Echoes of Us

One stormy night, the wind was howling something fierce. The branches of the willow tree outside my house kept clattering against the window as if they had a score to settle. I had an exam the next day and desperately needed some kip. Tried my best to ignore the racket, but let's be honest, that was a losing battle from the start.

Got up a few times to make sure nothing had smashed, and that's when I saw you, Alex. You were crouched under my porch, hopelessly trying to stay dry. Your hair was plastered to your face, and your clothes were soaked through. Still wonder what you were doing out there at eleven at night during a storm. Don't think you ever really told me. When I opened the door, you just stared at me for a bit. Didn't even blink. Did I offer you a cuppa or some hot chocolate? Can't quite remember. All I know is that some daft joke I made about the weather was enough to make you smile, and I was already falling head over heels for you.

How old were we that night? Fifteen? Sixteen? Can't recall that either. But here I am, twenty years later. Face to face.

"Alright, Alex."

My hands are trembling, just like back then, but I guess this time, you're not gonna hold them, are you?

I hate this... I know we need to chat, but I've no clue where to start. Should I kick things off? From what I remember, you were the reason we drifted apart, or at least that's what I tell myself until it feels true.

So many memories come flooding back. I try to speak, but my words get stuck in the silence. And you know what's the worst part? I just know you're gonna say something like, "It's fine, Sam, really," and then brush it off with a laugh.

The day after the storm, I saw you again. This time, your clothes were dry. You grabbed my arm as I walked by, and I remember you asked me some random question, like you were just fishing for a reason to chat, just to have me there in front of you, looking like a right muppet. And there I was (a muppet too), staring at your lips as you spoke. Was I that obvious? Thought I did a decent job of hiding it.

Yeah, that was the day I properly fell for you.

That's how our... whatever it was, began. Chatting for hours after school. Nattering away at your place. Gabbing on at mine. Did we ever shut up? Only when we nodded off. Even when I stayed over at yours, we'd stay up sorting out the world or making promises we both knew time would break.