See You Again

15 - Back Home

Jamie's point of view

I stopped by the café one last time to say Janice my last goodbye before leaving. I also wanted to see Collin but he wasn't at his bookstore so I directed myself to the inn and went upstairs, to the lunch bar. He was there rearranging the place for the night.

“Hey.”

“Hey! I didn’t hear you come in.” he said, surprised as he set aside his task. “How are you? Were your five hours of sleep even enough?”

“I could barely wake up.” I complained.

“Your late night drink did really treat you well.” he teased me.

“Oh please, let’s not talk about it.”

“At least you didn’t sing off-key this time.”

“I’m learning to drink with moderation.”

“The way you reddened last night claimed out loud the opposite.”

“Anyway, I have a gift for you.” I cleared my throat as I extended him the present, avoiding to pursue the embarrassing subject.

“Is it Happy Birthday I’m seeing here?” he smiled at the beautifully wrapped gift labeled For Collin.

“Because it really is your birthday?” my eyes widened, ignorant.

“No, not at all.” he chuckled. Thank you for the gift.”

“It’s not-”

“Yes, it is.” he interrupted, anticipating my words. “It means a lot to me. Really. No matter what it is.”

“Okay, great then…”

“When is your car picking you up?”

“Soon. It should be here in a few minutes.”

He didn’t respond, instead he offered me a smile. A smile behind which I could read melancholy. His carefully well constructed facade wasn't that imperceptible at all. I moved closer and wrapped my arms around him. He held me back tightly, not ready to let go of me, inhaling my scent and my aura one last time. He ran his hands on my face, his gaze telling me his desire to kiss me despite his struggle holding back. It was like choosing between what he wanted to do and what he needed to do, but as we know choices weren't always straightforward.

Why was it so difficult to make a choice?

He couldn’t shake the tension and endless indecision. When I pressed my lips against his, he let go of the pressure and lost himself in the rhythm of our exchange, maybe because he realized he didn’t need to choose for me. That was one long goodbye kiss and although that tender physical connection felt good for both of us, we had to let go of each other so I withdrew first.

“I was really pleased to meet you, Jamie The Newcomer.” he said softly.

“Likewise, Collin the bartender.” I smiled back at him and preparing to leave.

“Will we meet again?” he asked me.

“I don’t know. Impress me.” I challenged him with a smirk before disappearing down the hallway again.

Forming an attachment to someone from a distance didn’t seem like a wise prospect, even if the feelings - though fleeting - were real. But Collin was one hell enigma that really got a hold on me.

My body was far away, but my mind was still remaining in Chaston as the car drove me toward the airport. It didn’t take much for this place to win my heart. As I stepped forward, my heart and breath grew heavy. It was clear I wouldn’t be coming back anytime soon and I feared that everything I have felt there would fade away through time. That in the end, nothing would tie me to this place anymore. I was worried that all those moments I shore in there would just become mere relics of my memories. To put it lightly, I was afraid to forget what Collin meant to me - his smile, his kindness, his personality. And that was even the reason why I decided to take the anemone bouquet with me, to remind myself of my journey. Surely, my journey in Chaston had probably came to an end, but within a glint of hope I dared believing that my journey with Collin was just about to begin.