more ↠ lrh

seven

"Arabella, there's someone here to see you!" My mother called from downstairs.

I quickly moved down the stairs and into the kitchen, where the familiar boy with blue eyes stood. "David!"

He moved over to me and wrapped his arms around my torso, hugging me tightly against him. "Hey, how're you feeling?"

I just pulled back and looked at him, comfort spreading through me. I just smiled at him. "Good, I'm good."

"You look great," he said, looking me up and down. "Considering I haven't seen you in forever."

"Thanks, you do too," I smiled at him. "Still a handsome devil."

He smiled again, taking my hand in his. "You wanna grab some lunch?"

I looked to my parents and they just smile and nodded. "Sure, let me grab my bag."

I followed David out of the house and into his fancy Range Rover, smiling again. "How are you?"

"I'm good," he nodded. "Got a new promotion at my job so that's good."

"Still a lawyer?"

He nodded, heading into town. "Still want to write?"

I looked down, a frown replacing the smile. "I don't really know what I want to do. There's kind of a gap in my life that I'm not over yet."

"That's okay," he nodded, reaching over and taking my hand. "Just go with the flow."

I nodded, intertwining our fingers. "Yeah."

We went into one of our favorite restaurants, sitting down and looking over the menu. 

"I'll have the filet mignon with potatoes and asparagus," David said as I opened my mouth to order. "She'll have the salad, no tomatoes."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "That's not what I wanted."

"That's what you always get." He chuckled.

"I like tomatoes."

"No, you don't."

I took a drink from the water, trying to ignore the feeling to punch him in the face. I don't know why I felt like this, I liked David. Him and I have known each other for years.

We dated for years. I've dealt with him for about five years, all of sudden, I feel like I can't even be in the same room without wanting to punch him. God, what was wrong with me?

"Why did we break up?" I asked, although his face was still stuck in his phone. "Hm?"

"What?" He asked, looking up and meeting my eyes.

I rolled my eyes and repeated the question. He just shrugged, "Just kind of fell apart."

I opened my mouth to say something someone cut me off. "Arabella!"

I turned and saw a boy with bright red hair, a girl by his side. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"How are you?" he asked me, leaning down and hugging me awkwardly. "I haven't seen you since the accident."

"I'm okay," I said quickly. "I don't want to sound rude but, who are you?"

"Oh, shit, I forgot about that," he mumbled before pulling a tight smile. "I'm Michael, I'm one of Luke's mates and this my girlfriend, Crystal."

"Nice to meet you?" I cringed, frowning softly. "Sorry, this is weird."

"It's fine," he smiled at me. "We're actually on our way to see Luke, you wanna tag along?"

"Luke and I aren't really..together anymore."

"What? Really?" The girl, Crystal, gaped.

"Why don't you two carry on with your day?" David mumbled quickly, looking up at them.

"Alright, well, I'm glad you're okay, Bella, I'll see you later."

I turned to David as they left, looking down at the food in front of me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I said, picking at my salad. "I'm not really that hungry."

"Oh, come on," he rolled his eyes, slamming his fork against his plate, making me jump. "I just wanted a nice meal."

"Sorry, I'm just not feeling a hundred percent."

David quickly paid the bill and moved out to the car, silence falling between us.

"I'm sorry." I muttered.

Although I didn't do anything wrong, I felt like I should apologize, I ruined our lunch.

"I'll see you later?"

"Yeah." He mumbled, nearly spinning tires once I got out of the car.

I grabbed the mail from the mailbox on the way in, seeing a letter addressed to me.

I gave my mother the other mail before hurrying upstairs, tearing open the seal.

Dear Bell,

I know you don't remember me, but there are so many things I remember about you. I'm not good at talking my feelings but here goes nothing.

I remember the color of you eyes. How blue they were, how bright they would be underneath the moon. I remember your favorite flower, which is a sunflower. You told me one time when you were drunk and I surprised you with them the next morning in hopes of making your hangover better.

I remember the first time we met. 

I was getting a coffee to cure my hangover after the boys and I spend all night out, you were getting a coffee before you stayed up all night writing an article. I was walking in because I forgot my packets of sugar and you were walking out and we ran right into each other.

Our drinks spilled all over us and I said, "who the fuck drinks iced coffee?"

And you instantly replied with, "who the fuck drinks hot coffee when it's hotter than hades out here?"

We both looked up at each other and just laughed. After we cleaned up, we bought each other a replacement drink and sat and talked about any and everything.

The coffee shop became our place. Molly knows our regulars, which she'd have ready by the time we reached the counter. We spent so many days in there. It's where I asked you to move in with me. 

Your parents told me to stay away from you but I can't. I love you more than anything in the entire world.

I don't care if you never remember me. I'll always remember you. And I'll always love you.

                                                                                                                    - Luke