The perfect timing | completed ✔

⋘ Chapter 33 ⋙

033| LETTERS

"Sometimes all you need is a second chance because time wasn't  ready for the first one."
-Maddie-

"Where the heck am I?" I echo, glancing around the unfamiliar room. The small beams of morning light stubbornly pierces through the thin curtains that hung on the windows. The sounds of the happy chirping of the birds could be heard, contrasting to the loud crowing of the rooster.

While the outside was all bright and cheery, I was the opposite. I sat up with a rather unpleasant feeling, the feeling you get when you feel like your head was being squished by ten elephants. Groaning, I shut my eyes, hoping the ease the pain. The word 'horrible' was an understatement.

I look over to my side to see a glass of water and a note stuck on the table. Picking it up, my eyebrows scrunch up in curiosity. 'Please do take the hangover pills. You drank quite a lot.'

I warily stare at the small container and the glass of water. I squinted my eyes as I take the pills in my hands. My lips were pressed into a thin line. This could be drugs but...you know what? Screw it. Shrugging, I popped the painkillers in my mouth, downing it with water. I knew that I was being too careless. It could have been drugs or something, I will never know. But at least the pain lessened a bit. When I mean a bit, it's literally just a bit.

Standing up, I scan the items sprawled on the larger table near the closet. A black bomber jacket was hung on the seat and files were piled neatly on the desktop. There were quite expensive pens and markers inside the pen holder that was standing right next to the MacBook. My eyes moved from the table to the pictures pinned to the cork board. It was news of stocks and other news of real estates. I smiled at how hardworking this person must be. Perhaps this person was Shawn. After all, he is the one of the only close guy friends I had.

My smile drops however when my eyes landed on a familiar picture. Inching closer to get a better look, I realize that it was a class picture of my class three years ago. We all looked genuinely happy in the photo. Everyone was all smiles, some even bursting into laughter. Tearing my eyes from that picture, I saw small papers next to it. They were decorated in gold and had very fancy stamps.

"April 30
'Dy," I read before pausing. The familiar nickname made me freeze. "I am here writing my first letter to you. Remember earlier today when I won the volleyball match and you treated me? I was very thankful for that. I sucked at all forms of sports so I wasn't sure if I was gonna make it." I could almost hear him chuckling. "I'll allow you to make fun of me for once( which you probably can't do) but I actually felt something weird. It felt like some kind of attraction that I had only for you. Anyways, dinner was great. I hope to do it again. Just to two of us."

I felt my stomach erupt with butterflies. I knew snooping into other people's property was wrong but I wanted to know more. I guess the saying was true. 'Curiosity killed the cat.' Except I wasn't dead yet.

"May 10
Heyo M'dy!
I heard you won the contest. I am really really proud of you. I treated you to disney land remember? Forget I asked that...it's obvious you'd remember since it was just a few hours ago..." I mutter, the image of him and I eating ice cream stuck in my head. "To be honest, I lied about all the other headbands being sold out. I intentionally bought the mickey and minnie headbands for the both of us to wear. Why? I don't actually know. I'm not sorry though:> Also, please don't let me ride the roller coaster with you again. You're lucky that you're adorable. Wait....forget that. I sounded creepy. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed."

"August 10
Maddie,
How are you feeling? I heard you skipped school today because you were sick. I'm sorry that you got sick because of me. You ran under the rain to share your umbrella with me because I didn't have one. It might sound mean but when you accidentally fell down, I laughed. I'm sorry but I couldn't help myself. You're cute.
P.S. I left a bouquet of lilies and medicine for you."

"September 15
M'dy,
Happy birthday! You're already old. But it doesn't mean I forgive you. You're really mean you know that? Squishing me headfirst into your cake in front of all our friends was incredibly evil. But I don't hold a grudge against you for that. You keep on making me feel strange things when I'm with you. And it's driving me crazy. Please stop making me feel these kinds of stuff."

"November 30
Maddie,
Why are you doing this to me? I am currently writing this because I can't sleep. You have been occupying my mind all day and now you're making me lose sleep. It's horrible. I'll admit that I like you a lot but this is torture. Please let me sleep. Thanks."

"Dec 25
Hello Mads,
I would just like to thank you for everything you've done for me this year. Spending Christmas with you was awesome. I am really thankful that you allowed me to join you guys. You made me feel at home. Christmas dinner was great, your mother was an amazing chef. I saw you trying to help out but accidentally made a huge mess out if the kitchen. I found it adorable. If you need help, I'll teach you. Thanks again."

"February 11th
Dearest Madilyn,
I'm sure you won't be able to read this since I am not planning to mail this letter to you but...I would like to tell you that I like you." I read out loud, my voice turning softer towards the end of the sentence. "I do regret not telling you earlier today when we met and I'm really sorry. I'm a coward for not being able to tell you so. It broke my heart when I saw you cry because I told you that I was leaving. I really wanted to wipe those tears away. I—"

I pause, my throat ran dry. Flashbacks of that day played in my head vividly, everything was still clear. "I will miss you a lot. You mean a lot to me. I wish that even though we are far apart, we'd still remain in contact. I love you."

At that moment, I didn't care about anything. I just wanted to see him again. After all these days pushing him away, I felt guilty. Inside, I wanted to just see him again but I didn't want to seem easy. Also, I knew that getting angry at him for forgetting was absurd but I needed a reason to hate him. But I couldn't seem to.

Quickly opening the door, I quickly made my way down. It was bad enough having to experience having a hellish headache and having an entire zoo rampaging my belly didn't help either. Grasping on the railings for support, I slowly walked down the last flight of stairs.

When I approached the final steps, I paused. In front of me stood the man himself, his back facing me. He wore a lose white tshirt and his hair was quite messy. The delicious smell of omelettes filled the air as he flips the egg over. The small click of the rice cooker can be heard, indicating that the rice was cooked.

When he turned around, his eyes meet mine. Stray hair stuck on his sweaty forehead and his cheeks were flushed. He looked shocked seeing me up and awake since he knew I wasn't a morning person. Both of us just stared at each other for a while, no one tried to exchange words.

After a bit, he broke the silence. He awkwardly waved at me and he mumbled a small 'hi.' "Why are you awake?" He asks, genuinely curious. He opens the rice cooker allowing the steam to go out.

"Can we talk?"
-
-