Nick didn't show up the following day. Or the day after that. I stopped carrying the wristband around with me every time I went to Moosh, and decided that I would put it away. Even though I was disappointed by the thought of Nick and I never seeing each other again, I was relieved
I knew that I was being a little bit too dramatic. It had only been two days.
Because I only had nine days to live, I decided to spend quality time in Moosh. Ever since I had laid my eyes upon Nick, my mind became a construction site for distraction.
I was constantly daydreaming about Nick. My mind would revisit how his blue eyes looked like glass that were susceptible to breaking. I would think about how good it would feel if I were to run my hands through his hair, and how good it probably smelt. His pink and thin lips that curved into a smile every time we spoke made butterflies erupt in every part of my body.
I understood that he was just a boy. Just a boy who I knew nothing about. But there was just something about him. I couldn't quite understand it and I refused to call it love.
It had to be something else.
*****
9 days
My favourite booth in Moosh was the one located at the very back of the café. It had an oval window that had the perfect view of the sunset. The booth was no different from the other ones, but ever since I had stepped foot into Moosh, my butt cheeks were always drawn to it. I didn't know if it was by luck that nobody sat there whenever I was around or if I just had perfect timing.
On this this particular day that I had zero thoughts on Nick and believed that the Universe had finally gotten tired of adding side characters to my life, Nick showed up.
He looked different – tired. The content energy that his face gave off was not there.
"Hey, Nick!" I spoke up, alarming him.
I signalled for him to come closer. As he shuffled towards me I began to search my dungaree pockets for his wristband, forgetting that I had stopped carrying it around with me.
"What's up?"
"Did you lose a silver wristband? On the day you caught me, um, bawling my eyes out?"
His eyes widened and he immediately slid into the empty seat across me.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" I couldn't help but notice how my question had lifted his spirits. "Do you have it?"
"No," I winced, dragging the word. "I mean, not right now."
"Cool, cool. Can you get it?"
"Yeah sure! But I would have to walk home and then come back. It'll take me about twenty minutes."
"I can drive you," he offered.
As much as I would have loved a free, non-wierd opportunity to wrap my hands around Nick and place my head against his back, I was NOT getting on that death machine.
"Nope. And I'm not changing my mind no matter what you say."
"Just jump." He paused. "When you feel like I'm going to fast."
There was something about the way he say the word jump. Something that made my heart race.
"Was that supposed to be funny?" I inquired, ignoring the churning of my stomach.
"I actually don't know why I said that, to be honest with you." He looked puzzled.
"Whatever. I'm still not getting on that death machine with you. A stranger, might I add."
He sighed and pursed his lips. "Fine. Can I at least walk you to save time?"
Walk me home. No. That was a bad idea.
I shook my head in response. Nick narrowed his eyes before looking out the window.
"Fine then. Just bring it tomorrow with you tomorrow, please. You have no idea how you great full I am of you right now."
My heart skipped a beat. "Worried that your girlfriend will find out that you lost her gift?
I just had to know if Nick had a girlfriend. That would make me focus my attention on something more important and worth my time such as planing my own funeral.
I hadn't thought about that in a while. Planning my own funeral and burying myself.
Nick chuckled. "It's my brother's. I don't have the time or energy for girlfriends."
I didn't know what to do with myself after hearing that. Nick did not have time for girlfriends. Zilch time. Na-da time.
"Oh," I said, trying to act unbothered.
"I'll see you tomorrow then...?" He stood up from his seat and looked down at me.
In that moment, I came to a sudden realization that Nick did not know my name.
"Nancy!" I chirped.
"I used to know a Nancy," he said, looking into space. "All right then, Nancy, I'll see you tomorrow at two. If that's okay."
"Two o'clock is fine."
We said our goodbyes and when Nick finally exited that store after receiving his order, I breathed out heavily.
What were you expecting? Fall in love for nine days and then just die? Get a grip, Nanc.
*****
"Okay, here's the plan. I will give Nick back his wristband and stop going to Moosh. I mean it this time."
The moon, only showing a quarter of herself that night, rolled her eyes and continued to look beautiful in her still position.
"I'm serious!"
I plopped down on my l lovesac and furrowed my brows.
"Can't believe I wasted all those days obsessing over a boy."
The past few days had passed in a blur. I always had the same routine: wake up from a nightmare, think about how I was going to die soon, walk to Moosh, spot Nick, daydream, walk back home, waste time writing in my journal, speak with her, and then fall asleep.
And then I would have the dreams.
A single tear streamed down my cheeks. "I don't want to die," I whispered.