Stronger (Sequel to Fix You)

Old Friends

Dez's POV:

It's been two days since I saw Trish in the park. I think she recognised me. Well, recognised me as the guy from the locket. I doubt she actually knows who I am. These past two days have been so difficult. Ever since Trish lost her memory, I've been missing her. Longing to be with her. But seeing her in the park. It quadrupled how much I miss her. Seeing her also confirmed my worst fear. That she still doesn't remember me. The moment I saw her was the moment I realised that she hadn't regained her memory. If she had, she would've called out to me. She would've said my name. She would've ran to me and embraced me. She would've kissed me. But she did none of that. She just sat and stared as I broke down internally. She just sat and watched as I ran away.

The moment I ran, I regretted it. What are you doing Dez? I asked myself. Why are you running away from your problems? It won't solve anything. After I had convinced myself not to run any further, I turned and stumbled after my ex-girlfriend through the darkness. Ex-girlfriend. Ouch.
I had followed her to her house. She went inside, but not for long. I was just about to leave when her front door had burst open. I dove into the bushes and watched her race past. I had followed behind, distancing myself from her. She had gone to Austin's house.

I can still remember the sickening feeling I had gotten as I hid in the garden by the living room window. I remember how guilty I felt watching Austin lead Trish to the sofa and comfort her as she cried. I remember thinking, did I do this to her? Did I make her cry? But that question was rhetorical. I knew the answer. It was my fault.

This thought has stayed with me ever since that night. It's my fault she's upset. It's my fault she doesn't remember. It's my fault she doesn't love me anymore. It's my fault I stopped talking to Austin and Ally. It's all my fault. I should have stayed that day that she woke up from her surgery. I should have stayed with her and helped her to remember. I should have been with her. I should have been the one to comfort her, not Austin. Maybe if I had stayed, she wouldn't need comforting. Maybe if I had stayed, we would still be together. Maybe if I had stayed, everything would've been alright. But I didn't stay. Nothing is alright.

I swallow another pill to try and get rid of my headache. Yet no pill will stop the ache from my heart. That kind of pain does not go away. My phone rings. The caller ID says it's Austin again. When I first left he'd call everyday, even though I never answered. So did Ally. But after a while, they stopped. They gave up.

So Austin calling is a surprise to me. Even more surprising, he leaves a voice message. Curious, I listen to it. To hear what he has to say.

" Hey Dez, it's Austin your best fr- your old friend."
That hurts.
" Anyway, I just wanted to tell you to call me or something. I won't tell anyone. Not Trish. Not Ally. I just wanna talk. Bye"

I know that it goes against everything I previously decided but... I have to see him. If I eliminate them from my life any longer, I don't think I'll be able to keep on living. What I'm doing now, it isn't living either.

I text him:
Old treehouse. Now.

He doesn't reply so I have no idea whether or not he's coming. I walk to a small forest on the outskirts of the suburb I live in. There, is a treehouse. Austin and I built it when we were younger. We'd play here all day long. It's our place. Not even Trish and Ally know about it.

I climb the rope ladder to the top, taking a seat in the empty treehouse. Yeah that's right, empty. Austin is not here yet. He may never show up. I sit there panting for a while. I hear a twig snap below. My heart races. I peer out of the small window, catching a glimpse of my blonde friend. He climbs in beside me and we stand there for a while, staring at each other.
" sorry I'm late," he grins goofily "I got lost!"

Austin holds out his arm to shake my hand but I am too emotional. I pull him into a hug, tears running down my face, dripping from my nose. We sit down side by side and I wipe away the tears, "I'm sorry buddy! I'm so sorry that I left!" Austin just nods. He understands.
" You really love her man, don't ya?"He states rather than asks.
I nod.
" Yeah, I told her that. I didn't say who you are, but I told her you love her." He gives me a reassuring smile.
" Thanks Austin." I mumble.
I feel so bad for leaving. I haven't seen him in weeks. After a while of sitting in a comfortable silence, my friend speaks up.
" You need to see her, talk to her, be with her."
" But she doesn't remember me!" I protest.
" But maybe if you remind her, she will!" He says, " I mean Ally and I stuck around and she remembered us."
A small spark of hope ignites deep within me. Maybe he's right. Maybe if I'm there, she'll remember. Maybe she hasn't completely forgotten. Maybe she just needs reminding.

Austin says that he will help me meet of with Trish. I mean I can't just ask her to hang out with me when she doesn't even know who I am! But I'm not sure that I'm completely ready to see her just yet. I'll have to prepare myself first. Prepare myself for getting my heart broken. Because I know that seeing her not remember me is going to break my heart. While we are sitting in the treehouse discussing Trish, Ally calls Austin's phone, asking him to come over to her place.
"You should come with me Dez! Ally really misses you!" He says
I nod and follow him, anxious to see my friend for the first time in weeks.

Once Austin and I arrive at Ally's house, he rings the doorbell. After hugging his girlfriend, Austin steps aside to reveal me to Ally. She gasps slightly but still rushes forward to envelop me in a friendly hug.
" I missed you Dez!" She sobs, I didn't realise until now, that she was crying.
" I missed you too Alls!" I murmur.
All three of us make our way into Ally's living room. I sit in one armchair and Austin sits in the other, pulling Ally onto his lap. They both just stare at me for a while and I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
" Why Dez? Why did you leave us?" Ally asks. Austin nods, agreeing with his girlfriend.
" It was Trish. She made me promise that if she forgot me, I'd have to try and forget her. I couldn't do that if I was still around. It'd drive me crazy!"

" How'd that work out for you?" Ally asks, sounding disappointed in my choice. I don't blame her. I'm disappointed in me too!

" It didn't work. I still went crazy! I mean, it's impossible to forget the love of your life. Being away from her just made me love her even more. I just wish she loved me back.."

And that's how the story ends.. JUST KIDDING!!!!!! Hahaha belated APRIL FOOLS!!! How are you liking it so far? Please comment! Love you all so much. Btw AHHHHHHHH!!!! AUSTIN & ALLY WON A KCA, AS WELL AS ROSS AND LAURA!!!! YAYYY!!!