ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕀𝕟 ℕ𝕖𝕧𝕒𝕕𝕒

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕨𝕠

The next day was Thanksgiving. It also happened to be the day Jeff and Lucy ran into Jamie at the grocery store.

They were picking up extra beverages and snacks that had run out around the house. Thanksgiving dinner was still a few hours away, but with stores closing soon, it was incredibly crowded. How many people lived in this place? Jeff couldn't remember, but it felt like everyone was in that grocery store.

Navigating through the aisles was growing more and more frustrating. Just as Jeff was about to lose his patience, he heard a familiar voice behind him. His heart sank straight into his gut.

It was definitely Jamie's voice. Jeff would never forget it.

Turning around, he faced the last annoying customer he had just passed in the snack aisle-Jamie.

Jamie's reaction surprised him. He looked genuinely happy to see him. Why was he so happy?

Jamie was smiling wide, his hair hanging over his forehead into his eyes. His blonde hair was much longer than the last time Jeff had seen him. Jamie usually kept his hair in a lazy buzz cut, his mom always cut it. It made wearing a football helmet easier, Jamie had always said. This new style was unfamiliar to Jeff.

He also had to look down at Jamie. He'd never had to look down at Jamie before.

What the hell?

Jamie was still lean and toned, but he seemed smaller than Jeff remembered. Despite Jamie's sharp jawline, his baby face was still there.

Emotions surged through Jeff. His heart raced, his hands sweated, and his eyes couldn't take in enough of Jamie's appearance. He found himself frozen, standing there like an idiot, unable to speak.

He couldn't believe he was looking right at Jamie after four years of silence.

"Hi," Jeff finally said, his voice flat.

Just "Hi." Really smooth, Jeff.

Lucy, standing next to Jeff, looked between them with wide eyes. She stifled a laugh, her painted lips pressed into her hand. Jeff didn't need to explain-she had clearly figured out who Jamie was.

Everything Lucy had predicted was unfolding right in front of her.

Jeff turned his irritation towards her, nudging her with his elbow as she continued to stare at Jamie, clearly intrigued. The staring was making things even more awkward.

He shot her a death glare. Lucy understood immediately, nodded, and moved a few aisles away, still unable to hide her amusement.

"Wow," Jamie muttered under his breath as he watched Lucy walk away. "You actually brought a girl back home. She's gorgeous... Good job."

Jeff just stood there.

He wasn't sure what to do. Had he really just greeted his old best friend he ghosted for four years with 'Hi'?

"That's Lucy... We're just friends," Jeff said, glancing at Jamie.

Jamie nodded, biting his lip.

Lucy had been right; old feelings were surfacing as if they'd never left. Jamie's wide, genuine smile was one Jeff remembered fondly-one of those smiles that came straight from the heart. It was never fake, always wholesome and beautiful. Jeff suddenly realized how much he had missed Jamie-his best friend.

Overwhelmed and not thinking twice, Jeff walked over and hugged Jamie around the shoulders.

Jamie's tight embrace surprised him, but it made Jeff feel better for reaching out. He felt Jamie's hands gripping the back of his hoodie.