Lost

20

Tobias Eaton, July 5th, 2015
Her hand skims the crops as we move through the maze. It's more crowded than last time- we've come across at least two lost families- but we get through it easily.
Like we've done it a million times.
But we haven't. 
And it surprises me when we get through it in a blink of an eye.
"Congratulations. Here's a free smoothie coupon" a younger man says, handing us a coupon.
Like old times.
But she doesn't hold my hand.
She gets mango.
I get strawberry.
Like old times.
But she doesn't hold my hand.
I don't know why it bothers me.
She's taken.
It's basically a code that you follow: you can't steal someone else's woman.
"This place is so much different than I remember it" she says.
"Just a little"
"It was so much lonelier. Now it's all better" she says.
Unlike us.
"I guess"
More silence.
Awkward silence, where the only sound is the sound of our sipping.
"Thank you, for bringing me" I say, "And for letting me stay"
"It's alright really"
I can tell by the tone of her voice, she doesn't care about me as much as she used to.
Or may be she does, but she's good at hiding it.
"Do you want to go?" She asks.
It was a short visit- so I don't want to. But I can see her eyes dropping- she's tired.
"One day" I say, "We should re-do our journey"
She smiles at me, "That would be nice"
I would give anything to do-over our kiss. My first kiss. Her first kiss.
My first and only crush.
She gets up, "Let's go"
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
"Before we go in" she says, her hand on on the door of her hotel room, "I just wanted to let you know, he's not the most welcoming person"
"Who?"
"My boyfriend"
"Oh"
She smiles sadly, and presses the door open.
The thought of her having a boyfriend-that's not me- is hard to imagine.
She presses the door open, and inside, is a tall man with messy brown hair, biting his nail, sitting in a chair, his laptop on his lap.
He looks up.
"Tris"he says, then his eyes land upon me, "You brought a friend"
The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. It's like they were shooting lasers at each other.
"Yeah, this is Tobias"
I can see the puzzle pieces connecting in his head. I'm sure he's read his own girlfriend's book.
He knows my name.
"Oh" is all he says.
"He's staying with us for the night, because he has no place to stay" she says firmly.
Silence.
I shift uncomfortably.
"Can you step out for a minute, please?" he says to me.
I back away from them, towards the door.
"Why? Whatever you can say it can be in front of him" she says.
He shifts, crossing his arms.
"I was just going to discuss sleeping arrangements"
"I can sleep the sofa-" I start.
"Nonsense. You can sleep in our bed" Tris says.
"Oh, no. I can't take up the space where two people hold"
"No, I insist"
Why does guilt decide to track me down now? After all these years?
"You know, it would've been better if I never came in the first place. I'll just leave"
I turn the knob, and step out.
"No Tobias"
I close it.
I sigh.
And walk towards the elevator.
I'm in the lobby.
I pull a twenty dollar bill out of my pocket, sitting at the bar.
The man understands what I mean, and asks, "What kind?"
"Vodka, please"
Minutes later, he brings back a glass with clear liquid.
I frown, and take it.
"Tobias..." Someone says.
I shift in my seat.
"Tobias, I'm sorry"
I crane my neck.
She's crossing her arms.
"Tris...."
She hops up next to me, "It's Al. I told you he's not-"
"Welcoming" I interrupt, "I know. I don't want to interrupt your vacation"
"Tobias I don't-" she stops herself.
"You don't what?"
"Nothing"
"Tris"
"It's nothing"
"Tris"
"Please" she begs.
That look in her eyes tells me she doesn't want to continue.
But I detect something else in her eyes- a cry? A plea?
I take a sip.
And then I hold my hand out to her.
She keeps her hands crossed, but speaks, "Please stay. It's better"
It's better?
Better how?
I take another sip, "I can't"
She sighs, and shivers.
"Are you cold?" I ask.
"What? No" she says, like she's trying to convince me she isn't cold.
I shrug my jacket off. Oh yeah- I need my stuff back.
I hand it to her.
That's when she finally accepts it, unfolding her arms, putting it on.
Then she slides into the seat next to me, and says, "One for me as well. Whatever he's having"
The bartender nods.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"You need a drinking buddy" she says, smiling.
We smile at each other.
"Didn't know you drink"
"I normally don't" she says, taking her clear drink, and she holds it to me, "Cheers"
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
Completely sober, we're walking outside the hotel. We don't touch.
"Even if you're not staying, can I see you again tomorrow?" She asks.
I nod.
Even though I shouldn't.
"I had fun" she says, smiling, "Do you need a cab or...?"
"No. I'll walk. We're not that far" I say.
"Oh. Okay" she says. She waves at me, and I still wish she would hug me. Or touch me somehow.
"See you tomorrow"

2K Reads? OMG YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! Sorry for the long wait. I'm having the most wonderful school year ever! So, yeah.
Amen.
~Isi ~