Memories of Autumn

Chapter 7

Anne was at her house, lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. She was thinking about the offer that Nate proposed. She was willing to be the child's tutor but will she be able to pull through? Will she break down the moment she is reminded of John? What will the child grow up to be? There were a lot of uncertain things. Suddenly, her attention was at her white, fluffy cat, which was running around the room as it tried to catch an innocent beetle that accidentally flew through the window. The beetle flew to the side of the room and the cat tried to follow it, hopping onto the dresser then onto the top of the cabinet and tips a shoebox off the top. She sat up "Tsk, tsk, bad kitty. Leave that bug alone." She said gently as she stood up and walked towards the fallen shoebox but it was not shoes she found. It was a bunch of pictures and some random stuff that she kept from high school. The picks the photo that had the caption: "My 17th birthday with Nate". It was a picture of her and Nate making goofy faces while he was holding a stuffed toy panda and she was holding some cotton candy. Anne smiled while she remembered that moment.

'Weeks passed and finally the day of Championships was getting nearer. I was happy to know that John wouldn't be busy anymore after that day. Lately I've been spending little time with John but I was satisfied as long as Nate was there. Some days were even busier than the others where I never even get to see John due to his tight practice schedule. Finally it was the day before the "big day". I was walking with John towards the court "Hey good luck tomorrow by the way." I said to John. He sheepishly looked at me and said "Don't forget that tomorrow will also be a big day for you." He replied, I looked at him and smiled. "Awww..you remembered!" "How could I forget my girl's birthday. And your special gift from me is...viola!" he said while fanning two tickets for the theme park. "Me, you, together at the theme park. A date with no interruptions, no practice and no Nate." He added with a soft giggle. I couldn't help but blush. "After the game of course. Meet me there by six o'clock."'

(Nate's point of view) 'It was the day of the Championships and Anne's birthday. I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock, I look up and it was exactly 6am. I stood up, stretched, grabbed my things and went straight for the door. My house was only a block away from Anne's house so I walked to the streets, still with my pyjamas on. The sun wasn't fully up but it already illuminated the sky, no one was on the street but me and a newspaper boy who shot a glance at me then hurried on with his bike.

Right at her doorstep, I left a bouquet of plastic flowers, knowing the pollen of real flowers might irritate her sensitive nose and a big brown hypoallergenic teddy bear with a neat pink bow tied around its neck. I regret the fact that I couldn't breed a hypoallergenic dog for her but if only my experiment was funded, I could have given her a more special present. But I was also hesitating if I should even give her such a special present. I wouldn't want to out-weight John's present. I should have kept it more like a friendly gift...

That day, I watched the championship to support my team. It was no surprise that we won. That afternoon, my mind forgot about Anne's birthday, knowing my best-bro John was handling it. I was busy with my little sister and my mom that afternoon at the theme park. We had fun that day and decided to go home by around 8. My little sister was still so full of energy, holding my hand as we walked towards the exit but to my surprise I saw Anne near the exit sitting alone. I hesitated for a moment, thinking John was probably buying her something somewhere. I'm sure he wouldn't dare leaving her alone on her birthday. I shook my head and looked at my mom "You go on ahead mom, I'll just take the bus. There's something I gotta do first." I said with a chuckle. My mom nodded with a smile, glancing at Anne and walked away with my sister.

I walked slowly towards her, making sure I wasn't disrupting anything. But my heart just sank to the ground as I saw her lift her head towards me with a glint of hope and a bit of tear in her eyes. I tried to smile for her but I knew she was in the brink of tears.

"W-what happened, Anne? Where's John?" I said hesitantly as I sat next to her on the bench, she looked at me and replied shakily.

"He's not here yet. I wonder what's keeping him late. I've been waiting here for quite a while." She said with a smile but I know it was painfully fake. I sighed, trying to hide my anger towards John.

"Maybe he's on his way." I said as I stood up, knowing I could punch that asshole in the face if I'd ever see him that time. But Anne tugged on my hood like a little kid, looking up at me, venerable and helpless.

"Please don't leave me."

I felt a lump in my throat as I heard it. I sat back down on the bench. "Fine, I'll stay with you just until John arrives. I'll be like an entourage." I said with a smile, to keep things light. She just smiled at me silently and looked at the people going in and out.

After a few seconds of sitting, I looked at her "Have you tried calling him?"

"Yeah, but no one answers."

After about ten minutes of sitting there with Anne, I couldn't help but calling him myself. I took out my phone and dialled him. It rang...and rang...and rang. Until someone finally picked it up so I immediately put in on speakers.

"Hello, John." I screamed at the phone but all I heard was loud music. I realized he was at a party.

"Hey uhm" the voice snickered "Uhm this is Jack.." more loud music "Yo where the hell is John?!...Oh..oh dud, he already left. That bloody jackass was drunk as an ass. Bye-see ya!" the phone was put down.

I bit my bottom lip, bracing myself to see Anne's reaction. There was silence between us; probably too both shocked to talk.

Anne rose up in a rage "He went to a party?! That's why he missed our date?! Unbelievable." I looked at her, filled with so much pity then stood up and embraced her.

"I'm so sorry." I said as I felt her against my chest, smelling a bit of her lavender shampoo.

"Don't apologize. None of this is your fault." She replied softly.