Walking Through the Time Capsule

Chapter 30

Walking Through the Time Capsule

Chapter 30

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Niall...

"And then we carved our names under the booth, and you thought you were the biggest rebel for marking up the table." I watched as Annabelle giggled in the middle of her rant. "And that time we raced all the way to the park down the street, and you tripped me so you would win, but you felt bad so you let me win when I got back up. Oh and that time you mushed my face into my cake while I was blowing out the candles. Oh I was soooo mad at you for that!"

My heart was so huge as I listened to her. It'd been a few hours since we put the angel, which we conveniently named hope, on top of the tree, and after everyone settled down, Annabelle and I snuck away to my room. She spent the past hour sprawled across my bed, rambling on about all the things she remembered. It made me so happy to see her so excited, and I was also so relieved that she finally remembered me. I finally wasn't a stranger to her anymore. I was the best friend she loved and that she had to say goodbye to years ago. We still had a few more big memories to go, including a few things I wasn't looking forward to her remembering, but we were so much closer. She gained a whole thirteen years worth of childhood memories because of one gift she got. That was enough to last me until she remembered how much I really loved her. 

"Remember that time we made such a huge fort, that we actually lost each other in it?" I asked her.

"Yes! That was so much fun! We were pretty skilled for two eight year olds, huh?"

"Wanna see if we still have those skills?" Her eyes lit up at my suggestion.

So, an hour later, we had a fort built that professionals would even be jealous of. We put it in the corner of my room between the couch, my bed, and the wall. We used all the blankets, pillows, and couch cushions from both our rooms. With only Christmas lights and candles filling the room, the feeling in here was very relaxed and peaceful. I was sitting up against a mountain of pillows with my legs extended in front of me. Annabelle was laying beside me, and comfortably resting her head in my lap. Since I wasn't a stranger anymore, and she remembered how our friendship was, I didn't feel the need to be nervous anymore. I didn't need to be cautious or second guess my actions anymore. I just went right back into what was natural for me since I didn't have too many boundaries. Of course I still needed to hold back the more love stuff, but that was easier since I had her back as a real friend. So with all that being said, I started to weave my hands through her long hair and play with it. Just the simple action alone put me at such ease.

God, I missed this.

"Looks like you never lost your fort building touch." She giggled up at me.

"You haven't either, miss Skyhill." I grinned when she scrunched up her nose.

"Ugh, I still hate when you call me that. It makes me feel like a teacher. And Annakins...I still hate that too."

"Fine, what else do you reckon I call you? Melanie threatened me against using Annabean." I pouted. "And I don't even want to know what Louis would do to me if I called you Annabear."

"Ha, yeah, those are pretty cute, huh? No wonder they're so defensive of it. That's pure cleverness. Even Annabanna I like. Why did you never think of that?"

"Cause I'm not good enough apparently. Well, I need to have a cute nickname for you. As your first, and best friend, I deserve it."

She rolled her eyes. "Alright, whiney pants, what would you like?"