I took Agathe home that night, she was still pretty as ever. She gave me her new number so I can contact her whenever just like old times. As she walked through the door, I can still see the Agathe I first met. I can't stop thinking about it. I mean, she has new clothes, new make-up, and everything but damn it, she's still the same. Not that I complain about it.
The next morning, she told me to come by tomorrow to have some coffee. I thought it was a date, but I was just assuming. Hey, I'm not sorry about it.
At about four in the afternoon, we met at the coffee shop.
"What's up?" I said. "Waiter!"
"Nothing, it's just I want to talk to you."
"Yeah, sure, what is it?"
"It's about Kath, I don't know what's her number and I want to know what exactly happened."
"Oh, of course, what do want to know first?"
While Agathe ordered drinks for us, I told her about Kath's whereabouts and what she was doing. I can see that she's happy when I told her that Katharina is now a teacher in France and playing with her band, still.
"And did I ever tell you that Kath has a new fella now?"
"What!? Really?"
"I'm not sure though, but I am convinced that there is a guy involved."
Agathe bowed her head and said, "Some things never really change, huh?"
Totally agree with her. She was never wrong. In my eyes, she can do no wrong and I can even believe the greatest lies she is going to ever tell me.
After we talked about Kath, she asked questions about me.
"How about you? Are you happy?"
She was the first one who asked me if I was happy.
"I am. I am happy."
"But?"
Did I ever mention that she's good at reading emotion? I don't know how she does it. No matter how hard you try to have a poker face or pretend that you're happy, she would know and she'll always will.
"But I haven't got you, yet."
"You're really determined?"
"Yes, and I guess I'm hopelessly devoted to you."
"What? You can't use my favorite movie against me, Brahms, ugh, that is unfair!" She said laughing. I, too, was laughing.
"Okay, wanna go to a museum?"
"Of course, wherever you go, I'm with you."
We didn't drive to the museum, but we walked. When we got there, the museum was closed so we just got ice cream. There's no problem a little ice cream would fix.
Agathe and I went home after that since she was a bit tired and wanted to rest. I took her home again, but this time, Mrs Evans invited me in. Agathe, her mom and I went to their garden.
"So, Brahms, did you two have a good date?"
"Mother, it's not a date."
"Really? Well, I thought it was," I said, "and we did have fun Mrs Evans, thank you for asking."
Agathe was sitting between me and her mother and she was laughing her arse off. Mrs. Evans asked me to stay for lunch. Then Mr. Evans arrived just on time.
"You didn't tell me we have a guest," Mr. Evans shook my hand and then sat down.
I was shocked by Aggie's father that he knows my parents very well. Well, I guess that in the business world, they have to know each and every one in the industry, but that doesn't make any excuse that he knows everyone in the family. It's kind of creepy.
"Everything good in the business? I heard that you're now working for your father."
"Everything's fine, sir. But I would rather not talk about it. Confidential," I said grinning.
He immediately understood what I meant. We ate lunch and it really went great. Agathe was telling a story about her travel to Europe. How it was so beautiful when she visited Scotland's famous Stonehenge, France's Eiffel Tower, and loads more.
After we ate lunch, Agathe and I went to her room. She showed me a bunch of her pictures when she was away and none of it was a close-up. I asked her about it and she told me that no matter how she tried to forget about all of us, she can never seem to do it. She said that there is a space because she will always remember us, her friends.
I also asked her why would she want to forget about us.
"I was hurt," Agathe said. "I was selfish and jealous about your lives. I was childish about it."
"Our lives? Why? I mean, you have the most perfect life anyone could ever imagine."
"That's what they all think about. See, when I was a kid, my parents almost sent me to my aunt in Germany for my wrongdoings instead of talking about it," she said, "I was never perfect, Brahms, nobody is. Our relationship just got better when I went away."
When she was telling me this, she wasn't even flinching. Her facial expression was cold as ice.
"They said they were scared to lose me. When in the first place they had a chance not to." She was now crying at that moment. "I don't know what has gotten into me, but I regret for not telling you guys."
I told her it was alright and that no matter what, we will understand her because we were her friends. When she stopped crying, I was still curious why me? Of all her friends, why would she pick me to talk about these things? So, I asked again.
"Hey, if you don't mind me asking, why me? Of all your friends, why would you want to talk to me?"
"I... I knew that you would understand me the most," Agathe said, smiling, "I knew you would understand the feeling that you're out of place when you're not because I saw you did that."
"What? When?"
"Remember when we asked you and Thaddeus if you wanted to come to the movies?"
"Yes? And?"
"Thaddeus didn't even care that time if you wanted to go or not, so, you just came along. Then when the timing is right, you said no and I think that was very brave."
"Why would you think that's brave?"
She laughed then said, "Because I could never say no."
After that, I feel that I know Agathe more than ever. She was different when you get to know her personally. I didn't know that's how she felt, that's why she went away. Now I get it.
