Park

"HEY!" he yelled. Eleanor was raining punches and blows at him. He tried blocking her but she just wouldn't stop. He was too much of a gentleman to push her away since she would end up bruised for sure.

"ELEANOR!"

She freezed.

"Yes. FINE! okay! It's me. Long time no see huh?" he said, placing his hands in front of his face, surrendering.

She got up, breathing hard and offered her hand. He took it. He could have gotten up on his own, but he wanted to maintain as much physical contact as possible. That is not harmful or bruise-creating.

"Thanks for recognizing me so soon by the way!" he said, his voice bursting with sarcasm. " I instantly knew it was you when it took you what, 15 minutes to tell it was me?"

"Well I don't expect to bump into you of all people when I wake up every morning. Plus, I had a long night, ok?" she said, her hand over her face, fingers rubbing consciousness into her eyes. "And you look different. What did you do to your hair? You look like a crossover between Goth and Asian punk."

"What's wrong with punk?"

"Nothing."

"Oh really?"

"I like it."

"OK, now you are just stealing my line."

"It's been 20 years, give me a break."

Pause.

"You love it when I steal your line."

"You haven't changed at all have you?"

"What were you expecting?"

"I wasn't expecting anything! I didn't even know you lived here!

She grinned at him.

"No, seriously! I was just on my usual morning run and then I see a redhead emerging out of a car, hair glowing red in the fresh morning sunlight."

An awkward pause ensued.

"Wow Park. What, turned into Shakespeare since we last talked?"

"An Asian Shakespeare."

"With heavy eyeliner and spiky hair that makes you look totally 'cool'." She air quoted the last word.

"Oh and you're wearing mascara and foundation. So I guess that means makeup is suddenly okay with you, then?"

"Point made."

Pause.

"Is it going to be completely inappropriate if I invite you inside?"

"Yes."

"Park, would you like to come in?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because we haven't made up yet."

"Made up? We'll have plenty of time for that once we go inside."

She unlocked the door and grabbed his hand, pulling him in with her. Instead of her feet carrying her inside, her body spun around and crashed into Park. She felt his hands encircle her and the long-lost feeling of affection returned with a flourish. Her wrist was throbbing, she felt his fingers mark her pale skin. Innocently, she looked up, brownish black eyes and ginger hair.

"Come with me, I have to show you something."

She freezed. He tugged harder on her. When he realized she wouldn't budge, he turned around.

"What?"

"That was lame, Park. 20 years later and you are still the king of bad pickup lines."

"You love it."

Rolling her eyes, she followed him as they walked in to a nearby darkened alleyway. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the darkness.

"Wait hold on, background check. Are you single?"

"Yeah. Wait are you single? I thought you'd be married by now?"

"I was. But I got divorced."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

"May I know her name?"

He looked uncomfortable as his brain tried to avoid answering. Oh what good is keeping secrets, he thought rationally.

"It's Tina, remember her? She cheated on me because she fancied a guy who had more money than I did."

She thought about that for a while. "Isn't that always the case?"

He smiled at her, a true smile. She changed so much, matured into this beautiful woman, yet she was still in there. His honest Eleanor, the compassionate Eleanor. The one that he loved 20 years ago was waiting inside, he just knew it. She waiting for him. He was so cheesy, he scolded himself. But was she willing to give their love a try? Again?

He really hoped her answer wasn't walking away. Again.

"I would be mad at you but I am so over Tina. I have seen enough to know that the real world is completely different from high school. Bullies are put in their rightful place, nice people fall in love and all is right in the world again."

"I agree with that statement fully. Nice people do fall in love. No matter how late."

"But what makes a person good or bad? How are we the judge?"

"Let me help you out. Where do you work?"

"The local hospital. You know, the one connected to the rehab. I am a nurse."

"Well there you go! There's your answer! You never hurt anybody in school and now you are working as a nurse! Helping others, caring for them, making the world a better place in any way that you can! If I may dare say, I think I just fell in love with you even more."

"Even more?"

"Yeah"

"I thought you would have moved on by now."

"No, the Mistake was a rebound. Everyone else since has been a rebound. I am done waiting and searching. I want the real deal." Eleanor seemed speechless. She seemed as though her muscles had locked into place for fear that anything could ruin the moment.

"Good. Good. Alright then. Tons of secrets, lots of catching up to do and lots of new bands, books and movies to discuss." she said, clapping his hands together, an excited gleam on her face.

"But first allow me to kiss the most smartest, funniest and most different girl I have ever met."

She threw a punch at his cheek.

"OW!"

"I'm not a girl anymore."

"Oh no don't tell me you had a sex change surgery."

She responded with an even harder punch.

"And you are lame, you know that right? Lame and fantastic?"

"Those are my middle names."

The sun rose behind them, a symbol of fresh beginnings and hope, as two old lovers reconnected with a face-smashing kiss.

Who said face-smashing was awkward anyway?

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