Unpredicted Love

Chapter 1: An Old Friend

Inhaling the rich familiar scent which instantaneously triggers the countless memories of long winter evenings spent here. That marvelous dark, crisp freshly brewed coffee smell makes me want to hum a joyous tune as I walk to the counter. "Good Morning Cameron!" I say.

"Morning Chris! I didn't expect to see you here today," he replied a bit puzzled. "So, will it be your usual today?"

"Yes please," I can't help but smile a little.

"Spring semester is over is it not..." He asks eyeing my book bag.

"Yes Sir! Last final was Thursday," I say.

"Yet your here with your book bag," He says confused.

"Haha." I can't help but chuckle at his confused curiosity. "I am studying for the GMAT exam."

"Oh, I see but why the hot drink?" He questions, still clearly dazed.

"Have you checked the forecast for today...? It's suppose to snow!" I exclaim shocked that he didn't know about it.

"Shut the fuck up seriously..." He says with disbelief.
I just nod my head. "How fricken typical. Leave it to North Dakota to have snow in the forecast in the middle of May," he says rather calmly in an attempt to hide the shocking news while shaking his head in disappointment. "Well there you go bud! One Venti Carmel White Chocolate Mocha, and one Lemon Pound Cake on the house."

"No Cam here..." I hold out my debit card.

"Nope, this one is on me Chris." He reassures.

"Well, thank you very much, I appreciate it." I say as I reach for them.

"Your welcome, good luck studying!"

"Will do," I turn and walk towards the front corner. I approach the small table for two and see that my accounting exam results are still neatly folded into a small square are still residing under the left table leg. I remember placing it there three years ago during my freshman year. The table wobbled badly. It sounded as though a pirate was trying out his new peg leg for the first time, clonking clumsily all over the floor.

I sit down and turn to gaze out the window to my left. The light smokey gray clouds fill the sky. It appears smooth and dense with the occasional wave like lines that define the different groupings. The absence of pedestrians and automobiles clustered on the street out front feels odd and unfamiliar. Then I am reminded that the semester is over so all the college students have vacated the town. Probably where there is palm trees and sand, with the sun burning into their pale skins as they chug down their favorite beers. Yet here I am after the semester has concluded, Trying to submerge my brain in a sizable textbook while attempting to relax myself in one of my favorite locations in this dreadful city.

*ding*
1 New Message...
*Ding...*
I look down at my phone: 2 New Messages

I open up the messages:

Name: Unknown number
Content: Hello

Puzzled, I quickly try to identify the number... Coming up with absolutely nothing I reply back...

Reply: Hi, Who is this?

I send the message and go back to studying.
A split second later

*Ding*
1 New Message

I look at it and read:
Content: It's Isaac, from high school. Give me a call.

I lean back slowly shocked by the response. Never in a million years did I ever imagine my best friend from high school would message me. Especially after the fight we had right after graduation. I contemplate calling him... What could he possibly want now? Its been three years now since we last talked. Do I really want to stir up the past...? It took me so long to move on and now he wants to talk.

After several minutes I pick up my phone and hit call...

*ring* *ring* *ring*
This is probably a trip he isn't going to even pick up!
*ring*

"Hello? Chris?"
PAUSE
"Hello...Chris is that you?"

"Hi..." I suddenly force myself to say.
"Hey, how are you?" He asks.
"What do you want!?" I ask in a harsh tone.
"So your still upset..."
I stay silent
"Well, Chris I actually was wanting to stop by and see you. I will be driving through tomorrow and was hoping to talk if you were up to it... What do you say?" His voice sounds apologetic but I still don't buy it.
"What did you want to talk about?" I ask more curious now.
"Just catch up you know." He says.
"So what you expect me to just forget about what happened?" I say raising my voice out of anger.
"No, not at all was hoping to actually talk about it. we never really have." He says.
"Gee I fucking wonder why! Maybe its cause you decided to just pack up and leave without even saying anything!" I practically yell back.
"I know, I know, I'm sorry its just...a lot was going on. I know it still wasn't fair. Come on Chris please just give me a couple hours so we can talk. We've been friends since we were five years old." He pleads.
I ponder, rolling over the thought back and forth in my head trying to decide... "Fine! Meet me at Starbucks tomorrow morning 9 am sharp. Don't be late!" I reply.
"Thanks Chris! See you tomorrow! bye."
*beep*

I place my phone down and close my eyes in attempt to clear my mind as much as possible. Instead past memories flood inside only to remind me of that day. The day I lost a hidden love...