Magic Love (A Cethany Fanfiction)

Chapter 6 - He's Back

The look of shock on his face combined with the tears still streaming down his face causes me to cry too. I can't believe such a big part of my life was kept from me for so long.

He closes the space between us by wrapping me in his arms in a hug.

"I missed you so much, Bethers. You have no idea," he whispers in my ear.

"I missed you, too. I just wish I knew that."

Connor's POV

I'm so happy. She remembers. I told her. About everything. Our past. And she remembered, just like the doctors said she would.

There's just one thing I had to leave out.

I was in love with her. And I think I still am.

But I can't tell her. I can never tell her. I don't want to lose her again.

Beth's POV

The bell rings just as he pulls away from our hug. I now feel comfortable beside him, with the memories of our time together as kids.

The halls start flooding with students and Connor chuckles.

"This is embarassing," he says, trying to wipe away his tears without anyone noticing.

I choke out a laugh. "Yeah, I know. What class do you have next?"

"Um, Calculus. You?"

I fake a pout. "Chemistry."

He smiles. "Find me after school. I'll be with Liv and Cass by the front door."

I nod. "See you later."

After the long school day, my eyes are heavy from exhaustion. How do people do this everyday?

I walk out the front door, desperate for a breath of fresh air. But I can't concentrate with everyone's thoughts bubbling up in my head.

I hold my breath while walking to a space in the parking lot where there are less people. I'm glad to find Livia, Cass, and Connor talking beside a blue car.

As I near them, I let go of the breath I was holding and notice that I don't hear anyone's thoughts. Probably because I'm so far away from them. I start to hear my friend's thoughts as I get closer to them. Well, I don't think Cass considers me a friend.

I'm hungry. I wonder what Freddie's made for dinner. Livia thinks.

I hope Connor takes me on a date soon. He's been so distant lately. Cass thinks.

Oh! It's Bethers! thinks Connor.

I smile to myself as I approach them.

"Hey, guys," I say, smiling. I dig my hands into the pockets of my trenchcoat. It's chilly today.

"Bethers!" Connor says, almost too enthusiastic. "Hey."

"Bethers?" Cass exclaims.

Connor's face turns red. "Um, I mean Beth. Hi, Beth."

Oops. Probably not the best idea to call her Bethers in front of Cass.

"We were just talking about the winter formal," Livia says, trying to change the subject. "It's in December, but it's all everyone talks about in the first semester." She smiles at me.

"Oh, that's cool," I say. "Is it the kind of dance where everyone wears fancy dresses and puts on loads of makeup? I love those."

Cass nods. "You probably don't have anything nice to wear so you shouldn't go. Wouldn't want you to be embarassed." She shoots me a sickly smile.

Connor nudges her. "Cass. Do you have to be so rude?"

"Are you serious, Franta? What's with all the defending? You barely even know her!"

"Actually, I do."

Cass stops short. Livia looks at me, and then at Connor.

"Connor?" I say. "Do you want to--

"And why does she get to call you Connor? What's so special about her? I thought you said only your old friend can--

"She is my old friend, Cass!" Connor says, face redder than before. "She's the old friend that I always tell you about. I've known her since we were kids."

"I always assumed that your old friend was a guy..." Cass says quietly.

"I never said that."

"Then how come she didn't recognize you?" Cass demands.

"I told you before! I haven't talked to Beth for so long because she lost her memory and I didn't want her to know about me. You know what happened."

Cass is silent.

At that moment, Adam pulls up beside us. He rolls down a window.

"Beth. I've been looking everywhere for you. Ready to go?" he says, glancing at the others.

I look back at my friends... and Cass. Connor looks at me.

"Who's that?" he asks.

"Um, a friend. I'll see you guys tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Livia says. "Bye."

I wave to them and jump into Adam's car.

"New friends?" he asks.

I just nod and stare straight ahead.

He starts driving away and I watch as Connor, Livia, and Cass grow smaller through the rearview mirror.