Chapter 1
I wish there were some sort of concoction that could make me young again or at least something to get rid of this back pain. Ugh I sound old. Well I'm m actually a 30 year old lady who has the body pains of a 60 year old. Horrific I know!0
I live in the heart of the busy city along with my two amazing boys. After what felt like ages I had plans on the weekend that didnt involve work or school activities. My high school best friend had reached out to me after 11 years. We decided on meeting at the mall for breakfast so you can imagine how busy I am running around like a headless chicken trying to get the boys dressed.
I quickly strapped them onto the car seats and ran back into the house for my handbag. I pulled my bag off the counter without looking so I had mistakenly knocked something over. Bending down I picked up the fallen frame, my heart twisted in pain. I could feel that the tears were about to spill out so I put the frame back and left.
The parking lot was quite full so I drove around a couple times to find a spot, my mind began to get full with questions. How much did she change over the years? Will she still be that bubbly energetic person? I finally found a spot and quickly took it, we got out and quickly went over to the restaurant. It was fairly full so I had the boys in front of me while I scanned the place.
"Avery?" A voice called out from my right. I glanced over and found the source of the voice
"Elenah!" My eyes lit up instantly. Her eyes wandered to the boys and she squealed so loudly that she received a couple death glares from some people.
"Babies! Your babies? You have babies! Oh my god Im an aunt!" She squealed even more, the boys werent exposed to such a bubbly person so they stared in amusement.
We walked over to the table and I introduced the boys. Zane, Blaine this is your aunt Elenah. She looked at them with the biggest puppy eyes ever and hugged them. She took one look at me and hugged me like her life depended on it.
I needed this hug more than anything, we had tears in our eyes. I sent the boys to the kids game room that was in the restaurant. We got caught up in small talk.
"How did we manage staying away from each other for all these years?" She sniffled
Well were together now and thats all that matters! I held her hands and told her with all honesty
"How have you been all these years?" She asked in the softest way possible. She hadnt changed appearance wise, she was plumpier and is now a Blonde instead of Brunette.
I honestly hated when anyone asked how I was- Im just surviving. But I couldnt lie to her. Im just getting stronger as the days go on. I chuckled humorously. We spoke for god knows how long that the boys had already finished eating and were falling asleep.
She had opened up to me saying it wasnt her idea or choice on losing contact with me. Her boyfriend restricted her from any form of contact with everyone including her family. I never expected her to ever say that she was being abused, it broke my heart into pieces. It killed me more because I wasnt there for her like I was supposed to be. She had always been this strong hard-headed girl, I wouldve expected her to be living the life with a CEO right about now. She explained how her final court case had finally finished and she had locked his sorry ass in jail.
We were in a similar situation- we were both trying to build our life again. We decided on having a sleepover at her house that way we could properly relax and catch up plus the boys would love to play with her dogs. She lived alone, she was the hoe best friend- always getting into trouble and endless partying. Oh how my life has drastically changed from drinking vodka to apple juice.
Her house was beautiful and felt cozy. The boys had run up into the movie room so she brought out a bottle of wine with two glasses.
"I heard what had happened I'm being serious now, how have you been dealing with everything?" She was careful with how she asked
A deep sigh fell out. I've been better but I have my boys to keep me going. I knew exactly what she was going to ask next. That look she gave was a dead giveaway.
What really happened? she left her glass down and held both my hands, her thumb gently ran over it
With mixed emotions I begin to tell her. Dustin wanted to fulfill his fathers wishes and went off to join the army. I really tried to stop him Elenah. I gave an emotionless smile
"Im s-"
"You know how much I hate sympathy." I wiped my eyes and narrowed it at her
"Pshh I was going to say I uh Im so scared that it might- rain?" She tried to cover up but her reply came out more like a question. Epic fail. I burst out laughing and she followed.
"Oh yes because on an absolutely clear day chances are that itll definitely rain and the whole city will be flooded." I retorted sarcastically
"Your sarcasm never left." She chuckled
Its in my blood. We spent the rest of our afternoon bringing up memories about school most of which were cringey.
Maybe I should tell her the full story just so that I can finally feel a bit relieved. And she deserves to know because she had opened up about her past.
"Dustin." Her head snapped to me instantly
"You dont have to tell me Aves." She said softly. Its been so long since I heard Aves
"But I want you to know everything from the start." I smiled
"Give me a minute Ill grab snacks."
"Lets take it back to our senior year, the day I first met him. Its going to bring back some real déjà vu." I clung onto every memory. Maybe a trip down memory lane would be good for me.
