Page 26 of Just Try, Again and Again

I shake my head as giggles come out of both of us. “You’re so spoiled.”

“Don’t I know it.” Bryce yawns and lies on his side, giving me a small peek at his nightstand, where a framed photo of us sits. “So I was thinking…what about San Francisco?”

“Really? You want us to move to San Francisco after I graduate?”

“Why not?” He shrugs. “The city is pretty cool.”

“What about Tokyo?”

“Do you think I’d be able to get by without knowing Japanese?”

“You’ll survive. You can always learn. Or you can always start a YouTube channel,” I joke.

To ease the pain of long-distance, Bryce and I have started looking at cities we could move together as a joke. We know that realistically speaking, we can’t do anything about it until he graduates, but it makes for a fun activity. Besides, everyone likes to daydream, right?

“Hi, and thanks for watching my video. This is a day in the life of Bryce Simmons. Today, we’re going to be getting groceries at a Japanese supermarket. Continue watching to check out my haul!”

I crack up at the sound of his fake, chirpy voice. “Don’t be so quick to hate, Bryce. Some of these vloggers make a ton of money.”

“And they spend it all on those five-hundred-dollar snack hauls. I know.”

As we are both laughing, a notification pops up on top of my phone. It’s a message from my brother, Kenji, asking me whether I have edited the promotional materials for the listing. “Sorry, Bryce, but I have to go. I have to squeeze in some work time before I go back out.” His lips thin, but he doesn’t try toconvince me to stay. He knows better. Sadly, I know better, too.Soon, Haruki. Soon.

“Alright. I better get ready as well. Love you, baby.”

“Love you, too, Bryce,” I reply before pressing the red button that ends our scheduled Tuesday FaceTime call. Work. Class. FaceTime. Repeat. It’s my new grind, but I know it will be worth it.

Soon, Haruki. Soon.

23

Bryce - 19 years old

Iplant my feet on the floor and make my way to the bathroom. Today is a busy day for me. The visiting students from RadTech are meeting up for brunch, after that we’ve got the international trade workshop on campus, and then I have to meet Professor Schulz in his office. For some reason he wants to meet with me; I hope I haven’t fucked up.

I close my eyes the moment the shower head starts spraying hot water on me, and my mind examines my relationship with Haruki. No matter how you slice it, once the novelty wears off, being in a situation like ours sucks. I wish I had a time machine so we could move along faster to Christmas. Haruki is going to be flying into Radinger and meeting my dad properly as my serious “girlfriend” for the first time. Lily also wants to tag along, but other than the dinner I promised both of them, I’m going to rent us a place to stay and keep her to myself for the week that she’s going to be in the US.

We need some quality time, and we need it fast. Aside from my studies, which I actually enjoy, I have no desire todo anything anymore. All I do is wait for my phone to vibrate, hoping it’s Haruki texting or calling me. I’m like an addict who’s itching for his next fix.

As if on cue, the iPhone that’s sitting on the edge of the bathroom sink lights up. I feel my heart sinking when I see that it’s just a picture I’m tagged in.@callmebrycesimmons missing you buddy,the caption says. In the photo, Cameron and Logan are hanging out at Logan’s apartment that’s way too swanky for a college kid. Logan has his hand wrapped around Penelope’s waist—his new girlfriend.

Ever since I introduced them at a party, Logan and Cameron have been getting close. Now that I’m gone, the two of them seem to be hanging out nonstop. I guess Cameron found his new in to the rich kids of RadTech. Logan is more loaded than me, and way more connected. He didn’t go to Elsham Cove High, he was way too bougie for that. The more he hangs out with Cameron, the cooler he looks. Mutualistic symbiosis, I guess.Good for them.

Haruki

Tell me once you’re heading back home. I’ll stay awake and wait up for you.

Sure thing. Three hours tops. Love you.

Haruki

Love you, too.

As I putmy phone in my jeans pocket, I hear someone call out my name.

“Professor Schulz,” I greet the middle-aged man standing in front of me. He motions for me to go inside his office, and I do, hearing the door close behind me.

“Take a seat, Mr. Simmons, please,” he says. “How are you enjoying Berlin and the university so far?”

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