The eye contact was broken as quickly as it'd been made, the both of us so swiftly looking away. Garry to the side from what I could tell while I snapped my line of sight back down to the ground.
We didn't say anything for a moment before Garry eventually sighed and placed an almost hesitant hand on my shoulder. "Come on; let's get to that café mm?" He said over the patter of rain with a small smile.
I smiled slightly myself and nodded in agreement, letting him lead me to it. Thankfully it wasn't a long walk and once inside he pulled a chair out for me at a table, allowing me to sit down as he informed me he was going to get us both a hot drink and some macrons to share.
Sitting with his coat tightly wrapped around me now, I waited still smiling to myself. I couldn't help but let my mind wander at the thought of what it would've been like if I and Garry kept in contact.
I imagined it, a warm spring day with beautiful flowers beginning to bloom just outside the window I was sat at while Garry just across from me smiled and told me about whatever my curious childmind thought of to ask him.
Quickly, I'd gotten lost to this thought and was only brought back to sense as Garry placed down my mug of hot chocolate in front of me, whipped cream and marshmallows complimenting it.
"Thank you.." I mumbled, smiling down at it as I wrapped my hands gratefully around the comfortingly hot mug while Garry smiled and nodded; not making eye contact as he sat across from me and placed the small plate of macrons down as well as his own cup.
"No problem, Ib." He said in his soft voice, my name rolling off of his tongue so naturally which made me blush as the realisation of how much I truly missed that, him.
We sat in silence once again, neither of us reaching for the macrons while awkwardly sipping at our cocoa.
Eventually, however, we both went to reach for one yet the second our hands brushed he recoiled so quickly I involuntarily made all my movements slow and hesitant, building up the courage to ask him what was wrong with me.
"Garry what is it.." I finally asked quietly, mentally kicking myself for not being more confident around him.
Garry seemed taken aback by the question "Wh-What..? Nothing is bothering me, Ib, if that's what you're thinking." He shook his head in almost disbelief at me asking my question.
I looked up, keeping my gaze on his face "Garry please, you're acting so weird around me and I… I just don't like it and I guess I'm worrying about you not liking or caring about me after all these years and.." I was rambling, vision blurring. I'd made myself begin to cry with all the stupid thoughts making Garry's eyes widen in worry. I could've kicked myself for being so immature.
In fact due to my crying I hadn't even noticed Garry bend down by my side, placing a reassuring arm around my shoulders.
He let me cry for a moment before resting his head on his own arm near my head "Hey.. Hey calm down okay? Let's get these to go and we can talk more at my apartment." He sighed quietly although he sounded a lot more open, a lot warmer and friendly. I nodded in agreement, letting him stand to get everything to go while I just let myself cool down.
Once we were both ready he walked me out and to his apartment, silent and almost slightly tense now which made me worry again.
Stopping outside of his door he opened it wide and let me in, telling me to make myself at home but stepping inside I almost felt as if I was intruding and chose to just sit on his couch quietly, hands on my lap.
He soon joined me, placing the same arm around my shoulders. "Ib.." He began in a tone that put me right at ease "I've been acting weird because it's been years okay? I've missed you so much, missed you growing up and despite knowing we'd meet again I didn't know what to say, how to act especially when you've grown into such a charming young lady. You must be what, sixteen now right?" He said with a small smile.
A lot more comfortable now, I leaned against him and nodded "Mhm.. That I am." At that from what I could see his smile grew a little bigger as he squeezed me gently, holding me against him.
"You know, I'd been going to that gallery for a while, hoping I'd find you again. I nearly gave up hope." I mumbled as he sighed quietly.
"I'm sorry I couldn't have found you sooner, I honestly have no idea why I waited or anything, especially when I thought about you every day since we first departed." He shook his head slowly as I nodded in understanding "Well I'm hardly indifferent."
"Indifferent?" He laughed quietly "It sounds weird hearing you say such big words when not long ago you had me read you things out." He teased, ruffling my hair making me blush.
"Well I'm not a little girl anymore Garry, so expect more of those big words okay. If you're lucky I won't have to explain them to you." I teased back making us both giggle softly as if we hadn't spent years apart.
After some comfortable silence of just sitting with each other Garry sprung to life and got to his feet quickly "That reminds me," He began as he turned to me "You parents Ib, they'll worry. What time do you need to be back at home?" He asked with slight anxiety hinting in his voice.
I shrugged slowly at his question "Before it gets dark I suppose. Why? Do you think they'll be angry that I'm hanging around with you?" I smiled weakly as if that be the impossible.
It was now his turn to shrug "I have no idea Ib. But it is getting late; perhaps I should start walking you back, sound good? I'll split the macrons so you can have your half too." He said with a smile as I nodded and stood.
"Sounds like a plan." I said as I watched him take out some macrons before handing me the bag with the rest in while he opened the door "Ladies first."
"I'm glad to see you kept you etiquette Garry." I smiled at him as I walked out and waited for him to join me.
"Why of course I would Ib, especially around you." He nodded before beginning to walk me home.
Once outside my house I turned to him "Well, this is where we say goodbye I suppose." And despite how hard I felt I was trying the disappointment was so painfully evident in my voice that he gave me a sad smile.
"Yes, it would appear so but we can always meet up. Maybe we could go to the park this upcoming weekend or something like that, if you'd like." He nodded, trying to keep the mood light and positive and of course I agreed with him, holding out my hand.
He raised a brow at it, taking it "What is it Ib?" He asked, looking down at my hand before kissing it making me blush as I pulled out a pen "I was going to ask you write down your phone number idiot, so we can arrange better." I had to smile though, as did he from embarrassment.
"Of course, I knew that's what you were going to ask." He chuckled awkwardly making my smile ever bigger. When he finished he smiled "Okay, if I could have my coat back please."
Removing it quickly, I handed it to him before almost automatically hugging him tightly. I hadn't even noticed myself move to do so until I felt my chest pressed against his chest which, just as I had guessed, was warm and comforting.
Garry seemed shocked at first, but quickly relaxed into it, wrapping his arms around me "Goodbye Ib…" He whispered while I said a goodbye back, pulling away slowly from the hug so I could slowly walk towards the front door, Garry watching to see I got there safely before leaving once I walked inside.
I only came to face my parents though, both with a scowl on their face as I shut the door. "Is everything okay..?" I asked, confused as to why they were staring at me in such a way.