Stronger (Sequel to Fix You)

Remembering Him

Ally's POV:

Austin and I chat to Dez for a while. It's nice to see him again. I just wish he wasn't so sad. But I guess, if Austin had forgotten me I would have absolutely lost it. I would have broken down. I squeeze my boyfriend's hand. He smiles and squeezes back briefly. I giggle and he boops my nose. Out of the corner of my eye I see Dez staring at us. I nudge Austin and we stop flirting. I get up and go sit next to my red headed friend.
" Trish and I. We could have still been close like that. We could have been closer." He sighs. I don't know what to say.
Dez continues, " I mean, why did this have to happen? Why did it happen to us? Why can't she remember me."

I don't know how to answer his questions. Because they are questions I've been asking myself over the past few weeks. Instead of giving him an answer, I place my hand on top of his for a while as he sobs softly. When he stops, I pull him up from the couch. I wrap my small arms around him and rub his back as he rests his chin on the top of my head.
" Do you want to go for a walk?" I ask him after a while. He nods and heads out the front door. Austin and I follow closely behind.

As we are walking Austin takes my hand and I say to him, " I didn't know how to answer his questions Austin."
My boyfriend tightens his grip on my hand, "You did the right thing back there Alls, ya know? You showed him how much we care about him."

Austin's POV:

I'm really proud of what Ally just did. Other guys might be jealous if their girlfriend hugged another guy and held his hand. But not me. I could see how much Dez was hurting. So could Ally. So comforting him like that. It was sweet. Dez has been trying to be too strong. He doesn't have to be strong anymore. Not all the time at least. Because Ally and I will be here for him.

We keep walking for a while until we end up at the beach. It's quiet here today, not many people around. Ally and I sit down beside Dez, who has plonked himself down on a small sandy hill.

After a while, I glance across at my redheaded friend. He is staring out at the calm ocean, not blinking. Emotionless. All of a sudden I catch a glimpse of a familiar person walking towards us.
" Yo Trish!" I yell out, making her turn around. Seeing Ally and I, Trish makes her way towards us. As she draws closer Dez notices her. He frantically looks at me with wide eyes.

Before Trish realises what is happening, I grab Ally's hand and lead her away, leaving Trish and Dez alone.

Dez's POV:

I look up and see Trish walking towards us. WAIT WHAT!? Trish? I stare at Austin, mentally begging him to do something. He gets up and leaves, taking Ally with him. Oh crap. What am I supposed to do now.

With a racing heart, I turn towards the love of my life. " H.. Hey Tr..Trish." I stutter.A small sign of recognition flickers within her gorgeous eyes.
" It's you!" She gasps.
I decide that I have to ease the tension somehow.
" Yep. Pretty sure it's me!"
She giggles nervously, " I'm so sorry but who are you?"
" I'm Dez" I outstretch my hand.
She takes it and gently shakes it.
I sort of just stare at her out of bewilderment. I guess I start to creep her out because she starts to fidget with her shaky fingers.

I look her up and down before my attention is drawn to an item around her neck. Rays and sunlight seem to bounce off of the locket.
" You.. You kept it?" I say, nodding my head in the lockets general direction.
" Yeah. I umm. Felt as if I had to wear it. Ya know? I thought it'd make me remember.." She trails off.
I sit back down on the cold sand, trying to ignore the feeling of my heart shattering once again. I feel her sit next to me. She takes my hand nervously, unsure whether or not to proceed.
" I'm sorry." She says, " I want to remember. I tried so hard but I.."

I cut her off. "It's alright Trish. It's not your fault. If anybody should be sorry, it's me. I left you. I should have stayed. Austin and Ally stayed, you remembered them."
I close my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. I don't know if I can do this. I feel Trish strengthen her grip on my sweaty hand, stroking the back of it gently with her thumb.
" Austin and Ally. They told me all about you. They said we were friends. Best friends. They told me how we'd bicker but make up almost instantly. They told me about the dates we'd go on. About the things we'd done. The things we'd experienced. The things we'd survived. They told me that you used to love me." She says, attempting to sooth me.

The first thing that comes to mind, I say instantly.
" They lied."
"Oh..I uh.. Oh" she lets go of my hand.
" They lied Trish. I never used to love you. I still do." I say looking her right in the eyes.

For a second I forget. I forget about what has happened. I forget about everything. I forget that she's forgotten me. And I kiss her.

I pull away, shocked. I stop attempting to hold back my emotions. I allow the tears to flow freely down my face.
" I'm sorry." I mutter, standing up.
I walk away, only stopping when I'm far from the spot I was sitting. I stop and look back at her. Our eyes meet one final time. I continue walking away.

Trish's POV:

Did he just? Did we just? What? I blink rapidly, trying to clear my mind. But my mind is anything but clear.

Images of him flash through my mind. His voice echoes around in my head. My lips tingle where his met mine. I press my fingers to them. Yep. His kisses still taste the same. WAIT WHAT? Did I just? I screw my eyes shut.

I see him on my driveway, me running towards him to hug him. I see him standing up for me in the cafeteria line, as everyone else stares at me. I see him holding my hand as I lay in a hospital bed. I see him rushing towards me as I lay in Trent's house, scared and afraid. I see him comforting me, as I stare at the headstone of my premature baby. I see him waving goodbye at the airport, as he boards the plane to New York. I see him on a picnic with me. I see him surprising me at Christmas. I see him cuddling me. I see him holding my hand. I see him kissing me.

All these images return to me. A flood of memories rushing through my mind all at once, after what feels like a long drought. A drought the seemed to go on forever.

I race after Dez, stumbling on the sand dunes, blinded by a stream of tears. "Dez!" I scream, " Wait!"
He turns around as I sprint along the beach.
"I remember. You. Us. Everything." I pant, nearing closer to him. I stop and he stares at me in disbelief. " I remember." I whisper.

He flings his arms open, running the rest of the way towards me. We collide, embracing each other longingly. He lifts me up, spinning me around. Placing me on the ground, he wraps his arms around my wait, pulling me towards him forcefully. A little too forcefully. We lose balance, causing him to crash onto the sand, pulling me on top of him. I cup my hand on his cheek, grinning. He grins back. We lean in, crashing our lips together. Kissing with more passion than ever before.

Out of nowhere a huge wave lands right on top of us, soaking us completely. He chuckles, smoothing my wet hair back, tucking a loose strand behind my ear. I giggle, staring into the eyes I've missed so dearly.
" I love you Dez." I whisper
" I love you too Trish."
" I love you more." I say softly
" I love you most."

This moment. Is perfect.

Another chapter, just as promised! Your thoughts? I hope this reunion exceeded your expectations. Love you all!