City Of Dreams

Fifty-Five

I eventually found my way back to the shop.

The bell above the door dinged as I came in.

Andrea sat at the counter with a customer.

I put a hand on the laptop.

"Can I borrow this?"

She nodded and smiled at the girl purchasing a flowery top.

I picked up the old computer and stalked to the back.

Allison was at another appointment so I was by myself.

I opened the email.

The screen made my eyes hurt.

My fingers started to move.

Since I got my cast off, I haven't been able to type as quickly.

I type out a message and hit send.

How did you get this contact information?

I decide to wait and start some work while the email goes through.

The computer makes a 'ding!' Noise.

I have my ways.

I scowled at the screen.

How do I know this is actually Addie and not some bitch trying to fuck with me?

Alex called for Andrea, making me jump and slam the lid closed.

The computer beeped again.

I've got the gunshot wound to prove it.

I cringe and go back to steaming.

The device beeped again.

Sorry, that was uncalled for. Who else would know how we met?

I smile, remembering the day I met her outside of the Richard Rodgers Theater.

My dark Vans tapped gently on the New York sidewalk. I knew of a place where nothing could hurt me. Not Grace, not Anthony, and not the horrible smell of death that still filled my apartment. I was going to the theatre. People buzzed around me, talking about weather, chatting about the latest gossip, and some just chattering away on their phones. As I turned a corner the bright yellow lights shone in my eyes. I stepped closer, letting go of a breath I was holding.

I remembered the first time I saw the sign. Mitch Katie and Angel brought me when we first met. My hands began to fidget. People stared at me as they walked past. I smiled to myself and when I had been standing under the bright lights for about ten minutes I spun around on my heels.

A curly and blonde haired girl about my size rammed into me, her coffee spilling on the ground. "Oh man. I'm super sorry about that." She began to laugh with a high pitched voice, her curls bouncing with her head. "Whatever it's cool. Now if it was Starbucks that'd be a whole 'nother story."

Her Australian accent was obvious. The way she spoke reminded me of a foreign exchange student that transferred to our school from Australia. I cleared my throat in hopes she wouldn't notice the quiet sob. Her hand flew out from her black jacket.

"I'm Addie. Addie Blue."

"If it was Starbucks then it would be a whole 'nother story."

My breath caught in my throat.

Alright. What show did we see in France for spring break?

My heart pounded in my ears.

No one except Darren and Lin know this because I wanted it to be our thing.

I jumped when the computer beeped.

Les Mis. Are we done yet?

I scoffed and typed slightly slower this time.

How did you find this number?

Allison made her way into the shop and made her presence known.

You didn't think I would completely forget about my best friend and leave her in another state did you?

I frown.

My fingers furiously slammed on the keys.

Yes. I wanted you to at least.

I listened to the ongoing chatter in the other room.

Then why are you talking to me?

My brain exploded.

I don't know.

I do know.

I miss them.

And it's slowly killing me.

Alex came into the room.

I slammed the laptop closed and jerked around to steam a dress I've been staring at for days.

"You answered it didn't you?"