Fragments of Us

Chapter Twelve: Before

The morning broke in Portland with a sky painted in soft hues of blue and wisps of gentle clouds. The warmth of the sun was balanced by a crispness in the air, making it one of those perfect autumn days that Portland rarely granted without a hint of rain. Milo couldn't help but feel energized by the weather, as if the day itself was inviting him to step outside and savor it.

He grabbed his jacket and strolled through familiar streets, absorbing the sights and sounds of a city waking up slowly. Sunlight glinted off shop windows, and the scents of fresh coffee and baked bread floated from nearby cafes. Milo found himself weaving through the neighborhood like a memory in motion, taking in how things had changed, yet stayed the same. He passed by an old bookstore, the kind with a sign barely holding onto its faded letters, and the park where he used to jog during his college days.

After a leisurely walk, Milo decided to grab lunch from one of his favorite spots. He ordered enough to feed his family, then headed back, savoring the aromas wafting up from the bags in his arms. At home, he spread the food on the table, calling his father and Lila to join.

As they dug into lunch, Lila, chimed in with her updates from college. "It’s actually going really well,” she said, a slight sparkle in her eyes. “I'm enjoying it, you know? Not taking it too seriously, but also not slacking off. I think I’m finding a good balance.”

Milo chuckled, reaching for another slice of bread. “That sounds like the smart way to go about it. You’re there to learn and have fun, not turn into a study robot.”

Richard nodded in agreement. “We want you to have an experience you can look back on fondly, not something that feels like a burden,” he added, his voice warm and encouraging.

They finished their meal amidst more laughter and light conversation, the sense of home filling Milo with a steady calm. As the afternoon turned into evening, he found himself preparing for his night out with Atlas and the others. He took a moment to glance at his reflection, adjusting his collar before heading out, a strange mix of nostalgia and curiosity tugging at him.

Atlas had invited him to his new place, and the prospect of seeing his ex’s apartment—grown-up, post-college life and all—made Milo smile a little. When he arrived, Atlas greeted him at the door, flashing a smile that was both welcoming and a little nervous.

“Hey, where are Jason and Chev?” Milo asked, glancing behind Atlas into the apartment.

“Oh, um… it’s actually just us,” Atlas replied, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I… didn’t really invite anyone else.”

Milo felt a flicker of discomfort but brushed it off. There was no harm in two ex-lovers trying to rekindle a friendship, right? He gave Atlas a small, reassuring smile. “No problem, it’s good to catch up one-on-one.”

They settled into the cozy apartment, and Atlas offered him a drink before they started talking. “Do you want pizza for dinner?” Atlas asked with a grin. “I could order from that place we used to go to.”

Milo raised an eyebrow, feigning mock offense. “Seriously? You invite me over, and your big dinner plan is ordering pizza? Is this a lazy Friday night?”

Atlas laughed, his cheeks turning a faint shade of red. “Okay, fair point. I guess I didn’t think that through.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Milo said with a chuckle. “Tell you what—I’ll cook for us.” He made his way to the kitchen, shrugging off his jacket. “How does Pho sound?”

Atlas nodded eagerly, watching as Milo rummaged through the kitchen for ingredients. As Milo began cooking, he felt Atlas’s eyes on him, studying his movements with a quiet intensity.