Since the first day they met in pre-school, Luca and Isabelle had been best friends. They cared about each other and shared everything with each other. Everything was perfect until Luca left.
4 years later, after graduating from University with a de...
It was weird how everything changed after one person left. It didn't affect the head; it affected the entire body. Every fibre changed inside. Your mood completely changed. You ended up rethinking things because you didn't want to lose anyone else. One comment could change everything. It was the same with one look or with one action.
Sometimes a person leaving could lead to bad things. Or as Isabelle's dad believed, a series of fortunate events.
That's how it felt today.
Having parked her car on one of the main roads, Isabelle got out and started to walk into the town centre. For a Saturday afternoon, there were still a lot of people shopping around, catching up or getting to where they needed to go. A lot of the shops looked as if they were ready to close up as more customers walked in. Walking past the calm yet chaotic hustle and bustle, Isabelle found herself heading into the café her and her friends would hang in.
The small, quaint hang out was quiet. A few parents had taken their children here for a mid-afternoon snack and a drink. For them it was the perfect place to end a day out. For Isabelle it was a place where she could get clarity.
Heading towards the counter, she couldn't help but look at the food in the display. From what she could remember the pastries were freshly baked each morning. Croissants, Palmiers and Cannoli's were stacked against the glass. As she went further along, she could see more confectioneries, muffins and biscuits before seeing a tray of cookies sliding into the glass display.
"Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies," The man said behind the tray. Looking up from the display, Isabelle saw someone she hadn't seen in a long time. Alden McCarty. She couldn't help but smile at her old friend. The geeky school boy, who had worn thick black rimmed glasses and a black beanie, was not in front of her. No... Isabelle was looking at a grown version of Alden whose brown hair was now cropped short and styled back casually. He was still that tall, skinny guy but his glasses were gone and his sky blue eyes were filled with memories.
"Hey Stranger," He said with a smile.
Isabelle couldn't help but smile as he made his way around the counter and to her. They both embraced each other as a smile filled on their faces.
"What are you doing here?" Alden asked as he let go of her, yet his arm was still around Isabelle's shoulders.
Isabelle didn't know what to say. Her answer was a shrug as Alden took her to a table. Pulling out a chair, he waited for her to take a seat before sitting opposite her. Alden asked a nearby co-worker for two hot chocolates and said that he would be taking a break.
"What have you been up to?" He asked casually. Just like that, they had fallen into their old routine. A catch up in a small café, followed by a hot drink and a couple of pastries was their go to remedy when things got hard.
"Well... I got my textiles degree." Alden couldn't help but smile at his friend's achievement. He always knew that Isabelle was hardworking and dedicated with her ambitions. He had heard that she was much like her Grandma Alena that way.
"What about you?" Isabelle asked, politely.
"Eh... you know just trying to finish off my teaching degree and serving coffee to parents of my future students – so it's great!" The sarcasm in his voice couldn't go unnoticed. Isabelle definitely missed that.
As their hot chocolates were placed on the table, Isabelle could feel her mouth water. She always loved the café's hot chocolate. It was her go to during times of stress, comfort and clarity. Taking a sip, she couldn't help but smile at the warm, creamy chocolate concoction. Placing it back down, she wrapped her hands around the mug. The warm atmosphere turned when Alden asked his next question with concern.
"How have you been?" That one question could have been answered in so many different ways.
Isabelle said nothing as she pressed her lips together.
"I get it," Alden said quietly. "It's been hard for you because you lost your best friend in the whole wide world. He was mine as well, remember?"
Isabelle did remember and looked up knowing the pain he felt; for her it felt slightly different. No one knew what had happened between Luca and Isabelle the night that he left. Isabelle wondered if anyone did know of the event that happened.
"Did he say anything to you about me?" Isabelle asked Alden in a quiet voice. Squinting his familiar blue eyes at her, Alden moved closer towards Isabelle. Slowly backing away, he scratched his head as if he was trying to remember something. His eyes shot open as he opened his mouth in disbelief.
"Did something happen between you two at the park?" Alden asked in a low voice.
Isabelle shook her head. Nothing did happen between her and Luca at the park. But something did happen at 2:00 am on the balcony outside her bedroom.
"Thanks for the drink," Isabelle said with a small, trying smile.
Alden smiled back as he slowly got up from his chair.
"I better get back to work," He said with a sigh. "The drinks are on me. I'll see you around Isabelle."
With a smile he headed back to the counter to get back to work.
"Hey, Alden," Isabelle called out. Turning to see who beckoned him, Alden looked at his friend with content.
"Did Luca ever call you or contact you?" Her heart filled with a flicker of hope. But Alden's melancholic no wasn't a surprise for Isabelle.
"Thanks," She said with disappointment.
Finishing her drink, Isabelle looked around and saw the customers were leaving one by one. Deciding it was time for her to leave; she headed to the counter saying a goodbye to her old friend.
"Oh I've got something for you," Alden said.
Isabelle looked confused as her friend headed into the kitchen and came back moments later with a brown paper bag in his hand.
"Cheese twists," He said, handing Isabelle the bag. "Say hey to the family for me."
Saying thank you and goodbye, Isabelle headed towards the door. Opening the door she let the person on the other side in before leaving. Looking around her, she could see all the changes that had happened while she was away for four years. Shops had changed. There were empty spaces where some of the big stores were. Walking back to the car, she felt her phone vibrate in her hands. A message popped up onto the screen with Cole's name on it.
Ring me as soon as you get this.
Looking at the screen with a confused look, Isabelle heart started to accelerate at the thought of the many possible things that could have gone wrong. Her fingers fumbled for her younger brother's number.
"Is, where are you?" Cole's calm voice asked.
"What's going on? What's wrong?" Isabelle said as she reached the car.
"Something is wrong Grandma," His voice was filling with panic.
"It's okay," Isabelle tried to say reassuringly without panicking herself. "I'm coming home."
Ending the call, Isabelle strapped on her seat belt and started the car to drive home.
