Lonely hearts

12. Car rides

It was a few days later and although the tensions between Matt and me had eased, it still felt like there was something unspoken between us. We didn't talk as much as we used to, but the hostility had disappeared and we were polite to each other. It was a start.

One sunny afternoon, I got a message from Matt.

-Text

Matt: Hey Liv, fancy going for a drive? We can chat and spend some time together.

My heart made a jump. This was a chance to repair our friendship further. I quickly replied.

Olivia:Sounds good! When are you coming to pick me up

Matt: In half an hour?

Olivia:nPerfect. See you soon.

--

I got up from the sofa and looked out through my window. The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly. It seemed like a good day for a drive and maybe some enlightening conversations. I quickly changed my clothes and waited for Matt.

After about half an hour, I heard the familiar sound of Matt's car in front of my house. I grabbed my bag and walked outside. Matt was sitting in his car, an old but well-maintained sedan, and smiled at me when I got in.

"Hey," he said, his voice friendly but a little strained.

"Hey," I replied, hiding my nerves behind a smile. "Where are we going?"

He shrugged. "I was thinking of a drive to the lake. It's quiet and beautiful there around this time."

I nodded in agreement. "Sounds good."

We drove in silence, the only sounds were the soft hum of the engine and the rustle of the tyres on the tarmac. I looked out the window, watching the familiar streets glide past us, trying to organise my thoughts.

"Olivia," Matt finally began, his voice soft, "I really wish we could get back to normal. I miss our conversations and how easy it used to be."

I turned to him and saw the sincere look in his eyes. "I miss it too, Matt, but I also understand that things are different now. We just need to get used to this new situation."

He nodded slowly. "Yes, you're right. I just want you to know that I appreciate what you've done and how you're trying to protect me. It means a lot to me."

I smiled weakly. "Thank you, Matt, and I'm sorry I may have gone too far. I just wanted to make sure you were happy."

He sighed deeply. "I understand, I really do. And I appreciate your honesty."

We drove on in silence, but this time it felt more comfortable, as if the words we had exchanged had relieved some of the tension. Eventually we reached the lake, a serene spot surrounded by tall trees and with a glistening surface of water that reflected the sun.

Matt parked the car and we got out. We walked to the lake shore and sat on a large rock, the water quietly lapping in front of us. It was a beautiful spot, peaceful and perfect for quiet conversation.

"Do you remember the last time we were here?" asked Matt, his eyes fixed on the water.

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The past:

It was a warm summer day when we last had a picnic by the lake. The sun was shining brightly and there was not a cloud in the sky. Chris, Nick, Matt and I had decided to spend a day relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Chris had brought a big picnic basket full of food and drinks. "This will be great," he said enthusiastically as we picked a nice spot on the lakeside.

We spread out a large rug on the grass and started unpacking the basket. There were sandwiches, fruit, chips, biscuits and enough soft drinks to keep us hydrated all day. Nick had even brought a portable speaker so we could listen to music while we ate.

"This is perfect," Matt said as he stretched out on the rug, his face facing the sun. "Just relaxing with good friends."

I smiled and felt a warm glow of happiness run through me. These were the moments I cherished - simple, carefree and full of fun.

We ate our lunch, joked and reminisced. The atmosphere was light and cheerful. After dinner, we just sat talking and laughing, enjoying each other's company and the tranquillity of the lake.

After a while, Nick stood up and looked at us defiantly. "Who wants to have a water fight?" he asked with a broad grin.

Before anyone could reply, he ran to the lake and jumped in, splashing the water. Chris quickly followed, and soon they were both standing in the shallow water, looking at us defiantly.

Matt and I looked at each other and laughed. "Come on, Liv," he said. "Let's join in."

We ran to the water and jumped in, the cool water feeling wonderfully refreshing on our warm skin. What started as a playful splash soon turned into a fierce water fight. We threw water at each other, shouting and laughing, our behaviour like children on a summer holiday.

Chris and Nick worked together to spray Matt and me, but we did not let ourselves win easily. We also formed a team and managed to surprise them several times with unexpected attacks. It was a chaotic, wet and incredibly fun battle.

At one point, I slipped out of Matt's grasp and ran to the deeper water, but he caught up with me and pulled me back to the shallow end, laughing. We both fell into the water, coughing and laughing.

"Do you surrender?" he asked with a playful grin.

"Never!" I shouted back, throwing another splash of water in his face.

Finally, when we were all soaked and exhausted, we crawled out of the water and lay back on the rug to dry up. The sun slowly began to set, and we watched the beautiful colours filling the sky as we gasped and our laughter slowly subsided.

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Now:

I laughed softly. "Yes, that was when we had that picnic with Chris and Nick. We ended up playing a water fight." Matt smiled broadly. "Yes, I remember that very well. We had so much fun."

We sat there, talking about old memories and new dreams. It felt good to talk to him again, to rebuild that connection. It wasn't the same as before, but it was a step in the right direction.

As the sun began to set and the sky turned orange and pink, we knew it was time to go back. We got into the car and drove back to my house, this time with music playing softly through the speakers.

"Thanks for today, Matt," I said as we stopped in front of my house. "It meant a lot to me."

He smiled at me, his eyes full of warmth. "It was nice, Liv. Let's do this again soon."

I nodded and got out of the car, my heart a little lighter than before. As I walked to my front door, I knew we were on the right track. Maybe things would never be exactly the same, but we would find a way to redefine our friendship and make it stronger. And that was more than enough.