His Childhood Friend

• Chapter 17 •

[Spelling edits and changed some things]

It was pretty reckless and free, really. Acting so cliché and idiotic. Like being hungover. She was going to regret this all in the morning.

Alan froze and turned around after a few inches from leaving his chair. His eyes were drawn to her hand about to grab his sleeve that was supposed to stop him, stuttering for words until she whispered, "I... I'm not letting you leave."

What? What on bloody -?!

"Sorry, say that again for me?"

"Just sit the down before I actually let you leave... please."

The pain in his chest lessened as he sat back down with a small secret smile on his face. Was she changing her mind? He wished so. Oh, how he begged for her to welcome him back. There was a feeling inside him as if he wanted to just reach for her and kiss her.

Wait, what?!

"I know what I said was that I'll never want to see you again... but for the sake of things, oh, I'd... I'd want to have one last conversation. One last before I forget about you. That's it, and we're through."

Is she really being soft right now after looking like a dragon breathing fire earlier?!

Her words just didn't felt right in his ears. So after this, they were just going to stop like nothing happened? They were reunited after so many years, darn it!

"That's... it? A-Are you sure?"

"I don't know if I'm high, but yes."

"I- Thank you so much, Th-"

"Wait, wait, wait just a moment there, Sun-Ain't-Gonna-Shine-Anymore," she stopped him before he can reach over the table and grab her for a hug, "Do not think letting you in this easily." Alan felt stupid just in front of her, feeling the need to scratch his head for how confused he was. His eyes met hers, and for a moment Therese thought he looked so sweet and innocent before shaking her head, looking away.

"I... just want us to, well, talk."

"About what?"

"Anything."

"..."

"What happened?"

He tore his face from facing his lap and examined her features this close. She looked so pretty- no, beautiful. It felt like seeing his old best friend again. If only time were to replay and he'd tell everything to her, saying he regretted ever choosing her over money and admitting he had a... a crush on her.

Wait, wait, wait, am I missing something?!

Maybe a little realization he did. She was perfect. Not everything about her, but maybe for him. Besides, it was just a crush, nothing serious. How harmless could a crush be?

And perhaps he still had that crush with him.

"Ahem, Rickman, you still there?" She tapped his hand to gain his attention, and Alan finally formalized a reply. "Oh, I... I'm fine if that's what you're asking. Over the years, I finally found theater and movies... and, yes, fame."

She went first on eating the carbonara which she beckoned for him to maybe eat if he wanted some as well. "I see. All these posters and ads and bill boards, I've seen, I don't deny you're famous."