Pitbabes2, Chapter 3 pg8

 pg8

   “See you at the house,” Jeff said to Charlie before heading off with Phii Alan. The “house” he meant was Phii Alan’s place. Tonight, we’d planned to cook, eat, drink, and chat until we all gradually passed out, as we’d done before (even though we’d already talked plenty earlier).

   “Yeah, I’ll catch up,” Charlie replied.

   Everyone else had left, leaving just me and Charlie behind. Charlie was packing up the tools Phii Alan had entrusted to him, while I stood in front of the grave, unable to step away. I don’t know why, but I felt like Way wanted to tell me something, like he was holding me back to stay a little longer. Maybe he was lonely, maybe he missed the times we shared, or maybe I’d just gone crazy. That’s possible too.

   “Heading back?” Charlie’s voice came from nearby. He walked over and crouched down to fix the flowers that the wind had knocked askew from Sonic’s arrangement.

   “Two years already, huh,” I said, not sure if my voice was too soft to be heard over the wind. This indescribable feeling always came back whenever I visited here. I couldn’t even say if it was good or bad. “Feels so fast, like it was yesterday.”

   “Yeah, it’s gone by quick.”

   “Never thought there’d come a day when I’d be older than Way.”

   It might sound strange, but that thought had been circling in my head for a while. I stood staring at the numbers on the gravestone—his birth year to the year he died. I couldn’t believe I’d lived to see Way’s end. As I keep aging every day, he stays the same age forever. His face, his voice—they remain unchanged in my memory. Even when I’m sixty, Way will still be a young man. By then, I’ll probably feel like we’re not from the same generation anymore.

   “He might be aging along with you, Babe. Who knows?” Charlie said.

   “You and your words, Charlie,” I let out a soft laugh, silently thanking him for at least making me smile in a moment when my heart was beyond understanding. “The only one aging with me is you.”

   “Is that a marriage proposal?”

   “Nope.”

   “Got it. Even if you asked, I wouldn’t say yes.”

   I don’t know why I always laugh at Charlie’s words. I never thought this kid was funny, but the atmosphere when we’re together always makes me want to laugh. I love chuckling at his deadpan jokes and resting my heart in his warm embrace. Like now, as the whirlwind of thoughts in my head slowed down, returning to a steady flow. His hand rubbing my back, his nose nuzzling by my ear—Charlie made everything simple. Even if he couldn’t untangle the knots in my heart, he made them stop mattering.

   We hugged in silence, letting our feelings envelop each other. I closed my eyes, relaxed, feeling like I was floating, ready to drift off at any moment. Until something nudged me to open my eyes.

   Maybe it’s just human instinct to sense when you’re being watched. Even though it was just me and Charlie here, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I stared intently, and when I looked in the direction of that feeling, past Charlie’s broad shoulder, my heart seemed to stop for a moment.

   I saw the back of someone, tall and slender, dressed in black from head to toe, walking further away. It’s possible someone else was just passing by, but their silhouette reminded me of a certain person—someone I was certain couldn’t possibly be walking there.

   “Babe…”

   He should be lying in the grave in front of me.

   Charlie’s voice was faint, like a breeze from far away, even though he was standing right in front of me. My ears were ringing, my palms ice-cold. The moment he turned around, his face filled my vision. If this wasn’t me seeing a ghost, then I must’ve truly lost my mind.

   “Babe.”

   “Let’s go, Charlie.”

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