Way Back When

✨Forget Everything✨

"Shut up!" Ophelia heard Leo scream from down the hall, laughing as he cooked her breakfast. It was their 15th birthday, following the dramatics of primary school, they actually become best friends. On Ophelia's side of course. Leo was actually in love with her but he couldn't tell her that, now could he?
"Never!" She yelled back and continued singing Coldplay horridly. It was his favorite song, and she knew that, making it all the worse.

"Shut up, or you won't get any of the birthday breakfast I made for you." Leo warned, holding the spatula in front of him like a weapon.
Ophelia turned around immediately,"But you made chocolate chip waffles."

"So?"

"You hate chocolate chip waffles."

"Yeah, but it would be worth it to see your face while I eat them."

"Ugh you're impossible." She whined, and immediately stopped wailing out the lyrics. He handed her a plate filled with bacon, grits, eggs, waffles, and strawberries. It was her favorite breakfast. He then handed her a cup of ice water, knowing she wouldn't eat without it.
"Do you know how much I love you?" Ophelia joked, picking up the glass and bringing it to her lips.

"Sadly," Leo sighed under his breath, and cleared his throat before speaking again, "Don't forget to meet me at the concession stand before the firework show, ok?"

"Okie dokie, no problem boss." She grinned cheekily. God, he loved that smile. It was always so bright. Not even the sun could out shine it.

"Alright, see you there." He grabbed an apple and walked out the door. He had to get to work early that day so, he wasn't trampled by raging customers. He worked at a fire at shop right on the beach, and since today was Independence Day, everyone was freaking out. He didn't have a car, and he still just a kid, so he walked on the street in silence. When he finally got to Jake's Fireworks Shop, he was five minutes early, so he stopped to take a smoke. Once he was done he went inside and clocked in. Today he only had a three hour shift, so he would be done by 12 and back at Ophelia's house by 1. That was normally how his days went. Ophelia's house, work, shopping, Ophelia's house. Like clockwork for the past two months. It became a ritual. One that he wouldn't give up for the world.

"Yo Leo, my man, how"ve you been?" His other best friend, Jeremiah Thompson, yell out as he clocked in alongside Leo.

"Pretty good, man." Leo responded.

"Where are you coming from with a grin that big?" Jeremiah said winking at him. Leo immediately wiped it off his face, and scowled at him.

"No where important."

"Oh so Ophelia's then."

"Maybe." He said looking at his best friend from the corner of his eye with a sly smile.

"So, will I see you two love birds at the event later?" Jeremiah questioned, already knowing the answer.

"It's our birthday, I doubt we would miss it," Leo said without looking up from his phone. Probably texting Ophelia, Jeremiah assumed, "And stop calling us that. We're just friends." He looked up just to shove Jeremiah into the wall, and continued tapping away at the screen.

Jeremiah sighed," Better get to work, huh?"

After Leo left for work, Ophelia finished eating her birthday breakfast, and headed upstairs. She immediately called her best friend, Amy Henderson, knowing she wouldn't be up at this hour. It was way too early for her.

"Rise and shine," She screamed when Amy picked up the phone. In response Amy just groaned. "Now is that anyway to respond to the birthday girl?"