Once A Memory ( Editing )

Chapter 3

Last night was a blast. Everybody had fun, relationships were reunited and memories were remembered. Some even had the courage to ask out the girl they've been wanting to ask since high school, believe it or not true love could really last for a very long time. Seeing all these reminded me of all the things we did in high school, the competitions we won, the pranks that we pulled , our inside jokes and a whole lot more. Events like these would make you want to stop time and just be there for as long as you want, to be with people who helped you along the way. Some of us grew mature and some hadn't changed a bit.

Seeing him last night changed a lot of things. The secrets we kept, the laughter we shared. These things made me think of how hopeless romantic I am c'mon just think about it I have loved this guy for what? 10 years now and I am still hoping for something more than our friendship. I've written so many songs but haven't sang them to him. I have written so many letters but never sent them. I feel like I'm wasting my time but I guess that's love is all about it can take a lot of time; months, years even decades but if that one person is really 'the one' all you have to do is wait.

On that night ,I didn't sleep for the fact that I kept on thinking who is the lucky girl that he still loves after all these years. 'What ifs' rained in my mind as I kept on thinking for different options but why should care on who it is after all it is not me.

I was still lying awake when the sun started to seep into the curtains. I looked at the clock and realized that it was way too early to get ready for work so I changed into my gym clothes and decided that I'm gonna go for a run. Every time something bothers me I try to distract myself by running because running makes me feel that I'm free from everything that I'm somewhat leaving everything behind. I prefer running than writing songs or letters because those things will just bring everything back. From his smile down to the way he curl his knuckles when he is nervous.

I ran around the neighbourhood until I felt that I'm gonna collapse. I always do that to push things until I can't deal with it anymore. Because that's the thing you need to do in your life to keep on pushing, to keep on living until your last breath. Loving Thomas was like that , I kept on loving him even though its was unrequited even if it was slowly killing me and I don't know when it will stop.

'Who the hell would park in someone's drive way at 6 o'clock in the morning?' I said to myself as I approached my driveway. I saw an unfamiliar car in my driveway and as I was in the front yard I saw someone on my front door, a guy to be exact until I realized it was him.

"Thomas!" I shouted.

"There you are! Where have you been?" He asked.

"I did some running around the neighbourhood. And I should be the one asking questions why are you in my house at 6 in the morning?" I answered sounding skeptical.

"I was hoping I could pick you up and we could have breakfast together." He  said while scratching the back of his head.

" I just missed being with you- uh I mean being with you all the time in high school you know I just missed being your best friend." he added.

"You don't need to explain yourself c'mon come inside." I said while I gestured him to come in.

*Inside the House*

"Make yourself at home just wait for me. I'll just get ready it'll be quick." I said as we entered the house.

"Yeah sure, thanks." He said while look around the house.

As soon as I got into my room, I hopped into the showered and did what needed to be done. I quickly dried my hair and did my makeup. I decided to wear some jeans with a printed button up shirt and I topped it with a navy blazer and some nude heels. I went down to the sound of the piano playing, the familiar melody of A thousand years by Christina Perri sang into my ears.

As a I was nearing Thomas I started to sing along;

'I have died every day waiting for you, darling don't be afraid I have loved you for a thousand years.'

After I sang the line he stopped and smiled

"I missed your voice." He said with a small smile appearing on his lips.

I didn't know what to say so I just smiled.

"We should get going its already half past seven" he said while looking at his watch.

"Where are we gonna eat anyway?" I asked.

"The Usual" He answered.

The place is actually called 'the usual' and we always eat there during high school. We hopped in to his car and sped off to 'the usual'. During the car ride small talks were exchanged, its not like it had an awkward atmosphere but its different from what we had before. It took us about 10 minutes to get there. As we arrived in the The Usual, the sound of the familiar bell on the door and the smell of pancakes and waffles reminded me of how we used to go there every Tuesday .

"Just like the old days." I said.

"Yeah." He said.

"Oh! It's the two of you again, Oh Anne I've missed you so much!" Auntie May said.

"I've missed you too Auntie May! But haven't you missed Thomas?" I said.

"He hadn't missed a Tuesday, Well shall I get you, your usual?" Auntie May asked.

"Yes please." he said while rubbing his hands together like he is in for a treat.

Auntie May left us with our orders and started to head her way into the kitchen.

"I've missed this place, a lot oh and you never missed a Tuesday, is that true?" I asked him.

"Do you think Auntie May would lie?" He said while playing with the napkins on the table.

"Why can't you just answer the question, you always do that; answer a question with another question." I said.

"Because you'll never know when you will talk to that person again so I tend to make the most out of a conversation." He said while flicking a ball of tissue towards me

"It's not like I'm not used to it." I said while dodging the ball of paper.

Thomas just smiled at me. The smile that changed every single thing in my life. Every time I try to get out of that pit ,his smile makes me fall harder every single time. Whenever I see that smile a high school version of me comes back. It makes me naïve, it makes me careless of my actions. That's how powerful a smile could be , his smile to be exact. His voice got me out of my thoughts.

"Anne!" He shouted.

"huh?" I answered.

"I was just asking how Australia was." he said.

"Oh it was lovely back there but nothing beats home." I answered.

"I thought so too." He said.

The waiter brought us our food we talked while eating and just like before there was no awkward air or anything that could stop us from sharing stories from the past. Going back to happenings during high school. For once and for all, we were the Thomas and Anne that everybody knew. Once again, We became the tandem that no one could defeat. I do hope that we will be like this for a very long time.

"Do you have work?" I asked.

"Why?" He said while eating off his plate.

"Here we go again." I said

He just laughed but asked again why.

"Wanna go in an adventure?" I asked.

"Yes." He said while flashing me a toothy grin.

For once and for all he just said yes; no other questions just yes.

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Thank You for reading! :D

-A