I walked through the familiar passageway that led to Eve's room, each step invoking memories of countless visits. This space felt almost like an extension of my own home, a sanctuary filled with laughter, secrets, and the bittersweet nostalgia of our shared history. As I reached the end of the corridor, the door loomed before me, unchanged over the years. It was a sturdy wooden door, intricately adorned with delicate, handcrafted designs that whispered of the artistry of its maker, the beauty of its age etched into its surface.
I raised my hand and knocked softly on the door, the sound echoing in the stillness of the hallway. "The door is open!" came Eve's voice, melodic and inviting, ringing out like a favorite song.
Her voice always struck me as a curious blend—high-pitched yet somehow deep, vibrant, and soothing all at once. I never could have imagined that such a unique combination could create such magic until I heard her speak. I pushed the door open just a fraction, peeking inside before stepping in fully.
Eve was seated gracefully on a vintage chair, her back to me as she focused intently on the small mirror perched on her vanity. The warm glow of soft lights framed her figure, casting a halo of light around her as she meticulously applied her makeup—her favorite pastime, an art form she had perfected over time. I stood there for a moment, captivated by her concentration and the way her brow furrowed slightly as she lined her eyes with precision. She was so absorbed in her routine that she didn't notice my presence at first.
Eventually, she lifted her head to retrieve a hair clip from the cluttered vanity, and the moment our eyes met in the mirror, everything around us seemed to stand still. We locked gazes, and the world faded away; an overwhelming sense of longing washed over me. I hadn't realized how deeply I had missed her until that very instant. The unspoken emotions I had tried so hard to suppress began to unravel, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
We remained frozen at that moment, staring at one another, tears streaming down our cheeks—silent witnesses to the depth of our bond. Gathering my courage, I took a step toward her, but Eve, sensing my approach, abruptly pushed her chair back and sprang to her feet, startling me slightly. Within the blink of an eye, she enveloped me in a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around me like a safe cocoon. The warmth of her body and the sweet fragrance of her perfume enveloped me, a reminder of the comfort we provided one another.
In that embrace, we stood for what felt like an eternity, soaking in the joy of our reunion. Eventually, I began to pull away slowly, her reluctance palpable as she hesitated, but she eventually loosened her grip.
"Hey," I managed to say softly, breaking the silence.
"Hey," she echoed, and in that instant, we both erupted into laughter, the tension of the moment dissipating like mist under the morning sun.
"What's with the awkwardness?" I asked, still chuckling at our initial hesitance.
"It's always awkward with you," she shot back playfully, rolling her eyes in a teasing manner.
"That's not true! I am so much fun to be with!" I replied with mock indignation, unable to contain my smile.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she teased back, and despite the light-hearted banter, I noticed one truth amidst our levity: she hadn't changed a bit.
"I missed you so much," she confessed, her eyes glistening with sincerity. The raw truth in her declaration struck me; a pang of guilt washed over me, reminding me of the times I had blamed her for not standing up to her father more fiercely. But reflecting on it now, she was just a child caught in circumstances beyond her control.
"I missed you too," I replied, and the moment the words left my lips, she beamed at me, her smile bright enough to illuminate the dim room. How could I have let my pettiness overshadow such a sweet soul?
"We have so much to catch up on, but first, what's with your face? It's looking a bit… bland," she asked, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
"Like what?" I feigned ignorance, though I had a feeling where this was headed.
"There's just no spice in it!" she continued, delightfully teasing.
I sighed, knowing full well that she would soon comment on my bare, makeup-free face. Despite our close friendship, we hadn't seen each other in a while, but thanks to social media, I was well aware of her glamorous life filled with makeup tutorials and social outings.
"C'mon, Eve! We both know I'm not a makeup girl. Can we skip that and talk about something else?" I implored, hoping to shift the conversation away from my lack of cosmetics.
"But you look so lovely! I didn't even notice you weren't wearing makeup until I looked closely!" she said, attempting to backtrack but only deepening her playful banter.
"Trying to backtrack on your words, huh?" I teased.
"No! I mean it! You look like a moon goddess!" she insisted, her eyes sparkling with sincerity.
"Well, I'm flattered," I replied with a half-smile.
"Let me grab my phone so we can join everyone else!" she exclaimed, darting toward her nightstand to retrieve it.
"Join? I thought I was the only one here," I remarked, raising an eyebrow in playful disbelief.
"No, you're not! Everyone is upstairs! They've been here for a while, catching up already," she explained, her excitement palpable as she made her way to the door.
"Oh," I responded, my voice barely above a whisper. Together, we walked toward the staircase at the end of the hallway. With each step upwards, an infectious rhythm of music spilled from above, enveloping us in its vibrant sound.
As we reached the top of the stairs, I gasped at the sight before me: the room was filled with familiar faces, and almost everyone I knew was present, their laughter ringing through the air like a warm embrace. Eve never ceased to amaze me. Just as I was about to step into the joyous chaos of the gathering, my eyes were drawn to one person—Liam. Suddenly, my breath caught in my throat, and everything else faded into the background.