We walked to our old middle school. Some say that time is actually something we only perceive to be linear, when in reality everything that has happened, is happening, and will ever happen are actually all occurring at once. It's a saying I couldn't ever really get behind, too philosophical for my taste. But, in this moment, I could see why it's believed. It was like I was looking at all our past selves, every instance of every memory all unfolding at the same time. It turned this old parking lot with just me and Cindy into a carnival exploding right in front of me. I didn't really understand it. "Remember when we all used to just hang out, right here after lunch?" she asked me.

"Remember it? I'm looking at it." I said quietly. The punch to my arm came quick and would eventually leave a bruise.

"Can you not be weird for like five minutes?"

"Best I can do is three."

"You are the worst." she said laughing. I looked at her while her smile was at its peak. The corners of her mouth curved, her eyes slightly closed, eyebrows raised a little, and her small shoulders bouncing up and down. The sun was almost behind her and it went right through her hair. It looked golden, like liquid fire. I took out my phone and snapped a quick picture. "Wow I don't think it was even a minute." she joked laughing even harder.

"You looked really cute, I just wanted to save the moment."

"That's sweet but maybe the beauty of a moment lies in the scarcity of a moment. Like maybe that moment was only special because you could never get it again." she questioned. An interesting thought I suppose.

"Maybe it's special because I thought it was. I think in twenty years if I look back and see that photo, I'd probably thank myself."

"I see your point but it's probably a gray area. Maybe we're both right in a way." she turned away only to look back again. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Did you actually just admit that we might both be right?"

"I see it as a sign of growth." a playful tone escaping her lips.

"Incredible." was all I could say.

"You know Jimmy, I'm really glad you're back." her hands resting on my shoulders. "It feels like things are going back to normal, even if only for a little bit." her cheeks flushing. My arms sort of wrapped around her waist.

"I'm extremely glad to be back." we embraced in a hug. She squeezed really tight, like she didn't want to let go. She whispered something that I couldn't quite hear. "What'd you say?"

"I'll tell you later today or tonight." and with that, she let go of me and we started walking again. Where we were going I didn't know.

Walking for a while, I realized there was something I wanted to ask her. We didn't keep in touch much while I was gone so it felt natural to ask. "You said things felt back to normal with me coming back?"

"I did say that, yep." looking up at me with a smile while not slowing her pace at all.

"Does that mean things felt out of whack for you the whole time I was gone." I asked, a small hint of worry came through my tone I think.

"I mean for a time yeah. I think it was more so that, I didn't know things were out of whack until you came back, that make sense?"

"I get whatcha mean."

"Can I tell you something a little serious?" puppy dog eyes staring at me.

"Yeah of course, Cindy."

"After you left, I kinda," she took a deep breath, "I kinda fell into a deep depression. Life just wasn't the same. I sorta stopped eating and going outside much. But the thing was, I didn't even notice I was acting differently, but apparently everyone else could and people for months were just asking me if I was being so weird because you weren't here anymore. It was sorta infuriating."

"Looking back can you see what they meant?"

"I think so to an extent. I'm just glad you're back now I guess." she stopped dead in her tracks and turned me to face her. Her hands immediately cupping my face and looking me dead in my eyes. "Jimmy, promise me you won't leave again."

"Are you sure that's something you want? And why'd you get so serious all of a sudden?" I asked, slipping my face out of her hands and backing a step away from her.

"Just promise me. Please?" she asked, turning her head downward, her face basked in shadow.

"I promise." I said as I lifted her chin up. "Everything's gonna be alright, and I'll always be by your side." I smiled, and she did the same. It had been another few minutes of walking before either of us had said anything.

"Hey, you think the mall is still open?" she asked.

"We can be there in about ten minutes or so if you really wanna go. And off we went.