Right Person Too Late

chapter 7

Noah

"Don't worry about a thing, 'cause' every little thing is gonna be alright."

Song: Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

I go to pull close the door behind me when out of the corner of my eye I see a figure that looks like they're about to collapse. I turn and see them look in my direction only to realise that it's Arsema. Her hair is falling out of its ponytail, strands plastered on her head with sweat, her face red and sweaty. She's wearing pyjama shorts and a Melbourne Uni jumper that are both sticking to her skin soaked in perspiration. In conclusion, she looks like she's run across the city to get here. When her eyes make contact with mine she starts crying, tears running down her face like the Nile. All of sudden she runs and jumps into my arms, sobbing. I quickly drop my gym bag and stand up straight, gripping her around the waist so she doesn't fall, worried and concerned.

"Arsema? What's wrong? What do I need to do?" That makes her sob and bury her head into my shoulder in shame.

"I'm so sorry Noah. Oh, I'm such an idiot, you probably never want to see me again, especially not after...this." She lifts her head and determinedly fixates her gaze on the wall behind us.

"Arsema, what are you talking about?" I have a suspicion that she finally remembers, but before I can say anything a couple of juniors from next door skip out of their room and stare at us like we're animals in a zoo. I guess we do look kind of odd, with Arsema dressed for bed, clinging onto me like a koala, in hysterics, but that's not reason enough for them to google at us like they are. I give them scrutinising glares and they scurry away, heads down, whispering, no doubt about us. "Arsema?"
"I'm so sorry Noah." She pushes back from my embrace and slides out of my hold, head down. "I just...I'm such an idiot. I still don't get how I didn't remember. I mean I'm probably overreacting a bit, but God I'm such a shit friend."

I gently place my hands on her shoulders and give a reassuring reply, "It doesn't make you an idiot Arsema, it's been a long time since we last saw each other. It's completely understandable."

Raising her head to look me in the eye she sniffles, rubbing at her eyes with her sleeve, "I bet you recognised me pretty quickly. I'm probably the only dumb one here."

I shrug, "I did recognise you on Friday, but it doesn't matter and it doesn't make you dumb." More people walk past us, shooting strange looks over their shoulders and I'm sick of them staring at her like she's some kind of weirdo so I say, "Do you want to come in?"

She flicks her hand, "No, it's okay, you're probably busy and I only came over to...I don't know, say sorry you know?"

"Nonsense. Come on in, Miles is out for the next couple of hours so we'll have some peace from him for a bit."

She sniffles in happiness and bounces through the door as I follow her picking up my bag on the way in. I chuck it into my room and lead her into our small living room.

"I missed you guys so much, I know it might not seem like that, but I did."

I open the fridge and pull out a couple of water bottles. "I know and so did we, I mean we grew up together and then you just disappeared out of nowhere."

It must seem like I'm holding it against her because she lowers her head while sitting on the edge of the couch.

Mentally beating myself up for coming off like a resenting asshole I go up to her, place the bottles on the coffee table and wrap her into a hug. She starts crying again, her shoulders slightly shaking in my hold.

"Arsema." I raise her chin with my finger, "Look at me, I'm not holding anything against you, least of all this and neither is Miles. Was I upset about it? Yeah, of course I was, you were my best friend and when you suddenly weren't in my life it was tough, but I understand that it must've been hard moving like that. So no one hates you for anything. Please don't cry." I plead, wiping her running tears with the palm of my hand.