It's raining, Emily.
The smell tingles my nose. The sound of waves as it crashes to the baffled boulders completes me. It ties my pain and comfort, putting together a tragic masterpiece. The air around me swirls, dancing to a phantom lullaby. My lips are chapped and my cheeks flushed from the freezing winds. I taste the salty mist brought by the ocean and rain. The sand below me cradles my feet as though I'm it's precious child. I walked ever so slowly towards the waters. My legs tremble as it hits its first wave. I stop. I look up at the sky as the rain continues to pour. Its grey tint digs a grave into my heart. Another night. I reach for my rose shaped mood pendant hanging around my neck. Forever red. Forever her color. Forever feeling warm. I take another step forward.
Why am I here? What am I doing? I can't remember the reason. I can't remember...
"Mia?"
Ah yes, the reason.
⚘ ⚘
January first of the year twenty eighteen, she was going home. Her home. Her home thousands of miles away. Her home. It was a Monday afternoon, I was once again at The Little Door. On my usual spot, table for two near the glass window by our tree. With the same finished dishes before me— mezze, grilled filet mignon, pear pistachio tart, and a glass of La Jolla—correction, a second glass of La Jolla. Casually waiting for 1:00 pm to arrive, waiting, always waiting. Compared to all the other times, that time I was sure she was coming. I fidgeted with my car keys.
"She's finally leaving huh? After 3 years." I look up to see Noah, my favorite waiter. One of my two best friends. I tried to chuckle but managed a small series of coughs instead.
"Yeah, I mean, it's logical, she finally finished college. It's about time she stays with her family properly with no studies to think of." I said with a sigh. "Besides, I think it's only right. She's gonna thrive as a doctor there since they lack proper doctors there."
Noah snickered. "Keep convincing yourself."
"I'm not kidding! I think it's great for her. To finally have what she wanted in the first place." I said.
"When will we have what we want in the first place?" Noah whispered. Something about how he said it had me worried. His eyes, a sudden loss of spark. I was supposed to ask if anything was wrong when I heard the chimes ring. I faced the door to see her come in, with her purse and small luggage, ready to go. Her hair is still damp. Her eyes wandering. She stoped midway towards me. She looked around at the place. For some unknown reason, I felt something inside me turn. Something about her face, a look of somewhat pain, and somewhat regret, and somewhat reminiscing, made me feel nervous.
"It's been a while since I've been here." She said softly. She then looked at my direction and smiled. "Still remember that birthday party? It was the first time we met."
Of course I remember. How couldn't I? It was the reason why we both ended up with matching rose mood necklaces.
⚘ ⚘
"All you have to do is make sure you both fit in the newspaper every time the music stops. Then it gets smaller and then the pair last standing wins!" The birthday girl said. Too glittery and forced to be honest. I rolled my eyes and accepted defeat.
"Alright alright whatever. So, who's going to be my partner?" I asked. Thinking it's probably some guy who drank too much cherry vodka and cheap gin. The birthday girl sighed in relief. She looked around looking for someone—anyone at this point. She looked at me and gave me a nervous laugh.
"Can you ask if anyone doesn't have a partner?" I looked at her dumbfounded. She rolled her eyes and sighed once more.
"Fine." The birthday girl said. "Does anyone here still doesn't have a partner?"
