Vivid Memories

Chapter 23

Penny stayed over until college started. It made sense since we had like a week left and traveling back to Washington was going to be too inconvenient for her. I wanted to live with Penny for our next year's plan, though she insisted Caitlyn should also live with us. Ugh, if by some miracle Dante and I are dating, then this would make things awkward between three people - unless Caitlyn has given up her plans.

Tyler came to my house daily. Those two were mellow, surprisingly. I am assuming this was either because they were sober or they were trying to weird me out in my own house. When I asked Penny why she didn't stay at Tyler's place there were two reasons - a) they would just fuck for most of the time they were together and b) she didn't want to make things weird for Tyler's flatmates with all the action they do. Then I asked why she doesn't stay in her place and she said that would just be boring and she might as well have gone back home for a week.

That was fair enough.

I called Dante as much as I could. I wanted to get to know him better like I told Penny, but taking her advice, I didn't want to take forever. I do hope that maybe that my constant attention towards him shows that I'm testing the waters. Though he has been busy recently. It's either him talking about work or already have premade plans with his Esports buddies. He was also talking about making some more friends in the anime society. He said his eyes attracted a lot of the society members there. They're all weebs, to be fair.

I'm glad that he's making new friends and all... but I missed it when it was just me and him.

During my absolute boredom between finishing work and studying, I remembered Caitlyn telling me he was in an online British group. When I searched up his name, a group called the ex.cu.tives on Twitter had his name. God what a cringe name.

Their last post was talking about how Dante and this girl named Emily Riley were leaving the group for different countries. Was this the girl who broke his heart? This was the group who only wanted Dante for his looks? They had their own profiles and it seemed that Dante when he was in England... also lived in Luton?! Whoa?! Really? Man, small world I guess. Weird how I never saw him or recognized him.

At least I got something in common with him now.

But he has dated two interesting women. Caitlyn Meadows. 'Innocent' sweet girl who essentially knew him inside out and then this Emily Riley, who has black hair and the Bluest Eyes. I presume he dated her because she took was unique with the hair and eyes combination. Looking through the group's Twitter, those two were actually close. God, going on skiing trips in France? A week in Barcelona with their group? What? Man, he joined a flexing group. He must have truly thought his friendship with the group would have lasted because he was with them for two years in Sixth Form, but he was wrong.

It sucked to know he should have had a better life after Sixth Form. Maybe if he stayed in England, he would have been happier, even if their friendship was plastic.

Only God knows that answer.

But he was so happy.

His eyes gleamed with excitement and happiness. Right now, he's trying to rebuild himself and presumably, he might be taking precautions. That's why he's making a lot of friends, but probably only has like two or three best friends; so breaking an unnecessary friendship would hurt him less.

Dante... what are you thinking?

All I wanted for the last few days was to get to college. I didn't want to annoy Dante. He had his own life and so did I. It's just that I had no commitments to most people. Penny and I were already living together and Caitlyn... well... I don't know. As for my other friends from the Martial Arts club, I went to a few events with them from time to time, but I don't nearly have much fun with them than I do with my best friends.

Maybe I was being picky with the people who I hung out with, but it was who I was. I don't do long term commitment with a lot of people - I just do it with my best friends. Xavier, Mayuri, Gerald. God. I miss you guys.

There are nights where I would stare at the ceiling.

And I remembered Dante and how he comforted me that night I couldn't sleep.

I smiled instinctively before taking a deep breath.

I need to get my act together.