hello. its me. ive been gone for a long time and for that i'm truly sorry.

•••  

No. That wasn't him. My heart sank down as skater boy stopped skating just inches from me and flipped his hair. I got a good look at his face.

Gods, I could have sworn it was Clark. His body type and the voice just matched Clark's. But then I berated myself, thinking that maybe the anticipation of seeing Clark again made me imagine people that seemed like him.

Get a grip, Red. I told myself just as skater boy began talking.

"Hey Redding," he said. "I see you're out. Did you get your car back?"

Inside, I was freaking out because I had no idea who the hell he was, but I tried to play my cards according to my newfound motto: act cool.

"Uhm, hey . . ." I trailed off, not knowing this guy's name. Turning my head to Cliff who was still standing behind me, I was more than glad that he came to my rescue.

"Hey, kid," he says in a gravelly voice. "Red's lost her memory so it'd be nice if you could remind her some things about . . . her dealings and whatnot."

Save for the students still lingering in the parking lot and chattering, it was silent among the three of us. The silence was unnerving as the guy gave me an odd look before dragging it to my brother.

"Uhh . . ." he began to back away slowly before stepping on his skateboard. "I think I'll just go."

I watched him skate away as he kept looking over his shoulder at us.

"He thinks I'm a freak," I voiced out, feeling dejected. "Everyone will now think I'm a freak for sure."

A sigh from my brother reached my ears, and I turned to face him.

"You're not a freak," he said as he held my gaze. "Just take those documents to the right people and all will be well."

My chest constricted as I suddenly feared being alone in this vast school. Things were different and new to me.

"I'm scared, Cliff."

"Don't be." Cliff embraced me and I hugged him tightly, afraid to let go. As much as he had changed a bit and was no longer the popular jock who used to tease me, I was familiar with him. His aura was still the same and deep down inside, I knew I was safe wherever he was.

But for now, I had to be on my own and face the lemon that life had just thrown me.

I let go of him. "I'll call if it gets too much."

"Sure thing." He kissed me on the forehead, something I don't think Cliff has ever done.

Well, not in the memories I still have of him anyway.

I watched him as he got into his car. "Don't be afraid," he said before driving off.

I took a deep breath and decided to get over with this. Apart from the school colors, Avan State High had not changed that much. The buildings looked more polished than before and I guessed that paint jobs had been done.

Holding the documents in one hand and my maroon handbag on the other hand, I began making my way to the entrance. Each step I took got more comfortable in the Louboutin nude heels, contrary to my dreadful expectation that I would tumble down in front of everyone.

"Hey Dee," some girl passed me by. "Glad you're back."

"Uh, hey . . ." I said and she was already on her way before I could get a good look at her.

I kept walking and two more people said hi before I reached the stairs that led to the school's entrance.

"Looking great, Dee."

"Good to see you."

I tried to reply to them, but my tongue got caught because none of them looked familiar, and mostly, they greeted me without a second glance. And as soon as I was in the entrance, the number of greetings and smiles directed to me increased and I clutched onto my handbag.

New faces. New faces everywhere. And I didn't reply. I just kept walking because I was freaking out and trying to act cool at the same time.

"Hey, Dee."

"Whoa, Dee. You're back."

"You look awesome."

"Hi, Redding."

My ears rang and I felt my chest constrict as though an iron fist was tightening around it. There were too many unfamiliar faces. As much as the hallway I walked through was swarmed with students, I felt alone. I did not recall them. Their faces confused me. My head began to hurt.

"Hey, Dee. You good?"

"Hello, Redding."

"Hi. You're back."

"Good to have you back again, Dee."

The pounding of my head intensified and so I decided to look down and focus on my shoes as I walked, counting the number of steps. I increased my pace, needing to get to the administration office and drop off these documents. I knew this hallway by heart, even without looking up.

Turn left. First door on your right.

I opened it and was not surprised to see a new receptionist.

"Yes?" She raised her eyebrows at me.

"I . . . uh . . ." I did not realize that I was breathing fast. Slowly, I took a deep breath. "I'm Redding Jones and—"

My words were cut off as she gestured for me to place the documents on the desk, and its when I saw that she was on the phone.

"Yes sir," she said to whoever she was talking to. "I can get you an appointment, you don't need to worry about it."

Sighing, I placed the documents on the desk and got out. I was sure there was ample information to explain my situation to the rest of the staff.

Just as I closed the door behind me, I saw a figure leaning on the wall from across me, as though he had been waiting for me.

"That's creepy," I said. "Why do you look like you want to talk to me?"

He rolled his eyes before pushing off from the wall and taking steps to where I stood. "Because I've been dying to talk to you."

Dylan's expression was way too serious for my liking.

"OK, let's talk."

He looked around as if to check whether anyone was in our vicinity."Not here."

He suddenly took my hand in his and to say I wasn't shocked at his action would be a lie.

Dylan held my hand intimately and I was immediately weirded out. I pulled my hand from his.

"Wh-where are you taking me?" My nerves were jittery.

He turned to face me, looking confused before meeting my eyes. "Trust me on this."

I gulped. I barely knew this guy. Apparently, he was my friend, yes, but for the short time he visited me in the hospital, he was not as friendly as, dare I say it, Valerie or Jac had been.

And all of a sudden, he was holding my hand and telling me to trust him? I put my guard up because I was sure he could see my skepticism.

Dylan sighed. "I know you don't remember me Dee, but I need you to know that I missed you."

His gaze became intense and he inched closer. Way closer than I liked.

I have to admit that I was a bit flattered that he missed me. Maybe I was being too skeptical and maybe Dylan and I were really close friends. Guilt pooled up in my chest. Maybe I needed to lower my guard down and trust him a bit.

A sigh escaped my lips. "I'm sorry. I'm just nervous at  . . . my lack of memory and—"

He held out his hands and placed them on my shoulders, squeezing reassuringly. "Shh, its okay, babe. I get it."

"It's hard to see someone who knows me and . . . wait, did you just call me babe?" I took a step back.

Two students passed by us and one of them waved at me. I waved back before returning my attention to Dylan.

He looked fidgety and he began pacing around. "It's been killing me, these past few days without you around and . . ."

"And what?" He was really putting me on edge.

"I bloody hell wanted to tell you," he stopped pacing and surprised me with the hint of British accent that seeped through his voice. "But then you wouldn't remember, and I didn't know how you would react."

My hands clutched the handbag tightly as I began putting some space between us. "React to what?"

Dylan rubbed his eyes with both hands. He paused, as though he was waiting, or . . . conflicted.

The bell rang and jolted me a bit.

"I have to go," I stuttered as I turned around.

A force yanked at my elbow and turned me, and before I could fathom what was happening, Dylan's hands had cupped my cheeks and I felt his warm licorice breath fanning my face.

Dylan dipped his head and smothered his lips on mine.

•••

i'm sincerely sorry for being MIA. i was in and out of hospitals. i'll try making up for it.