The Shadows of Memory Lane (Book 2) [Gxg]

Chapter 3

I walked into my next class only to find Amia sitting in the seat next to mine... again. It was beginning to get painful. But I ignored the tugging in my stomach and dropped down onto my seat. I took out the things I need and smiled a forced, small smile towards Amia. She didn't buy it.

"Li... what's wrong? Wait Oh Gods... I sound so nosy right now. You hardly even know me. Gods why would you tell me? I'm so stupid," she rambled. But I only caught two words properly.

Li and Gods.

I let out a dry chuckle, "Chill Amia I'm fine," I assured her, not really believing it myself.

We were in photography class. Since today was our first class for the year, our professor told us to walk around the campus and take pictures of anything that represented the phrase, letting go.

We were allowed to use our friends as models, take as many pictures as we wanted and submit our pieces the next day. Sam was in this class so I asked him if we could team up. What? He was a good photographer. And though I hated to admit it... he was a good friend. He could make me smile when I felt horrible. (Though he was sometimes the person who put the frown there in the first place). Technicalities. I strode towards Sam who smiled a dazzling smile at me.

"You want to team up don't you?"

I smiled sheepishly... "Yeah..."

He shook his head and grabbed his equipment.

"Let's go then..."

I heard someone clearing their throat behind me. Amia.

"Oh hey," I greeted, feeling a tug in my chest.

"Could I... you know join your 'team'?"

Sam's eyes darted from me to the girl and without hesitating, he accepted. I mentally cursed.

I pushed another smile onto my face and slung my arm over Sam's shoulder, "Let's go you idiot," I said, ruffling his hair.

"Hands off the hair!"

"Payback."

"For what," he smirked.

I blushed and ignored his question.

We walked into a beautiful clearing in our university campus. It reminded me of the clearing Haley used to write in. Autumn leaves were scattered all over. In this beautiful and rich shade of burgundy. There were a few deep orange ones here and there.

"Okay you two," Sam cleared his throat, he had his naughty smile on his face... oh no, this wasn't going to be good, "You shall be my models. I just got the perfect idea. Oh by the way, what's you name?"

"Amia," she answered, smiling a bit.

"Nice name," he said, wrapping his scarf around his neck, "Okay so, in the middle both of you."

"Alright, Linda, I want you to hold Amia's hand with both of your hands, while Amia, you are walking away. Linda I want pain. Grief. I want your expression to scream incredulous. And actually it would be great if only your fingers touched. And Amia, I want your face to be emotionless, or if you can... cold."

My heart wrenched. We positioned ourselves as he directed but it felt like... whatever.

Anyways I let my face contort into the emotions that I was actually feeling.

"Beautiful!"

I heard in the background.

"But wait... something is missing..." I heard two claps.

Two boys appeared out of nowhere.

"Shake the trees," he directed.

We were enveloped in a thousand leaves. They flew around us. And for a few seconds, the seconds that it took for him to take the pictures, we were in our own world. Me staring at her back, at Haley's back, wishing that she wouldn't let go. But Haley walking away as if nothing mattered. As if I didn't matter.

"Wow," Sam exclaimed, "Linda you even managed a tear."

I broke out of my trance and brushed my eyes.

Crap crap crap.

"Haha yeah," I said, not really looking at his blue eyes. I looked up at the blue sky instead.

'You're up there somewhere aren't you?' I asked Haley in mind. I felt a gentle breeze flutter my hair. Pushing the loose strands back.

The breeze seemed to whisper, 'Yes.'

I smiled.

"Earth to Li," Amia snapped her fingers in front of my face.

"Oh um yeah," I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

"He got a new idea."

That perked my interest.

"Come on," she grabbed my hand and dragged me behind Sam.

She wasn't Haley. There were no sparks. I just looked at our entwined fingers, wondering where the feeling was.  I bumped into her.

"Crap, sorry."

She smiled, "That's okay."

The rest of the period went like that. One of us getting an idea. Setting the other two up. Taking photos until we get the right one. Or until we get tired of hearing the click. It was fun... I guess. 

"Hey Li," Amia started, "That was fun... right?"

Why was she doubtful?

"Yeah that was  fun," my voice was monotonous.

"Really Li," she sounded frustrated, "What happened? Why are you so upset? Did I do something? If I did, I would feel much better if you told me rather than mope around and act cold."

Cold? I didn't realize.

I chuckled, "You didn't do anything wrong. Today's just been bad from the start. I honestly don't know why."

"Well today hasn't been THAT horrible."

I chuckled again, "And why is that?"

"Well, I met you today. And everyday I make a friend is a good one," and with that she turned around and walked away. The tips of her hair, slapping my face. Leaving me speachless.

Friend.

I shook my head and made my way to my next class when something caught my eye. A flash of blonde hair. Then brown hair. Two pairs of blue eyes. I smirked.

Blake took up my offer. 

I caught Sam's eye. He blushed. I just smirked.

At least someone's day was going well. At least Sam got his kiss. I stuffed my hands into the pocket of my jeans, looked down and walked. Not really caring about the direction anymore. Why was today so horrible? Why did I feel like my insides were crumbling. It wasn't that time of the month or anything. So why did I feel like a hormonal mess? Why is this day trying to drag me down to the pits of hell? Why do I feel like my heart's in a cage of icicles?

Why were memories killing me today? More than I've ever felt before.

Memory #3: Whenever Linda felt like crap, she'd lie down on Haley's lap. Facing down. She'd close her eyes. Disappear from this world for a while. Haley would smile and stroke her back, slowly. Tracing her spine up until a her hair. She'd play with the small curl at the back of Linda's hair. They both had this stray curl. And this action used to soothe Linda. Her shoulder's would lose their tension. Her eyes would truly close. Her head would stop pounding. And for a few minutes...

Everything would be alright.