Grooving to Life's Beat

The Echoes of the Past: A Kiss in the Shadows

A few minutes later, I bounded down the stairs in a crazy race to make it to my writing class, with a bubbling enthusiasm that felt strangely adolescent. And that had nothing to do with the stimulating learning environment which the class promised. It all had to do with Marshall. The encounter with him had injected an inexplicable energy into my every step, and I felt like a schoolgirl who had just been noticed by the most popular guy in the class – silly girl.

The worst part? The sheer joy that surged through me at the prospect of seeing him again tonight was akin to an extra shot of adrenaline, propelling my heart into a chaotic frenzy, dangerously close to a heart attack. And that was even more pathetic!

But, just as I stepped out from my building, lost in my own world of teenage-like excitement, I raised my eyes and froze on the spot. The sight that awaited me shattered the euphoria along with my wide grin.

Alexander was in the backyard, clutching a bouquet of flowers, his disoriented gaze scanning his surroundings. Yet, the moment his eyes met mine, the bewilderment on his face transformed into a warm smile, and the joy I had felt moments ago collided with a wave of awkwardness and confusion. What was he doing here?

"Hey! I finally get to see you!" Alexander said, his warm brown eyes locking onto mine, with the kind of gaze that reminded me of all things soft and sweet, instantly transporting my mind back to the days we were together.

"Hey!" I replied, my tone guarded. "What are you doing here?" My face remained neutral, my features stayed aloof, while my heart thumped crazily in my chest. Seeing him was harder than I thought.

"I came to see you! You've been hard to reach lately!" His pale skin seamlessly blended with the colored grey of his suit, tailored to perfection, most likely in a top end London tailor's shop.

"Oh, I wonder why!" I retorted, tossing my long hair back, a hint of sarcasm lacing my words. And with that, the anger I had about him settled quicker than autumn leaves in a gentle breeze.

"Emma, I know I messed up," Alexander sighed, his fingers nervously fidgeting with the edges of the bouquet. "Please, I need you to hear me out." Frustration and regret were evident in the subtle tightening of his jaw and the fleeting glances towards the ground.

"What could you possibly say that would change anything? You made your choices, Alexander." I crossed my arms, skeptical. I was upset with him, infuriated by the choices he made. The way he got over us was cruel and confusing, making me question if I ever truly knew him at all.

It's true we were on a break, but he managed to move on in less than two weeks, and to make matters worse, it happened with our so-called friend, Madison. And now, he changed his mind, and I'm just supposed to be ok that?

"I'm sorry, I made a mistake." Regret etched across his face like slow waves on a shallow beach. "We've known each other since we were kids, and for a moment, I thought moving forward with this relationship was the right thing to do. I was wrong. I know that now..." His expression turned sincere, eyes searching for a connection.

"There are so many women in the world, Alexander. Did it have to be a friend?" I replied sharply and pressed my lips into a thin line, a subtle sign of frustration.

"Would that make any difference? Any other woman except you would have been a mistake, I know that now." Pain grew in his eyes, casting shadows across his face. "Just give me a chance to make things right," he pleaded, stepping closer, still cradling that bouquet of flowers in his hands as if he was guarding them from someone, not bringing them to offer me.

"There's nothing left to make right, Alexander." I shook my head, a bitter smile playing on my lips. "Some mistakes are too big to overlook. It's not just about Maddison; it's about trust and respect." I declared, my features remaining plain, my eyes as steady as if I was shopping for shoes. Yet, inside, my emotions were rioting.