A Long Walk Home (Sequel to Left Alone in the Dark)

Chapter 3

Patrice's POV

There was a knock on the door, and Brad went to open it.

"Hi Marilyn" he said. I turned my back around and she noticed me, in tears.

"May I come in" she asked.

"Yes" I mumbled.

She came in and sat next to me. "I uh found this in Claire's nightstand. I think it's a note she wrote to you. I wanted to hand it to you personally" she said.

She handed me the note, and I opened it.

The date said, November 9th 2013. This was written only a few days we met for the first time.

I slowly opened the note and saw the full paragraph, beginning to read it.

Dear Patrice,

I don't even know how to write this and I feel so stupid for writing this. Ugh I just don't even know how I can fall in love with someone right away when you see them for the first time. And somehow it happened to me. But obviously you don't feel the same about me, because you have Stephanie. That's why I feel so ashamed for writing this. Your happy with Steph and I don't want to ruin that.

I personally don't even know why I am writing this. I most likely will never have the guts to give it to you. And you'll most likely never see this because for all I know it's gonna be stored away from everything else, hidden.

Anyways, falling in love with someone is the most hardest thing to do for me, yet it's easy falling in love with you. How is that even possible? I don't even know. I guess it's just the way you treat me, the way your always there for me. The way your willing to give something up for me. No boy has ever been able to act the way you do to me.

You make me feel like I'm wanted in some ways. And I'm just special to have someone like you in my life.

I think it's just special to know that someone amazing like you knows who I even am. And that is why I love you Patrice. That is why I'm in love with Patrice Bergeron. And I'm planning to do that till I die. Thank you.

Claire❤️

Tears started falling down my cheek and I broke down on the couch.

Brad and Marilyn quickly came and assisted me.

"Don't worry Patrice" Brad said, helping me back up, patting my back.

"I have to get going, but Patrice, once you feel better, there's another note on the table." Marilyn said, hugging me, leaving in tears.

"Before opening that, I think we should go on a walk, how about a walk through the common?" Brad asked.

"Sure" I mumbled.

Brad helped me up, and I put on my coat and hat.

Claire's POV

Right after settling in at my hotel, which was right down the street from TD Garden, I decided to go for a walk in the common.

I put on a winter coat with mittens and a hat, then, I took a taxi ride down.

I stepped out of the cab, and started walking through the Common, immediately spotting little children skating on the frozen pond.

I smiled to the thought of this, I decided to was a good idea too, to go skating. I haven't gone in a long time and wanted to skate around just to get into the habit.

Patrice's POV

Brad and I noticed little children skating around on the pond.

"Patrice we should go skating!" Brad said.

"I'm not in the mood" I said.

"Pleaseeee it will be fun! I promise" Brad said.

After whining a couple more seconds, I finally agreed.

We went and rented out a pair of skates and placed them on.

Once we were done, we stepped onto the ice.

"Let's race!" Brad said excitingly.

I laughed "why I'll beat you anyways"

"Well I see that your being a little cocky there but a race will prove everything" Marchy said back.

"Okay on the count of 3, we are going to skate to the other side alright?" I said.

"1"

"2"

"3!"

Brad and I started skating as fast as we can to the other side of the pond.

It took 15 seconds to get there, but I ended up winning.

"Ha you lose! I win!" I said, starting to skate backwards.

Something caught my eye in the distance. It was some women, about my age skating. She had a similar style of skating that Claire had.

That is why I was staring. I started shifting closer and closer, beginning to realize she looked exactly like Claire.

Claire's POV

I stopped skating and admired the beautiful scene. Then I noticed some man staring at me.

I stared at him, and started realizing he looked a lot like Patrice. And then I realized Brad next to him.

Brad and Patrice.

"Oh shit" I mumbled to myself, quickly starting to turn my back and skate away.

I heard yells behind me, "Claire?" I heard Patrice say.

A tear started streaming down my cheek. I handed in my rental skates and quickly walked away, getting as far as I can.

This is exactly why I shouldn't of came to Boston.

Patrice's POV

Brad wasn't paying attention but started getting confused once I started yelling for Claire.

It was her 100%.

"Brad tha-that was Claire!" I pointed out.

"Patrice, your hallucinating. That wasn't Claire. It couldn't be" Brad said, patting my back.

Maybe he's right. Maybe I am just seeing things I guess.