<Introduction>

I groggily look into the mirror  

I really need to clean my apartment 

Putting myself together I lay back on my cluttered bed. 

scrolling through my phone 

    has hero ended her career ?

Hero *name* gone?

                                 Where is hero!?

I toss my phone rubbing my forehead I sigh in my lonesomeness. I grab my phone opening messages from a month ago leaving party, for Ireland they're finally going?  

I smile at my phone, even though time has passed he's still the same
I text "sure "

As the days pass the nervousness builds up.
I head to my local wine store and grab some non-acholic wine, cherry flavored.
I've been sobered for three years, yet every day I still yearn for the bottle. 

Today is the day... I wake up early, just before the sun rises.
I head to the train stop a mile away from my house.
I pay the conductor and sit towards the back of the train cart.
The train cart has only a few people luckly, it's usually more packed though.

The train starts, and my brain starts to wonder off.
The stars seem so lonely in the sky, even when there's so many of them.
They're like people almost. 

The train stops and I've come to my destination.
Walking through the street, the sun shines on its early golden hour.
I see the apartment complex. 

I think of Arti we had a few dates here and there...


On my way through the complex, I see Chino.
I wave, Chino is smoking by a open window.

"Hey Renima, long time no see, eh?"
she rubs her cigar in her travel pocket ash tray.

I nod
"It's been almost fifteen years now" I chuckle.

Chino puts her hands into her pockets.
"Yeah... man we were so young. Now there's all types of things now. Did you know Veronica has a kid now?!"

"What dang, another sign we're getting old, are you gonna go up to the apartment?"

She walks over to my side
"No, I already said hi. I'm gonna come back later."
She pats my shoulder
"See you then Renima"

I watch her leave down the stairs. Now where was I...? Right. Walking down the hall I stop.
There it is, I look up at the door with 503 plated in gold.
In all its glory.
I step towards the door. Ring the doorbell I said to myself

Ring ring silence I ring again no one answers. I go to ring a third time, but the door swings open before I even brush the doorbell

"Sorry! -Renima?" a face of confusion plasters along her face.

I nod "Hi.. Arti how are you?" I awkwardly say rubbing the back of my neck

"Good Good.. um        C-Come on in!" 
she takes the wine bottle out of my hands.

I walk into the place
"Julian has packed the place quite a bit."

The small white couch and coffee table.
The only things that filled the room, beside the big window. 
We walk to the almost empty kitchen.

"Not to be rude, but I don't think Japan was for him." 

Arti bursts out laughing
"Well, he survived, what shocked me the most is that he stayed. At least until now"
Arti turns around to face me

"So, what has little ol' Renima been doing? all this time." 

I chuckle at the remark
"You haven't really changed, have you?"  she puts down the bottle of wine. 

"Oh, I have, but have you Renima?"     

"Somewhat..." I fidget with the end of my sleeve.

 She walks past me, in her glittering dress. 
"You're hiding again, I'm worried about you!"
she says while sorting through bags.

I exhale and take a glance at her hands, covered in cuts and bruises.

"Renima..what's been on your mind?"

I look down at the floor.
She rases herself and turns around.
Arti pouts, she comes closer to me.
Even while Arti's a good friend I feel like I'll constantly disappoint her.

She takes my arms and pats my shoulders 
"Well if you ever want to talk.."
her face inches closer to mine.
Her hands work up my neck
" pick a time and... I'll be there.."

Her lingering eyes stay in my memory.
I feel her heartbeat, and her warm somber breaths.
I miss her,
I miss her touch.

I pull away "I.. I can't do this"

She lowers her arms
"Talk to me, why couldn't-"
the door swings open.

"Renima!" Julian runs to me and hugs me. 

word count: 😪739😪