Steve's POV

I sat idly for an hour. Looking at the people passing by and those who entered the quiet coffee shop to read. I felt very jobless looking at people coming in and out.

I picked up my phone and called Bryan.

"You just disappeared in the morning." Bryan attacked immediately after answering the call.

"Hey, no good morning," I grumbled in reply. "I'm at the coffee shop. I thought I would see Linda faster that way," I said.

"Not a reason why you should leave without a good morning," he nagged and I felt like smacking him.

"Yeah yeah, sorry," I said mockingly.

"We have an exam tomorrow."

"We can read in the middle of the night." I scratched my hair getting tired of his nagging.

"Have you seen her?" he asked.

"Yeah, she has gone for an exam. I'm waiting till she gets back," I replied lazily.

"Okay, Grace will be done with her exam by noon too, should we come? The more the merrier right." I heard my best friend say and I felt bad I would be leaving them soon again.

"Yeah, sure, I'll be waiting for you guys," I said and winked at the lady staring at me at the opposite side of the shop, she smiled and looked away.

"Okay," he cut the call.

I dropped the phone, then picked it up again. I decided to surf through the net during my waiting.

After another one hour, Linda came in and occupied the empty seat in front of me.

We started to talk and my ears were happy to receive the frequency that escaped from her voice. I did a little bit if teasing and we got chatting easily. It was what we did best together anyway.

Then she asked the one question I had been hoping she didn't ask.

"How has California been? Are you fine? Your uncle's death didn't trigger memories right? Or did it?" She asked in a very authoritative tone. I almost thought I was talking to a real doctor. Even her face was looking so serious.

I didn't reply trying to think of something to change the topic, but Linda wasn't going to let me have my way as she asked again, "How has California been?"

"Fine, my uncle's death did trigger memories, but I was able to fight them." I muttered something fast hoping she didn't ask any further questions.

"Who is she?" She stared at me, looking me straight in the eyes. I was taken aback at the question. I wasn't expecting that. I underestimated her psychological abilities.

"Who?" I looked behind her dodging her eyes.

"The new girl, who is she?" She repeated the question. Linda really was in the mood for me.

"I give up. How could you have known there was someone?" I tried to do the baby face look.

"I'm a ready made psychologist in heart," She put her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her palm. Her lips were pursed. A very intimidating stance.

"She's not exactly new. She's my supervisor," I dediced to tell her about Vanessa.

"She's older than you. What's her name?" She asked. I wanted to take offence at her mention of age, but I kept quiet. I wasn't willing to start a fight.

"Vanessa, she was my uncle's assistant. She's the acting director now." He responded.

"Do you trust her?" she relaxed a bit. I knew that pose, she was starting to be worried.

"Of course, I live with her," I replied in confidence.

Shocked, she demanded, "You live with her? What happened to your uncle's house?"

"Her sister is my uncle's wife. She took over the house and I can't bear to live with her," I began to say lazily. I didn't see reason to why she was so worked up on my own business.

"Steve, you can't trust her." She mumbled and I took my chance.

"It's not exactly your business who I trust or not," I snapped at her.

"Okay, okay," She said raising her hands in surrender.
"What of Bryan?" she asked, changing the topic. Exactly what I wanted.

"He should be here soon, with Grace and Jason."

"I want to believe you guys are fine now, fight settled right?" she stuffed her mouth with sweets.

"Yes, my best friend is the best you know," he grinned and I smiled.

"Hey guys," I heard Jason's voice say. I looked ahead and saw Jason coming in with Grace and Bryan.

It was a happy reunion as we all sat and took in the moment.

In everyone's eyes, I saw happiness, but behind it was a form of sadness. We all knew that soon, very soon, we would be apart and maybe never like this again. I knew that was the truth. I would be leaving to California soon and I would probably have no time for my friends again.

We made most of the time, I made sure of it. I didn't want to be held back with any form of guilt once I got back to California. We spent those times like we would never see each other again.

The day after my last paper, just like I had said, I left school and went back to California. I threw my phone away at the airport. I stepped into the plane and sat quietly. Getting ready for my new life.

As soon as I arrived, I went straight to the office to report to my teacher, Vanessa that I was finally back for good.

I knocked on the door to our office and it was opened by a smiling Vanessa. The shine in her eyes on the sight of me made my heart leap.

I wasn't expecting her next move.  She moved closer to me and gave me a hug, before I could blink, her lips were on mine.

She withdrew and silently said, "I missed you."

That was the last time I saw Linda in school. I didn't go back at any time anymore. I settled and started to take my time to adjust to the new life I had gotten in California with Vanessa.

That is the end to that phase on Steve's part. I hope it was worth the wait.
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