(..)- For the convenience of writing in two point of views, speeches in parenthesis are thoughts.
After they all left, we headed back inside.
"I'm gonna do my homework," I said to Jayden.
He stared at me in disbelief," You? Working on homework?" he laughed and continued," You hated homework. You would beg me to help you whenever you came here."
"That was a long time ago," I sighed," Sure, no one really likes homework, but nothing will happen if I don't start on it. Also, I don't really know you well enough. Maybe we did play sometimes when we were little, but to me... you're just a stranger."
My heart sank when I saw the smile on his face fade away.
"I'm.. sorry... You're right. I was gone for so long and so much time has passed. I mean... even I thought you might've forgotten," he looked away and grabbed his shoes," Well, I'm going to go to the store. Is there anything you need?" he asked, snuggling his foot into his black boots.
"No, not really," I said.
" 'Kay, I'll be back soo-" he paused then sighed," If there's anything you need, call me. Here, my number." He pulled out his phone and tapped it to mine until a little chime rang out.
-Jayden- Mall
I was just going to buy some new clothes, but I'm kinda hungry. While I'm at it, I should buy more food to fill the pantry.
I could still hear the echoes of her words that slowly stabbed me over and over.
"But to me... you're just a stranger..."
It kinda hurts.
"Yo, Jay! Let's go to the arcade! Mat says he gonna bring some friends and they're gonna do a small competition! You in?" Gabe yelled out from behind me.
"Sure! Shoulda known you guys would be hanging out around here. I just finished some shopping, so I'm a little free," I replied.
We played until 6pm.
"See ya guys, gotta do some more shopping. We should hang next week for more!" I said.
"Aww Jay the party pooper! Why you gotta cut this short, man. See ya!" Gabe whimpers.
She still hasn't text me. I guess she's busy.
Ah! That icecream! They're selling it near here?! Awesome! Haha.. I bet she'd be happy.
I know she was just a kid, but maybe her tastes have changed. Well mine haven't, so I'll just buy it anyway. Ah. Snickerdoodles. PBnJ. Sweet potato fries. Damn. I love food.
-Julia-
Half the day passed by. I finished my homework, but Jayden hadn't come back yet. I went downstairs to heat up leftovers and turned the TV on. I ended up rewatching the first season of Regia all over again.
I heard the melody from the security sensor that the front door was opening. I could hear crumpling of bags thudding in the kitchen behind me.
(Jayden- Ugh. I spent all day playing games and buying food. I unlocked the door. It was dark, so I turned on some of the hall lights and put away my stuff upstairs then grabbed the food to the kitchen.
Ahhh, that's why.)
"How long have you been watching?" Jayden asked as I turned around," Wha- Why're you crying?!"
"Shuuyaaa... he's just too.. Wahhhh!!!!" I cried out," The first season is just so nostalgic!"
(Jayden- Shuya...)
Jayden sighed and continued storing groceries," I heard season two is coming out on next new year's eve. Apparently they're going to release each season on the same day they first released the first season. They're even going to release a short ova series of some of the prequel stuff this Solstice Festival."
"Wahhhh! Season two... come sooon!" I cried to the screen.
"But, you read the book series, does it matter if you watch it again? It's the same story," he said and I just gasped.
"Of course! We fans should support our favorite authors! Plus, it's more than that! The amazing effort of the voice acting cast! The music! The heart wreathing ball of emotions you get all over again! But the actors and the set up gives it an extra boost! It's just sooo good!" I squeezed the pillow in my arms.
"Hmm... then is Shuya your favorite character?" he asked.
"Heh, yeah!" I laughed.
"Why?"
"Hm? Why? 'Cause he's so true to himself! He's honest, funny, and daring! And I love his sense of music 😆❤❤❤!!!!"
"But it's just a character from a book," he held a bowl and joined me on the sofa.
"You have no sense of imagination... I know it's the author who wrote his songs, but the feeling from it, I just sense a 'this is Shuya' feeling. Even if they're not real, I really love them for who they are."
I could hear his voice grow closer as he leaned towards me, one arm fencing me onto the sofa," And what about me? Aren't I daring?"
(Jayden- Why.. Why does she look that way when she talks about him like that..)
I was shocked by his boldness, I could not comprehend the shock that froze me.
He had shoved a spoon into my mouth.
It took me a moment for my senses to pick up the mild sweetness melting on my tongue.
"Mmm! Izus da wimited edition vaniwa ube icecweam?!" I asked.
(Jayden- So cute)
"It's not limited anymore. They made it an official flavor," he laughed," Hahaha your face.."
"Is there anymore?!"
"In the freezer," he continued laughing.
"Really?!" I jumped off the sofa and zoomed to the freezer.
Why..why did he do that? Was he jealous... of a character from a book?
"Haha.. You really liked this flavor of icecream back then.." he said.
"I.. I did?"
"Yeah.. Ube was kinda rare, so we hardly had it. You know what they say about eating icecream in cold weather? I kinda don't care. You should just enjoy what you want to eat. The weather shouldn't be a rule to not eat what you want."
"I agree!" My voice ended up a little louder than intended.
"Hey, do you want to watch the prequel series together when it comes out?" he asked.
"Hm? Oh, um, sure. Is there anything else you want to watch? I was just in the mood for Regia. Just turn on anything, I don't mind."
" Nah, I'm good. Let's continue where you left off. I kinda forgot some of the beginning."
"Oh. Okay." I awkwardly returned to the sofa and covered myself in my blanket.
"Ah, it's kinda cold.."
I could see him eyeing me from the corner of his view.
"Do you.. want a blanket?" I asked.
(Jayden- Will she..?)
"Are you... sharing your blanket with me?" he said with puppy eyes.
"If you're cold, we should get more blankets. I'll go get some from the guest room," I walked upstairs.
" 'Kay~"
(Jayden- Aw....
Hm.. I wonder why I feel like I'm forgetting something... Ah!)
I tried to open the closet door, but it was jammed shut. After I used all my strength, it finally barged open. I saw boxes labled blankets and some with a clover stamped on it. I opened the closest one near me with a clover stamp.
I could hear the thumping from downstairs heading towards me.
Oh. My. Cotton. Candy. Cane. What. Is. This..?!!
"Don't open the boxes with a clover..?! Ah. You opened it already."( Jayden- Well. I'm f@#$ed. How do I get out of this predicament.)
"Jayden. What. Wha-wha- are you a !%@$?"
"You know. You sound better with your weird food filters. And no. I'm not. Those are my brother's stuff. He was supposed to get them sometime last week, but he's kinda busy at the moment, so.. I forgot to send them to him and it just ended up in storage. Luckily my mom didn't notice," he turned away.
(Jayden- she woulda killed him AND me.)
"Luckily MY mom didn't even see this. Otherwise.." I just kept staring at him.
(Jayden- Oh, no. That look. She's giving me the " You are sooo a culprit" look.)
"How do I know you're not lying..." I asked.
The look in his eyes just looked so suspicious. He gave off a guilty vibe.
(Jayden- Shit. What do I say. Will she even believe me?)
"They're really not mine, I swear! I'm not into that kind of stuff! I went to an all boy's dormitory since the middle of elementary school!"
"How would I know if you were doing other things at another place?"
"Look, I know it looks suspicious, but really, if it were me, why would I leave my things in plain sight?"
"I dunno Jayden. Why would you leave something like this in plain sight. They're in PLAIN sight."
(Jayden- She.. doesn't believe me..?)
His troubled face was covered in apologies and shame, trying to appease me. It's a little funny... and cute.
"Pfftwahahaha I'm just messing with you! But.. Seriously. You gotta do something about this stuff. It's a little over the top. I can not believe your brother is into this kind of stuff. It's scary. Also... Can you put them somewhere else or something. I don't want a nightmare like that ever again," I said walking away with the blankets.
"Yes, ma'am."
(Jayden- Damnit. Why'd you have to leave your shit here. If you were gonna move out, you should just take everything with you, Nate.)
Jayden took a quick shower before we started the next half of the series. We watched until we fell asleep.
I woke up early that morning.
I brewed myself some coffee and heated up more leftovers. They really left us a breakfast buffet. Ah! There's snickersdoodles! My fave!
The icecream... How much does he know about me..? How much does he remember...
Being alone with you... It's a little awkward and embarrassing... but somewhat comforting at the same time. I don't know why...but I feel like I can just be me, when I'm with him. Maybe... it's because we have so much in common. Or maybe... it's because I'm starting to like him more as a person.
I smell coffee...and pancakes.. and sausages.. and bacon... Great. I'm awake. I'm hungry now.
From the sofa, I could see her bed head.
Being alone with you...is a miracle. I can't believe you're really here. I don't want to leave you ever again. Just like this. Let it continue like this always. To me, you will always be you. But for you, I'm someone new. It's alright. We can both learn the present us. I just hope..this time.. our memories will continue.