Puzzled Past

Chace And His Heavy Heart

"I'll pay you back." I heard Chace say, as I zip up my wallet.

"Forget it, Doesn't matter." I replied with a shrug.

"It dose to me." I heard him say under his breath.

I opened my mouth to say something to him, but he shyly waved good bye to me and headed to his black motorcycle.
'But he didn't even say thank you!' I thought to my self, now knowing I needed to fix this... All of this. But I don't know how.

"Why didn't you!" I shouted out to him with confusion and anger in my voice. I hated that he wasn't that overly confident bad boy that knew himself better then anyone. Cause, it feels like I know him better then him now. And I don't like that feeling...

He quickly came to a complete stop, turned to face me, and answered with a question, "What?"

"Why didn't you fight back?" I asked him calming down just a bit so he would feel comfortable to answer me.

"I uh... I've forgotten." He answered me as he figitted with his motor oil stained fingers. Not looking me in the eyes.

I was puzzled by his response... For he wasn't the one who has forgotten everything... "No, Zachary forgot, the poor guy forgot who he is... And you just sit in the back of the class watching him try to figure everything out. Last time I checked you were his best friend, his 'bro', You two always had each others back. Do you remember now, How great of a guy you were? Do you?"

"I don't deserve to, Grace. I caused his injuries... I'm the reason why-" He started to replied but I cut him off.

"No! That was the bloody balls falt!" I didn't even notice I was yelling and shedding saddened tears.

"... Not yours..." I finished saying with a whisper. My heart was aching once again, but it wasn't pity for myself and situation, it was aching because I needed Chace more then ever, but he just wasn't understanding what I was saying and asking of him.

So I thought.

***

We stood there in the CVS parking lot for a minute or two, as Chace took in my last couple of words I had whispered to him, trying to hold back the lump in my throat that was making it hard for me to speak and even breath.

And I stood there staring at him, hoping he would understand and become himself again...

Our stare down was interrupted by my old ringtone for Zachary Blaine... Jurassic Park theme song. It was his favorite movie, he would watch it every night if I didn't complain that we watched it the night before, all the time.

Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision so much that I couldn't tell which button was answer or hang up.

Chace noticed and started walking to me, taking my phone from my hand and putting his other arm around my shoulder, as if he was trying to comfort me. He knew how much I loved Zachary, and that the ring tone was for Zachary... It wasn't that he forgot.

He just didn't feel worthy of remembering. I could sympathize...

The ring slowly faded as I slowly slid my arms around him, welcoming the comfort that he was now giving, as I tightened my grip on him.

We stood there 'hugging' for a little bit, before it started to suddenly downpour.

The Rain was cold as we broke away from each other, but he took my hand and brought me to the park just a few minutes away from were we were standing on the CVS parking lot.

We went from taking care of a bully, to pouring our hearts out to one another, to finally laughing and playfully kidding around again.

'Oh, how I've missed having a guy friend around!' I thought to myself.

Chace sat me on a swing and started to push me from behind.

I guess swinging in the rain can be dangerous, fatal even... But boy did I needed to be cheered up and distracted from life!

By now we were sitting under the jungle jim for shelter, smiling and just simply reminiscing on the good times that the three of us all shared a couple years ago.

But then it hit me. "How does he have my number?" I accidentally asked out loud. Chace looked thrown back at how random I sounded.

"Maybe he still has it in his phone, you were- are his girlfriend." He said and corrected himself with a shrug.

"But... Why would his parents keep me away from him for 14 months, but let him still have my number?"

"Mrs. Blaine chose to keep him away from you this whole time??" He asked with wide eyes.

"They thought it would be the best way for him." I answered.

"Well, I know he doesn't completely remember you, and that you haven't spoken to him all that time, but I thought that you made that choice..." He said sounding confused.

"No... If I had my way, I would of been there for him, threw his whole recovery... But his parents told me to stay away, and so did my parents." I sighed.

"Hey. Cheer up. Your the strongest out of all of us, you've proved that much." He said, tilting my head up with his right hand, giving me a wink. "We should probably get going. I have to get to work and the rain has slowed down enough." He told me, as he took off his hoodie and handed it in my direction.

"Just in case." He said as I took the hoodie from him and put it on.

I nodded to thank him, but he shook his head and said, "Thank you."

Then he was gone, disappearing into the gray curtains of rain that was falling still.

'One down... One more to go.' I thought to myself.

***

As I walked to my car, at the schools parking lot, I was experiencing a battle within myself. I was debating if I should text or call Zachary... Seeing after all of the crazy events that acured today... I didn't have the chance to meet with him today...

Drenched, I finally got to my car and put on the heat hoping it would warm me up. I was shivering.

"Hu Chu!" I sneezed... Oh no.