Memories

Two

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I stroll along the busy street, taking my time and enjoying looking at the people who pass me. I like people watching, guessing what they're doing, where they're going. I know that I was only doing this to postpone the inevitable chore of unpacking but it needed to be done and it's better sooner rather than later, right?

Looking at my coffee cup, I sigh when I find it almost empty. Someone needs to invent someway to always have unlimited coffee as soon as possible. In one swift gulp, I finish my drink but find that I am thirsty for something else. No, not boys you dirty minx. Chardonnay!

I walk a little further until I reach a small alcohol store. I think I deserve a treat. I walk into the store, brushing my fingers along the shelves filled with bottles until I come across the wine section. My eyes widen at the sight of all the bottles; there's so much choice. Finally, I pick up a bottle and walk over to the register to pay for it, and headed back outside.

It didn't take long to walk back to my apartment block, sadly. I practically dragged myself to my apartment door; I've been exhausted all day of course, but that reunion with Avi somehow distracted me from my fatigue and now it's hitting me like a ton of bricks. I had caught the plane from London at 12am and it was now about 4-ish in the afternoon, but I feel like I should've been asleep hours ago. It's the worst thing about travelling, the jet lag kills you and time zones mess with your head. I'm planning on going to sleep at around 10 tonight and then hopefully I won't feel as groggy tomorrow. Hopefully.

I opened my door and walked straight to the sofa. Lord bless me with the strength to finish this day. Excitedly, I open the bottle of Chardonnay. Oh.. I forgot I don't have glasses. There's no way that I am forcing myself off of this comfy sofa again. Well, looks like I'll just have to improvise. I take a sip straight from the bottle. I'm such a classy lady.

I take another sip, choosing a playlist on my phone to give me the motivation to sort through a least one of the suitcases. Consideration plays from my phone as I stand up rather reluctantly and walk over to the smallest suitcase. I open it and roll my eyes. Why did I have to throw everything in? Why couldn't I have planned this out and put things in some sort of order? I am so pissed at past Mitch.

Clothes are the first thing on my to-do list to sort out so I begin putting them in different piles. I was halfway through when the music on my phone died down and the text tone replaced it. Thankful for the excuse for a break, I crawl over to my phone.

Unknown: Hey Mitch! It's Avi. Sorry I didn't text you sooner, the party starts at 2pm but if you want to come over earlier, that'll be totally fine too. It's just in my back garden, I'll text you the address later. I'm so happy you're back!

I find myself smiling at my phone and the text that he sent. No matter if I'm tired or not, I am going to that party. I love how comfortable I feel with Avi, it's just like we're back at high school, just like I'd never left. I felt like I could be myself and it made me so happy.

Me: Hi! I was just unpacking my things. It's great to be back, I've missed you so much

Lumberjack: I'm free right now if you want me to come round for a couple of hours and help you unpack?

Me: I mean, if you're offering I won't be complaining but you don't have to

Lumberjack: Text me your address, I'll come over. Have you eaten?

My stomach grumbled and I laughed at the timing. I'm starving!

Me: No, but I am very hungry. Just get whatever and I'll eat it, I'm not fussy

Lumberjack: I'll bring your favourite

Me: Bring wine glasses too!

I carried on unpacking, the neat piles of clothes transformed into big, messy heaps. I was basically drowning in my Vetements. I decided that I would leave the rest of the unpacking until Avi was here to help me because lets face it, I wasn't really getting anywhere. All I'd done is pick clothes from suitcases and look at them for a while and put them in different piles behind me that had now morphed into one massive pile.

I had given up fully, laying back onto the comfy pile and scrolling through Twitter to keep myself awake. I was almost asleep when there was a knock at the door. I lay there for a moment, trying to convince my body that it would be a good idea to open and let Avi help me with this mess. It took a few moments and another knock at my door from an impatient Avi and I finally crawled to the door and opened it. He looked ahead, furrowed his eyebrows and then looked down when my attempt to keep quiet failed.

"What are you- why?"

"Too tired.." I sighed, making a pouty face as I looked up at Avi.

"So are you gonna let me in or?..."

I took a deep breath and slowly stood up, smiling at Avi when I was finally at normal height and stood to the side to let him in. He strode in, placing the glasses on the bar along with another bottle of chardonnay and gasped at the sight of my unpacking attempt.

"So I see that you're nearly done" He teased, laughing at my eye roll.

"I tried, I really did and I didn't realise how many clothes I had and I'm so tired and I need to stay awake and... help me"

A sigh of sympathy left his mouth as he looked at me and then at the piles and back at me. Without saying anything, he walked over to the counter and opened the Chardonnay that he'd brought, pouring it into our glasses and making sure that they were as full as they could be. We were going to need it for sure.

After finishing both bottles and reminiscing on our times in high school, we had put all of my clothes away and I was now hugging Avi goodbye. I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing on my tiptoes while his arms found their home around my waist. We stayed like that, making the embrace last longer than expected but honestly, I didn't care. I missed Avi so much, I gladly would have hugged him for at least another minute... or 20. It felt amazing to be in his arms again and I couldn't wait until the next time I was wrapped up in his embrace.

He pulled back, giving me his signature smile and holding me at arms length.

"I've really missed you, Mitch"

"I've missed you too, Avi"

Silence loomed over us and he turned to walk out, waving at me before he walked down the hallway and around the corner. We had gotten through my clothes and some other random things. I stepped over my suitcases and dragged myself to my bedroom, stripping down to just my underwear and crawling into bed. This is the moment I'd been waiting for all day.

It seemed like I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow. It had been a very eventful day and it was only going to get better at Avi's birthday tomorrow.