Memories

One

A/N - Hello!! I'm back, did you miss me?
I'm attempting to do another story for you. I'm really excited about it and I feel like the idea (which was actually a dream that I had but I've tweaked it ofc) is really cool and I hope you all love it!! During this book there will be flashbacks and they'll be in italics so keep that in mind. I might make it so I'll post a new chapter once the previous one hits a certain amount of votes but idk what that number should be. Let say 10 votes? Yeah, so once this chapter gets 10 votes, I'll post the next one so I know that you guys are actually liking it and want more. This is only going to be a short story without very many chapters but quality over quantity amirite

Before I begin, I want to give a massive shoutout to NajaaTheFangirl for helping me with the idea, helping me develop it and looking over my work to make sure it's at the best it can possibly be. I'm so appreciative and thankful for the all the help so thank you!! I love you Naja!

Sorry for this long ass A/N, I'll try to not make too many of these because I know that they can be annoying but anyway, I hope you enjoy!

As soon as the plane landed, I felt like I was finally home. I moved through the airport with ease and probably very quickly because I was excited as hell to get back into the city. Alas, I knew I still had to unpack and sort my apartment out. At least I had a few days to settle in until I went back to work.

Before I knew it, I was sitting in the back of a cab on my way to my apartment block. I felt giddy. We arrived and the driver helped me with my suitcases but only to the door because "I paid him to drive me to some place, not heave suitcases up stairs". Ah America, I have missed you.

Luckily, a man - who I'm guessing lived in the apartment block - offered to help me after watching me struggle for 5 minutes, only managing to move one of the suitcases about 5 centimetres along the pathway. I thanked him and he left without much being said. He even refused my offer of money as a reward for helping me. I have definitely missed you, America.

I didn't attempt to start unpacking immediately, but instead sat on the wooden floor and pulled my phone out. Oh, that's right, I needed a new sim card... and furniture. I've already bought the basic things: a sofa, TV, bed and a wardrobe, but I would need to get other things and make this place feel like a home. Hopefully, the things I ordered should be arriving later today which means I can unpack.

I sat on the floor for what felt like hours, listening to music until I heard a knock at my door. Oh yay, my things! Opening the door, I signed the little gadget thingy and waited until two very hot men brought all of the boxes up and into my living room. I gave them some extra money to help me set it up because I cannot be dealing with this just after getting off of a 12-hour flight.

Everything was set up and I thanked the two delicious men (again, I've missed you, America) before practically throwing myself on the sofa and finally relaxing.

I looked at my suitcases feeling nothing but utter exhaustion and dread. I had to unpack. Ugh. Somehow, I managed to drag my body off the sofa and walk over to them. There's just no way that I'll be able to do this. Well, not until I've had some of the Lord's drink in my body. Coffee. I need coffee.

Walking around, the streets of LA seemed so familiar yet so alien to me. It's been 6 years, 6 years since I last was in this city and now I'm back! Granted, it's only for a 6 month placement with my work but I'm still excited about exploring this city again. I had some furniture in the apartment that I'll be living in until I have to get on another 11 hour flight to London which I am not looking forward to but I desperately needed some more. As much as it pains me to say this, but shopping will have to wait.

My brian focuses on the thing I came out to get. I need to definitely get some caffeine into my body. I know those suitcases won't unpack themselves but they definitely won't get unpacked if I'm still walking around like a zombie that hasn't eaten in weeks.

I see a Starbucks calling my name, taking control of my feet and forcing my legs to walk in. The smell brings a wave of relief over me. I stand in line, waiting for the dark-haired man in front of me to say his order. I completely zoned out until I heard him say a name I hadn't heard in years.

"Avi?" I say, my voice laced with excitement.

He turned around with his eyebrows furrowed but as soon as he saw me, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped into a shocked smile of some sort.

"Mitch! Woah.. your hair! What the hell are you doing in LA?" He exclaimed, wrapping his arms around me.

I stroked my buzzcut and smiled. "I'm doing a work placement thing so you'll be seeing a lot more of me over the next 6 months. Have you got time for a coffee? I'd love to have a catch up" I asked, really hoping that he did.

"I've got a lot of work and preparation to do for my birthday party tomorrow, I just ran out to get a coffee. There's a lot of people coming, you should come too!"

"I'd absolutely love to, but I'll let you get back to your prep" I giggled and he smiled with me. "Do you have a phone or whatever so you can text me the details?"

"Yeah, yeah" He fished a pen from out of his pocket and grabs a napkin to write his number down. "It was great seeing you, Mitch. I've really missed you"

"I've missed you too!" I reply, smiling and wrapping my arms around him one more time before he waves goodbye and walks off into the busy street, my eyes following him until he disappears from my vision.

I watch Avi leave, dodging and weaving through the sea of people flowing through the corridors. A smile crept up on my face as I watched him squeezing past everyone.

Placing my hands around my mouth, I shout for him. "Wait! Avi! Wait!!"

He turns, looking so confused that it made me laugh.

"What?!" He yells back before sighing and pushing past the people and going against the current. He got shoulder-barged about 5 times and when he finally reached me, his face was almost as red as mine, although it was for a different reason; I was laughing so hard my face was red and he was pissed that he had to fight his way back to me. He rolled his eyes at how hard I was laughing. "Well?!..."

"...I love you," I say softly before giggling at his reaction. He was so over me.

"I can't believe you. You're lucky that I love you too," he teases, walking away through the crowds again, although it had died down after the immediate after school rush. "You're such a mean friend, you know that?"

My laugh echoes down the hallway and I followed it with my bag on my back and my face still lit up with a smile.

A voice snaps me out of my little daydream. "Excuse me?"

I turn to find the barista looking at me with a small hint of confusion.

"Oh, right. I'm sorry. Can I have an iced caramel macciato please?"

She turns around to make it and before long, I have it in my hand, taking a very long drink and sighing in relief as I felt it slide down my throat. That is exactly what I needed. Now, it's time to go back and unpack. Yay...