You're on a train back home from University for the summer, the first summer that you will be spending at home since college. You don't know what to expect or even who to expect. The people that you've kept in touch have been few and far between, and even those connections have frayed with time. The world outside the window blurs past and you ride on, closer to your destination. Bristol. You can't wait...
You feel the train shudder to a stop as it shakes you awake, from dreams that are slowly slipping away. You've arrived. Katie fucking fitch is back home. You shuffle through the corridor, grab your bags, exit the train. It's all very routine. You come off the platform and see your dad waving.
"Katie!" He hugs and kisses you, his smile earsplitting and infectious. You smile back and sink into his embrace. Home. It's starting to sound better. This summer you'll be working at the family grocery store, Fitchie's. It's been your father's since you can remember - his passion for fresh produce has never waned with time. You think it's silly, but it's a job nonetheless.
You drive home and the chatter is a bit mindless, catching up, this and that. You've always kept up more with dad than mom after the split, so there's not too much he's missed. This summer it'll just be you, papa fitch and that little fucker James. Probably off at the skate park right now, smoking up with his pothead buddies. Great. You smirk to yourself with the knowledge that you'll be able to score some weed with a well-placed kick to the nads. Always knew he'd prove useful for something. Emily's doing some smart thing at her college this summer (classic, golden child, give yourself a pat on the back, Em). And that's all right, although you must admit you miss the muff muncher most days. You collapse on the bed and think of things to come, hope they'll be better than you expect. Usually the unreal is better than the real – you're waiting for this summer to prove you wrong.
Most days at the store pass without incident. There are a few spills in aisle such-and-such, some idiots decide to gallon smash one day and it reminds you of that lovable moron, Cook and think to yourself that it's something he would've enjoyed. He'd howl and chuck them, slide like a rock star on the floor, and then pretend it was an accident when discovered by the staff. These are the things that occupy your mind these days. Home simply cannot stop the memories from flooding back.
And then one day, the moment you realize you've been both dreading and awaiting happens. She strolls in and at first it doesn't register who she is, but then you do a double take and the way she walks is unmistakable. Your mind starts whirring as you realize that she'll be coming to your counter – it's late and you're the only one working as your coworker just stepped out for a smoke. Truth is until these past couple weeks you've not thought about her much. You've learned to forget the past, learned to change and not care so much. Your thoughts are cut short as you realize she's arrived. You see the moment of recognition and it's a little satisfying – to be able to see emotions register on Elizabeth Stonem's generally blank face. The little spark of shock fade and her smirk widens, eyes flashing in amusement. "Fancy seeing you here," she drawls out, and you lean on the counter responding, "been a while," not really giving her anything. She doesn't make any small talk and you sigh in relief even though you were expecting it. You move to check out her items and can't stop yourself from chuckling. Nutella and condoms. Staples in an adolescent's life. "Nothing much changed, then?" you laugh, somewhat derisively, and Effy's smirk twists like a knife, becoming something ugly and dangerous. "Jealous, Katiekins, miss I've-never-not-had-a-boyfriend?"
"As jealous as I could ever be of you and your flings."
"You implying that your relationships with sleazy Rovers meant much more?"
You're left a little speechless but the truth is that you've not been that girl in a long time, and you've no desire to go back to being her anytime soon. So you wave a little white flag.
"No. They didn't. Not fucked anyone as repulsive as Danny in quite a while."
That draws a laugh from Effy and her smirk twists back to something less sinister. "I'm glad."
She's bagged her essentials and moves to go. "Have fun tonight," you say to her retreating form.
"Thanks," she replies. And you wink, watching her smirk turn into a smile. "Until next time, Katie."
So you're left alone with your mind again, running your hands through your hair as the words run on a loop inside your head.