When We Meet Again

Buddy, What Took You So Long?

Rihanna's POV

As I exit the car, I find myself standing in front of a large hotel. Chris told me he wasn't embarrassed of me and although I may get hurt, as long as he could come clean with the world about me, everything would be fine.

His words amazed me. He didn't mind if i got hurt? I asked myself. I stopped thinking that way because all it meant was that even if one or both of us were to get hurt, going public about our relationship was all that mattered because then we could be together.

Scandals were just another way for magazines to shoot up their ratings. It can ruin a person, but an eye for an eye isn't the best way to get ahead in life. Besides, the latest gossip gets everyone speaking. Might feel different getting a bit more unwanted attention.

I shifted my body as I felt a hand very abruptly grab my own. The feeling was easily recognized as my Honey Bunches of Love that I just smiled to my left finding a smirking Chris by my side.

It feels like we are the only ones in the world when he shows me his love this way.

We walked into the hotel and honestly, it felt a little different. Now that I remembered everything, I couldn't help but feel free.

Chris and I went up to the top floor and I was exposed to some of the prettiest furniture and pent house ever.

"I'll be living here for some time." He looked astray. "I managed to switch up my tour schedule up and it turned out as me being in New York for just an extra week." Chris explains.

He must've seen the worry in my eyes and then he cupped my cheeks and said in his cutest voice, "Don't worry. I won't be making any less money than I was yesterday."

I was basically laughing because with all honesty, he is so corny. So I let out a chuckle while adding into his eyes.

Smiling, we walked into his hotel room with a man who I assume is his manager standing with a somewhat disapproving look slapped on his face. A little embarrassed... I look at myself and realize I'm drenched in wet clothes.

His manager let himself out of the suite and for some reason, he felt oddly familiar. We smile to each other and laugh.

"Hey, Chris!" I call and he directs his energy towards me. Aww, I love this kid. "This place is great and I mean really great, but I have to go home."

He looked a little displeased like a little puppy. "Just stay a little while," he teased, "C'mon, let's play!"

He is so unbelievably adorable. He just makes me smile. I nodded my head yes and we laid down on the couch together and watched Little Man.

Maybe I was tired, or maybe I was so happy I became tired. Regardless, I found myself caressed in his arms at around 4:00am. As I look around the hotel suite, I'm only reminded about how different we have grown up since we've parted. Sure I love him and always find myself smiling in his presence, but he said he only has a week left.

I can't just give up my life to be with him. I'm too young to make mistakes like living my life in Chris' shadow. If I want to be with him, we have some serious planning to do.

Looking out the window, I stand in the cool darkness. Great, a reminder that when I get back home my parents will be breathing their hot breathe down my neck in worry. I shake my head and bring my hand to my forehead.

I return to Chris' side and turn on the TV. The volume must've been too loud because Chris sat up in his seat and rubbed his eyes. "Shh, sleep," I whispered in his ear the same way mothers do to their beloved child. With my hair covering most of his face as I now sat with his head in my lap, I pushed it behind my ear. He cupped my cheeks and brought his face close to mine. Although today wasn't the Fourth of July, this moment sparked greater than any firework. I pull away a bit and smile.

"I love you." He whispered in my ear and brought a shiver down my spine from the breath of his words. I got up and he grabbed my hand. Seriously, grabbing my hand must be his way of saying, "I'll never let you go." But it's becoming a habit. I became jealous. How many women did he grab this way and gave the impression of everlasting romance and love. I pulled away and low-key rushed to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I was no longer wearing my wet clothing. Instead, I had on an oversized hoodie and some shorts he had in his luggage. I wiped a tear that tried to run down my cheek when I heard the bathroom door open.

"I'm taking a shit." I lied as I attempted to close the opening door. He managed to get it open and with confusion said, "What's going on?" I looked away. Big mistake because he must not have gotten the memo that I'm not very happy right now. He pulled me into a hug with my head in his chest.

With that hug, I forgave him for having any past if he did and gave myself to him. In that bathroom, I leaped into his embrace and he hurriedly pulled the hoodie off. With nothing under, I was embarrassed to be honest. But nobody should be embarrassed to be in love, so I went full throttle.

With a series of endless kissing and a bumpy ride to the master's chamber with the cost of two now broken lamps and a smudged mirror, he laid above me in the bed. I disagree with the term sex if a couple were in the same state we were in. I don't have sex, I make love and... that was exactly what we did that night.

Waking up with nobody by side was, well antagonizing. I slipped into and buttoned up one of Chris' dress shirts and walked to the kitchen. HE WAS MAKING BREAKFAST. Sorry, I'm not old fashioned in any way, but Chris was never the type to do things himself when we were young. It was always, "Riri do this and Riri do that." I smiled to myself from ear to ear and realized how much that young teenager had become a man, correction My Man.

I came behind him and gave him a hug, he turned and kissed my neck. Emotional, I slid to my seat in the table and awaited the arrival of the food. Surprisingly, the food was great and I washed the dishes. What I've always thought since high school was that a kiss on the forehead would always be ten times more romantic than a kiss on the lips, unless all the guy did was kiss my forehead. It'd make a girl feel insecure and think the guy was reluctant to kiss her lips because there was something wrong with her.

Interrupted amidst our laughter, my cell phone rang. Chris must've charged it for me. I ran to pick it up. My mom. "Pick it up. They have the right to be worried and at the end of the day, they're still your parents" Chris advised.

I picked up, "Oh my god, sweetie! Did you make it home okay last night. You weren't picking up the phone and when you left it began to rain very heavily. You left so suddenly and I'm just so worried about you. You pretend to be strong and take care of yourself, but you can always lean on me. Even when I can't tell you everything you wish to hear."

"Mom, thanks. And.. I'm okay, really. A little rain won't wipe your little sunshine away." I assured her. Chris laughed a bit and corrected my saying that I was sunshine for only him. I playfully shaked my head no.

I explained to my mom that I remember everything. That Chris and I plan to do more than just reside in each others memories. My mom didn't want me to rush anything I wasn't ready for, but I'm in my twenties. When will I ever be this young if I don't fall in love and live wildly.

Chris was no longer someone I wished to remember.

Chris was no longer someone who caused me to cry a river.

Chris was no longer that young man that I wished to live happily ever after with.

He is the man I am going to live my fairy tale with.

Chris. My love, my past my present, and with enough passion, my forever.