We drove in silence for a couple of minutes. I really didn’t want to say anything, and if I did open my mouth, I wouldn’t know how to begin explaining my actions earlier. I reclined my chair as he turned on the radio. He smiled and put a hand on my knee as I sighed and closed my eyes. Times like these, I was thankful to have Julian as my best friend. He was the kind of best friend who wasn’t all up in your grill; he knows when to say and not to say anything. We were comfortable even in silence. Also, he isn’t the one to pry because he knows I’ll talk to him about it when I’m ready.
I crossed my legs and said, “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Lexy”
“And you do know I still hate that nickname, right?”
“Yup. I sure do.” He said, laughing at me.
I sat back up just in time to see him turn right into a narrow strip of land that looked it could only fit one car at a time. As he passed through it, I couldn’t help but notice the big sign that said “This way to Town Properà” As he drove ahead, I saw us pass by a gas station, an inn and a movie theater. And as I look to my left, I saw a pizza place, a diner, and a coffee shop.
“Wow. Grams was right. This place is “near and convenient.”” I said using air quotes for emphasis. He laughed and took a left turn, parking in between a Fiesta and a Nissan D-Max. We got out of his car and I looked around. We were standing in a parking lot near the mini-mall. And I couldn’t help but notice the girls walking around and stopping when they saw Julian leaning against the roof of his car, buzzing with excitement because they get to see him even if it was just a few seconds. I laughed because I almost forgot how good-looking this best friend of mine was. Girls were falling on his feet every time. I wouldn’t blame them though; because he has a tall frame and broad shoulders. He didn’t work out but he had defined muscles because of swimming almost every day. He has tan skin, chocolate brown hair that complemented his purple, grey-flecked eyes. He was certainly wasn’t hard to miss.
“Are you just gonna stand there and stare at me all night?” He mused. I blinked, snapping out of my trance and raised an eyebrow at him, “When did you get to be Mr. Popular?” I asked, nodding in the direction of his loyal fans. He laughed and pushed himself off his car and walked toward me, putting an arm on my shoulder. “It comes with the territory,” he said as-a-matter-of-factly. I elbowed him on his side as we walked towards a coffee shop called: Black Beans.
The café was nice and cozy and smelled like freshly brewed coffee beans upon entering. I took a seat by the window as Julian went to the counter for our drinks.
I flipped through the magazines that were stacked neatly on the table and stopped when I saw the 2010 issue of SPORTS R US with me on the cover - wide-eyed and beaming at the camera wearing my lucky one-piece black and pink Speedo, clutching my last gold medal in my right hand and showing it off to everyone. I opened the magazine and skimmed through the pages. Seeing the pictures made me realize how much I missed swimming- the feel of the water moving in sync with your every move. But mostly, I just miss my Mom putting on whatever medal I got around my neck as she says, “I’m extremely proud of you sweetie.” Or “I told you before: Just keep swimming.” I closed the magazine and put it under the rest.
A few minutes later, Julian arrived with our drinks, putting them down on the table before flopping on the chair opposite me. I took my cup and smiled gratefully at him before taking a sip.
“So…” I began, “Are you still joining competitions and that kind of stuff?”
Julian eyed me curiously, “Yup. You know it’s my life Lexy. And you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. I chocked on my latte. I never told anyone why I quit swimming. And I’m not about to start now. I know he’s my best friend but it hurts to even try and remember the reason why I stopped swimming completely. I sighed, “Julian. Please don’t.”
