Again

1

Patton's POV:

After slipping on my boots and locking the front door, I began to walk down the pathway towards the park with my bull terrier, Ronnie. I wanted to get ahead to Barren's Coffee Bar before morning hustle came through. As seasons began to change, the day was already bright and sunny, but had a pleasant breeze to it.

As I continued towards my destination, I started thinking of what all I needed to do today, and even zoned out as I watched other people making their ways to work or walking their dogs for fresh air. I looked down to zip up my jacket to keep warm when suddenly an object collided into my side.

The force caused me to stumble back on my heels and pull Ronnie's leash as well. I looked in the direction of whomever it was and noticed that they, a girl, were on the ground. All I saw was the top of her head and a big sweater. The strawberry blonde hair blocked my view of the mystery girl's face despite the length of it being above her shoulders.

"No, no, no.", she said to herself while searching the ground.

I wasn't able to help find what she was looking for since I didn't know what the girl could have possibly dropped. So I stepped back and watched as she reached her hands out to locate whatever it was. She stood up in a frustrated manner while dusting her jeans off.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry for knocking into you. I was looking up for a perfect place to take a picture of the sun through the autumn leaves and..", she rambled on while still looking frantically at the ground.

I finally knew who was exactly was in front of me, but my brain was not wanting to process it. The mystery girl just so happened to be Madi. Madison Colvin, my high school girlfriend was just right in front of me years later.

We broke things off on a good term but because we were going to separate and far-away colleges, a long distance relationship was not what either of us needed. Though it wasn't because of bad reasons, it was extremely hard and not the answer to her prayers. She took it the worst and it tore me because all I could do was witness.

She looked up finally, and her words stopped but her eyes grew like deer's in headlights.

"P-patton?", she stutter. She seemed so star-struck that a full sentence couldn't come from her lips. Then after a few seconds, a big smile that made the corners of her eyes crinkle in a childlike manner, broke out.

"Hey Madison."

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe that it's you.", she yelp as we stared at each other.

The sleeves of her yellow sweater were longer than her arms so it covered her small hands and flapped around when she moved forcefully. She was still the same height after years later but I knew all together she's become a different girl since then.

"What a coincide-," I began to say, when suddenly she went down on her knees and reached towards Ronnie.

"You have my camera lens cover! Give it back!", she panicked as she went to retrieve it from my dogs mouth.

I bent down as well and got ahold of Ronnie before he could pull away. Madi's little finger grabbed ahold of her cover and examined it.

"There are bite marks now but not much damage.", she mumbled to herself.

Well now I felt great. It's not everyday you run into your old lover just to have your dog chew their belongings.

"I'm really sorry. I can give you money to buy a new one if need be.", I rushed out. I expected her to accept the money but she just simply shook her head and gave a toothless smile.

"Like I said, not much damage. It still fits and protects so that's what matters.", she said.

"So what are you doing out here in Maine?", I asked confusingly.

"I just got done with veterinary school in New York and transferred here to go more into the veterinary medicine department."

I remember the day she got accepted and the day she left for her new life. Of course I was happy for her. I had gone to North Carolina on a cycling scholarship and running one too. We were figuring out our lives, and watching each other pursue our dreams was by letting one another go first.

"I would absolutely love to stay and catch up but I need to find more areas to take pictures of. You were right on how beautiful the views are here.", she said as a blush crept on her cheeks.

A little piece of me felt a sting when realizing seeing her would come to an end, yet again.

"Yes, I need to get going before it gets crowded anyways.", I covered my emotions.

"Hopefully I'll see you around. We sure could use each other's company for old-times sake."

It was a hopeful feeling to witness that she wanted to see me again. I grabbed her arm and gave a firm squeeze.

"I hope to see you too.", I said slowly.

As we parted ways, I began to notice just how cold the air felt now and how lonely the morning streets of Maine can be.

The feelings shimmered down as I continued my walk with Ronnie. I wonder how amazing it'd be as a dog and not deal with such emotions.

I shook my head and gave a slight smile at the silly thought just as we approached Barren's.

This coffee shops is one of a few here that allow dogs. I go in and order an espresso, and head back outside.

I began to drink the strong liquid while watching Ronnie roll in some leave, until I hear the sun-dripped voice behind me.

"Hello again, stranger."