It Started With Hello

Chapter 11- Memories Part 2 (Three Years Ago)

Jake-

If ever there was a time I loved her more. It’s now. I think to myself lying on my bed staring at the pictures of us we’d put on the ceiling above my bed. And in her dorm room as well. The pictures of her come to mind along with the words to go with each picture. I could close my eyes and remember it all. Every detail. I’d spent the whole summer away from her. She’d tried to convince her uncle to let her come back to our school. Where I’d still be waiting for her. The whole summer apart. Something that never happens. Calls, TXTs, and video chat can’t fill this void that she leaves when we disconnect. I need her. I need to be around her. I can’t live away from her. All this time apart is driving me crazy. I’d spent my summer locked away in my room. Or walking out on our favorite trail when we’d talk I’d stop at the bridge she always loved.

Arabella-

Summer’s almost over. I’d spent the whole time trying to convince Uncle Simon to let me go back to Switzerland to finish school. To no avail so far it’s a flat no. But he’s waiting for me. I’d spent the whole summer away from my best friend. Calling and TXTing isn’t the same. The video chats can only fill the void so much. I need my best friend. The one that was there for me when I found out about my parents. The one that was there when Matthew left. The one who promised to wait for me when I left him at the station. All this time apart is breaking me down. I’d walk down to the creek behind my house and sit talking to him. We laugh and talk the whole time.

Noah and Lacy try to get me out to go explore London with them. Nothing appeals to me. All I want is something London can’t give me. London can’t hand me my best friend.

“Bella Come out. Please.” Noah begs from the other side of the door, “You’ve been in there for two months, we hardly even see you.” I lay on my bed staring at the copies of the pictures I have on the ceiling of the school dorm I can’t wait to get back to.

“Leave me alone Noah.” I tell him fighting the tears again.

I hear him sigh before leaving and walking away.

Jake-

“Jake come on,” Lucky says opening my bedroom door, so much for privacy, “What would you do if Bella walked saw you like this?”

“Rejoice,” I answer she gives me a confused look, “I’d rejoice because that means she’d finally be home. I’d hug her and never let her go.”

“How does it feel to have the shoe on the other foot?” Lucky asks me. Thanks, like I don’t already feel miserable. Bring up all the times I’ve done this exact thing to Bella.

“Terrible.” I answer, “I don’t know how she did it all those times.”

“She’d just think of you and how upset you’d be if you saw her like that. She’d still cry when she thought no one would notice.”

“I can’t live without her Luck.” I tell her. It’s like living life knowing the girl you love is still around just too far out of reach. Close enough to see, but not close enough to pull in and grab hold of. It’s unnerving. “I don’t even know if she’s coming back.”

“I know, she can’t live without you either.” Lucky says, “You need each other. More than you need air.”

“More than I need air.” I repeat, “I just want to hug her again. Live and in person. Video chatting can only do so much to make me feel better.”

“Go see her,” Lucky says, “Go see her and make her day and yours. And mine while you’re at it. It’ll put the complaining at bay.”

“I don’t have the money.” I answer annoyed that I was closer only to have her ripped away.