Detour

37: Who's Back?

The sun has already set when I arrived. The streetlights are on early, I wondered. As I'm nearing the house, I saw a familiar figure under the old oak tree by the bench. This tree by the suburbs used to be a part of everyone's lives here.

Especially mine.

This is where I met Astrid. This is where me and Harry would always ride our bikes, and rest after a tiring afternoon. After Astrid left this city, Harry, and his bestfriends, Noah, who is same age as me, Jay, who seemed to be close with me since Astrid came here, and I, would play a lot here after school. They were such good friends. When I was little, I used to be a very pale little girl. (Astrid didn't notice that, which is weird, or maybe because my skin type is also like hers somehow.) My classmates would be frightened of me and think of me as a ghost. But Harry's friends aren't like that. They played with me, and I'd be one of the boys—they'd always say. That didn't lasted long though because Harry and Jay grew up and approached High School while Noah on the other hand, left for Italy to study.

Jay and Harry would still join me biking sometimes but we'd mostly spend a little time on it since their priorities changed and they're becoming mature each passing day. I didn't have any friends later than meeting Adrien and Vince in High School. And I guess those times in between where I don't have anyone, Mom became my best friend.

I made a turn and I get to see that familiar figure in side view. Our eyes met and my eyes grew wide when he turn his head in my direction.

Just when I was talking about my childhood memories, he actually appeared. He even waved at me. At first, I didn't think he'd recognize me at all. But I waved back anyway since I didn't manage to pull the brakes.

I reach home with a lot of questions after seeing Noah by the tree, and someone's car parked in front of our house. It isn't Vince's, or Therese's. When did Noah came and when did Mom got a new car? If this is not hers, then whose?

I got out of the car and took my bag on the backseat. When I was about to close the door, a note fell on the floor. It can be a receipt or what, but my instincts would always shout that maybe it could be something important. I groan and pick it up.

My eyes widen and my mouth parted when I discover what it was written.

   "Text me when you got home. You'd probably forget so I wrote it here on my receipt this morning..."

I instantly flip it and found out it was actually his receipt! There are words written in dutch that I can't understand but I do know what steak is!

Ha! So that's why when I told him I was so amazed by the steak, he's just looking at me like he's gonna laugh.

Jeez...you got me there Cole!

That made a curve on my lips and I shake my head for his creativity. At the end of his receipt, there says
  
"Srry 2 dspnt u :P"

And that actually made me want to text him right away. I stood by the porch and typed.

To: Cole
     Just got home. Almost didn't see the receipt. U had ur fun this morning didn't u? Tsk, should've known better :P

Cole did text back right away but I didn't get to see it because I heard a familiar voice inside the house and it's coming here. I waited a little longer and surprised to see someone I haven't seen for a while.

Our eyes collided and just like that, we hug each other so much, just like how we miss each other after some couple of years. I never expected to see Harry here today but it's an amazing feeling to behold seeing the other half of your life.