My love, to celebrate the end of this exam period, how about we escape somewhere—anywhere—just to get some air… and sleep… I can't take it anymore…
Absolutely, great idea. Where are we going?
Hold on—before we get carried away, let's agree on something.
Okay. You drive, I sleep.
No, that's not what I meant. Since we're experts in misunderstandings, unspoken things, and all the stuff that makes us miserable for no reason… let's talk before we go. So: we're leaving to spend time together.
Yes.
To rest.
Yes.
And that's it, okay?
Yes.
No expectations, no pressure.
Yes, perfect.
Anything else you want to add?
No. I'm going to pack my bag.
***********
Wow, this place is so cute! And look at the view. Oh, thank you, thank you—you chose so well, I love it. It's going to be amazing.
So there's a bedroom here… and the couch over there pulls out.
Marc?
Yeah.
Can we… sleep together?
*************
Marc, give me your hand.
What? Cathy, what are you doing?
I want you to touch me, and I know you won't do it on your own, so I'm inviting you.
Are you sure?
Yes. We need to discover each other somehow, right? Even if we stop at touching.
Yeah, you're right. You tell me to stop at any moment, okay?
Your heart is beating so fast, it's crazy. What's going on?
A mix of fear and excitement.
Fear? You? But you know all this, you know how it works.
How it works, yes. What to do, yes. But this is the first time I'm doing this with a woman I truly love. So I feel completely clumsy.
Then… we'll learn together.
I get chills everywhere every time you put your hand on me. It's never done this to me before.
You tell all of them that, I'm sure.
Oh no, I swear. I've felt pleasure, of course, I'm not going to lie. I've been in love once or twice. But I think I'm no better than other guys: I want pleasure, there's a mechanical, animal side somewhere. And here, with you, I feel like I'm discovering everything. Like I'm having new sensations.
And is that a good thing?
Are you kidding? It's absolutely insane. I'm shaken by your touch, but also by how your body reacts to mine. That's completely new to me: feeling pleasure just because I'm giving you some. It's… pfff… there are no words.
I love you, Marc.
************
Melanie, I'm in love.
Oh, what a surprise! And I really wonder with who…
Don't tease me, please.
Honestly, I have to admit I've never seen you this radiant. Love really suits you.
But have you ever been in love to the point where it hurts when he's not around?
Yeah, once. And it hurt badly, really badly, when it ended.
Oh damn, I'm sorry—I'm throwing my happiness in your face without thinking.
No, don't worry, seeing you like this makes me feel good too. So, tell me… did you do it?
No, not yet, but we're working on it.
Working on it??? Come on…
Marc is super considerate, really attentive, there's never a single inappropriate move. I feel completely safe with him, and I know our love goes both ways. You know, with Stephane, I always told you there was something… I didn't know what… but it blocked me.
Yeah, I remember. And your sixth sense was totally right.
Well, with Marc, nothing like that. I feel free to talk to him about my feelings, what I want or don't want, what I'm feeling. So I asked him to touch me.
Wow, this is getting hot. Wait, let me get comfortable—this is about to get juicy.
Not that much. We didn't make love, we just wanted to discover each other, touch each other, and it was incredible. Even for him, he said.
How so?
Well, he's had girlfriends, he's been in love a few times, but nothing as intense as this. So he's surprising himself too, feeling new sensations. I thought his heart was going to explode, it was beating so fast.
Pfff… stop, you're making me jealous… I need to find myself one like that too.
Oh!!
What?
I've got a message from Stephane.
What does he want?
He's waiting for me in the park. He wants to talk.
Don't go.
Why?
Because you don't give a damn about that guy anymore, you never felt good with him—you just said so—and you don't know what he's capable of.
What are you talking about? If we're in the park, I don't see what he could do. And he's right, we never really talked things through. I can do that at least.
I'm telling you not to go. Talk to Marc first. He did make threatening remarks the last time you two talked.
No, I'm not going to bother him with that. He'll tell me the exact same thing as you anyway. Okay, bye—once I'm done, I'll call you, Mom, okay? Reassured?
Don't forget, seriously!!!!!
***********
Thanks for agreeing to meet me, I appreciate it. You seem good—how are you?
Yeah, I'm fine. And you?
All good. Want to walk a bit?
Yeah, sure. So… what did you want to talk about?
I wanted to see you because the end of our couple was a bit brutal.
I wouldn't really call it a couple, more like a relationship, if you don't mind.
Okay, you're playing with words now, aren't you?
Listen, if I'm going to get yelled at when I've barely been here five minutes, I'm heading home, okay?
Sorry, sorry… I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that I saw it as a couple, but apparently you didn't. I'm… disappointed, that's all.
I'm sorry, Stephane, but honestly we weren't on the same wavelength. I admit my share of responsibility, obviously, but you have to admit it couldn't really work.
We probably needed more time. And your friends were always on our backs.
Don't start again, please.
No, but admit it—Marc didn't make things easy for us. He did everything he could to sabotage our relationship. But hey, now I know why. I always knew, actually.
Listen, once again, I'm sorry. But if Marc acted the way he did, it's because he had his reasons. And looking back, they were justified, don't you think?
Yeah, sure, now you're defending him. But before, you didn't think that way. He turned you against me, it's obvious.
No, that's not it. I just finally listened to his side, that's all. And you weren't always honest either—admit it.
What do you mean?
How could I be honest with that guy always hanging around, getting in my way, pissing me off? There were always three people in our relationship. And you weren't honest either.
What are you talking about?
You've always been in love with him. You totally made a fool of me.
Stephane, where exactly are we right now?
Somewhere quiet, where nobody's going to bother us.
Okay, that's enough. I'm leaving.
You're staying here. Do you hear me?
Stephane, let go of me, you're hurting me.
No, I won't let go until I get what you owe me.
What? What are you talking about? You're scaring me… let go… stop, please… NO! Help!
Scream all you want. No one's coming.
Stephane, please… stop…