Saturday...
I felt perfectly fine by morning.
We had lectures even on Saturday.
General physiology got completed and blood physiology was started by Mr Sanger in our class. Gross anatomy was almost completed by Mr Braniac. He also gave us a brief introduction to osteology through flow charts. It was interesting.
My golden locket didn't sparkle again and I soon got over that topic as I had too many tests, assignments and Highway Fest to focus on. Grandma and Grandpa were busy with fieldwork so I couldn't get in touch with them. But it always stayed at the back of my mind - the mystery of the locket.
Matt texted me - good morning that day and shared some jokes too. Our bond grew stronger with time (at least I thought so). He was everything I didn't imagine my - "The One" would be. Maybe that's what love was. I seem to forget about Drake.
"If life can remove someone you never thought of losing, it can replace with someone you never dreamt of having, " I thought to myself.
All my moments with Matt flashed back.
I felt genuinely cheerful and also free from missing Drake.
Eventually, my feelings for Drake sank in; and my heart was opening up to Matt. It was healing slowly but perfectly. Little did I know that some bad omen was about to happen.
Sunday morning...
"The Highway University Fest" starts today. There prevailed excitement on every face; after all, there's "Good food, some entertainment and lastly DJ night". It was going to last for three days. Today there was a talent show; Monday was going to be all about food, game and various other stalls, And Tuesday we had the DJ night.
The programme was to start today at 4 pm sharp.
It was 7 am and I had my rehearsals at the auditorium, so I quickly wore my black one-piece and left for my practice session along with Linda.
As soon as I arrived, my eyes searched for Matt. He was supposed to arrive before 8 as he was performing a solo song on stage. But he hadn't come yet.
I began listening to my dance song to review the steps in my head. It was relaxing to hear - "Alien" song by Sabrina Carpenter.
This was the first time I was dancing to an English song. It made me nervous and excited at the same time.
Soon It was my turn according to the list Linda had stacked previously. So, I stepped up on the stage and began dancing. My soul felt free, happy and relieved you can say. Wholeheartedly I danced to the rhythm until I heard people clapping that I came back to reality. I bowed and stepped out of the stage. The practice was flawless.
It was Sunday, thus we didn't have any classes. I sat down longer to see other performances. Linda was going to perform hip-hop. I stayed until her rehearsal.
Her moves were super cool and crisp. It was unusual to watch her doing something other than studying. She emitted a pure aura of strong women. It was remarkable. I stood up and clapped when she finished off with her moves. I was super delighted for her. She showed a thumbs up to me while standing on the stage.
I took a glance at my watch, it was 10 am then.
As Linda and I were nearly leaving the auditorium; Matt entered. I waved at him. But he didn't respond to seeing me. His demeanour looked odd. Maybe he wasn't in a good mood today. I must cheer him up for his singing show tonight (I thought); so I jogged towards him to the other side of the hall.
"Hey Matt, how are you doing? "I asked casually patting on his back.
"How can you even ask me that ? " he said in an arguing tone. He was a bit louder than usual. I didn't expect that response.
His voice grabbed everyone's attention.
I stared straight into his eyes asking for an explanation.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me outside the auditorium. His hand was hurting my wrist, so I tried to let go of it.
"What is this all about ?" I finally spoke up (still confused).
"Don't act innocent Grace! As if you don't know about the pink box, " he exclaimed rashly.
"What pink box ?" I asked trying to rewind in my head what had gone wrong within the past few days.
I could not believe that Matt had such a different side to his personality.
"Flare showed me your pink box. Who is this Drake and how come you never mentioned to me that you loved him. I thought we could be more than friends for a moment. I'm disappointed and I don't know why. Give me some time to digest all of this, " Matt confessed, his face going from angry to helpless in seconds.
I couldn't explain this thing.
How could I?
Drake had been my first love but that was in the past. Those letters were written in the past. Presently Matt was my closest friend and I somehow hoped we could be more.
Flare ruined everything between us; our trust and hope shattered that very moment.
"Matt, listen to me carefully. Drake is indeed someone I used to love but it's in the past. I wrote those letters long ago. I didn't tell you this because it doesn't matter to me now. Those letters are just a memoir of my former self. It's nothing to me now. Trust me Matt please, "I said (my eyes became soggy, I was on the edge of crying).
"So you have no feelings for him, right?" Matt defended.
Before I could justify myself; A tall black Silhouette could be seen in front of me.
I turned back.
"Grace! How have you been? You didn't miss me, did you ?", Drake asked (in his forever jovial tone).
Drake's sudden appearance gave me a shrill down the spine. I no longer had feelings for him, but seeing him after so long - my mind became a beautiful turmoil.
I had to choose.
I wiped the extra watery drops from my eyes hesitantly.
"Drake, what are you even doing here ?" I asked clearing my voice, with a hundred questions circling inside my head.
"Am I not welcomed Gracy, " Drake flirted with me.
"Gracy!?! " Matt exclaimed more confused than ever (who was standing at a distance).
Matt stepped closer to Drake.
"Stop it! both of you, " I came between the two before they had a debate (whose prize I was going to be).
"Drake come with me, we need to talk," I said taking Drake to the other side.
Through my hindsight, I saw Matt leave. He looked heartbroken.
We didn't confess our true feelings and the tables had already turned over us.
For the first time, I felt guilty for keeping my pink box.
"I received your letter in which you confessed your feelings for me. Is this your writing? " Drake said holding my poem (Lost Addiction) and a letter, which I had last written for him.
I let go of his hand which held mine and clarified.
"That letter was written by me but it's a year old. See the date... I wrote it when you left me. Those feelings are vintage now. Forgive me but I'm in love with someone else, "I spoke calmly yet confidently to Drake explaining the reality of the situation.
"Oh so I lost my chance with you ? " he said sadly.
I didn't understand his entangled words.
"Don't tell me you came back just because of this letter? " I asked giggling (trying to lighten the atmosphere).
His silence said it all. He also liked me but it was too late. It's been a whole fucking year; he didn't show up until today.
I came to be sure of who I wished to spend my days with.
"But what, it was nice seeing you after so long, " I said hugging Drake.
"Me too! Hope you get all the love that you seek Grace, " he said.
He always had this elder sibling vibes. He knew me too well. He always tried to understand the contrary perspective, which showed his promising side.
This was our last farewell. He left for good. My heart knew its answer then.
I was half relieved as I still needed to explain it all to Matt. But before that, I had to get even with Flare. How could she do this? I thought our bond was improving but now I understood how fake she and her actions were.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Lost Addiction 🤎
If the sun awakens your sleep,
So does your love enlighten me!
If I'm a bit peachy,
Your presence smells like
Daisies growing on a beach!
If I'm at a fix,
You remind me of how brave I can be!
If I'm an incomplete puzzle,
Then you will be my missing piece!
If you are not near me,
Your scent will always stay with me!
If I disappear someday,
You will be my lost addiction indeed!
***Authors note
Hey everyone, hope you all are having a wonderful time reading this book. So far, are you enjoying the storyline? Do share your views in the comment section. All types of advice are welcomed 😇
***Spoiler alert
Will Grace and Matt be able to get over their past relations and move on 🤔?
Is forgiveness so easily given🤔?
Can trust be so easily broken🤔?