#to an event commemorating him which 'any and all alumni' will be welcome to

[britneyshakespeare]

i survived high school theater culture

[blazerina]

Love Despite (James x MC)

Prompt: Don’t ask me to say I don’t love you.

Characters: James x MC (Bridget) from The Freshman

Rating: PG (some mild language and adult situations)

Author’s Note: This is my entry for round 16 of Choices Creates. Thank you to the lovely @hollyashton and the awesome @texanhusker for hosting this week’s competition. The prompt was incredibly challenging and took a lot for me to write, but I hope y'all are as happy with the final product as I am.

I will post this work in three parts, so be sure to follow along and read them all! As always, I am open to thoughts, feedback and comments on any part of this piece. I am so grateful for everyone who reads my work. Love, peace and many blessings! ❤️

Summary: Bridget and James are unexpectedly reunited after breaking up years ago. Will their feelings for each other remain true after all this time?

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Part 1 - Reunited

“Today is a very proud day for Hartfeld University as we welcome back two of our most distinguished alumni, Bridget Simmons and James Ashton.”

The small crowd gathered on the quad in the middle of a sunny spring day, erupted with applause. Professor Atiyah, continued: “Bridget and James have gone on to bring great recognition to the Hartfeld name and more specifically the English Department. James is a well-known author and contributor to the New York Times. His latest novel is already a best-seller having been on the shelves for only a few weeks…”

As he sat on the stage surrounded by a large red and black backdrop, green ferns and a podium, James heard very little of what was being said about him. His focus was not on the ceremony or the words being shared, or even the remarks that he was about to make to faculty, staff and current students at his alma mater. Absentmindedly, his foot began to bob up and down next to the leg of his metal chair. His mind was bombarded with memories he hadn’t thought about in years. His heart was racing and his palms were sweating. He didn’t expect today to be so hard. He didn’t expect to be so nervous. He didn’t expect Bridget to be there; and he didn’t expect her to look so…so…perfect.

The light pink polish on Bridget’s nails was slightly reflecting the sunlight as she fidgeted with her hands in her lap. Sitting next to James, she swore she could smell his cologne. It was an unforgettable aroma and she was amazed at how many memories came flooding back to her along with that scent. She tried to close her eyes and control her thoughts, but it was impossible. Being back at Hartfeld, on this stage, getting ready to speak about a place that affected her so much…she had to stay focused. In her mind, she cursed the event planners who had conveniently left out the fact that James would also be here today. As she listened to Professor Atiyah go on and on about her, she was only feeling more and more nauseous. She wanted to run. She wanted to be anywhere but on that stage.

“Bridget moved up the ranks of Benjamin & Price Publishing House becoming a vice-president in just 4 years. James and Bridget call Manhattan home now…”

As those words rang out over the microphone, James clenched his fist so tight that the notes he had brought with him crumpled in his hand. Bridget let out an exasperated sigh as Atiyah continued.

That made it sound like we live in Manhattan TOGETHER!” Bridget was using every muscle in her face to keep an angry expression from showing.

“Surely they must know that we are no longer together…” James was getting a headache. He needed to get up. Now.

“If any of you students are looking for study, career or relationship tips – be sure to find these two after the ground breaking!” Twombly was now at the podium and James checked his watch.

“Come on, let’s go. Let’s get this over with!” He was beyond ready to get away from Bridget and all the eyes watching the two of them.

“We knew we had to get these two to come back and share words of inspiration to all of you as we unveil the new Enrique Vasquez Library at Hartfeld. Not to mention both Bridget and James donated a large sum of their own money for the project. Isn’t that so nice?”

Twombly was now getting off script. If something didn’thappen soon, Bridget was sure she was going to lose it. Get on with it already, lady! You are still SO weird. After all these years, not much has changed… Bridget was biting the inside of her cheek and took a deep breath to try to remain calm.

“Without further ado, it is my great pleasure to introduce to you James and Bridget Ash—“ Both James and Bridget’s heads snapped up, staring daggers at Twombly from behind.

Surely she did not just say what I think she said. Bridget was frozen. She couldn’t move. She felt as though her heart almost stopped. Bridget Ashton. That name she had scribbled on notebook after notebook, day after day while she was at Hartfeld. Twombly wasn’t the only one that thought Bridget and James would be together forever.

“Oh my…oops! I am so very sorry – James. James Ashton will share some remarks and then Bridget and then we will have the official ribbon cutting!” Twombly stumbled a little bit as she backed away from the podium to give James room to speak.

As he stood up to walk to the podium, he buttoned his blazer and looked poised, professional and confident. Bridget couldn’t take his eyes off of him.

—- “James. Bridget. Move closer together, please. For the picture!” A photographer shouted orders to the few people holding large pairs of scissors, standing behind a red ribbon, next to a granite sign commemorating the ground breaking of the new Vasquez library on the Hartfeld campus.

Finally, the hour-long ceremony, which had felt like an eternity, was finished. Many students and staff moved to the current library for refreshments, but a few lingered to talk to James and Bridget on their own. Some were students, some were staff, but all were interested in hearing what life was like in Manhattan and what an English Literature degree from Hartfeld could do for them.

Bridget and James had yet to speak to each other. Each of them had been in contact with a different representative from the event services team at Hartfeld and neither knew the other would be present at the ceremony.

At last, the crowd dissipated and both Bridget and James (trying to avoid each other) were about to go their separate ways, when a familiar voice called out to them both. “James! Bridget!”

It was Gabriela with her son Felix, who was now almost 10 years old. Both of them melted at the sight of their old friends and smiled as they walked towards Gabriela together.

“Thank you so much for being here.” Gabriela said as she pulled James and Bridget into a hug. “It would have meant a lot to my father that you were here. He would be immensely proud of you both.” “It’s our pleasure.” James responded, instinctively speaking for the two of them. It was something he was accustomed to doing. He even surprised himself with how easily it came back to him;to speak as if he and Bridget were still a couple.