Temporary Fix (completed)

Chapter 4: Lines Begin to Blur

Late at night, Trixie lay sprawled on her bed, her legs crossed as she half-heartedly flipped through the pages of a novel she'd been meaning to finish for weeks. The dim glow of her bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room, creating a warm cocoon against the chill outside. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Louis, replaying their earlier conversations and the way he'd looked at her with that playful, easygoing smile she couldn't shake.

She sighed, closing the book and setting it down. Sleep didn't seem like an option—not with her mind running in circles around him. Just as she reached over to turn off the lamp, her phone buzzed, lighting up with a message. Her heart leaped when she saw his name.

Louis: Hey, you still up?

Her fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating before typing back. Yeah, can't sleep. What about you?

Louis: Same. Got an idea—how do you feel about taking a little trip tomorrow? There's this lakeside spot I go to sometimes. Thought you might like it.

Trixie felt a pang of excitement, tempered by a twinge of doubt. Was this a date? Was he feeling the same way she was? Her mind raced with questions, but the allure of spending the day with him, away from the city's hustle and bustle, was too tempting to pass up.

Sounds great, she replied, keeping her message short. She didn't want to overthink it—just go with the flow, as he always seemed to do so effortlessly.

Louis: Perfect. I'll pick you up at 10. Goodnight, Trix.

She smiled, reading his last message again before setting her phone down. His last word—Trix—felt oddly intimate, like a name only someone who really knew her would use. As she turned off the light and lay back down, she felt a strange sense of contentment mixed with anticipation. Tomorrow, she thought. Just go with the flow.

The next morning was crisp, the early autumn air carrying the faint scent of pine and earth. Trixie watched as Louis pulled up outside her apartment, stepping out with his hands casually in his pockets and a half-smile already tugging at his lips.

"Ready for a little escape from the world?" he asked as she climbed into the car, his voice laced with that familiar mischief.

"Always," she replied, returning his smile as they drove off.

The drive was peaceful, filled with easy banter and stretches of comfortable silence. Louis seemed more relaxed than usual, glancing over at her occasionally, as if he couldn't quite believe she was there with him. Trixie, meanwhile, found herself watching the landscape transform as they left the city behind—the towering buildings giving way to open fields, trees with leaves tinged in hues of red and gold.

When they finally arrived at the lakeside, Trixie was struck by the beauty of it all. The lake stretched out before them, a mirror-like surface that reflected the sky's soft blue. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, filling the air with a sense of calm.

They strolled along the shore, their footsteps muffled by the soft earth. Louis's presence beside her was both comforting and thrilling, a reminder of the unspoken tension simmering between them.

"I didn't know you liked places like this," she said, casting him a sidelong glance.

He shrugged, his gaze fixed on the water. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Trixie."