Panic. That was my first instinct. The swish of blonde hair was so painfully familiar that it physically made my heart ache. Instantly I ran towards the park in an anxious state of mind. Could it really be her? Pushing through a crowd of children I rushed over the the swings where I had seen her. Finally I saw that blonde hair walking over to a nearby bench and I called out to her. She turned so slowly that I thought the pounding in my heart would make me faint. We locked eyes and the world seemed to stop. My best friend. My other half. The one friend I had ever truly had. Mia.
Where can I begin to describe Mia Wilde? Mia was my best friend. That doesn't even seem like a worthy description of how special she is to me. From the moment we met, it was destiny that we were meant to be friends. From the age of 5 we were inseparable and spent every moment together. So, when she told me that she had to leave when we were 14, my life was obviously changed forever. The thing that really hurt was that she never told me why. Mia moved away from our small town and after a few weeks no one seemed to care. Except me. I messaged her, called her, even wrote her letters. Not a single reply. Now three years later, she was standing in front of me looking more scared than I can describe.
Instantly, tears filled my eyes and all I could see was her blurred silhouette and grand oak trees behind her. I walked over, hesitant and so confused.
Mia: "Hi Penny".
Me: "Hi Mia".
Mia: "I've missed you."
Me: "I've missed you too. More than I can convey with words".
Together we sat down on the park bench and her gaze couldn't meet mine. She had tears in her eyes but she was smiling.
Mia: "We came to this park all the time".
Me: "Mia where have you been? What's...
Mia: "Hold on Penny. I'm trying to explain".
Me: "Ok. I just have so many questions and I...
Mia: "Stop. I need to tell you everything.
She took a deep breath and stared into the distance.
Mia: "Three years ago, my Mum told me that we were leaving. I was confused but I couldn't even ask questions. She already had our suitcases packed and was wheeling them out the door so quickly that I just followed her. I asked where we were going but she didn't answer me. Mum walked to the side of the road and stood there waiting. I ran after her and kept asking questions but it was like she was in a trance. She couldn't hear me. Finally, a taxi pulled in front of my house and she took my hand, and we got in. That was the last time I saw my house. We drove for hours and hours and stayed overnight at a motel. Mum still hadn't told me anything. The truth was, my Dad was having an affair. He had been for the past two years and my Mum had just found out.
Me: "Mia, I'm so sorry. But.. I could have been there for you. Why didn't you answer any of my calls or messages?"
Mia: "I..I couldn't. I couldn't even admit it to myself that our family had just fallen apart. Mum wouldn't let me have my phone anymore but that's no excuse. Everything crashed down on me so quickly so I thought pushing everything away would solve my issue. I know how stupid it sounds and I'm so sorry I can't even explain how much I missed you and...
Me: It's ok. I wish you had talked to me but I understand. I missed you so much. Why did you come back? I mean, why now?
Mia: Look I have so much more to explain but I seriously need to get home. Can we meet tomorrow? At The Beanery?
I smiled and nodded before she walked off in the opposite direction. She was back, and for once, I wasn't dreaming.
