Don't Forget Me

Chapter 5

Rena-

It would suffice to say that Physics wasn't terrible. Cole didn't bother me too much, playful banter was tossed in, he didn't bring up what happened that week. He was the perfect gentlemen. I didn't get homework, I was introduced to the world science was going to offer this year. Trust me it's not much, just tons of formulas and new characters to learn. No biggie. *Cue the eye roll.*

Third block had just ended and lunch was steadily creeping upon me. My least favorite part of the day, believe it or not. Well, I suppose it's not horrible now. I had people to sit with, rather than gloomily picking out a pathetically puny table that would only hold, at max, three people if you were lucky. It just held so much awkward tension ready to be stretched even further by small talk. I hated that.

And after those few thoughts, the emotion's manifestation holder slowly emerged in the form of a person I had desperately evaded all day. We walked into the cafeteria at the same time, but this time I was determined not to lock eyes with him.

It was inevitable, I would have to run into him at some point of the day. He was best friends with my new friend's boyfriend. That makes sense, right?

Settling into the seat at the table Gracie chose, I tried to ignore his presence. It wasn't like I was trying to be a royal bitch, nor was it like Cole had done anything wrong, it was my cowardliness self-defense strategy. I didn't know how to approach the situation.

Turning to Gracie to avoid the green-eyed-monster we start taking about the classes and teachers we got.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so ready for my psychology class. Did you hear how she worked in a jail before she transferred over here? That's so chill.

It's not like the juvie kids were terrible to control, but you just don't see teachers coming from a jail often. It's not like an everyday thing." I blabbered on, but Gracie didn't seem to mind. In fact she joined in with it.

"I know!" She pouts slightly, "I'm kinda sad I didn't take AP Psych, it's supposed to be an easy AP class and the teacher sounds so cool too. If I get stories about fun things to manipulate the mind, you have to do them to me too."

She leans over to whisper in my ear, "If you learn anything on how to like mess with people's minds and I can use it to mess with Angelo, keep me posted. Something so I can like, I don't know, 'make him fall in love with me more'. The brain is easily tricked right? Sooo, maybe I can use that to my advantage."

Grinning, I reply, "I've got a trick for you right now. It'll take some time, but it works wonders after. Wear a perfume you and him equally like to your dates and anniversaries. By him smelling that scent during moments you both enjoy and then wearing it after for no reason at all, he'll treat you more sweetly than usual, and he won't know why!"

Seeing the skepticism on her face, I shake my head, "Trust me. I tried this out on my last boyfriend, it totally worked and he had NO clue."

"You got any tricks to jog memory, Cupcake?"

"I don't know, did you lose something materialistic or memories, Baby Cakes?" I say examining my nails, attempting to divert from eye contact.
Unfortunately, Cole has other ideas. Before I know it, he's spun my chair to face him. Still sitting in his seat, he leans over and places his palms down on the sides of the seat, trapping my legs between his arms. Keeping me from escaping.

By now we've caught surrounding people's attention. I ignore it because this is between Cole and me, not them.

"Not for me, for you. See, I don't remember if you recall, Butterscotch, but we need to talk. It's been two weeks since you've talked to me, which is actually pretty astounding. I mean, we live right next to each other. For God sakes, I could jump into your window if I wanted!"

"Please don't." I say evenly. Shaking my head and closing my eyes, imagining horrific scenarios. "What if I'm naked, when you decide to 'pop in'?" I point out.

"Wouldn't faze me, seen it all before. And, Hunny Bunny, you've got it going on." He says with a playful grin.

I scowl, "What if my dad hears you coming in? Gumdrop, he'd beat your ass for coming into his daughter's room."

"Ah, now see, I wouldn't make that mistake, Cherry. I'm stealthier thank you give me credit. But we're getting off topic, Sweet Pea, you're avoiding something. And we need to talk about it."

"No we don't, Cole." I say firmly before standing up, making him lean back, and give me enough room. "Leave it alone. Everything is fine the way it is."

My cheeks hot as I look around, everyone is staring now.

Turning to Gracie and Angelo I hastily utter a good-bye. And just like wimp I am, I flee from the scene.

***

The last bell has rung and I am the first one out of the door, maneuvering around the students. Bobbing and weaving past obstacles to get to Emerson and bypass Cole at the same time.

Obviously, luck just want on my side.

"Hey! Buttercup!" His voice yelled out to me. I could hear him getting increasingly closer as footsteps accompanied the noise, pounding against the floor behind me.

The brisk walk I adopted halted after that nickname passed through his lips. My eyes widened as they started at the ground. I felt...paralyzed. Shaken. My quickened heart beat resonated against my ears, intensified by the inconveniently barren hallway. No one had called me by that name in seven years.

Without turning around I whispered, "What did you call me?" My tone wasn't spiteful or angry, more so just in shock. Only one person was allowed to call me that, and I hadn't seen him since elementary school.

"Rena, please turn around and face me. I don't like talking to backs, and we do need to talk." He took in an audibly deep breath before speaking again, "I know who you are, and I know you know who I am."

The already high pulse beating in my veins rose with every word he said as I turned to him. Internal heat in my body was building up as I nervously made eye contact with his startling green. When our eyes fully meet and my body properly faced his, a small smile passes its way across his lips and his mouth parts.

"I'm your best friend. We were best friends in elementary school." Cole's eyes were tender with emotion and his voice soft in remembrance.
"You moved away to Oregon and we made a promise." He now stares straight through me as he asks his next question. My lip quivers knowing what he's about to ask. "Do you remember that promise?"

I advert my attention to the ground, shattering the eye contact between us. Just like I did with our promise. A tear escapes from my eye, "Don't forget me." I whisper out in a soft, shaky breath. And my heart clenches because I know that I did the opposite. I didn't mean to forget. But I did. At least until two weeks ago, but when did I fully forget? How long did it take for me to forget about my best friend?

A better question to ask was: How easy was it for me to completely forget?

A/N: Word Count: 1260 

This chapter is a little shorter than the others, however, this is a more crucial chapter towards the end. Don't 'cha think? We're getting into the story guys!👏👏👏

Guys with glasses are my kryptonite, they are freaking ADORABLE and I LOVE them. Look how cute it makes Cole😍😍😍😍. Can I say heart eyes enough??

I'm so sorry for the huge delay (although, to be fair, this isn't the worst one I've had) my junior year of highschool started and I'm busting my butt to keep my full schedule balanced. It doesn't leave me with a whole lot of free time to write so the updates are gonna be less frequent😢😢. It saddens me as much as it does you, because this is something I LOVE to do.

Just know that I'm trying!
Anyway, enjoy the story (even if it's slow going)!

Don't Forget Me!

~Serena