Until We Meet Again

10.

I would be lying if I told you the tiny bit of interaction we got today didn't have any effect on my brain.

In fact, it was the only thing my brain was able to focus on for the rest of my shift.

The moment he left, Anna Marie questioned me. I just didn't feel like telling her who Nick truly was. I ended up telling her that he was just a friend I went to school with.

She'd squinted and walked back to the counter, rearranging the pile of books in front of her.

Avoiding explanations always seems like the best thing to do, if i'm honest.

"You seemed flushed. That's why I'm asking." She simply said with a shrug of her shoulders, while adding more books to her pile.

As I think about what just happened, a few different waves of emotions go through my body. First it's excitement, causing the adrenaline to show itself. I have this feeling in my stomach and my throat is slightly tightening, and at this exact moment, I'm thankful I don't have to speak. I'd be ridiculous.

He came to see me.

I'm pretty sure Imogen isn't the type to read, or like any of Alice Oseman's books. She looks like the type of people who only take pictures of book covers to post them on instagram, and then never open the actual book.

I might be wrong, but in all honesty, I'd rather think he came for me than for her.

Then comes happiness, because let's say he didn't come for me, then at least I got to see him. And I got to talk to him.

He didn't change one bit, he's still got his shiny eyes and his smile that warms up an entire room. I've missed our height difference, too. And his big arms.

They've gotten much bigger. He's gotten much bigger if i'm honest, way bulkier. Which makes sense, considering he's been giving all he's got to rugby tournaments and training.

He's a sports guy.

Everything about him is changed, yet he's still the exact same. It's hard to explain.

Then, as I'm putting some books back on their shelves, fear takes over.

What if James ever finds out?

What if that feeling i get when i see Nick never goes away?

What if I do have feelings for him, still?

The questions don't stop coming, and it terrifies me.

I thought I'd finally gotten over that rugby lad, I genuinely thought I'd never have to see him, or even just think about him again. My brain has been occupied with lots of other things, which made it difficult to think about Nick.

But lately, he's been everywhere, and I should be annoyed, I should try and escape him. I should want to put a stop to it, I should be blocking him.

I should do all that, but I won't, because I haven't felt that happiness ever since we dated.

I've been chasing that feeling since the day I left him. Why would I stop running now?

After a few hours of working while being in my head, not really paying attention to my surroundings, my boss comes over to tell me it's lunch time.

I call Tao as soon as i'm left alone in the small lunch room at the very back of the shop.

Anna Marie has left to go grocery shopping. Thank fuck.

"He literally—"

"I know, Charlie. You've told me at least fifteen times in the past ten minutes. What's with him coming back into your life, though?"