Officially His, 365 Days With You

001- WILD

ELLIE’S POV

As the festive season approached, Los Angeles, a city like no other, with its neon-lit skyline and vibrant energy was embracing the holiday spirit with a unique blend of its signature glitz and festive cheer.

Ellie stepped out of the hospital, pausing at the edge of the parking lot. She looked tired and drained, fully aware that paramedics rarely had time for themselves, let alone for holidays.

It was during this season that the roads grew messier and hospitals overflowed with emergency patients. Triage, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and quick decisions became crucial, especially if you were good at them.

But that wasn’t what was on her mind now. Instead, it was how to confront a deeply troubling moment in her life…

Thirty minutes later, Ellie slumped in the driver’s seat of her car, staring blankly at the entrance of the restaurant. She had just finished her shift at the hospital and the exhaustion was written all over her face.

Being a paramedic was tough, mentally and physically.

And today was one of those days…

But now, instead of going home to rest, she had to deal with Andrew, her boyfriend, for how long though, was another question entirely. Or maybe refer to him as a soon-to-be ex-boyfriend.

She sighed heavily, grabbing her phone and checking the time, “I need to get out of here as soon as I can, I am so f*****g tired, argh!” She exclaimed.

He was already inside waiting for her, but Ellie wasn’t exactly excited about this meeting. She knew it was coming, knew they were going to talk about the same thing they always argued about.

Her, not having enough time for him, not being affectionate enough, not caring at all even though she was in the medical field. And most of all, not being present.

She was always the last to know any information about him and she still feigns ignorance, saying the same words over and over again.

“Oh! It’s no big deal”…

But Andrew sees it as a ‘big deal’.

“Alright, let’s get this over with,”.. she muttered for the upteenth time. Stepping out of the car and heading into the restaurant.

As soon as she walked in, she spotted Andrew sitting at a table near the window, his face lit up as always as soon as he saw her. Ellie forced a smile and walked over to join him.

“Hey,”… she said. As she grabbed a seat and sat down.

“Hey,”… Andrew replied, leaning in to kiss her cheeks. Ellie turned slightly, letting him kiss her but not really engaging with his lover boy attitude, a simp.

She could already feel the unease in his face…

“You okay?” He asked, frowning a little. “You look… tired”.

“Yeah. I am. I just had a long and hectic shift,” Ellie said, brushing it off. “You know how it is everyday, so no need asking”.

Andrew nodded, “hmm. I understand. But you telling me not to ask is another different thing which I don’t think I will ever do”..

“Okay”.. she replied, acting like she wasn’t in the mood for long talks.

“Well.. I..” Andrew stammered like there was something in his eyes that said he wasn’t okay with what she said.

“I am here because we need to talk, Ellie”.

Ellie sighed, already knowing where this was going. “Yeah, I figured”..

Andrew leaned forward, his expression serious.

“Ellie, I’ve been trying to be patient. I know your job is quite demanding and I know you’re always busy, but… I feel like I’m just not a priority to you at all. We barely spend any time together like other couples and when we do, you’re too tired to even talk”..

“Oh, God”… Ellie sighed heavily. “I knew it was coming to this again”… she said inaudibly, rolling her eyes.

Ellie looked down at her hands, her stomach twisting at his words. “Andrew, I know. I know. But I’ve been trying for the both of us. To be present still even if I am late at all times. I really am trying. But still my job. It’s not something I can walk away from. People need me”..

“Then what about me? You don’t think I need you, Ellie?”… stretching his hand to hold hers.

“I need you too,”.. Andrew said. His voice rose slightly in frustration.

“Don’t you think I need you? You don’t think this relationship needs effort. Your efforts! Goddamit!!” He said throwing off her hands and rubbing his temples.

Ellie sighed again, holding her head in her hand slightly bowing.

“I’m not saying that, Andrew. I just… I don’t know how to balance everything right now. It’s frustrating. Work is crazy and when I do have time off. I just want to sleep and relax. I don’t have the energy to..”

“To be with me?” Andrew finished, his voice tinged with hurt. “Is that what you are saying? You don’t have the energy for this relationship?”..

Ellie looked up at him, her eyes tired and sad. “Andrew, I love my job. It’s who I am. Moreover, you don’t have any at the moment. If you were busy, I bet you won’t be feeling it so much. Get yourself occupied, at least”…

“Wow!!”… Andrew said, feeling hurt.

“Right now… I just don’t have room in my life for anything else. I thought I could do it all but I can’t”…

“So where does this lead or have for us?” Andrew's jaw clenched… “So what are you saying, Ellie?”..

Ellie shrugged and just stared at him…

“Say something, clear the air. Are you breaking up with me? Because you have a job and I don’t? Because you are always busy at work and I am the ‘jobless one’, Ellie”..

Ellie swallowed hard, her heart heavy. “I guess I am.”..

Andrew stared at her with his hazel eyes, trying to make her look at him. The first thing that made her fall in love with him in the first place. But she kept staring at her phone. With his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Just like that?”..

“It’s not.. ‘just like that’” Ellie said quietly, raising up her head.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I’m too busy to be acting lovey-dovey with you, Jay.. I mean Andrew.

“I just.. I can’t keep pretending I can give you the time and attention you deserve. This is stupid to me by the way. Let’s end it”…

Andrew leaned back in his chair, looking like he had been slapped in the face. “Wow! So you could go spend time with your so-called Jay then? I thought you said nothing was going on between you two”..

“Yes, obviously. He is just my best friend. Nothing more. It was just a slip of tongue. Moreover, why would I want to break up with him if we weren’t together? Think before you talk please”.. She replied, parking her hair into a bun as he stared at her.

“Wow! Okay. I guess I didn’t expect this”.. he replied as the beads of sweat formed on his forehead even though the AC was on and the weather was still very cold.

Ellie’s eyes softened, “I am so sorry, Andrew. I really am. But I don’t want to keep dragging this and hurting you. It’s better if we end it now, before things get worse.

Andrew nodded slowly, his face pale. “Yeah. Yeah, I guess you’re right”.