50 Days Of Grey (#Wattys2015)

{ t w e n t y - f i v e } : Mina's

xxv : caitiff
❝cowardly, despicable❞

[Day 29]

"Julianne... Wake up." You said shaking me lightly.

I opened my eyes and your beautiful sad brown eyes greeted me in the dark of the parking lot. I nodded.

"I'm up." I whispered.

You backed away from me and pulled the car door wider. I glanced at the diner, light illuminating from inside. Warm, warm inside... I shivered, remembering how cold it was with the door open. I got out of the car and you had already started walking inside. I shut the door making sure my door was locked and followed you.

I felt the imediate relief of heating as I stepped into the diner. I glanced around seeing that Mina hadn't changed much since I left. Everything was so familiar. Each corner of the diner had a memory to it. I sniffed the air, closing my eyes to savor the smell of pie.

"Julianne! Sweetie!" 

I turned around and came face to face with the one and only Mina. I grinned, and she opened her arms to welcome me as I raced to hug her. 

"Mina." I whispered as I took a deep breath to keep myself from crying. She smelled just like she used to. Like dough and a million different pie flavors. I smiled, she smelled just like this when I left.

"Oh honey, when did you get back?" She asked.

"Uhm... I-" I started turning to look at you for help.

"29 Days." You answered, looking anywhere but me.

I was taken aback... You remembered. You've counted... Or maybe I'm just assuming.

 I turned back to Mina...

She frowned, "Well, nice of you to finally pay me a visit." She stated.

"Oh Mina... I'm sorry." I said feeling guilty.

"Anyway... I'm happy you're here now." Mina said finally flashing me her famous smile.

I grinned, "So... Can I have some of your pie now?" I asked and she laughed giving me one last squeeze and heading to the kitchen.

You had already taken a seat near the window and I watched you... You were staring out the window, and you've never looked so handsome... If it weren't for that sad look in your eyes.

I walked and joined you in the booth, sitting across from you.

I looked out the window, searching for what you we're looking at but came up empty... You probably just had a lot to think about. 

I sighed and twiddled with my fingers. 

"Juli..." I heard you whisper. It was a faint whisper... Short and small. Like you didn't mean for me to hear it.

I looked up and into your eyes.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier... I know we promised to leave everything behind but... It's just. You don't understand how much I've missed you... And I'm trying to reassure myself that if ever you do... You know..."

"Leave?" I finished for you.

You looked down at your folded hands... 

"Yeah... I was reassuring myself... That I could do it. That I won't be as ruined as the last time." You finally finished.

I sighed and silence consumed us again and I looked outside... But then I felt your hands again and it was holding both of mine... 

"Your hands are still cold." You commented.

I looked down at them and realized how pale they looked.

You leaned forward and took ahold of both of them... Rubbing them with both of yours and blowing into them with your warm breath.

"There... Better." You said with a little smile.

You sigh again.. And lean back, your eyes outside again. Your hands still holding mine.

"Juli..." You called again... But this time a little louder.

"Yeah?"

"When and if you're going to leave again... Will you please warn me ahead of time? Will you tell me when you do? So I know that you'll be fine... So I know that you're safe wherever you might go... Will you promise me that?" You asked me.

I looked into your eyes again, and your eyes we're warm.. Like melted chocolate... But they seemed so sad... So shattered. So calloused and jaded from the troubles of the world.

"I promise." I answered quietly.

You smiled sadly and nodded.

"So... Are you kids excited to have some pie?" Mina grinned a minute later as she appeared out of nowhere with a tray of pie. 

"Lay it on us, Mina!" You cheered.

I moaned at the taste of the pineapple and cream pie Mina had brought over. It was still warm, she had said she had set it out to cool an hour and a half ago and we'd come just in time. 

We talked back and forth about the past.. About all those reasons we'd come to Mina's all those years in the past. It was always just the two of us when we came here. It was our place to escape when we wanted to cry or laugh... Smile or frown. Celebrate or mourn. Mina's pies we're always there to comfort us and the millions of flavors that bombarded us each time weren't unwelcome.

"Ahhhh I missed your pies Mina!" I exclaimed.

"Well if you miss it so much you won't think of leaving again then." Mina grinned.

My eyes immediately found yours and we shared a knowing look.

"Well. We're happy we're here right now Mina." You said saving me.

I reached forward and gave your hand a squeeze and you squeezed back, and you didn't let my hand go anymore.

Mina saw our hands and smiled.

"I'm just happy you're back to your old self, Greyson." Mina said.

I turned to look at you... A questioning look in my eyes.

You turned away from me, pulling your hand back, but I hold on tight.

"What do you mean, Mina?" I asked smiling, as if it was a casual question.

"Well, ever since you left. This guy has been a living zombie. Every time he comes back he seems worse and not even my pies can make the light go back into his eyes. I'm happy that he's back to normal. He's always glowing when he's with you." She says and then excuses herself to say that she was going to make some cocoa's for us. 

Silence follows again and you look back at me, my eyes never left you anyway.

"See what I'm afraid of?"