Echoes of yesterday

CHAPTER I

Calum

My ass hurts from sitting on this bus for so long.

I didn't remember how long this trip took, I haven't done it for three years I guess... maybe longer. I straighten up on the seat again trying to disguise my discomfort while I am watched by the girl who is sitting next to me. She's been pretending to read since she got in but I know she's just trying to cover it up, in reality she's been watching me all this time which has made me even more uncomfortable.

As if the seat wasn't enough, I still have someone beside me who judges every inch of my body, or simply appreciates it. I can't tell the difference. What I do know is that it's uncomfortable and I can't wait to get out of this bus and hug my mother.

It's been so long since she last visited me and I miss her so much.

I can't say the same thing about that city that I left years ago, I always wanted to travel, to see the world. And after my father's death it was very painful to visit that place again. I simply couldn't.

I ended up leaving the house where I grew up, my friends.. and Olive.

I smile when I imagine what she's like right now, is she taller? Dyed her hair? Did she finally managed to finish the book she started writing all those years ago? Did she got to see all the countries she wanted to see? Did she pierced her nose? Is she happy? I can't wait to ask my mom when is Olive coming back to town too.

Olive, my Starlight.

I give a low chuckle and look out the window to see the signs on the freeway realizing we're almost there.

"Just one more hour.." I whisper to myself.

"Sorry, did you say something?" the girl next to me stares, I just shake my head and close my eyes. She shrugs and looks back at the book, maybe she's really reading.

-

I woke up just in time to get off at my stop.

"Excuse me" I finally passed by the girl who accompanied me during this trip and I removed my backpack from the compartment above our heads, I get out and remove my suitcase from the trunk of the bus.

I breathe the pure air of this city and observe the fields and people, it has always been so peaceful.  Despite the changes and the number of new houses that have been built, it remains the same. I drag myself through the streets towards the coffee shop, past the elderly people who recognize me and greet me with their warm hello, and the children I don't recognize but who play happily in the park.

My mother must be working, I look at the clock and see that it's four in the afternoon.

"Yes, she's definitely working."

In the distance I already see the building that I know so well, it remains the same. I'm grateful that I don't have to go to my mother's work to get the keys and just then go home, as she decided a long time ago that her house would be in that same place, simply upstairs.

I get to the coffee shop entrance but I can't get in, I stay right there watching the building and absorbing all that feeling of being at home. 

I'm home.

When I finally work up the courage to go in, I see the ginger hair I knew too well on the other side of the glass. I stand still and follow the agitated walk of that girl I once called my best friend.

Why is she here?

Wasn't she supposed to be in Europe? The last time I spoke to my mother she told me that Olive was in Italy with her boyfriend. Why is she here working?

I have so many questions but the only thing I want to do right now is rush in and hug her so tight she'll even forget where she is. But I don't, I walk into the coffee shop, sit at the farthest table from the counter and simply watch her pour coffees and serve all the customers with a smile.

Yeah, I think I'll just stay here and watch her for now. 

That's creepy. My inner voice tells me, but I can't stop watching her.

She is so beautiful, she looks the same but at the same time she doesn't. If it weren't for the signature ginger hair, the freckles across her nose and the cheeks that are as cute as I remember, I wouldn't have been able to recognize her. But yet, I think I would because now that I look at her I just feel everything again.

I leave my bags at the foot of the table and slowly approach the counter while Olive has her back turned, just to enjoy while she doesn't see me, I take as much time in the world as I can to get to her.

"Hello Starlight" I say with the biggest smile.

She abruptly stops what she's doing but doesn't turn around.

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Hey you!

This is the first chapter of Echoes of yesterday, I hope you enjoy <3 (the first two chapters will be shorter than the others).

please give me some feedback in the comments if you want!!!

xoxo, M