Eternal

Straight Denial

We arrived soon after Neoma and Jax and we all got a booth near the back end of the restaurant. It's a small burger joint, not a part of any chain. I guess they're regulars because they order as soon as we sit down. I settle for the same thing Jax ordered, hoping our taste in food is as similar as our taste in style. After receiving our drinks Jax turns to me.

"So Elio, tell us about yourself. Where are you from?"

I nod my head and begin telling them a little about my life.

"Well my family is from South Korea, but I was born here."

"My family's from Ethiopia, my grandparents immigrated." Neoma chimes in.

I smile, the way she talks with a slight ring in her voice is adorable.

"My family is from Shanghai, I'm here on an education visa." Jasmine includes.

I turn towards Akil, expecting him to add some input. After Jax delivers a sharp blow to his ribs with her elbow he begins to speak.

"Ow! Yea whatever, I'm Saudi Arabian, but my family lives in Canada."

I nod my head, It's cool that we're all so different and from all over the world. We start making small talk and begin to fall into an easy routine. So far I've learned that Jax is an art major working on a new portfolio piece and Akil is working towards an internship with an engineering company. Also, Neoma's favorite color is yellow, which doesn't hold as much context but it made me smile. I made a mental note to remember.

"So Elio, how do you know Noema?"

Jasmine's question catches me off guard. Neoma turns to look at me with curiosity, obviously wanting to know the answer as much as everyone else.

"Well, um. I've seen her around, you know?"

"Oh my gosh, are you insta stalking me?"

There's a playful tinge to her voice and I can tell that she's joking but that doesn't stop the heat from rising in my cheeks.

"No, no! Why does everyone think that?" I sputter

"It's okay, you're cute so I'll let it slide," she says with a wink in my direction. At this point, my complexion probably resembles a fire truck.

"Actually, this is gonna sound really crazy but I think I should just come clean now."

Everyone looks at me confused, our empty plates sitting in front of us, I try to focus my eyes on that to tame my anxiety.

"After I turned 21 years old I started having really life-like dreams that were recurring and started getting the heaviest waves of nostalgia..." From the corner of my eye, I see Neoma's face stiffen.

"Okay...? What does that have to do with Neoma?" Jax asks impatience seeping in.

"She's in all the dreams, I think we knew each other in past lives."

I pause a second allowing the information to seep in. However, the response received was not what I expected. After a beat or two Neoma bursts out laughing, Jax follows suit with only Akil looking slightly distressed.

"Wow! Okay, I have never heard that one before. That's got to be the best pick up line in the book."

After a while of seeing I wasn't laughing the table went silent again.

"Elio, you are joking right?"

I slowly shake my head, searching for the right words.

"I believe we were in love in our past lives, and whatever killed us then is trying to kill us now."

-8-

He's crazy. It figures the hot, mysterious stranger that's interested in me would have a screw loose. I mean past lives? Something trying to kill us? This isn't a Harry Potter Book. Still, there's a small whisper in my ear trying telling me to believe him, and it terrifies me. Before I know it I'm on my feet and heading for the door. Ignoring Jasmine and Elio's calls for me to come back.

I'm halfway out the door when I feel a grip on my wrist, and I turn around angrily to face Elio.

"Let go of me," I say through clenched teeth.

"Neoma please, I know it sounds crazy but I need you to believe me."

"Yes, it does sound crazy, because that's what it is! Everything your saying doesn't make sense. It honestly seems like you were just stalking me and trying to cover it up."

I try to leave once again but his grip doesn't loosen."

"Every night for the past two months, I've been going crazy. Trying desperately to find a reason why my entire life didn't feel like my own anymore. Are you really telling me you haven't had any dreams? You haven't felt anything!?"

At first, a part of me wants to tell the truth. Here this guy is being vulnerable and honest, going through exactly what I've been going through for the last month as well. I felt normal and safe sorta in a way. But the nagging fear of the unknown gripped at my heart again and I snatched my wrist away from his hands.

"Don't ever contact me or I swear I will call the police."

With that, I turn around and head to the car. Figuring Akil would give Jasmine a ride back to the dorms, I hop in and speed out of the parking lot. Trying desperately to run from the uncertainties in my stomach and the guilt of once again leaving him alone.