The Long Way Back

13.0 Reeve Wilmot

Ditching on the second day back wasn't in my plans but I couldn't stay there any longer. I couldn't stay there knowing that the truth is in my notebook.

I can't go home either. The place with a constant reminder that I'm not who I used to be and I've disappointed everyone because of that.

My options are limited, back to the park, or walk around town, as long as I avoid my mother's place.

The park can get boring quickly. Downtown it is.

My house is right on the outskirts of downtown, three streets over, and the small shops in people's houses start then they slowly grow into small businesses and restaurants. Barely anything commercial has made its way here, only an IHOP that I used to spend late nights at doing homework and eating pancakes.

The walk isn't anything special, passing houses with different colored leaves falling everywhere.

I pass my favorite little shop, a candy place, and feel the twenty-dollar bill burning a hole in my pocket. The peach rings are calling to me from the colorful walls of the store. Maybe on my way back.

Walking past the store I go further into town and pass everything familiar that I grew up with. A bookstore with a coffee bar in the back that I spent a lot of time at. Then a thrift store that I'd get vintage clothes from for Halloween.

It's weird to think that I was raised here and spent fifteen years of my life here but it no longer feels like home. I can't just walk into Cabaret Books and Things and plop down into a leather seat.

Vintage clothes for Halloween are no longer a thing for me, the past two Halloween's I've done group costumes with my friends.

I'm a tourist in my town.

I continue down the brick sidewalk going wherever my feet take me. There's nowhere to be and all the time in the world to do whatever I please. Missing one day of school won't impact my grades, I've got high grades in all of them.

I wander around the streets trying my hardest to not think about all the memories that plague my mind of these places. Some memories are just small and shouldn't hurt my heart as much as they do but they feel like I'm being stabbed.

I walk down Main Street but stop dead in my tracks. Melody's, the Stovak family music store. Any instrument you need they have it, I grew up in this store. The piano was the first instrument I ever played, the guitar is the best one I've ever played. I'm decent at the Viola as well.

The chalkboard sign is still outside the door showcasing different events and lesson times.

A feeling I can't place bubbles in my stomach.

I'm about to walk away and act as if I never passed this place but my thoughts are short-lived.

The familiar bell sounds and the gruff voice of uncle Chris stops me, "Reeve, what are you doing here?"

Shrugging and looking in the direction I was walking in I tell him, "Just on a walk."

"You are supposed to be in school," He sighs.

I can't forget the music store, not ever. I grew up playing in this store, then I started working here when I was twelve, the same age Kohen started at mom's restaurant. Sometimes though, it slips my mind that I need to avoid this place.

I felt the safest here.

Now I can't let myself feel that way.

How stupid I am to forget that I have to avoid this place at all costs.

Uncle Chris looks back into the store then at me, "I've got someone behind the counter, how about we go to lunch."

I shake my head, "I'm fine. I was just trying to clear my head."