Lost and Found
By lfleurdelys
Chapter 2
I floated in a sea of happiness, remembering the events of this past week. Dancing in his arms at winter formal, listening to his serenade as he whispered the lyrics softly in my ear, I realized then how much I liked him. My heart was tingly with joy and my soul was warming at the mere image of him. My eyes fell to a picture taken at the dance and I sighed, blissfully happy. This week had marked our first days as an official couple and in this world of high school, it became a rather important piece of gossip and my friends could not be more excited.
I could not stop smiling.
o o o
My heart was pounding as I waited for him by his locker. He had planned the rest of the afternoon out but refused to give me any details. I was so happy at his sides and in all honesty, his gorgeous midnight blue eyes kept me preoccupied during the major part of the day. It was ridiculous. Could such happiness exist? Yet, here I was, waiting for the young man to come and sweep off my feet the way he had done so for the last two months. A quick peck on the cheek woke me up from my reverie and I grinned brightly at his sight.
"That wasn't a proper greeting," I chided him before he cupped my face and leaned down to kiss me properly. "That's better," I finally whispered, before he winked at me and grabbed a few books from his backpack.
"I thought so too," he teased, the smile never leaving his lips.
"So where are we going?"
"You'll find out soon enough. I think you'll enjoy it!"
"I always do if it's with you," I answered back, flirting with my boyfriend.
He kissed me again before grabbing my hand and dashing toward the parking lot.
Darien had blindfolded me and aside from the bustling sounds of the crowded streets, I was not able to uncover the mystery of this expedition.
It was thirty minutes later that I finally detected the subtle sound of the crushing grass under my heels and the piece of cloth was slowly removed from my eyes by Darien. I gasped at the marvelous sight before me. A single candle illuminated the makeshift table on the strategically stones in the courtyard of the local museum. Delicious smells were coming from a picnic basket resting on the ground and I felt his arms wrap around me.
"It's been five months since you've entered my life and I thought it was time for a celebration," he whispered huskily in my ear before he lowered his head to capture another kiss.
I beamed at him, my throat caught with ardent emotions I was not ready to define.
"Darien, this is wonderful."
o o o
The normally adequate cafeteria was curiously packed due to the visiting junior high students. I placed my hand above my eyes, attempting to shield the bright sun rays while clumsily balancing the tray of food on my arm. Glancing from left to right, I noticed that the senior corner was void of familiar faces and I wondered again where my friends were.
"Serena, over here!"
The shootout belonged incontestably to Chad and I walked over to the small patio, relieved that he had found me.
"How were you able to get a table outside?" I asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow. Even with senior standing, it was difficult to compete for the coveted outdoor locations during lunch time. I scooted over by Darien who lazily drew a chair by his side.
Chad just laughed and pointed knowingly toward his girlfriend. "This girl over here got out of class early and she's been impatiently waiting for us to arrive."
I nodded with newfound respect toward my friend but she started to laugh. "Mr. Schneider was generous and decided that he would stop his discussion on macroeconomics after a few students fell asleep."
I chuckled; the elderly professor was well-known among classmates for his drowsy and monotonous tone while conducting lectures.
"So what are the plans for this weekend?" Andrew began as he bit into his chicken sandwich.
"I have tickets for a concert for Saturday, if anyone is interested."
"Sounds like a plan!"
I smiled and thought how quietly and naturally we fell into this pattern of friendship. It had been an impulsive senior year, caught by the capricious but gratifying whims of fate, and if one had predicted this future at the beginning of the semester, I would have shaken my head and openly laughed at the ridiculous forecast. Yet, here we were, six friends and three couples. It was picture perfect after all. I glanced at my boyfriend from the corner of my eye and saw that he was looking at me with an expression of adoration. Admittedly, lasting memories of high school would continuously be crafted until graduation and beyond.
o o o
I could not identify the exact time and day when I became conscious that I had fallen in love with him. However, one bright afternoon, oblivious to the lecture given in my European History class, I had let my mind drift to a daydream of its own and a delighted sigh escaped me when I thought of Darien. It abruptly occurred to me that I was in love with him. Certainly unknown to him, it was an avalanche of his charming gestures that had caused such a commotion in my heart. His disarming smiles, his haunting cobalt eyes, his strong hand fitting so nicely against mine, his delightful notes, which he still left in my lockers despite months of dating. And all of a sudden I simply knew. I loved him. It was simple but the notion suddenly frightened me as I vigilantly pondered whether he returned my feelings.
I did not wait long for my answer. Raye and Mina were already convinced that we were in love but I needed to hear the words from him. Three words sealed my faith a week later at his basketball game. I had gone with Mina to cheer our respective boyfriends on the court. The game had been intensive but our team pulled through by the second half and the hard-working players were rewarded with a place to regionals. Afterward, his eyes searched me and when they found me, he grinned and declared for the whole gymnasium to hear, "I love you!"
My cheeks were quickly covered in a shade of red and I blushed furiously at his announcement in front of the student body. My awkwardness only seemed to increase his exuberance and he decisively jogged toward the bleachers and embraced me in his sweaty arms before planting a wet kiss on my surprised lips. Mina did not help the situation as she was clapping loudly and waving her arms. He nuzzled my neck and pronounced the magical words once more. I thought I was in heaven.
o o o
The semester finally ended and my friends and I decided to reward our academic efforts with a trip to the beach. I screamed in excitement at the glistening sun beams lightly caressing the warm sea. Unexpectedly, I grabbed Mina's arm, unable to contain my childish glee, and we ran toward the crystalline water, our bare feet light on the white sand. Raye and the boys chuckled at our retreating forms but it was not long before they joined us with our belongings in tow. A pair of strong arms encircled me soon after and I laid back into his affectionate embrace.
"You're such a child," he said, his tone serious but his eyes gleaming with warmth and love.
"I may be but I bet you can't catch me," I replied mischievously, grinning from ear to ear.
"Is that so?"
"You can always try," I added, tempting him to prove me wrong.
I hit him playfully and detangled my body from his hug, daring him to catch me. He raised an eyebrow, pondering on the challenge before chasing me by the serene waves. Our contagious banter spread over my friends as I pretended to hid behind Chad and soon the boys were running after my girlfriends and I. Laughter was soon the only sound heard as they caught us and we were unable and unwilling to escape our significant others' grasp any more. Lazy days at the beach, surrounded by people you loved, were truly fabulous.
o o o
The airport was understandably packed at the beginning of summer and yet I was dragging my feet, not paying attention to the crowd of travelers. I was unwilling to let the moment arrive and I turned my head, glancing at the people around me. Couples and families were hugging and I saw a few tearful goodbyes by the gate. My resolve melted and I wondered if I had the strength to do this. Suddenly, my arm was yanked away and I left my gloomy thoughts as he was calling me.
"I checked in the luggage and I'm ready to go," he said, staring at me. I was easily lost in his dark blue eyes before reality beckoned me.
"Good" I finally responded. "Do you need breakfast? A magazine for the plane?"
"No, I'll be all right."
I averted his glance but he lifted my chin with his fingers and told me lovingly, "I love you Serena."
"I love you too," I replied, a wide smile spreading over my features at his words.
"I will see you in two months. God, I miss you already!" he suddenly exclaimed, picking me up and spinning me in his arms.
I nodded fervently, my surprised hands intertwined around his back and I hugged him, burrowing my nose in his cologne.
"Call me when you get to your aunt."
"Of course. I love you, never forget that!" he affirmed again, before picking up his luggage and flashing me a grin.
I smiled weakly at him, waving a goodbye before moving toward the exit of the building. I sighed as I readjusted the mirror in my car. It was going to be a long summer.
His uncle's house was located in a remote part of town and we had little communication during the extended vacation. He would make the effort to call twice a week and too often, I had stayed home, eagerly waiting for his deep and smooth voice to reach me. He talked to me briefly about his hunting expedition with his uncle and described in great details his wild adventures with his younger cousins but I could not help the dooming sensation I resented listening to his voice. His tone had shifted slightly and grew detached from the beginning of our separation and he often ended the conversation in a hurried manner, granting me with unfounded excuses. And then one day, the dreadful escalation of panic and apprehension culminated with a particular phone call where he quickly told me goodbye before I heard the distinct click at the end of the phone. He had forgotten to say 'I love you'. It was perhaps childish to worry about such words but he had always made it a point to reaffirm his sentiments to me. My despair grew as our communications became shorter and in the middle of the summer, I realized that it had been three weeks since I last heard of him.
"Did he call you?" Mina demanded as soon as I slid in the booth facing her. Raye was quietly sipping on her chocolate milkshake, her dark violet orbs throwing daggers at the oblivious blond next to her. "Has he?" Mina repeated eagerly, wisely choosing to ignore the angry stares directed at her.
I shook my head in silent, my hands gripping the bright red plastic covering the seating area.
"Mina!" Raye hissed, "Serena doesn't want to talk about it."
I smiled weakly, thanking my friend for her concern, but reassured her. "I don't mind. He hasn't called but life goes on, right?"
I processed to give them an encouraging thumb up, freeing them from anxiety, and I reaffirmed that they had nothing to worry about. I regretfully drowned the warning bells from my mind. Had he really forgotten about me?
"You're absolutely right! There are more to life than boys," Mina confirmed, firmly nodding her head to emphasize her point.
"Coming from the one who keeps checking her cell phone every five minutes," Raye suddenly teased her.
I laughed. "Mina, if we're keeping you from a hot date, you're free to leave," I said with a chortle, gesturing toward the exit door.
She crossed her arms before losing the angry stare and answering cheerfully, "I still have an hour to catch up with my dear friends."
"I'm glad we've been downgraded to second place," Raye told her, mocked hurt plastered on her face.
I sat back, grinning and enjoying the bickering between my friends. I decisively pushed away the crushing image of him for one single afternoon.
o o o
It was a hot August night when he came back from his family vacation. I had anxiously checked my phone but it was in vain. There had been no missed calls or messages. My worries grew as the day went by but Mina reassured me with her strong faith that once together again, Darien and I would be fine. I wanted to believe her but I could not make up my mind.
Later that evening, the phone finally rang and I heard his voice for the first time in a month. Something had changed and I stiffened at the unknown feeling that flooded inside my soul. He came to pick me up and we walked to the park near our school. I glanced at him but was unable to decipher his thoughts. His once passionate blue eyes were blank and expressionless. We sat down on the wooden bench by the fountain and I waited in silence for him to speak. My heart tightened as the silence grew.
"I'm sorry, we need to break up," he said flatly.
His words left me paralyzed with shock and I could not do anything but ask him the question that was now burning in my mind. I inquired quietly, accusingly, "why?"
He sighed. "I don't love you" he added with finality. His eyes remained on the ground as he continued, "we're too young to know what love is. I think it's better if we end this before one of us gets hurt".
But he had already hurt me, I bitterly thought at his words. Yet, I remained silent; the agony of this conversation and its full implications would not hit me until I was safely in the comforts of my bedroom. I stood up, my legs slightly shaking and still, he did not dare to look at me. I desperately was trying to comprehend his actions and my heart was supplicating for him to reconsider. But, the plea remained caught in my throat and I said nothing.
"I'm sorry," he repeated.
I shuddered and knew I needed to leave. Self-preservation demanded it. I took a step forward, wondering if he would stop me but he sat there without a flicker of emotion. I slowly willed myself to move toward the familiar neighborhood and one step at a time, I finally reached the door of my house. He had not tried to stop me.