1 | Never to Forget
AMORA LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW, watching passing scenery from the passenger seat. They were on a busy road, namely Jefferson St., driving by small businesses all clumped together. From either side were tiny parking spaces, leaving a narrow opening for this two-laned road.
She hated this road; always did.
As her friend babbled on and on about drifting subjects, Amora did all she could to tone her out. If she didn't, there was no doubt that she'd have gone insane. From time to time, she'd nod and hum in agreement, but her mind was far from the present.
When her friend parallel-parked into a space, Amora turned to her for the first time since leaving that speed-dating event. "Why'd you stop?"
Willow paused, staring ahead, then slowly met her gaze. "Have you been paying any attention to me?" she asked sharply.
Amora resisted an excuse and shrugged. "The whole hour drive? No. The first few minutes? Only slightly."
Willow closed her hanging mouth. "Well, I'm buying a present for a certain somebody." She suddenly smiled warmly, already thinking back to the event. "I'll be back! Wait here and don't do anything. While I'm in there picking something out for my boyfriend, you'll be sitting in here all by yourself, lonely."
Amora raised a brow, watching her leave the car and give her a lingering look. "Oh, don't wait up for me," she said, frowning, "it's not like I've got places to be."
Her friend waited a moment longer but was gone in the next, still smiling.
Amora sighed, reclining the seat, then closed her eyes. She might as well get comfortable. Whenever her friend went shopping, she'd take her time over the smallest of things, always buying more than planned. For all she knew, this could take an hour.
Oh, Willow, oh, sweet love-struck, Willow...
Amora suddenly snapped awake, looked around, then checked her phone. It had been two minutes. With a groan, she glanced around for what had awoken her. That was when her heart dropped. A little ways down from their vehicle was a man and woman huddled close, pushing a stroller up the sidewalk. From within, their newborn cried out, hands in fists.
Amora continued to stare until they had managed past, out of view. Then she wiped at her face, knowing that was something that could have been, but now will never be.
-
The driver's door swung open.
After stifling a yelp, Amora took a moment to rub any evidence left on her face. By the time Willow was situated behind the wheel, bags in the back, she was prepared enough. Her friend wouldn't notice and it wasn't like she was keenly observant, either.
She gave Willow an easy smile, then narrowed her eyes. "Well, it would seem we meet again, my dear friend..."
"Oh, shut it," she said back, giving her a teasing nudge. Then a bright smile took to her lips. "Oh, Amora, you should have been there! There was this super cute guy, and I even got his number!" She suddenly held up a slip of paper, numbers scribbled across.
Where'd that come from?
"You know," she began, dancing it in front of her, "this could have been yours!"
Amora sighed, shaking her head, then looked out her window. "And you wonder why you're not engaged after all these boyfriends..."
"What do you mean?" The words came out a little too fast. "What, do you know something I don't?"
Amora bit her lip before turning to her. Willow wasn't just known for being unobservant, but also oblivious to things that were common sense. "Were you not just picking something out for your boyfriend? And did you not just make a new one within the same hour?"
For the second time, she closed her hanging mouth. "Shut it." Then she rolled down all the windows, leaned back, and cracked up the radio. "I put up with your grumpiness, you put up with my trivial matters. That's how we roll!"
She covered her ears at the booming voice. Is our friendship really worth this?
A few minutes later and Amora had had enough. In a definite move, she pushed the button and suddenly all was silent. Only, she knew it couldn't last long; not when Willow was a witness to the act.
"What was that for?" Willow bellowed, violently swerving on the road. "We were almost at the good part of that song!"
"What, Life is a Highway? Really? Who likes that song anyway?"
"Oh, is that what it's called?" she asked, giving her glances. "I had no idea!"
"Girl, everyone knows that song." Well, except for Willow, apparently.
Willow snorted. "Not everyone, my lonely friend, just you. Most have a life! Most have, well, a boyfriend." Then she turned to her, only narrowly avoiding an accident.
Amora jolted upright, then studied her unfazed friend. "You nearly killed us! And for what? A proper stare-down?"
"Oh, don't be so dramatic. You're just upset that you're single and I'm not." She smirked, but this time at the road.
"Not everyone wants somebody."
"Oh, now I'm hurt."
This is going to be a long drive.
-
When the car came to a sudden stop, Amora snapped to the present. Now they were on a much less populated road, Jailhouse St. At the end of the block was a jailhouse, giving it the name. Suddenly flustered, she looked at the place to her right when it clicked.
"No, Willow, turn back, now."
"Girl, that was five years ago. I was just going to order take-out-"
"No." Amora's glare grew even colder. "Leave so I can go home."
Willow stiffened under her gaze, then shifted the car to 'drive'. "Okay." Her voice had lost its spirit. "Let's go home."
If not for the situation, Amora would have apologized when she wiped at her face, but she couldn't. Not after what she did. Driving down the smooth road, soft music in the background, Amora looked back one last time at the place she knew too well; the place she could never forget: Fiesta Cancun.
It was the place they were supposed to meet up.
And the place where she got the phone call.
One day, Bridger, we'll meet again. It was her turn to wipe away tears. Until then, I'm sorry.
Hey there! I hope this chapter was enjoyable. If you've got any questions or feel that anything could be improved, please let me know. Right now I'm trying to find the right balance of detail.
Anyway, I hope you're well and God bless. <3
Random question: What are the strangest food combinations that you love?
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