Absent

Chapter 4: Not-so-new rides

"I need to show you something."

He puts his helmet on and ignites the motorcycle. I hesitate for the sake of a second, only to jump in behind him. My arms find a position around him that's almost natural. Have I done this before? I let my head rest on his back and feel the proximity of our bodies more than familiar.

It's comforting.

It's warm.

I think about starting a short conversation, but the sound of the motorcycle fills up my heart. I think of Lindsey, Galileo, Javier, Vicky, my parents, this boy, and me. One of us is out of place in my life. But perhaps it's me. I'm the stranger one. And they make it pretty damn direct that I'm here unasked for. Dear Ashton, where are you when I need you most?

The boy, and it'd be a ridiculously good idea to ask for his name, takes me to a bakery shop.

At first, I can only assume he's joking.
"What, here? Out of all places?" I ask, teasing him. I don't know how wide his smile is until he takes his helmet and his dark hair falls over his forehead. Never mind what I said, because his amber eyes and his lips are-

"You'd know why here." He answers, leaving me more puzzled than before.
Were we in a relationship? That makes no sense. In the accident day, I sacrificed myself for my love for Chester. I loved Chester. Did I also love this boy? That can't be.
Entering such a warm place lights up my heart, and it's so cozy...!

A man behind the counter, with golden hair and dressed in white clothes, acknowledges the boy with a nod, but stares at me. "Isn't she...?"
"You remember my girlfriend, don't you? But I bet she doesn't remember any of us. I'll help her."