’ve been a busy girl. I miss you, Haruki.”

“I miss you, too.” My voice falters when I continue, “So much.” Bryce doesn’t say anything. By the way his blue eyes are angled down at the screen, I know he’s looking at me, probably trying to make out what I’m thinking. But he doesn’t have to give it a lot of thought, he knows what’s on my mind.I miss him.Not wanting to make this phone call a sad one, I give him a small smile and change the subject. “How’s Berlin? Are you used to public transport yet? Or do you still miss driving everywhere?”

“You know the answer to that, Haruki. I miss my car. I might miss it more than I miss you.”

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