The Time Weaver

Part 6 - The Connection

The next day, Eric made another attempt to talk to me, but I managed to avoid him. It was becoming a pattern, one I hoped would deter him eventually. Yet, every time he approached, I felt my resolve waver.

During lunch, his friends couldn't resist teasing him.

"Hey, Eric, still trying to talk to that girl?" one of them called out, laughing.

"Yeah, what's the deal with her? She giving you a hard time?" another chimed in, their voices carrying across the cafeteria.

Meanwhile, my friends were no less curious. Jess and the others surrounded me, their faces lit with excitement.

"Hey, Haze! There you are," Jess called out, waving me over. "How did it go with Mr. Mysterious?"

I collapsed into the empty seat next to her with a sigh. "Oh, you know, same old drama. He's still trying to crack the Hazel mystery."

Nicola, ever the blunt one, chimed in, "Well, you gotta give him points for persistence. Most guys would have given up by now."

Amara, always the romantic, leaned forward with a dreamy look. "Maybe he's just head over heels for you, Hazel. It's like a modern-day love story in the making."

I rolled my eyes, half amused and half exasperated. "Or maybe he's just bored and I'm the only puzzle left to solve on campus."

Sandra, the voice of reason, interjected, "Either way, you gotta figure out what you want, Haze. You can't keep dodging him forever."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know, I know. It's just... complicated."

Jess, sensing my frustration, jumped in with her trademark humor. "Complicated? Girl, I've seen quantum physics textbooks that are less complicated than your love life."

Everyone burst into laughter, including me. Jess had a knack for lightening the mood even in the most awkward situations. I felt a surge of gratitude for my friends. They always knew how to lift my spirits and give me perspective, even when I felt like I was drowning in uncertainty.

"Thanks, guys," I said sincerely. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Jess grinned mischievously. "Probably spend all your time in the library, buried under a mountain of books and not a single social life in sight."

I forced a laugh, but inside, I felt a turmoil. Eric couldn't possibly have feelings for me. Not after everything. My mind drifted to the past, to when we used to go out on dates. One particular memory stood out.

We had gone to a small, cozy café off-campus. The place was dimly lit, with flickering candles on each table. We sat in a corner, talking for hours about everything and nothing. Eric had been so attentive, his eyes never leaving mine. We laughed over shared stories and dreams. At one point, he reached across the table, taking my hand in his.

"This is nice," he had said, his voice soft and sincere. "I wish we could do this forever."I had smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Me too."But that was a long time ago, and things had changed. The memories were bittersweet now, a reminder of what had been and what could never be again.

Later that afternoon, as I was gathering my books, Eric approached me once more. "Hazel, can we talk?" he asked, his tone serious.

"I have class," I said, trying to sidestep him.

"If you don't meet me in the art room after class, I'll come to your next class and talk to you there," he warned, his eyes locking onto mine.

His determination left me no choice. I nodded reluctantly. "Fine. I'll be there."

The drama room was a place full of memories. It was where we had shared our first kiss, standing under the dim stage lights, wrapped in each other's arms. As I entered the room, those memories flooded back, bringing with them a mix of nostalgia and pain.

Eric was already there, waiting. He looked up as I walked in, his expression a blend of hope and concern. "Thank you for coming," he said softly.

"What do you want, Eric?" I asked, keeping my distance.

He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. "I want to know what's wrong. Why are you avoiding me? What happened?" he asked, reaching out to grab my hand gently.

"Can we at least be friends? Get to know each other?"

I looked away, the memories too painful to face. I pulled my hand back, the contact sending a shiver through me. "It's not that simple."

He sighed, his vulnerability evident. "When I first met you, I felt a connection. I don't know why or how, but it was there. Have we met before? Is there something I'm missing?"

I met his gaze, torn between the past and the present. "Yes, we have met before. But that's a story for another time."

Eric's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I can't explain it now. Just... trust me. It's complicated."

He nodded slowly, his expression one of determination mixed with confusion. "I'll wait for you to explain. But please, don't push me away."

As I left the drama room, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Eric's words echoed in my head, leaving me with more questions than answers. The past and present were colliding in ways I couldn't control, and I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep the truth hidden.