Reminisce With Me

Chapter 35: The Universe Has Spoken

I watched my hands rest on Aiden's shoulder as he rode down the trail. You might want to hold on, I heard his voice in my head. Don't let go.

For a brief moment, I almost believed that I was back in the past. Back to when Aiden would look at me with love and admiration in his eyes.

We finally reached the main roads and merged into the city traffic. I was tempted to ask him where he was taking me, but couldn't find the courage to speak. As we rode by the boutique shops, I noticed the antique store we had gone too. I couldn't help shrink in my seat.

Aiden parked the bike near an outdoor café called Lumiere Parfaite. We both took our helmets off and simply stared at one another, unsure what to say.

"Do you like coffee?" he asked me as we walked towards an empty table.

"I'm more of a green tea kind of girl," I said, taking a seat. "Aiden, what are you doing?"

"Being a gentleman," he said, slightly smiling. "I'm trying to make things a little less awkward than it already is. Give me some credit."

"But why are we here. There is nothing to talk about."

Aiden dropped his gaze. "Aubrey, I'm sorry."

I let out a deep breath. "I know you saw the chemistry between Julian and I earlier today and even back at Carrington's. But, chemistry does not mean love. If I choose to be with Julian, I will break his heart because deep down, I know he's not the one. I can't be with him knowing this."

"But, you can't be with me either," Aiden cut in, leaning back against his chair in exhaustion. "Aubrey, I know you are turning eighteen any day now, so this isn't just about our age difference. I need you to know that. There is so much more to it."

I expected to cry, to be speechless, or to stutter; but, Aiden's words did not trouble me. "Aiden, I don't want to be with you. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Love shouldn't be this hard. Love should feel natural, not forced. When I look at you, I don't see the Aiden Vanquel I met back then. I see a man who has similar features, similar traits, but that's it." I sadly laughed, looking around. "Here we are, in the city where we first met and you still have no recollection of me. Maybe that alone is a sign that we shouldn't be together."

Aiden leaned his elbows on the table, bowing his head down. "Aubrey, I want to have feelings for you. What is there not to like? You are beautiful, you are kind, smart and witty. I think somewhere, deep down, I do have feelings for you. I cannot validate why I came back to Black Onyx, except that I do care about you." He reached for my hand, wrapping fingers around mine. "I know you meant a lot to me at one point in my life. But, right now, I just can't be that person for you. You have college and an actual, not to mention legal, job ahead of you. Aubrey, don't you see that?"

I nodded, too numb to speak.

"I want us to be friends," he now said.

I smiled, squeezing his hand.

I closed my eyes and began to gradually erase every memory of Aiden. I let go of the time we first met, our argument at the Gala, our endless conversations at the lounge, him carrying me on his back while we hiked through Elkland Terrain and the way he pulled me on his lap before kissing me. I could still feel his lips against mine as the warmth of the fire swirled around us.

His grey eyes, his dimples, and his laugh disappeared into the dark, immeasurable void I created in my heart.

"You're right," I finally said, opening my eyes. "I should focus on school. I have plans and goals I want to achieve. Gran would want that as well."

Aiden smiled. "She would be so proud of you, Aubrey."

Still holding his hand in mine, I said, "I'm glad we can be friends."

"I am too."