' Right, what flavour would you like?"
' Strawberry"
Caitlin sat back in her chair as she waited for him to return. She smiled as he returned
' So, what's it like being back here after everything?"
' I'm just wondering why I didn't come here sooner. Everyone is so nice and friendly and everything is how I remember it, even after all this time"
' So Caitlin, we've got years to catch up on. Why don't you tell me what you have been up to?"
Oliver sat back and smiled as Caitlin told him what she had been up to since they were apart. He felt the familiar butterflies stirring in his stomach. He could finally admit to himself what his heart had known for ages, that he was in love with his childhood friend. He watched as her eyes lit up as she talked about her work and what it meant to her. He just wanted to know how she felt and whether there was anyone in her life
' So do you have anyone back home that you need to rush back for?"
' Are you trying to ask me whether I have a boyfriend and this is your attempt at that?"
' I suppose that I'm curious. I haven't seen you in years. I want to know everything"
' No, not at the moment. Their was someone once......"
' And what happened?"
' It's complicated"
' Do you still love him?"
' Maybe. I don't know"
Caitlin sat back and finished her ice cream
' Anyway enough about me. What have you been up to during these past years? Do you have a special someone?"
' I do like this one girl, but I've always considered her my friend. It's only now that I've realised my feelings for her are a bit more than friendship"
' Have you told her how you feel?"
' No. I don't even know if she even likes me"
' I'm sure that she will. You are a great person Oliver and you will make some girl very happy someday"
The next few days Caitlin spent with Oliver and his family, just sightseeing and going to the beach. Caitlin's birthday was coming up but she didn't want to tell anyone because she felt that if she told them they would feel obligated to do something for her, regardless of whether they remembered or not. She had just planned on spending the day at her house with her parents memories
' Penny for your thoughts?"
' Excuse me?", said Caitlin pulling herself out of her memories
' Where did you disappear to? I've been trying to get your attention for ages"
' Nowhere. Just lost in memories"
' Care to share?"
' Just thinking about how much I miss my parents and what would they be like if they were here today? What would they be doing?" Would they like the type of person I've become?"
' I'm sure that they would"
' You have to say that because you're my friend"
' No, I would tell you if you were a horrible person"
Caitlin pushed Oliver, as he fell on the sand laughing
' Well it's been nice talking to you but it's really hot and I need to cool down"
Caitlin took off her clothes and showed off her new swimsuit
' Is it okay? It's not too bright and shiny?"
' No, it's fine"
Caitlin ran and disappeared into the sea. Oliver watched her smiling. How could he tell her how he felt? They hadn't seen each other in years, so how could he spring this on her?
' Caitlin seems to be having fun"
' Yes"
' She's slotted right back into this family in no time. Makes you think"
' About what mum?"
' I always wished for you and Caitlin to end up together and for Caitlin to be my daughter in law"
' Mum I doubt she feels the same way about me"
' Ofcourse she does. I've seen how much she laughs and jokes around you. She's perfect for you. And your the perfect man for her. I'm sure that she is just waiting for you to confess"
Caitlin was having a great time in the water. The water was just the right temperature to cool her down. Her mind drifted back to when her and Barry would swim together. How he would always chase her pretending to be a bad person and demanding a million kisses in return as payment if he caught her. She stepped out and went back to her spot, drying herself off. Barry used to love this part. He would dry her carefully and slowly, stealing kisses along the way as a reward
' So Caitlin, it's the big day tomorrow"
' Huh?", she replied snapping out of her thoughts
' Your birthday"
' Oh yeah"
' What are you going to do tomorrow?"
' Nothing. Birthdays lost their meaning a while ago"
Caitlin was in her room, in her parents house, counting down the seconds until midnight. Finally the clock chimed
' Mum, Dad, it's me. I just wanted you to be the first people to wish me today"
She closed her eyes and waited. In her mind, she heard them wishing her happy birthday like they used to when she was younger
' Thank you", she whispered as she climbed into bed, wiping her tears away
Her phone beeped with a message. Caitlin groaned, she knew who it was but couldn't deal with this, not now
Duff, duff, duff. As always, feedback appreciated
