Memories

Four

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"Your house is amazing" I said. It was true, his house was breathtakingly beautiful. It was cozy, yet organised, modern yet it had an old, homely atmosphere. It was perfect.

"Thank you! It's not all decorated yet, there's sill a few more things I need to make the house feel more..."

"Complete?"

"Exactly!" He smiled at me. "You always know what I'm thinking"

"Our synergy hasn't disappeared just yet"

We both laugh, our voices echoing down the hallway. We start walking again, upstairs, but I stop to admire the random arrangement of photos hanging on the wall. The frames were all different colours, all different sizes and all different designs. I never thought that would look nice but of course, Avi pulled it off. It looks messy but in a cool way.

One photo caught my eye. It was handing directly in the middle, encased in a soft pink frame. It was a photo of us, me and Avi, standing outside of his house. He had me in his arms, bridal style, and I looked thoroughly shocked. My arm is wrapped around his neck, the other holding a bouquet of roses. The camera captured the moment he lifted me up into his arms.

I feel Avi's arms wrap around me, lifting me up bridal style. The bright light of the camera flash appears, capturing me mid-lift. A small squeal flies out of my mouth as he spins me around before setting me back down on the ground.

"Avi! I almost dropped my flowers!" I scream, playfully of course because let's face it, I don't mind him lifting me up even though it would've made me look ridiculous in the photo.

He just shares the same cheeky smile he always does, giggling too at my flustered face.

"Can we take one more? Please? A good one this time"

"That one was a good one"

"Promise me that this one will be a normal one"

Our little fingers interlock. We look up at each other and smile before letting go and getting back in position for the photo. I feel his arm rest around shoulder, holding me close.

"I can't believe you kept that photo" I said, smiling at the memory.

"Of course I did, your face is priceless" I turned around to playfully punch him in the arm, rolling my eyes at him and watching him laugh at me. I couldn't help but smile at him. God, I missed him so much.

"We should recreate it"

I laughed at the thought, me trying to pull that stupid face and him grinning behind me.

"We should"

The house tour ended not long after our reminiscing session in the hall. I was still in awe looking around me and seeing all that Avi had achieved in his life. It seems like yesterday we were in high school together, dreaming about a future together.

We ended up back at the kitchen, sitting at the counter. The cake box sat at the end until he pulled it over and opened the top. We giggled again.

"I can't believe you remember that nickname" he exclaimed after chuckling.

"Of course I did, I can't forget my Big Bass Daddy" I said with a smirk, before erupting in giggles once more.

We stand in rows, all mixed up because this was just a practice. I stand to the side of Avi, our shoulders touching. Well, our sides were touching, I'm not really as tall as he is.

We were practicing Christus and I love hearing Avi's low voice. We go through it a few more times before the before the bell rings for next lesson.

"Your voice gives me chills every single time" Avi admits, emphasising the last part.

"Are you kidding me?" I sass. "I can literally feel the floor shake when you sing"

He laughs and gives me a hug, telling me that he needs to run to next lesson.

"See you at lunch, yeah?"

"See you then. Bye, my Big Bass Daddy!"

It takes a moment for him to process my new nickname; I'm already laughing uncontrollably at his shocked face. He too joins in on my laughter.

I look around and see Scott standing in the corner, quickly averting his stare to the wall behind me. I stop laughing.

"I'll see you later, Mitch"

I just wave.

We sat there for a little longer, chatting about our lives and how they've changed since high school. The atmosphere was always comfortable and warm when I was around Avi, he made me feel so calm and relaxed.

The doorbell interrupted our talk. He stood up, smiled at me and went to the door. In walked an old couple who I vaguely recognised but couldn't quite match their names with their faces.

"Are my eyes failing me or is that Mitch?" The old woman whispered loudly to Avi, to which he smiled and nodded.

She gasped and ran over to me, wrapping her warm arms around me and kissing my cheek.

"Mitch! My sweet boy, have you missed me?" She exclaimed, tightly hugging me.

"Momma K? I've missed you so so much" I said, my voice filled with love as I finally realised who the couple were.

"Mike! Get over here!" She yelled.

He strolled over, whether that was because of his frail frame or his disinterest but when he reached me, he patted my back and gave me a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Mike had never taken a liking to me, I'm not sure why. I hadn't done anything wrong, anything to hurt him or Avi. I didn't mind. It's not like I felt hated by Avi's family; I got more than enough love from Momma K. She treated me like I was her own and I was more than grateful and appreciative for everything she gave to me.

My heart swelled with love, thinking about all of the times she had cared for me, made me tea when I was upset, let me stay over when my parents were out of town, just everything that she's done for me.

We pulled away with tears in both of our eyes. We laughed, I wiped them away with my fingers while she grabbed a tissue from her sleeve.

After a while, more guests came, some of them I knew from the times I'd stayed at Avi's house or gone to some of his family parties and get-togethers. Some of them were new friends of Avi's who were all nice and welcoming. I sat with Momma K for a while, talking to her about my life in London and her life in LA since I'd left.

Not many things had changed, she was still the cheery woman I knew, just now she had a few more wrinkles and a larger frame, and of course she was rocking the grey hair look which I assured her was in fashion at the moment. Sitting with her and talking with her made me realise how much I had missed LA and the people in it.

I excused myself, heading to the bathroom to sort myself out and make sure I didn't look like an emotional mess. I freshened up, smoothed down my hair and headed back downstairs, ready to reminisce some more.