35
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❗FLORA P.O.V.❗
Im in my bedroom. I almost forgot how it used to feel. What happened last few months cant be a dream. I felt every emotion and overcame all the situations. It was more than a dream. The things is...I cant ask anyone to confirm it. It's all inside me now. The last thing i remember is that...We both walked inside the door. Ah..my headache! I need to make sure everyone is in their place. Does that mean....they all forgot what happened? They all did....he did too?
I checked my phone and it was almost time for my regular class. I long forgot how i used to take classes. But now, I need to hurry up and reach school. I also need to make sure Astrid is safe along with everyone else.
I skipped breakfast to reach school before the bell so that i can talk with my friends. I ran outside,making loud sounds on the stairs and finally opening the door . I ran outisde and kept running until i saw the school field. Luckily, I was almost 15minutes early. There was no need for me to rush so i slowed down to look around the field. This place holds almost my every memory of the journey. I kept looking and staring around the places.
Suddenly,I heard few familliar voices calling me. I looked ahead to see Esmay and Emma walking toward me. I felt relieved inside. But it wasnt enough. Aspen and Astrid is still nowhere to be seen. Esmay approached me. At once her expression were full of worries. She asked me in a worried tone, "Flora, What happened to your hand?". Hand? I was so in hurry that i couldnt even notice. My right hand was bandaged. It was a long cut. I have no memory of cutting my hand in this life. I did it before escaping the other world. But how did the wound still remained...?
Emma also joined. Both kept asking me what happened. Surprisingly...i wasnt answering. I forgot how i used to talk with them. Infact, I stared at Esmay. I kept wondering if she remembers anything. But then, Someone else broke my thoughts. It was a loud nagging beside me. I turned around and saw Aspen walking toward us with....Astrid.
I was relieved than ever. She was back in her old self. Glasses, Braids and books on her hand. While Aspen was shouting at her slow response.We all finally met in one road. Five of us....together. It's just like Esmay said back then. Everything's normal now. They are back and happy again.I kept hearing question about my wound but i wasnt really listening to them. My only attention on how we are back again,happily.
We all started walking toward the class room. Esmay looked back at me, "You are strangely quiet today.Did something happen?". I began to worry. It's hard to remember how i used to behave with them since a lot happened to me and i changed. I managed to change the topic and they kept walking.
I wanted to call out Astrid and have a proper conversation but it seemed impossible at that moment.
Classes were over and we all gathered in the canteen at lunch time.I kept having the deja vu. Is the history repeating? I wasnt sure until Esmay spoke up, " i wanna go to shopping this weekend.
who's joining?!", I heard it before.She said the same words day before we went to shopping. Thats where she met Nathan. If the history repeats...Is there any possibility that Emma and Nathan can meet again...?
I kept hearing the others agreeing. It at last turned to me. It was Esmay who convinced me last time but this time, It was surprisingly, Astrid. I also agreed to join.
In that weekend, We all gathered at the mall. It was ptetty crowded. After reaching the floor we decided to split in different ways. Emma and Astrid were walking together. I followed them.They entered a store of jeans and shirt. They kept looking around. In a moment, I was bored.Suddenly something caught my eyes.I saw a flower shaped keychain. I approached the glass to take a better look at it. No matter how i see it, It reminds me of Him. All my memories were flashing back.My eyes were getting teary. I tried to hold myself back from crying and wiped out my blurry vision. Just then my focus changed it's direction. I saw someone standing outside the glass. The person turned around. I saw....Leo?
There were no need to comfirm who it was. His appearence was pretty much clear. In a second i saw Colt running toward him.He wrapped him around his arms. Both were normal as if they dont remember a single thing.
I couldnt stare that carelessly. My heart was beating fast and i could feel a slight ache with it. The pain kept growing. My eyes were out of focus again. I recalled every moments we've spent together . But he seemed completely okay just standing there and having fun with his friends. If only my memories would dissappear too...I wouldnt be in this pain.
I heard Emma calling me. I got out of my thoughts and realised Leo was already gone. Emma walked toward me and asked with a worried face,"Hey, You okay? Why are you so down today?"
Reasoning out why im sad would make me look like a fool. I gave an answer she least expected, "Im fine. Dont worry. Let's go."
She grabbed me by my waist and looked pretty serious, "Did something happen? You dont look like....yourself." Was it that easy to lose myself? Im a little annoyed with her questions now. "Hey I told you im fine."
Emma changed her expression, "You like this keychain?". I answered soullessly, "Nah, It's almost a trash to me..."
We both went out of the shop and saw the others waiting for us outside. As soon as we reached, Aspen and Esmay started yelling at Emma for not buying anything. Astrid was still not present. We ordered Emma to come back only after choosing a cloth. She left showing giving up look.
Just then when we were waiting, Everything and Everyone around me went invisible. A darkness fell all around me.I could see a light from behind and it was someone standing. I turned around and Saw Him.
My vision went back to normal again.We were pretty far from each other. He on the other side, was standing with his group. Nathan, Colt and Aiden.Laughting and joking around with each other.
I kept staring at his face. He was happy. Having my memory can only give him pain. Since...we dont know each other. Not anymore.
Aspen asked Esmay, "Why arent you talking to him?". Esmay answered with a not interested look, "Nah...He's not my type."
I was pretty much relieved to hear her Answer. If they turn out to be dating , Im sure they'll regret it again.
Suddenly I gave my attention to Colt and Aiden. Both were pretty friendly with each other. Laughting and hitting each other off. They deserve so much better in this life.
Nathan took a step toward Leo and whispered in his ears. I wasnt that curious to know what he said But After Nathan steps away, Leo looked at me. It was an awkward eye contact. I looked away. Both started smilling at each other. I just...dont want him to have a bad first impression of me as a stalker.
We went back. Days passed by. It's been almost a month since i came back. My momories as expected...are fading away. I cant seem to remember few things. I completely forgot how it felt. As i started to realise it...More than relieve it's regret.
My friends are slightly worried about me since I want to be quiet and alone most of the time. They did their best while comforting. I dont want them to suffer for something that never happened. It was the last time i saw him. I couldnt even hear his name after that day.
The Winter season has entered. It's the first snow. I wanted to be with someone today but It didnt turn out that way.
I decided to walk around the roads and enjoy the first snow.But the more i looked forward the more loneliness wrapped me around it.
At last, I stopped in a unfamilliar place. At this point, Everything seems unfamilliar to me.
I was lost in my thoughts just then i heard a meow beside me. I turned around and saw few kittens in a box. They were adorable. I couldnt help myself and kneeled to take better look at them.
They responded to my affection. Two of them already came out and kept walking around my feet.
(They are abandoned...I wish i could take them in. This way...none of us would be alone anymore.)
I heard a footstep growing closer. Suddenly it stopped. If it was an passerby, He wouldnt just stop seeing me. I turned around and became quiet shocked to see the person.
(What....'s...he doing here. ...I better stay calm ...)
I moved away my stare and noticed he had some food in his hand. Probably for the kittens. He noticed them before me.
I had to pretend like I dont know him.
He too kneeled and started feeding the kittens.
He suddenly spoke up that startled me, "We're from the same class.". I was surprised that he already noticed me as a classmate."Really....?I didnt know.", I stated with a pretend to be confused look. He was pretty cool about it.
We both were quiet until the kittens finished their Food. I stood up and lightly stepped away from him. I was trying to run away but he caught me, "Are you ignoring me?"
He was so straightforward that I couldnt just walk away. "Im not...ignoring you. what's there to...even stay for.", My last few words were almost unhearable. He didnt even try to ask again. He slowly walked toward me until he was only one hand away.
He took out his hand from his pocket and reached out for me to shake hands,
"Nice to meet you. Im Leonard. You are?"
I clenched my fist. It was completely unbearable situation for me. What am i suppose to say?'nice to meet you ...too?', When it's not...It's more painful.
I started to curse myself inside. He's being rejected and at the same time my anger is making my eyes teary. I cant even look up in a fear that tear might fall out of my eyes anytime.
After a few seconds he took back his hand after observing me hesitating."Am i bothering you...?"
How can he even say that! Bothering me!?? Im the one who's being a total....amature.
I still have time. I better walk away without saying anything. IT can only make things worse.
L,"Dont!...Please dont...leave me."
F,"…"
L,"I've been noticing you for ...a while. I feel like you're...not okay.I might not know the best way to put it...If anyone or anything's bothering you...as..a- classmate, You can talk to me."
F,"(As..a...classmate?)"
Before I could think anything else, I felt a warmth behind me. His hands wrapped me around from behind. His chin almost resting in my shoulders. I was shock and speechless.
L,"I Thought you need it."
I felt safe since those hugs were so familliar to me. But I came back to my senses and gently pushed him away since...we're just Strangers.He was expecting that.
we were standing there not saying anything. He took one last look at the kittens and then looked at me. "Wanna have some coffee?"
F,"What?", I asked out of my spaced out kind.
L,"Would you like to go that coffee shop with me? I dont want to be alone now."
Who holds themselves back from that. Since i no longer have any idea what would a stranger say, Let it be that way.
"Yea, Sure.", I answered with a smile.
L,"Thank gosh Lora. I thought you wont accept my offer. Let's go now."
We both headed toward the shop.While walking on the side road awkwardly, I realised....I never told him my name....Did he just call me Lora?