After eight years of being apart, I thought Kyle would give me a cold shoulder after I left the town or blame me for all of his sufferings, but he didn't. When we saw each other in the clinic, I didn't expect him to give the same warm energy as before.
This is not the Kyle that my parents told me. This is the same Kyle who bullies me when we were young. If there is something that has changed about him, it is his physical appearance and his perspective on life. He is more handsome than before, becomes taller than me and his hair is polished with wax to hold it back.
Hearing his stories back then, I can't help but feel guilty. If I had stayed and chosen to study there, would he become the distant Kyle? If I had stayed, would his relationship with Stephanie be in good condition now?
When I saw that he was not affected at all, I can say that he has become mature now. He accepted the past and never let it ruin his future. Instead, he looked forward to pursuing his dreams and set his mind to being successful. I'm so proud of what he became now, mature and positive Kyle.
After that meeting, he always visits our clinic to check on his adopted dog if he has extra time, he also recommends the café every time they have business meetings and visits to relax sometimes. He always asked me to hang out with him if we have available time, but we are not spending too much time hanging out since I am a doctor. Patients are my priority even if they are just animals.
One time, he asked me to go with him to an amusement park where we can play. He said this is the right time to catch up and make up for the time we lost by being apart. "Hi," I said upon seeing him getting out of his car. "Hi," he replied with his charming smile, then kissed me on my forehead which is new to me. He never did that before.
"What is that?" I asked him with a little annoyance in my voice. It makes me annoyed when someone kisses me except my parents, but I don't feel any irritation when he does that, just a flustered heart.
"A kiss," he opened the passenger door for me so I could get inside, "I'm not an idiot, Kyle. I know what that is. Why did you do that?" I asked him once he was inside and seated in the driver's seat. "Because I missed you," then he playfully winked at me. It was not that long before we saw each other again, how come he missed me that fast? "Tell me, did you do something wrong? And what's with your eyes? Is there sand entering your eye?"
He just chuckled at my reaction, "No, I didn't do anything wrong nor is there something in my eyes. That's what you called flirting," he shakes his head with a smile on his face and starts to drive. I don't know how to counter what he said. Flirting? What a joke. He doesn't know how his actions make me confused about him and my feelings for him.
We remained silent until we reached the entrance of the amusement park. He gave the tickets to the gatekeeper so we can enter the park and enjoy the rides inside. I have this motion sickness so I'm not sure if I can enjoy this place. I'm also acrophobic. Yup, I feared heights. I don't know when it started but every time I stood on the balcony, I felt dizzy and I felt like I'm going to fall even if there are railings.
But there are still exceptions. I love to ride the Ferris wheel especially when you reach its peak. You can see the whole city from there but I have never experienced it here in the city.
This is the first time that I went to an amusement park ever since I moved here. We always came to the carnivals when we were young but we became busy with our school work so we rarely came when we stepped into middle school.
Kyle knows about my motion sickness. I know he wants to ride the extreme rides available in the park but he can't since I'm around. "You can go. I'll wait for you here," I said, smiling genuinely.
I'm about to turn around when I feel him grasp my wrist and stop me. "No, I invited you here with me so we can both have fun. I will not let you just sit there and watch me play," he said seriously with his eyes staring at mine.
"It's ok. You can't have fun when I'm around. You know that I have this motion sickness, right? You can't enjoy the rides if your companion messes with her every move," I tried to convince him. He never let me go, he just held my hand while staring at me. "How about this? You play all by yourself for now and we can play later together?" He sighed heavily after hearing my suggestion.
"I can't enjoy the rides when you're not around," he tightened his grip on my wrist while saying these cheesy words. This damn heart. Why is it bursting with excitement in just a simple sentence? "So, you want to make fun of me and see me throw up all the food I ate this morning?" I put this unnecessary feeling aside and jokingly comment on his statement.
"No, I don't want to make fun of you nor to see you throw up. I just want to be with you," he said without changing his serious expression. Damn you! You sound like we're in a special relationship while you're saying that. I sigh, giving up on this cheesy conversation.
"Fine! Come on!" I pulled him towards the long line of the roller coaster ride. Good thing, I'm wearing pants today, I don't need to worry about exposing my undergarments when the rides start.
"Why are we here?" He confusedly asked me. "Oh please, Kyle Nicholas Smith. I know how badly you want to ride this stuff and I will not let you spend the rest of your day doing boring things with me," I was the one in front of the line before him. I'm kind of getting over my motion sickness so maybe it will be fine if I ride this one, I guess.
Not so long, when our turn to get on the ride came, we were seated in front of the train. I'm kind of nervous considering this is my first time riding this plus the motion sickness that I think is still inside me.
We wear safety belts and thick steel that prevents us from falling. When everything is at their places, the ride starts to move and the nervousness starts to grow as the train moves upward to its peak. My heart beats so fast that it makes it hard to breathe.