Echoes of the Past

The evening was yet to fall over the Stone Rivers town as Lily Bennett was sweeping the floors of Bennett’s Bakery.

“Oh, come on!“, she whispered as her phone rang for the third time in the last twenty minutes. She was already in a rush, that’s for sure, and she knew it. So she didn’t feel the need to be reminded every few minutes. But it was her best friend, Perla, calling, so she had to answer.

“Yes, Perl, I know. Well I couldn’t leave so early, I promised dad I’d close at least at nine. I know it’s the freaking ball, Perl! I’m sure Jackson is not so eager to see me. Yeah, I’m almost done, just finished cleaning. So I’ll be on my way, okay? See you there. Love you, too. Bye.”

Lily put the broom behind the counter and went in the back to change. She was wearing a fuchsia uniform and a light pink apron on top of it, which was full of little pieces of dough. That was no way she’d be going to the ball like that.

Perla would kill her and Jackson, well, he would want her back no matter what she wore, which was definitely not what she wanted. She and Jackson have been friends for a long time before they got together. They were each other’s first everything. They were each other’s first kiss when they were nine and he brought her a red tulip, asking her to marry him. They were each other’s best friend. And they were each other’s first love. Until Lily broke up with him when school ended, just before summer. He asked for a reason, but she didn’t really have one. They seemed like the perfect match, and he was perfect. Tall, handsome, the classic team captain with golden hair and dark brown eyes. He even had a golden heart, so when he asked for a reason for their break-up, all that Lily could say was: “I don’t know. I need to figure out who I am.”

Which was and wasn’t true. What she said was true, but that wasn’t the whole reason. In fact, she loved Jackson with all her heart, but she wasn’t in love with him. They didn’t have the passion that she was craving in a relationship, nor the wildness she was looking for in a partner. Still, Jackson was hoping they would get back together. Lily didn’t want to hurt him, so she successfully avoided Jackson the whole summer. But tonight was the “Summer End Ball” and she knew he would be there. So she mentally prepared herself for that conversation.

When Lily came back to the front, all changed up, a man was sitting there quietly, looking at the cupcakes. He hadn’t noticed her yet, but she definitely did. She was wondering why she didn’t hear the bell ringing when he came in. As she came closer, she got a better angle.

He had black wavy hair and a long dark blue coat. She still couldn’t see his face, so she came closer. “The brown ones have chocolate chips?“, the mysterious man asked as he raised his head from the cakes display case.

She didn’t know him. He had two of the most beautiful eyes Lily’s ever seen in her life. They were almost as black as his hair and his smile was so bright and lustful that Lily sighed almost unconsciously.

“Is that a yes?“, he asked amused. Lily blushed a bit.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you coming in, I was just closing the shop.“, she excused herself. “But yes, the brown ones definitely have chocolate chips.“, she continued.

“My favorites.“, he smiled. “Can I have one?“, the stranger insisted.

“Well, I closed the cash register...“, she started, but as she looked at him, she couldn’t help but asking, “...but you only want one?“.

“It’s just me, myself and I”, he said. “But that’s ok, I don’t want to bother you. Have a nice night.” He was getting ready to go out, but Lily stopped him.

“Oh, no, please. I didn’t mean to be rude, I don’t know what’s with me, I’m sorry, I guess I have a hard night.“, she rambled. Look, have a cupcake. It’s from the house. And I’m sorry again.”

The man looked at her like he couldn’t believe. “That’s so kind, thank you. And you don’t need to apologize. I’m new in town, I just moved in yesterday and I don’t know any place here. I didn’t even unpack yet. But I was really craving something sweet “, the man laughed.

“I can understand that.“, Lily smiled. “So is your house near the bakery?“, she asked politely.

“Not really. I live a few streets away. It’s quite an old house, but I like it a lot. Old houses have the best personalities, you know? They’ve seen things, people, they have stories to tell. I like that.”

Lily was fascinated by him. And she definitely understood what he was saying. “That’s a beautiful way to put it.“, she agreed. Just as she was ready to say one more thing, her phone rang again.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s my friend again. Tonight is the ball and--“, she stopped. “Jeez, I’m so sorry. You don’t care about this stuff, and I’m rambling.”

“Oh, no, that sounds great. I don’t want to keep you any longer. Thank you for the cupcake. And see you around.“, the man said, and left the bakery.

Lily stared at the door, however, like a fool, blaming herself that she didn’t get to say anything back. But right then, the stranger came back. This time, the bell rang.

“You know, maybe I can walk you to the ball. I wanted to see the town anyway so you can show me around. If you’re not too much in a hurry, of course.”

“I’m not”, Lily said as she put her phone in one pocket of her dress. “Let’s go, stranger.”