I'm Really Not Fine At All

4. Are You Somewhere Feeling Lonely

Chris heard a knock on the front door of her house and opened it to find Street standing there.

"Hey, Chris," he greeted with a voice as bright as his big smile.

She was surprised by his presence and taken aback by the flutter in her stomach. "Hi," she replied, shyly.

"Can I come in?" He asked.

"Yeah, of course, it's your house," she said awkwardly while stepping back for him to enter.

"I brought you a smoothie from your favorite smoothie place and coffee from your favorite coffee place," he replied happily and held out both for her to take.

"You came over to bring me coffee and a smoothie?," she asked in disbelief.

"And to give you a ride to the doctor. I know you've got a follow-up appointment today," he reminded her.

"I'm perfectly capable of going by myself."

"Obviously, but I just want to be there for you," he responded sweetly.

"Yeah, but I asked for space," she said in an agitated tone.

"Which I've given you for a week now," he replied, anger flaring inside that he tried to push down.

"We see each other every day."

"At work, and we barely speak. I miss our conversations," he answered, clearly deeply saddened.

"I don't remember the way we used to talk, but I honestly don't even know what to say to you right now," she said with anguish.

"Just say anything, please. At least when we were teammates you at least talked to me instead of ignoring me except for a few texts," he pleaded.

She shut her eyes. "Street, I'm not trying to ignore you. It's just so hard to be around you," she responded in a tight voice

"Why?"

"Because I don't remember!" She shot back.

"You don't remember your teammate, Powell, at all or the past seven years with literally every single person!" He replied angrily.

"I DON'T THINK I SHOULD REMEMBER!" She shouted.

He recoiled as though she had punched him in the gut.

The pain written all over his face made the pit in her stomach return. "I'm sorry," she apologized and inched closer to him. The apology didn't seem to be enough, because he just stood there motionless. Hating the feeling building between them, she reached out to touch his arm lightly, like her body couldn't help but making contact with his.

He looked down at her hand on him, and the slightest touch was enough to ease the tension between them ever so slightly. He took a deep breath.

"You don't think you should remember me?" He asked in a raw voice.

"These little moments that pop up in my brain...it's too much all at once. I'm trying to adjust to my new life, and I need to focus on that."

"Then, I want us both to focus on that. As much as I want you to remember us and that you love me, what I could really use right now is my best friend. Any chance I can talk to her?"

"Okay, what would you say to your best friend right now?" She asked, willing to entertain his request, especially after the way she knew he hurt him a minute ago.

"I would say, wanna go to your doctor's appointment?" He offered half jokingly.

She scoffed and gave him a small smile while grabbing her keys. Then, she opened the door and jerked her head to motion for him to follow her.