Chapter 10%
Of all the people I could’ve run into today, it was him–the boy I once had a crush on when I was thirteen and awkward, who used to sneak me paper flowers during art class and let me borrow his favorite books. The same boy who moved away before I ever got the courage to say anything
“Well, look at you,” he said, eyes lighting up. “You’ve grown up.”
“So have you,” I replied, smiling despite myself.!
Troy had the same lopsided grin, the same warm gaze, but there was something more grounded about him now. Older, sure–but also calmer, Steadier
“It’s been what, ten years?” he asked, running a hand through his hair.
“Almost eleven,” I said without thinking, then laughed. “Not that I’ve been counting
He chuckled too. “You always were the one with the good memory. And the sketchpad.
I lifted the one I was holding. “Some things don’t change.”
The bookstore buzzed softly behind us, but the world had suddenly gone still–like time was folding just for the two of us.%
“Do you have time for a coffee?” he asked “Catch up a little?
I nodded. “Actually, I’d love that “}
We walked a few blocks down to a corner café with warm wooden tables and the scent of cinnamon in the air. We chose a small booth by the window, the kind that made you want to stay a while.X
Over cups of coffee and the occasional laughter, memories came rushing back like the tide
*Remember that time you helped me pass Mr. Vergara’s math class by giving me all the wrong formulas… and I still passed anyway?” i teased.!
He grinned, leaning back. “You passed because you were smarter than you gave yourself credit for
“Or maybe because I studied after you almost ruined me, I joked.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Guilty. But hey, I gave you flowers to make up for it.“!!
I tilted my head. “Paper ones.
“They lasted longer,” he said with a wink.
I couldn’t help but laugh. It felt so natural. So… easy!!
As the conversation drifted, we fell into a rhythm. I told him about how I stopped painting for years, about how life had pulled me in directions I never meant to go. I didn’t go into the painful details–at least not yet–but I could tell he sensed there was more.!!
He shared how he had moved abroad for university, worked in different cities, traveled for a while, and now was back in town temporarily to help with a community art program.
“Still doing art?” I asked &
“Always. I guess it’s the only thing I could never let go of “He looked at me then, his gaze softening. “What about you?”
“I stopped,” I admitted, my fingers tracing the rim of my cup. “For a long time. I gave it up for someone who told me I didn’t need to work, that being a wife should be enough.”
There was a flicker of something in his eyes. Concem. A question he didn’t ask!!
“But I’m painting again now, I added quickly, offering a small smile..
He leaned in a little closer. That’s good. You always lit up when you talked about your art. Don’t ever let someone take that from you
again.”
I didn’t reply right away. Just stared at him, feeling the weight of the moment. It had been so long since someone had looked at me without judgment or expectation.
We stayed like that for a while, talking about books, favorite artists, the best desserts we’d tried lately. There was a comfort in the familiarity between us. Like we were picking up from a chapter we hadn’t finished.!!!
Eventually, the sky outside darkened into a soft evening hue.8
“I should get going.” I said, gathering my things.
“I’ll walk you home,” Troy offered.
“You don’t have to-
“I want to ”
And so we walked, side by side, through quiet streets lined with flickering lamps and the occasional late commuter. He didn’t pry, didn’t push–just walked with me in a silence that wasn’t awkward at all!
When we reached my front door, I turned to him. “Thanks for the coffee. And the walk “1
He smiled, hands in his pockets. “Thanks for letting me tag along. It was nice. Seeing you again.”
“It was,” I agreed
There was a pause. A beat where neither of us moved.
“I’m around for a few weeks,” he said, almost shyly. “If you ever want to grab coffee again. Or paint together. Or just talk.”
hesitated for a second, then nodded. “I’d like that.”