It was our secret place. No one knew about it, and no one would find out.
I didn't think it was weird that it was the first place I ever laid eyes on him. I didn't find it weird that it was the place where he first talked to me. I didn't find it weird that it was the last place I ever saw him.
No. What I found weird was that no one knew. No one knew about it, and no one has seen it. Everything that happened there, stayed there.
This was our place.
"Dear my beautiful Maeve,
If only there was an easy way to say this. So I decided to write it.
Recently, my father passed away. But you know that.
He left me his company to look after. I was unsure at first, but remember that time I didn't see you for a week? I went back home to check it out. It was actually pretty cool.
It might not come as a surprise now, but I'm taking over. My father left it for me to take.
Im going to miss your laugh. Im going to miss your smile. Im going to miss your eyes. I'm going to miss your kisses. I'm going to miss the memories. I'm going to miss you.
Don't wait for me. If you find the right guy, take him, it might take five, ten years for me to reach you.
But if by any luck, you're single when I come back, I want you.
I'll definitely miss you. I believe you are the one.
I love you,
Louis xx"
Now, five years later, I sat under the oak tree and reread it for the millionth time.
July 10
There, right in front of us, was this huge thing, and Skye acted like she couldn't even see it.
'You're telling me that you can't see that big huge thing right in front of you?' I asked my best friend. Just for exaggeration, I spread out my arms, pointing to the large oak tree in the middle of the park.
'Yes!' she said. 'I seriously can't see it!'
I sighed. 'Fine. I believe you.'
'Thank you!'
Let me take you back to the start.
July 3
I took my backpack, books, food and drink, and got on my bike. It was a sunny morning and the sun shone on my back as I rode to the park.
At first, I though I had gone to the wrong park. I had never seen the big oak tree in the middle of it.
Then I saw the sign. The name was still the same.
And besides, the tree was perfect. It provided perfect shade.
As I got closer, I saw a shape. 10 meters away from the tree, I saw the shape move. 5 meters, 4, 3. The shape stood up and walked towards me. As it brushed past, I saw him smile.
For the next few days, I went to the tree. Everyday, he was there.
July 7
I left earlier than usual. I arrived at the park at 9:12 to be exact.
He was sitting there, listening to his iPod.
I sat down on the opposite side, behind him, where he couldn't see me.
Ten minutes later, I was so distracted by the book, that I didn't notice the boy coming towards me. I didn't even notice him sit next to me.
'Whatcha got there?' he said, startling me.
'Oh, sorry, I didn't realize you were there,' I said. I swear I could've had a mini heart attack.
'Sorry,' he apologized. 'Whatcha got there?' he repeated.
'A book,' I said.
'Really?' he said sarcastically.
'No, actually its a textbook.' I said, showing him the front cover.
'Interesting...' he said, studying the cover, running his fingers over the words. 'So this is what a book looks like.'
I laughed. It was the first real laugh in ages.
'Louis,' the boy said, holding out his hand.
'Maeve,' I said, shaking it.
We made small talk for a while until the sun was directly above us.
July 7
11:35
'Let me buy you lunch.'
'I'm sorry. I have to be home by lunch. Maybe tomorrow.' I stood up, brushing dirt off my jeans. 'See ya,' I said, looking back one last time.
