I.O.U.

Life was continuing as usual and Jenny and Jason were getting along great. After a periods of turbulence, their lives seemed to have finally reached a point of tranquillity. Their interactions had become effortless and they were closer than ever. Even their busy schedules, that at first required some getting used to, had now become something that they had learned to work around. Opening up the time and space to spend more time with their friends and concerning themselves about them. During one of their practical classes Jenny asked Harry about how he and Julia were doing. "How is living together working out for you guys?" Harry shrugged his shoulders. "It's going fine I guess." It was clear that there was more going on than Harry was letting on. So, Jenny carefully tried to dig deeper as she said, "Well, I am not a relationship expert but that 'I guess' seems to be hiding a lot more. It's fine if you don't want to talk about it though but I think it might help to let out."

Harry looked Jenny deep in the eyes for a moment before letting out a sigh. He looked around if anybody could hear them before letting out what he had kept inside for some time now. "Well, Julia is quite busy these days so I don't see her as much. She has a big project she is working on so she isn't able to come home during the week. So, I see only get to see her during the weekends but even then she has plenty to do. Therefore, at the moment it feels like I am living alone but I am hoping that is a temporary thing. Before this project of hers things were great. Sure, we needed some time to get used to each others habits but that is true for every couple that starts living together. But nowadays her habits are the least of our problems. I am even starting to miss her dirty dishes in the sing. I guess it's just not what I expected. I didn't think I would see so little of Julia even though we are living in the same house. I didn't think that fashion school would take up so much time. When we start our internships the time I have to spend with her will be reduced as well. If she remains as busy as she is now, then I am afraid we will not be able to see each other at all."

Jenny was all too familiar with this problem as it wasn't too long ago that she and Jason were facing the same difficulties. She didn't think that Harry would confide in her like that but it seems he trusted her a lot more than she thought. Maybe because she had helped them get together in the first place that he felt comfortable to tell her about their relationship problems. "Well, I'll have you know that Jason and I went through that problem recently ourselves. So, I know what you are going through. Even though we went to the same University and we lived together, we barely got to see each other. Jason even had to go to work on the weekends sometimes, leaving very little time for us to spend with each other. We made a deal to at least make sure we spoke to each other once a day and go on a physical date, no matter how short or in what form, once every two weeks. In your case you might have to settle for a videocall but even that is better than nothing. Get her out of the house during the weekends. You deserve some of her time. No matter how busy she is. Just take her away for a coffee or a lunch. I know it is hard but it will pass. So, don't focus on the amount of time you spend with her but the quality of the time. Some days she will be busier than you and you will have to work around her schedule and some days she will have more time and it will be her responsibility to ensure you spend some quality time with each other."

Though Harry had thought of Jenny's solutions before as well and knew that this was just a tough time for them and it would come to pass but hearing it from another person somehow helped him to really believe it. Maybe it was because he had let it all out before hearing those words again. Words he had told himself plenty of times before. Or maybe it was knowing that other people in their circle had gone through the same thing as they were going through at the moment. All he knew was that he was feeling better about it all and the weight he was feeling on his chest had been lifted. "Thanks Jenny. That actually helped. I was a bit lost on what to do and despite the solution being right in front of me, I was letting myself be dragged down by the situation. If there is ever something I can help you with, let me know. I owe you one." Jenny chuckled and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I am glad I was able to help you see things more clearly. Consider it my thanks for helping Jason when I wasn't by his side. I am sure that wasn't easy."

Having cheered up, Harry had even gotten in a mood to joke with Jenny. "Yeah. I had almost forgotten about that. That was one traumatic period. I must have blocked it from my memory. Consider my I.O.U. revoked." Jenny chuckled causing the teacher to turn around and look in their direction. Holding back the rest of her laugh Jenny quickly sealed her lips, shooting a glance to the side where Harry was holding back his laugh as well.