Until We Meet Again

Chapter 2

“Hey mom,” I said as I walked in the door of my family’s high-rise condo. I quickly caught the tall white door before it slammed shut.

            “How was your day, darling?” her soft voice echoed from the kitchen two rooms over.

            “Ah, the usual,” I said, entering the kitchen. My mom was at the white marble island in the middle of the kitchen, cutting cucumbers for a salad. I stole one and pooped it into my mouth. The cool crunch felt refreshing.

            “I’m going to my room,” I said, my voice trailing as I carried my books to my room. Today was a light day, only math and English homework.

            I entered my baby pink room, closing the door softly behind me. The light pink chiffon curtains were open, letting in the light from the setting sun. It got so dark so early in the winter.

            Setting my books down on my queen sized bed, I picked up my brush and my TV remote, turned on the TV, and looked in the mirror. My reflection stared back at me as I brushed, making my way through the knots. It held a mocking stare, throwing all my imperfections at me.

            Hazel eyes that were dimming, becoming less hazel than ever and more brown. My hair wasn’t long enough, it was only elbow length. I wished my legs weren’t so chickeny, and my nose not so long.     

            I sighed. At least my teeth got fixed. When I lived in England, they were so crooked. But now they’re straight and white, and Fallon would say, “like every rich American.”

            I smiled, thinking of how close we used to be. I mean, I was close with all my friends, but Fallon and I were the closest. I never found anyone like her in America. Don’t get me wrong, I have friends. Crystal and Jackson are great, but they’re not anything compared to Fallon and Arden and Alex and Harry.

            Harry.

            I don’t think I’ve had a boyfriend since Harry. I still miss him so much. Thinking of him made me remember something. The soft volume of the news filled my ears as I reached down under my bed and retrieved my special box. I dug the small silver key out from the bottom of my drawer, and unlocked my box. On top was a picture of me and Fallon jumping into the local pool near my old house in Holmes Chapel, on a day when the sun actually came out and it was actually warm. Her thick red hair flew behind her, and her blue eyes twinkled of happiness. I was always so envious of her. She was the prettier and more outgoing one.

            I smiled and set that picture down, pulling out the going away card that Alex and Arden made for me. On the front was a picture of them, and underneath it read, “don’t forget us!” I shook my head, still amazed at how alike they looked. Normally identical twins looked alike, but Alex and Arden were practically the same person: they both had pale skin, dark hair, brown eyes, and the same freckles across their noses. The only difference was that Alex was a boy and Arden was a girl.

            Setting the card down, I reached my hand to the bottom and pulled out the black bow tie. Harry’s favorite. I smiled the widest at this. I don’t think I’ll mis anyone as much as him. I wonder if he forgot about me.

            Underneath the bow tie is the note he wrote for me.

            Until we meet again.

            Maybe he didn’t forget about me after all.

            Suddenly, I heard the song that I had heard earlier in the sushi restaurant. My head snapped in the direction of the television screen, determined to find out the familiar voice.

            It was the same anchorwoman as earlier today, so this must be a re-run of this segment. She stood in front of a picture of five very attractive boys. My ears perked up when I heard her say the name “Styles.”

            “What?” I said to myself, turning up the volume.

            “The newest hit song, ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ by One Direction, a group formed by British X Factor runners-up Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik, will be released on iTunes next week,” the woman said.

            When she said each name, a picture of the boys flashed on the screen.

            “Wait,” I said, rewinding the TV and pausing it at a face I knew so well.

            “Oh my god.”