Don't Forget Me

Chapter 6

Rena's POV

He hugged me and I gratefully accepted the comfort from him. He shushed and cooed in my ear, rubbing up and down my back in comforting circles while I clung to him and buried my face into his neck. My shaky breath being calmed by our embrace and his subtle scent that encased us, invading my senses, offering a familiar hand.

After I had finally calmed down, Cole and I talked. We sat in the empty hallway, he sat in front of me, legs crossed and arms hanging over his knees. My back against the cool lockers gave me a grounding and a window to clear my over crowded mind.

In a lull of silence I got a good look at his now matured face. A small smile made its way on my face while I reminisced of being back in elementary school with the boy in front of me. "I missed you," I say absentmindedly as I scan his face.

"I missed you, too," Cole says with assuring confidence, looking into my hazel eyes.

"Do you remember the going away present you gave me?" I question as I examine the glasses framing his face. "Yes, I do. I gave you a bouquet of buttercups. Our special flower," he replies with out missing a beat.

"Do you remember when we both got sick with the flu after swimming in a pool we made in my backyard during fall?" Cole inquires back. I let out a small chuckle, the noise surrounding us. With a shake of my head, I think back to when we took a garden hose and filled up an empty ditch we dug out the day before. "God, we made such a mess. Dirt was everywhere. I don't know how you talked me into it, the water was freezing."

"Hey, I'm not the only one to blame, you suggested it and we made the hole because you wanted to. Said you were searching for dinosaur fossils. I mean, I know that we had that one field trip to the aquarium and you wanted to find bones. But was it necessary to go and dig up my backyard?"

I stare at him in mock disbelief. My jaw drops as I scoff at him. With a hmph and a cross of my arms, I playfully retort back, "Of course it was necessary. My mom wasn't going to allow a hole in her perfectly manicured lawn. That only left your's! See? Perfectly logical," Cole rolls his eyes.

"You know, I'm glad you're back. Angelo is great and all, but he isn't my first best friend."
I smile at him,"I'm glad I'm back too. Oregon wasn't fun with out you there," I stand up and extend a hand to Cole.

"C'mon. We gotta get home. I've got little brothers to attend to. And both of them can't fit on my motorcycle." Cole takes my hand and stands next to me. Tilting his head, Cole brushes away stray hairs that fell in my face when I bent down, and tucks them behind my ear.

"Better." He simply says.

Blushing I turn and start walking towards the exit. By the footsteps I hear next to me, I know he's following.

"I'm glad you guys didn't move," I start to say. Pausing, I glance at Cole from the corner of my eye,"Do...do you think we would have run into each other again if I didn't move back? Or if you moved away?"

Cole stills my walking body so I face his and tilts my chin up so I stare into those striking eyes.

"I'm sure of it. I wouldn't be able to let you go that easily," With a shake of his head and a nudge from his shoulder, he finishes with a boyish grin, "I like you too much."

I shyly smile back from our close proximity, his hand still on my chin. Starting to walk again, we make it out to the parking lot. When we stop at our vehicles I go to grab my helmet but stop and face my companion again.

"Hey, Cole? I'm gonna stop by Walmart to get a notepad and marker. I don't think the neighbors enjoy us yelling across yards in the middle of the night. Will you help me test it out tonight and tell me if that system will work?"

Cole leans against his Chevrolet, arms crossed, "Wouldn't that make things more difficult? Just give me your number." I purse my lips and shake my head no, "I like the kinda sappy cliché moments.

If I have to do a Taylor Swift, You Belong with Me why not? I know the first time we talked I said I wouldn't, but whatever. I'll give you my number in due time. Don't be so eager," I say with a pat to his chest. Not foregoing the feel of his toned chest under my palm for a moment.

I turn away from him in that moment as the heavy blush starts creeping upon my face. I swing my helmet up and over my head quickly to hide my tomato face. I bring my leg over Emerson and back out of my parking space.

"Bye, Cole! Leave your curtain open so I can test my notepad."

"Aw, Rena, if you wanted to see me naked, you could've said so!"

With a roll of my eyes I leave the school. Yelling over my shoulder, I get the last word, "Just remember the curtain!"

Cole's POV

I smile after her as she leaves. She's always been the tomboy type, I'm not surprised she has a motorcycle.

Sliding into my car, I turn the engine over and roll down the windows. The stifling hot air that was trapped inside, now escaping.

Maybe I should get a notepad too. Rena has a habit of leaving her window open at night, maybe while she's at dinner I can fly a paper over with my number on it.

She has always been so stubborn about things. If she just gave me her number then everything would be easier. We'd be able to talk without needing to yell. Whether it be for miscommunications or not understanding handwriting.

But why complain? I just got my childhood best friend back after two weeks of freezing me out. I was ecstatic. Things would change for the better. Smooth sailing was from here and on out.

A/N: Word count: 1069

HEY! It's been awhile, I'm sorry. Very sorry. However, look!👀👀 it's an update! Crazy, right?! Yeah, I know.

But it's my holiday break and I got another chapter in for you🤗.

The wait wasn't too terrible, was it?
Sorry, stupid question. Don't kill me! *shields face with arms*

Alright, til next time!

~Serena