Amara – Reunion

Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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I kept on walking down memory lane while gathering my courage to do why I came here, to find out about Duke.

I had a drawing of him ready, but I knew that if I go around and ask, 'have you seen this kid, but he is older now', I will look like a crazy person, so I gave up on that idea.

My plan was to go to the high school, or to be more precise, to the bus stop across the street and to look into my memories of those last days with Duke. Even if we split up, I must know something about him because I refuse to believe how after four years of Duke making my heart flutter I just gave up. Sure, I was timid so I probably didn't approach him, but I would crave to know what he was up to.

I had a plan, however, my steps halted in front of a small sweet shop.

I looked inside through the big glass window and my heart thundered with every piece of furniture that entered my vision. Small round tables, chairs, glass counter that was filled with a variety of pastries, a bar where coffees were made, a built-in bookshelf that held books whose worn-out bindings spoke about the number of customers who read them.

There were a few patrons, and a young man at the counter was busying himself with something I couldn't see.

This was the shop where I used to come with Duke on Thursdays. In the last year of high school, classes on Thursday ended one hour earlier than on other days, and we spent that hour here.

I remembered that Duke said how his apartment was only three blocks from here. I never went to his apartment; I was too shy for that even though he invited me a few times. I wondered if he still lives there, or he moved out.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

"Can I help you, Miss?", the young man asked as my eyes were glued to the strawberry ice cream pie in the glass display.

"I would like an espresso and a slice of that…", I pointed at the pie.

He smiled brightly and winked playfully. "Coming right up!"

Cheeky boy, how dares he look at me like that and flirt? Did he even finish high school?

I sat at the table that was close to the window with an intention to look at the street.

It didn't take long before perfectly brewed espresso and a generous slice of strawberry ice cream pie were in front of me.

"Is there anything else I can get you?", the young man offered.

I glanced around and saw that no one was paying attention to us. Hesitantly, I reached for my phone.

"There is one thing…", I opened the picture of Duke's sketch I made. "Do you know this man? He might be a bit older."

The young man observed the sketch and shook his head. "Sorry, Miss. I never saw him. I am new so…"

"How long do you work here?"

"This is my first month.", he responded.

"Oh, I see."

He noticed my disappointment.

"I am new in the area, but some of the customers are regulars. Do you want me to ask them?"

The last thing I wanted was to attract attention. "No, thank you. It's not a big deal."

"If you say so…" He smiled and stepped away. "If you need anything, you can find me there." He pointed at the counter and walked away.

I looked at the strawberry ice cream pie and a ghost of Duke appeared on the chair opposite from me. I never received pocket money from my parents, but Duke used to get one slice of this pie and two lemonades and he insisted that we share the pie while apologizing because he didn't have enough money for two.

We would talk about everything and anything and he always had a lingering smile at the corner of his lips and the sparkle in his eye told me that he enjoyed my company.

What happened? What changed?

How stupid of me. I came here, yet I was too scared to look into my memories. If I was brave enough, I would stop delaying and coming up with various excuses and conditions before I face the reality.

I knew that the answer was there… the reason why I didn't see Duke after high school was within my memories.

I was aware that we were not a couple, and it would be unreasonable to expect he is still thinking of me after all this time.

Four years is a lot of time to forget your high school crush and to find another one, and here I am… Hanging onto memories from four years ago, without the courage to see why we split up.

Did we split up? We were just friends. Sure, I was in love, and it would be a lie to say that I don't love him now, but what about him? Why would a handsome and popular guy like Duke spend time with me? I was an outcast, an unwanted one, and no matter how much I look into my time I spent with Duke, I can't find a single reason why he spent so much time with me.

"Sanya?"

A female voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Did someone call my name? I'm wearing sunglasses and makeup and a fancy outfit. Maybe it was not me. Sanya is a common name.

"Sanya Bogdan?"

This time voice came right from above me, and it can't be a coincidence.

Why did she come here? Why is she attracting attention?

I looked up in slow motion at the attractive barbie-looking blonde who is about my age.

She is not my college classmate, and she doesn't fit into my high school memories either. Who the heck is this woman, and why is she acting as I should know her?

I cursed my luck. Should I call Marius?

"Excuse me?", I asked while hoping that she will apologize for mistaking me for someone else and go away.

"Oh, you don't remember me…", she said awkwardly, and I felt a bit bad for the girl.

She smiled and placed her palm on her chest. "I am Mona… Monique Belmondo. I used to live three houses from yours…"

Mona… Mona… I flipped through my memories.

Why is she sitting on the chair at my table?

Ah, Mona! I remembered a short chubby girl with freckles on her nose and two ponytails who came to visit us shortly after I moved in. That was before my high school started. Her mother was happy that finally, a girl showed up in the area for her daughter to play with, and she was visibly disappointed by my mother's snobby attitude even though we got to spend some time in the park.

That was once, but Mona never asked me about my background, she was happy to have a playmate. I didn't see her again. During my first year of high school, I heard my mother saying that the Belmondo family moved away because their business was struggling.

"Are you sure you've got the right person?", I asked when I saw that Mona got herself comfortable.

She grinned. "You didn't change much, and I will never forget your flawless skin. Every time acne appeared on my face, I would remember you."

I felt my world collapsing. So much for staying under the radar. 

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