Echoes of yesterday

CHAPTER II

Olive

"Hello, Starlight" I freeze.

I'm going crazy, that's all.

Starlight? Nobody calls me that, nobody calls me that except Calum and he's miles from here. I'm going crazy now, I'm sure it's because of these last few sleepless nights, I really need to rest.

I'm already hearing things, and this is not good. Not good.

Yes, it must be from the lack of sleep, that's the only explanation.

I drop the cup of coffee I just filled and look back but quickly turn away.

He's not there, it's impossible. I blink my eyes several times and turn around very slowly again. Calum is in front of me, looking at me, with a huge smile and I can't do anything but blink again.

"Are you all right? Did something get in your eye?" he asks, and I know he's really wondering if my brain has stopped.

I do not answer. I can't believe he's really here after so many years away. He's different, his hair is now longer, and his curls fall over his forehead, he's definitely 30cm taller than me but his dimples are still the same. The way he wrinkles his brow and squints his eyes to try to figure out what's going on in my mind is still the same, he's still my Cal.

But at the same time, he is not.

"Calum" I let out his name like it's a sigh and he tilts his head in amusement.

"It's me" he places his elbows on the counter and watches me carefully.

"I know" I roll my eyes and a small smile appears on my face "Hello."

"That's it, hello?" he straightens up "no feeling? no hugs? no nothing?" he raises an eyebrow teasingly, just like he always does. What he doesn't know is that I'm not the same girl he used to tease.

"I'm working" I remember the customers I was serving, and I sigh when I realize that the coffee I made is already cold. I put it aside and get another coffee to go.

"I see" he says softly, so low I'm almost unable to hear. 

But I heard.

"Do you want to order something? I'll just take the coffee to that table, and I'll be right back." he nods and looks at the menu.

I go to the table and serve the coffee receiving a thank you, I smile slightly and go back behind the counter. I look over at Calum and I see that he's still looking at the menu. "The menu's still the same as it was four years ago, you know..." He nods but continues to read leaving me just there, waiting.

I look around and notice that the cafeteria is almost empty.

It has been like this for the last few days, we are already approaching winter, and people are starting to leave the house less.

"I already know what I want" I turn my gaze to my former best friend and I realize that he is already looking at me "I want a coffee, please".

I roll my eyes once again, knowing that he only pretended to read the menu to piss me off. I don't answer him and turn to the machine to get him the coffee.

"I'm going to tell my mom that the new waitress isn't very nice."

If my gaze burned, surely Calum would already be in ashes. How dare he? I'm not very nice?

"I'm not in the mood for games" I say as I hand him the coffee "I'm tired" I say, and it's true.

I haven't slept at all the last few nights, in fact the last few weeks. I haven't slept since I got back to town and Calum's mom let me stay at their house. Ok, actually I haven't slept since before I got back, that's it. I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration and drink the cold coffee I've set aside but wrinkle my nose at how bad it is.

"Are you ok?" I look at Calum.

"Yes, the coffee was already cold."

"I'm not talking about the coffee, Starlight" I shudder at the nickname.

There it is again. Could it be that he just calls me Starlight and I'm already surrendered? Do I forget everything?

Do I forget the last sleepless nights? The arguments with Aaron? Do I forget how long Calum was away? Of having abandoned me? Of not calling me all these years?

"I am fine." I say and see that the last customer has left the coffee shop so I decide to turn the sign on the door to say that we are closed.

"You're lying" Calum says while playing with the spoon in his coffee cup, I stop at the door with my back to him "I can see you're not well, it looks like you haven't slept in weeks."

I rest my forehead against the glass of the door as I lock it and take a deep breath. I turn to Calum and walk towards him, I take off my apron and leave it on the counter next to him still not answering.

Are my dark circles really that noticeable?

I walk towards the interior stairs to go to this human being's house, which for the next few months will continue to be mine too, to try to rest a little before dinner time.

"Starlight.." I freeze again but this time I turn around and point my finger at him.

"Stop calling me that" my voice comes out a little more threatening than I was expecting and I see in his eyes that he felt the same, but as usual he doesn't let go. He puts down the bags, which I hadn't even noticed until now, and crosses his arms.

"Why? I've always called you that" he raises an eyebrow, I roll my eyes and turn my back on him, I don't have the strength tocontinue this conversation today.

He follows me this time without saying a single word.

I got to the entrance door and unlock it, leaving it open behind me so that Calum can enter, I go to the living room and throw myself on the couch. 

I'll just close my eyes for a little, Mary should be here in a few hours.

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Hello <3

I'm sorry for taking so long to post a new chapter, but here it is!!!

I hope you enjoy Olive's POV, and please give me some feedback in the comments :)

Thank you for reading "Echoes of Yesterday".

xoxo, M.