Down the road of memories

All the plans we make for two

Noah POV

This case is driving me absolutely crazy! It was Wednesday September 29th, I had to fly to LA tomorrow to spend my birthday weekend with Elle. But this morning, I got a call from the clerk telling me that my case will be heard in emergency court tomorrow morning and will probably last 4 days until next Tuesday, probably. My boss asked me to work over the weekend to advance our preparation in exchange for having next Wednesday off for my birthday. It was impossible to move my birthday weekend to the following week since Shelly will be away at a conference. The disappointment was big. After 7 years of spending my birthday without her, I wanted to be with her more than anything.

Honestly, I just wanted to get back to LA as quickly as possible. This case brought me so much stress that I couldn't take it anymore and I started to have insomnia.

I left the office and started walking towards my apartment mulling over the elements of the day. When suddenly a downpour fell on me. I ran for shelter until I reached a payphone. There are fewer and fewer of them these days since everyone has a cell phone. But there was one in downtown Boston. As I entered the cabin, I remembered that I already entered this cabin 6 years ago...

Flashback Boston, in October 4 months after the breakup

It was my 20th birthday weekend. I had imagined this weekend very differently. I thought that since Elle would also be at college, we could spend this weekend together. But of course, that was not possible this year. I thought that with my return to Boston, my state of mind would improve but that was not the case. I was really less available for outings with friends than last year. Reducing these to the bare minimum nor finding any pleasure. I planned to spend my celebratory evening alone in my room dreaming of life being different...

When I arrived from my classes, I saw Chloe inside the common room chatting with my roommates.
- Happy birthday, Pretty boy!
- THANKS !" I told her simply before entering my room to drop off my books.
- I'm here to take you out tonight!
- Chloe, I'm really not in the mood to go out!" I said to her as I sat down in my computer chair and turned around looking at the ceiling.
- I'm not going to tolerate any excuses, Flynn. And above all you don't know where I'm taking you." she said, waving 2 tickets under my nose for the Linkin Park show at TD garden.

This is my favorite group! I couldn't help but smile at this prospect.
- You sold yourself, Flynn. I saw a smile on your face." Chloe said to me, pushing a finger against my chest.
- How did you manage to get these tickets Chloe, it's been sold out for months.
- I have my contacts!" she told me quickly as if she didn't want to give any details at all.

The show made me feel really good! It was great to be able to get excited about a few things after months of being depressed. Leaving the TD garden with Chloe, my state of mind was very different from what it was this afternoon.
- Thank you Chloe! It was a great birthday present!
- You are welcome but it is not me personally that you should thank. I only accompanied you.
- So who do I owe thanks to?

Chloe looked at me with sad eyes without saying anything. The smile I had on my face all evening evaporated when I understood. Who knows me so well as to buy tickets to my favorite band's show in Boston months in advance?
- It's her ?" I asked, still unable to pronounce her name as I realized that she had plans for her and me to go there together.
- I wasn't supposed to tell you!" Chloe told me while looking at the ground. "She told me about it a few weeks ago and sent me the tickets in the mail.