Sofia, a freshman at a reputable medical school, was finding it hard to adjust. But she was trying. Trying to put her dark past behind, trying to make new friends, trying to find some peace, trying to have a good time. But it all goes awry when Emer...
Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win. -Stephen King
One night I woke up very thirsty. But I knew I didn't need water. I sat up straight in bed, waiting for it to go away, but it didn't. It started to claw at my throat, my mouth started to get so dry that I couldn't even feel my tongue, my head started spinning and my vision blurred. All I could hear was my heart beating ferociously in my heart Shit shitshit. I shut my eyes tightly and took a deep breath, said a quick prayer and started counting backward from 50. A few moments later it went away, the ghost inside me scuttled back into the dark corner of my body. I climbed out of the bed and tiptoed into mom's room, kissed her forehead and tried to go back to sleep, which was completely pointless so i got up and started getting ready for school.
The bus stop was 7 minutes walk from home. So i wrapped a shawl around my body and headed out into the cold morning.
"Fia WHAT THE FUCK?!!" I turned around to look at the only person who called me that. My heart skipped a beat.
He was now around 6'1, straight broad shoulders, arms bulging from his navy blue knit sweater sleeves. His hair perfectly messy. I almost didn't recognize him. Almost. He had completely changed. But he had the same blue-grey eyes. "OH.MY.GOD Aerrin, is that really you?" Without answering he hugged me. And I think I felt a tear escape my eye.
_______________
Is it just me or does it happen to everyone? Why do bad memories come back to haunt us when we are happy and finally ready to start anew?
Aerrin and I were sitting in a corner of a cafe, having some coffee and scrambled eggs, continuing it from where we left off 10 years ago. It was a lot to catch up on. He told me about his high school in London and how he worked on his British accent to impress girls here. And I said it won't work on me so he laughed, shaking his head. I smiled.
I told him about my medical school and he said he was proud of me and told me that he has been accepted into many universities for BBA program but he wants to go to Imperial College for business, 10 minutes from my medical school, which was great. But then the memories came flooding in, my smile faltered and my vision blurred. Last time when we were together doing something great, terrible things happened. "But you got into Preston school for business, why would you come to ICB?" "Because Preston is overrated. And ICB is amazing. And it's closer to your school." " I know but-" "Sssshhh, yes I've thought about it and no nothing will change my mind. This is my final decision, I stand by it. Not even a spear through my chest or arrow in my head can make me change it." He pointed his finger to his heart and then to his temple while saying it.
That made me smile so hard I thought my cheeks were gonna burst. It was our thing. Childhood thing. I came up with it when we were 8 and he thought it was very cool so we made hundreds of games just so we can say it. And, well this guy was the better decision maker, compared to me. And very smart too. And why would I even want him away? Nothing would happen this time. He is my only best friend. Was. Is. Well, I don't know for sure but he is the only person who knows how I am and what I've done. And I don't have to fake a smile around him, it comes naturally and I'm not uncomfortable with him.
"Sorry, you missed your college because of me." He made a sorry face but I knew he wasn't sorry.
"I'm glad I did. It's better talking to you then listening to ms. Khalida talk about baby nonsense I wouldn't give a damn about."
"Such a doctor you'll be." He said laughing
"I'm sure I'll be the worst." He was about to reply but then I saw the ice cream truck "can we have some ice cream."
"Oh my god you still have that rainbow ice cream obsession, don't you."
"Yep. Spring or fall, winter or summer. Having no rainbow ice cream is a bummer." I said in a sing-song voice, getting up.
"Lame." He made a fake disappointed face. "yeah let's get you some ice cream before you attack me"
I bought around five of them for me and one for Aerrin. I ate them all. He looked at me like I was a baby whose dirty diaper he had to change. I stuck my tongue out at him. "Baby" he muttered, so I made some baby noises. He laughed. Yep, he's my best friend.
"God I missed you fi"
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