safety pin

Chapter 23

"There comes a time in your life when you have to choose to turn the page, write another book or simply close it."

-

Is this really happening?

Was the first and the only question that kept running through my mind as I stared back at these pair of blue eyes I didn't expect to see so soon. Or ever for that matter. His scent smelled the same, even that half smile that has always been my weakness is still there. My heart started pounding louder, I could faint any second. But I stood still, I'm not going to be the weak person I was last time.

"Long time no see." He said, hitting me with electricity of déjà vu running through my mind. Everything about him looked the same, yet very different. It's like looking at someone you once knew so well and now they're nothing but strangers.

"What are you doing here?" With every ounce of my body, I tried to look unaffected by his presence around me anymore.

There were times where I wished we could have move conversations, more time being the way that we used to be and to just be able to tell him how things are going and laugh about it like we used to, but he's not that person anymore, and I'm not going to be the second choice again.

"Isn't it obvious? I came for you." I can't count the times where he would sweep me off of my feet with his sweet lies and innocent eyes, forgetting the fact that they were also the reason of my suffering.

"I thought it was clear how we left things between us."

"But today was a special day for us...and I miss you." He smirked for the sake of me understanding what he meant.

"You don't have the right to miss me, or be here at all. Please leave." I demanded.

"Tell me that you never thought about me," He paused, slowly getting closer to me.

"That you never regretted how we left things and how much you'd wish you can kiss me right now." He whispered as his face was inches away from my face, his lips were hovering over mine as his breath hit them. I started to get nervous and my knees were a bit weak.

"You've hurt me." I could barely say, breaking eye contact with him.

"It's all in the past. Just say the word and I won't go anywhere." He said, pulling my chin up with his hand so that I can look at him once more. Just looking at them brings back so much memories and feelings, I can't bring myself to remember them.

"You don't understand, it's not that easy." I slightly shook my head. It's so hard on me to refuse the thing I've wanted the most at some point in my life, but that was then and this is now and there's no place for him in my life anymore.

"I want things to go back to the way they were before, we've been through so much together for you to erase it just like that." He continued, brushing some of my hair behind my ears. "Don't you think so, too?" With no hesitation he pulled me closer with a quick swift, making our lips almost touch for split seconds. I pulled him away, with tears starting to fall from my eyes.

"You think that showing unannounced, saying all these lies and trying to kiss me would just let me forget what you've put me through? This is exactly why I don't want to be near you. You didn't choose me, remember!? We could've had everything we wished for, but you just had to go and ruin it." I brushed my tears away, stopping myself from looking weak anymore.

"I didn't know how much you mean to me until you were no longer there, I really do need you." He pleaded.

"I thought I needed you, too." This time, I looked at him straight into his eyes. "But now that I heard you say the things I wanted to hear you say the most, I've realized that I don't need you anymore." I smiled. He looked puzzled, unable to reply to my unexpected confidence.