Aerial Love

Going on 16

He is sitting in the corner of a small café, staring through the window while sipping his coffee. Completely different to what he used to get in Newcastle, but lately he has been trying new routines. The reason is because he's been trying so hard to write but nothing good comes out of it, at least according to his judgement. It's another writer's block period for him and it's been stressing him out even more. Drowned in his chaotic mind, his eyes are scanning through everything that passes outside that little café.

And while he is busy with these random thoughts, his eyes caught something. Something so unordinary that made it so exquisite & different to the rest of the ordinary busy day in the small corner of New York City. Long and dark brown hair, contrast to her pale Burberry beige coat. Underneath, she is wearing a white midi dress that shapes her body perfectly. She's also wearing a Christian Louboutin pump shoes that makes her look taller. Classic Tom Ford sunglasses covers her eyes, leaving her pointed nose and her beautiful pinkish nude lips. She carried a black Celine belt bag in her hand and a coffee tumbler on the other hand. It caught his attention because that face is so familiar to him. And the last time he saw her was more than two decades ago.

Although actually, around a decade ago, he also saw her crossing down the street of Melbourne, but he was in a moving car, and was too surprised to see her across the globe. Now, a decade later, he still could not believe it was her. He was hypnotized by her beauty, just like he was 25 years ago. Looking at her, he knew from the start that she is going to be a big shot in this type of big cities. No doubt at all. She was smart, beautiful, funny, and definitely out of his reach. At least that was what he thought when he was just entering his teenage years. Funny how things do not change over the course of time. Cause now, even with all the success, money and fame he gained, he still thinks the same way. A little smile erupted in the corner of his lips thinking of the irony. He was about to stand up, this time he has a chance to say hi. But suddenly a black SUV approaching, she & her friend, in a quick second, get into the car and disappear. His heart beats faster and now it is filled with regrets. "Dammit!!!", he cursed. If only he moved faster, he thought.

Funny how life works, once upon a time you were inseparable, and the next thing you know, you just never meet each other for over two decades. He remembers clearly, back when he was younger, every time he would step his feet into the US, there was this tiny feeling inside of him hoping to see her. Until he gave up because she probably did not want the same thing.

He was always sure she would live a happy and successful life. Probably marry a rich and successful man too, some hot-shot CEO or a senior partner in a law firm in New York City and have 3 kids or more. While he is busy with the images of her 2 decades ago running around in his head like movie scenes, suddenly "Going on 16" surfaces on the air of the café, waking him up back to reality. He spontaneously turns his face to the barista, Tom. He knows Tom recently, since he has been a regular customer there for the last 2 weeks. Tom nods his head with a little smirk on his face. Tom is a part-timer in that café. He is an 18 year old who just started college and the only one who recognized him in this hidden gem. That is most probably because he's been listening to the 90's grunge & rock music scenes since he was 14 years old. He smiles and shakes his head, then takes a deep breath and slowly walks out from the cafe.

Tons of sweet memories of his teenage years suddenly strike him, it was before his stardom, when things were very normal. He remembers that particular time when she grabbed her father's new polaroid camera and took a picture of him with his two best friends, because she believed that they were going to be the next big thing.

Isn't it funny how the universe works? Why now? Why wait until 25 years later?

And just for a few minutes there, he feels 16 all over again.

I saw you looking
You stole my eye
C'mon on over
Unravel you're my sweet surprise

I'm going on 16
I'm going on 16
Come on

C'mon on over
Ignore the morning train
Your pretty lip stain
Reveals the band I split up
This city's a liar
And I swear I'm 16 again