Back For You (Summer Love Sequel)

5 - Hey, stranger

Katie's POV

"Mom, I'm going to the bookstore." 

"Okay. I'll go grocery shopping. I'll meet you here in. . ." she looks at her wrist watch. ". . An hour."

I nod. "See you later." 

I make my way to the bookstore. The security guard, Joe, greets me. I smile at him.

"It's been a while, Katie. Where have you been?"

"I spent my summer in North Carolina." I respond.

"That explains it. Lydia missed our favorite customer." He says, pointing at the owner of this bookstore.

"You have no idea how much I missed this place." 

He laughs. "I want to ask you some questions about your summer, but I believe I have something to do. Happy buying, Katie." 

I wave at him before walking to the Teen's aisle. I slowly sit down as I scan the books. One name catches my eye. It's the book I have been searching for. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Finally. I extend my arm to get it. Almost there. And guess what? I start falling flat on my face.

I groan. “Hey, Stranger. I got my eyes on that book first!”

The stranger didn't respond. I look up. Oh wow. Stranger turns out to be attractive. I don't know what's out and about my mind right now. He helps me stand up (in one swift move. Okay that's weird.) 

"I'm sorry. I was just checking it out." He says. "Here. You can have it." 

"I. . . uh. Thanks." I cough, awkwardly.

He stares at me. "I'm Sean. You are?"

"Katie." I respond, looking away.

"I'm sorry about the book, Katie. That was embarrassing." He chuckles.

"I don't know about you but falling down and blaming the stranger is more embarrassing."

He chuckles again. Somehow he reminds me of Nick. I don't think I'll forget about him. "So. . . you're a fan of Nicholas Sparks, eh?" 

I nod. "He's amazing. Are you a fan as well?"

"Yeah. I've been searching for this book!" He grins, showing his dimples.

Dimplepants and Ms. Tomato. Our memories start playing in my head. My heart aches, I try my best not cry. 

"Is there something wrong?" He asks.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I have been spacing out for quite a long time." I sniff.

"Breakup?" He asks. I stay silent.

"I'm sorry, that was something private." He apologizes.

"It's okay. I need to get over it." I fake smile.

"I know we just met, but I could be a friend." He says, smiling.

I feel like something is stabbing me, but then I remembered the day he asked me to be his girlfriend. My mind flashes his face as he says 'I know we just met, but there's something about you that I can't get my words and all.'

"I guess, we can be friends." 

*

My phone rings. I cross my fingers, I hope it's Sean. I slip my bookmark on page  87 of my new book. I grab my phone and answer the call.

"Hello?" 

"Katie! Katie!" A little girl voice greets.

"Leila? How did you get my numbe-"

"I talked to Nick!" says Leila.

My heart skips a beat. "You did?"

"Yes. We talked about fire."

"What?" I ask. "What about fire?"

"Because I asked him why he smells like smoke." 

"Smoke?" I repeat. Now he's letting out a negative side of him. 

"Yes. And he told me that he was with his friends, a tree was burning and they just stared at it." She explains.

That doesn't seem like the Nick I know. "They did?" 

"Uh-huh, and then I asked him why they didn't wash the fire out. He said that it's because some things are too late to be saved. I didn't really understand what he said."

I chew on my bottom lip. "I understood perfectly, Lei. He means that the tree didn't need to be saved. The tree needs to be alone. The tree needed to disappear and they let it go."

"Oh. So there's a little story." She says, innocently.

"Yes. A little story made by two young people." I say, sadly. "Uh, Leila? I have to go. Call me again when you're not busy."

"Bye Katie. We miss you." She says. "Kristen says goodbye!"

"Goodbye. We'll talk next time." I whisper, ending the call.

He lied. He changed. He disappeared. He has forgotten.

Sometimes, I wonder if he ever misses me. But now I know, he never did and never will.