Chapter 64 - GUILT

Nancy watched as Angela dived into the swimming pool with other athletes. She was amused by how fast she had become over the eight years she had last seen her. She couldn't believe she was going to see her ever again. 

Angela was prettier than the last time they saw each other. She was a little bit taller now. She had slimmed down too, maybe because of her career.

Angela had taken swimming as her career. She left for Queens after high school. She had taken the top runner-up during the Brooklyn girls swimming game and contracted to study at a swimming school in Queens. 

At first, she'd declined but since Nancy and her friends wouldn't stop pressuring her, she took hold of the opportunity to run away from them, from Mathias spectacularly.

She was back in Brooklyn as a top runner to contest in a swimming competition in which Nancy had caught up with her. Nancy doesn't swim any longer but she is now a judge and owns a swimming reservoir. 

It was her reservoir and she was the judge of the day. When they both first meet each other. Angela gaped surprised, same as Nancy but she went up to her and hugged her.

Angela didn't retaliate since she felt guilty for leaving her alone. During their time together, she knew she was all Nancy got but she hurt her feelings by leaving. 

It wasn't her fault, she was broken. Seeing Nancy had pushed her memories back to eight years ago and she remembered him, the only person that made her win.

She was distracted by his thoughts and ended up coming second in the race.

Although she took second, she could still hear the cheers of her fans. She waved a kiss to them and headed back to take her position.

Nancy walked up to her after she was done adorning and asked her to go for lunch with her.

Angela smiled because she couldn't decline the offer. They got into Nancy's car and drove to the nearest diner.

"You've changed a lot, Angela." Nancy complimented her as they ate their meal.

"I guess right," Angela replied and grinned.

Nancy loved the way she was happy, at least she was delighted to talk to her even though she felt shy.

"I heard you stopped swimming. If I may ask why?" Angela asked.

"I decided not to. No one will cheer me up any longer." She said and her words made a hole in Angela's heart. She was hurt and her heart was remorseful. 

She dropped her cutlery and strained her gaze to Nancy, "My apologies. I never meant to leave you all alone."

Nancy didn't utter a word but kept on picking on her meal.

However, Angela continued. "I just felt I could go out there and find my dreams."

"Are you serious right now?" Nancy asked, "Your dreams are always with you, you don't have to look for them. You just have to fetch it out."

"I know, Nancy but I_" She paused, having nothing to imply. Anything she has to say is going to be an excuse. 

They kept quiet throughout their lunch, and both of them couldn't bring out a topic.

After they finished, they moved out of the diner, though they were already chattering about their long-gone years. Nancy told her how she finished college and built the reservoir while Angela talked about how she ended up in the Olympics game.

They were both proud of each other's achievements. Just then, Angela decided to ask about her other friends.

"I've seen Shed so many times on television and I know he's doing great, how about Davis?" She asked solemnly.

"He's probably at work." She replied sheepishly as they rode through the highway back to Angela's residence.

"Nice." She said and nodded. Just then her eyes popped out at Nancy's statement. "He's probably at work? How do you get to know that?" She desperately needed a positive answer to her question.

Nancy laughed at her reaction. "I got to know because we live together and I'm his wife."

"What did you just say?!" Angela screamed.

"Calm down, will you?" Nancy proclaimed but Angela couldn't stop baffling her eyelids at her.

"You can't be serious."

"Of course, I can't be since someone left us and moved on with her life." Nancy pouted at her.

"I feel guilty," Angela told her. She was now sobered. "I didn't mean to. I was just hurt and needed some time. I never knew it could take time."

"Your decision was rational," Nancy told her. They were already in front of Angela's home but Nancy just parked her truck and they remained in the car, discussing.

"I shouldn't have left that way."

"Yes, you shouldn't. You left everyone in awe."

"I was naive." She mumbled.

"I'm excited to see you after eight years, Angie but I'm still angry with you for leaving. You could have just informed me even if you don't want anyone to know or you could have sent a message." Nancy protested. She has never thought Angela was going to disappear all of a sudden all because of a mistake she took for real. "And Angie, you messed things up." She added.

She wasn't planning to go too far but she just had to. Over the years, she couldn't imagine Angie had taken the wrong as the right. She couldn't imagine Angie had felt hurt all because she misunderstood a term.

"Can I ask for your forgiveness?" Angela asked.

Nancy looked at her pleading eyes. They were starting to draw out water. She didn't want her to feel bad after eight years. Yet, she needed to inform her about her wrongs.

"You misinterpreted his words, Angie. All he said weren't true." Nancy stated, gazing large at her.

"He meant his words." Angela whimpered, now playing with her fingers.

"You should meet him." Nancy implied searching her face. She didn't know how Angela would reply but she just needed to tell her.

"He wasn't sorry either."

"How did you know? You left without knowing his feelings."

"I_" She lingered, trying to hold back her tears. 

Nancy leaned toward her and hugged her. "Meet with him and sort things out." She persuaded her.

"Will he want to see me?" She said between cracks.

"Of course," Nancy assured and let her hands pat her back. 

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