I walked closer to her. "You and I met when we were children. You knew this whole time. Why didn't you say anything about it?"
Alya looked up at me sadly. "When you started attending school during our freshman year I was so happy that I didn't know what to say. I thought I would finally get my best friend back after so many years but when Nino introduced us you didn't seem to remember me. You weren't the same boy I knew...I even told Chloe to not say anything about it...despite that you became my friend all over again. Even though you couldn't remember me you still took care of me like a big brother like when we were kids...I didn't know what to think if I wanted you to remember or forget."
Alya's POV
Since I can remember this apartment has always been my home. I lived with my parents Marlena and Ottis Cesaire I had an older sister named Nora who was overprotective of me and by the time I met you I had two baby twin sisters Ella and Etta. Dad loved animals so he worked at the zoo while mom was a great chef. When I was 7 my mom got a new job as the head chef of the Agreste mansion. Since dad worked a lot mom asked primission from your parents to bring me and my sisters to the mansion when Nora and I weren't at school and basically the twins all the time but it was fine since your mother loved to take care of them saying that she would like to have a daughter one day.
I remember the day I met you and Chloe you guys were playing in the garden when your mom brought Nora and I over. Nora was a bit older than us so she was only there to keep an eye on us and your mother was going to take care of the twins. "Adrien and Chloe this is Alya one of the daughters of our new chef Marlena Cesaire." Your mother said while gesturing to me.
At the time I was shy so I just waved shyly. "Hi Alya! Come play with us!" You said with a bright smile. Ever since than we became best friends. While you were tutored at home I with Chloe went to public school but even than I was ahead of my class because I would study all the time.
Soon it was close to my birthday and my parents asked me what I wanted for that year. "I want a huge teddy bear." I honestly didn't care what I got but I read somewhere that most girls my age asked their parents for stuffed animals so that's what I said to make it easy for them.
Two days before my birthday your mother had to go on a trip and since she was best friends with my mom she invited her to go and I wasn't happy about it because they were supposed to be back later in the day of my birthday.
"I'll be back on your birthday and we'll celebrate that night with the Agreste and Chloe." My mom said trying to cheer me up.
I didn't want to hear it I was so upset. "No I hate you! I hate you!" I ran to my room and that was the last thing I said to her before she went on the trip.
I spent the day of my 8th birthday with you and Chloe my dad was going to pick our moms up from the airport after picking Nora up from school since Nora stayed for wrestling practice. When they were supposed to be arriving we waited outside for them to come...that's when it happened...a spreading car bumped into dad's car and it flipped upside down as fire started to form...I cried so hard and so did you.
No one survived and I was all alone with the twins. The last thing I said to my mom was that I hated her I felt so guilty that when I saw the accident I fell on my knees and exclaimed. "I promise to be a good girl from now on! I'll never say anything selfish again! I'll study hard! I'll take care of the twins! I'll grow up to be a good girl!"
The only thing that survived was your mother's wedding ring and a briefcase that belonged to my dad why I don't know honestly. Dad's sister and her husband became mine and the twins new guardians. Lucky they came here to live so we didn't have to move. Ever since the accident your dad wouldn't let anyone in so I lost contact with you I was still friends with Chloe since we went to school together.
I never opened the briefcase I couldn't not even now. Whatever is in it will just remind me of them.
As Alya was telling her story I couldn't remember anything that she was saying everything was a blur. "Did you tell anyone else about this?"
"No it still hurts I haven't even told Nino about it...but I want you to tell our friends...you also lost a loved one that day but you are brave enough to talk about it. Even though you forget about me I was hoping you would one day remember because you were my first friend...for now I want to be alone." Alya replied looking down.
The next day I gathered everyone in the club room and told them everything. "So even though you couldn't remember anything Alya still remembered who you were?" You asked curiously.
"Yes though I feel guilty because I can't remember everything she said." I replied.
"I knew the whole time but I promised to not say anything." Chloe stated.
"I can't believe she never told me all of this and I thought I knew her well enough." Nino stated. "We have to cheer her up."
"Yes and I know how to do that." I replied. We went to her house but she didn't want to see us. It was sad but it was fine we talked to her uncle and aunt and sisters about our plan and they agreed to help us.
Based on what her aunt told us her sisters Ella and Etta knew about the death of their parents and older sister but not in what way so we didn't tell them anything about that. All week we planned a party for Alya's birthday on Saturday while also trying to talk to her but she wouldn't leave her room when we were there not even for Nino.
The hardest part for us was what to give her as a gift so one day we went to all the stores in the city and got a gift card from every store so she could pick it herself.
"Everything was fine a few days ago why does everything have to be so complicated." Nino said in a bad tone as we were heading home. He has been in a bad mood since Alya's outburst and I understood him as her boyfriend he must have been very worried about her so was I but most likely not the same way as him.
On Thursday afternoon the whole group was working on the party we were at her apartment and I looked at her bedroom door in concern. "I hope you're alright Alya we are all worried about you."
After a while we took a break I sat on the couch and leaned back closing my eyes. I wished I could remember my time with Alya when we were kids. All of the flashbacks suddenly came together and I remember everything.
For most of my life Chloe was my only friend but that all changed when I was 7. My parents hired a new chef and she had 4 daughters one was in her first year of high school named Nora baby twins named Ella and Etta and Alya was my age.
I was playing with Chloe in the garden when mom came over to us with a shy little girl next to her. "Adrien and Chloe this is Alya one of the daughters of our new chef Marlena Cesaire."
"Hi Alya! Come play with us!" I said with a smile happy to have a new friend.
Because of my parents job I was homeschooled my entire childhood. I found it boring to study alone and based on Chloe I was learning things way ahead from the average child in my age. Alya and Chloe went to public school but we would do most of our homework together and that was fun.
I remember when my mom told me that she was going on a trip. I was always sad when she or dad had to go on a trip. "Okay but please come back soon. I'll miss you."
"I'll be back by Alya's birthday and I promise that I'll always be here whenever you need me." She replied before hugging me. "Take care of Alya and Chloe and the twins." That was the last thing she said before leaving.
I tried to cheer up Alya who was upset that her mother left. On her birthday Chloe and I made a party for her and she was happy especially when it was almost time for our mothers to come back. Chloe had to leave early so we went to see her leave and decided to wait for our families to arrive.
That's when the accident happened at first I was frozen into place from the shock of seeing the car flipping before starting to cry. Alya reacted worse than I did and I don't blame her she lost three family members while I only lost one. That was the last time I saw Alya. Dad became more cold and I wasn't allowed to leave from the house. I would only see Chloe when her dad the Mayer came to visit my dad for something.
Over time the memories I had of my two childhood friends became like a dream that I forgot off. That's why when I met Alya years later I couldn't remember her.
I opened my eyes when I heard a door open and it was Alya walking out from her room. Everyone ran up to her and greeted her happily. "I'm so glad you came out from your room we all missed you." You said with a smile.
"How are you feeling?" Nino asked concern.
"I'm glad to see all of you again and I feel better." Alya replied before looking at me. "Did you remember?"
I nodded. "Yes."
The next day Alya went back to school and during our meeting in the club room she told us that she needed our support on something. That's when she took out a briefcase that was burnt and beaten up. I remember it belonging to her father.
Alya's POV
Ever since the accident I didn't dare open my dad's briefcase but now with all my friends support I found the courage to do it. I opened it and inside I saw a note with a huge teddy bear inside...that's when I remembered that was what I asked my parents to get me for my birthday. It looked new my family might have been taking care of it over the years without me knowing.
The note said 'to Alya Cesaire from your family'. I took a deep breath before opening the note.
To Alya,
Even though your life is full of tears and sorrow. This world is still a beautiful place. Open your eyes and see it for yourself. Do what you want to do. Be who you want to be. Find friends to share the good and bad with you. Enjoy life. Don't be in a hurry to grow up.
We found this bear in the gift shop of the airport. We looked all over and this was the biggest one we could find..I hope you like it. To our cute little Alya happy birthday.
Love your mom dad and sister.
I teared up and hugged the bear. "Wolcome back mom dad and Nora I missed you."
On Alya's birthday the whole group went to her apartment for the party well not Nino since he went earlier so he was already there. We knocked on the door and she opened the door. "You made it thanks for coming."
"It was our pleasure." We all said at the same time.
"I hope you don't mind but I invited my parents. They're bringing a huge cake." You stated with a smile.
"Once everyone shows up we can open presents." Juleka said softly.
"Yea that sounds great." Alya replied.
We had so much fun at Alya's birthday party and it seemed like she was sincerely happy ever since the accident and I was happy for her.
