To The Touch

Chapter 5

Aaron's warmth never seemed to leave my body, it lingered and I couldn't help but savor the feeling. The last time I had felt that warmth was long long ago when I was a child. This boy and I, we used to walk home from school together, after Aaron moved away that is. I liked him, he was funny and a sweetheart and the way his face lit up when he looked at me gave me the most comforting feeling.

I don't remember his name, but something happened to him a few months before school was out for the summer. That last time we walked home together, the last time I saw him, he seemed so distant. He wasn't his usual happy and giggly self that day. I remember that before he turned on his street, he turned to me with the most somber gaze. He smiled a little and said

"We..we don't have to go home yet, right?" as a child, I had no understanding of feelings or what was felt deeper down then just the obvious. So, I smiled back and said

"Well of course we do, your family is waiting for you, just like mine are." He looked at me and I watched as his eyes flashed with pain.

"I-I really don't want to go home yet...Don't you think we could just hangout for a little longer?" If only I had known...If only i had seen the pleading gaze in his deep brown eyes...But i didn't. Instead I said

"I'm sorry, but I have to go now. I'll hangout with you tomorrow, I promise!" He just looked at me and smiled again. 

"Yeah...I'll see you again tomorrow.." He looked at me one last time before he began his walk again. I smiled and continued my walk, cheerful and oblivious as I was in middle school. 

For some reason, my memories past this point became fragmented. I remember the counselor coming to each classroom, bringing every child outside into the hallway for questioning about the boy. When she called my name, I got up, followed her out and told her everything he told me the week before. I was taken to the principal's where my parents would soon come to sit with me.

The next thing i can remember was people looking at me and staring whenever I walked by. I never knew what happened to him, I never new why I was questioned by the police while my parents held my hand. I just pushed everything back and out of my memory. 

He was the only one who gave me that same happy feeling as Aaron did. Now, he was just a distant memory.

"Miss Tay!" I looked up to see my counselor staring at me in the doorway with a new kid standing next to him. I had forgotten I had been called in.

"Yes?" I grew a bit embarrassed as my cheeks flushed. He just grunted and motioned to the kid standing next to him. 

"I want you to be in charge of Lee for the next few weeks. Get him introduced to the campus and everything, okay? Thank you and goodbye." He said before he turned and went back to his secretary. I looked at Lee who was watching me with tentative eyes. 

I stood up and smiled shyly. 

"Oh um, hi. My name is Tay. I guess I'll be showing you around?" He looked me up and down and nodded slightly. I couldn't help but feel resistant to be showing him around. I mean, he was a bit intimidating. 

Piercing brown eyes, hair that swooped over his face like...like that kid. I moved a bit closer to him and looked deeply into his brown eyes. 

"You...you look familiar.." I said quietly, still moving closer to him. Lee just gazed at me and smiled slightly. That same lazy smile. I backed up a bit as I felt my skin stand up. 

"A-alright well, I guess we should get started then huh?" I said, rushing out of the student service center, Lee following behind.

Why...why were these people returning? After such a long time, they can't just show up out of nowhere. It didn't make sense...

I felt a strong grip on my wrist as it pulled me to a stop. I knew it was Lee.

"Do you really not recognize me?" I heard him say below his breathe. I turned to look at him as i felt his grip relax. 

"I-I remember you..." I said quietly. I felt him let go of my wrist and I looked up at him.

"All this time...where have you been?" I asked. He just shrugged and looked away.

"Where have I been...I ask myself the same thing sometimes." He looked down at me and patted my head.

"C'mon, let's get going." This feeling, it wasn't the same as it was all those years ago. I felt so uneasy around him now, he gave off a different aura. I tried ignoring it but it lingered.

"Yeah, let's go", I said as I began to walk again.