Erica felt guilty seeing his reaction, he was actually right, she intentionally avoided him but now she did not even have the guts to tell the truth to him and like a coward she lied and is letting him misunderstand the situation and blame himself for her actions.
"Steve, chill, it is not your fault."
"It is Erica, I thought you were avoiding me so I never…. Fuck how can I be so stupid."
"Let it be, we met now so it is alright"
She didn't want to confess that she really avoided him because then she has to tell him the reason why she didn't want to and neither can she put him in pain and blame himself for her mistake.
"But Erica…"
"Let bygones be bygones" She lightly smiled at him and he again felt better as he saw her smile like this after six years.
"Erica"
"Hmm"
"Please always smile this, I don't like it when you look all cold, you don't feel like my Erica but when you smile like this, it makes me happy and it feels like my Erica is back."
"Stop calling me yours."
"Why?"
"I don't like it"
"You really changed"
"People change Steve, time changes everything."
"Erica, why did you guys leave the town?"
"Dad lost his job and therefore mom dad shifted to the small town where we used to live before and there dad started farming and he is indulging in his hobbies as he was always passionate about a few things but never tried his hand at it because of family and responsibilities and this job loss gave him the reason to pursue his passion."
"Oh, nice he is pursuing what he likes."
"Yeah, and they are earning well from it. After my education, I got a job at a law firm and I sent money to them but they don't use it at all, anyway I am happy they are doing fine."
"Hmm, none of our high school friends had any idea where you were, now I understood what happened. But all's well that ends well."
"True"
"Why were you never in contact with any of our friends?"
"Honestly I didn't miss anyone so…"
"Not even me?"
Steve's sudden question startled her and made her speechless, "Umm"
"Seriously Erica? You didn't miss me at all?"
"I was too busy to miss anyone"
"Forget me, I can't believe you didn't even stay in touch with Lisa."
That name, the name Erica wanted to avoid discussing and Steve casually mentioned her, she wanted to avoid this topic but it seems Steve is not going to let her.
"Yeah, we too lost touch"
She wanted to change the topic but he didn't let her.
"You were childhood best friends, then why?"
"Steve, life happens, a lot of people don't stay friends with their childhood friends, it is natural."
"Yeah but I always thought you treated Lisa like your sister."
Steve was still discussing Lisa and it annoyed Erica so she decided to face it, "You tell me, how are you and Lisa doing? Any plans of getting married?" She didn't see a ring on his finger so she understood he is not yet married.
"What do you mean?" Steve was confused.
"I am just asking how your relationship is going on." Erica was surprised with his reaction.