The Above || Completed

11 The Past

"Want to go for a walk?" Aeron said after a while.
I raised an incredulous eyebrow. "I thought we settled the plan?"
"I know but I want to get to know you, Maddison. And the courtyard is beautiful, you know?"
He was right, the courtyard was breathtaking. And I was admittedly flattered that he wanted to go for a walk with me. Really, I had no reason to say no. So we set off on our walk along the weaving stone pathways between the serene gardens. This courtyard was huge. Our walk could be never-ending. Somehow, I liked it that way. Aeron strolled casually beside me, keeping his hands to himself. He looked peaceful beside his usual good looks.

"So, Maddison, you know something about my past. Tell me something about yours," he said. Surprisingly, he sounded genuinely interested.
I cleared my throat. "Well, I've lived alone all my life, for as long as I can remember. My parents either died or left but I have no memory of either of them."
"You went down to Earth, didn't you?" Aeron put in.
I blinked. "Yes, how did you know?"
"I've heard rumours that going down there erases one of your most important memories," he said, his voice taking on a sympathetic tone.
"It was better for me to forget that. The pain left with the memories," I said.
"But was it worth losing a part of you?" he asked.

For a moment, I hesitated. Who was I? Before I went to Earth, when I still remembered my parents? I still felt like myself. But often those who change, don't feel themselves changing at all. Especially when they've forgotten the cause of that change. Was I even Maddison anymore? Or just an incomplete puzzle that lost its last piece? I shook my head. No. I wasn't about to let myself think so much about what I'd forgotten. There was no point. I took a deep breath and relaxed my tense posture.

"I'm sure that I'm still myself without that memory," I told Aeron.
He sighed, signaling his surrender. "All right. Well, what did you do on Earth?"
"I travelled, visiting landmarks and learning more about humans. Earth is similar to the Above but at the same time, very different," I said.
Aeron nodded. "I would've loved to go but I don't think I'd be willing to forget-"
I frowned. "What?"
"I don't want to forget anything. Especially not Erica. Or even you," he said.
"Me?" I asked, puzzled. "But I'm not one of your most important memories."
"How would you know?" He smirked as we rounded a shaded corner.
The sun was setting. Our plan would run off track but we didn't seem to mind taking action later.
I shrugged. "We just met."
"Ah, what can I say? Time has no impact on the fact that I've grown to care about you. The heart cares all too easily." He gave me a charming wink that grudgingly made me smile.
"Well, thank you. I guess I can say I've grown fond of you too." I found myself nodding along to what I was saying.

Aeron shook his head. "You don't have to say that."
"No, I mean it," I said, stopping dead in my tracks.
We'd come to stand at the foot of the baobab tree again.
"Really?" He smiled. Not a charming smile or one of those sexy smirks. But a genuine smile.
"Yeah." I returned a pale imitation of his smile.
He took a step closer to me when I started to feel my heart in my throat. I was nervous all of a sudden.
"You know, I don't have a lot of people to care about," he said softly.
Aeron took my hand, leaning closer. I shivered. He was going to kiss me, wasn't he?

But just when I was about to pull away, we heard Grace shouting. I snatched my hand from his grip and stepped back. Aeron had to stifle the hurt look on his face as Grace ran to us.
"I've been looking for you guys everywhere! It's time for dinner, you know?" Grace said.
I chuckled. "Yeah, we'll be right there."
As I started to walk away, Aeron grabbed my wrist. I spun to face him, wide-eyed. He drew close again and spoke into my ear. I shuddered a little. I hoped not noticeably.
"We'll move forward with the plan after dinner. Meet me back here," he whispered.
I nodded and casually strolled ahead of him.

^^^