Page 80 of Don’t Forget Me

“Thank you.” My heart fluttered.

“I’ll get dressed and head out.”

He stuttered. Then he strode into the corridor.

I remained seated by the kitchen island, enjoying the breakfast he’d prepared for me.

Ezra rushed out of his room, fixing his tie, grabbing his keys, and sauntering toward me. “I’ll see you later,” he said, followed by a kiss on my forehead.

The food in my mouth almost made me choke as I realized he’d just left a kiss on my forehead. He was already out the door when I processed what had happened. Could it be? Could he feel the same about me?

No. I’d been nothing but indifferent. I had made myself out to be the worst version of myself. Could there be hope? No. I shouldn’t have any hope. Nothing good ever came from holding onto hope.

thirty four

LYSANDRA

5 YEARS AGO

Ezra had seemed different for the past month. As though he was being haunted by a memory that I wasn’t aware of. We’d already spoken about his phantoms and my own. Some of my words seemed to have caused him to close his heart to me. I wished to know what was wrong. He continued to argue that he was fine.

Could he be going through an episode? I had my moments where I had needed space because of the memories that played in my mind constantly at certain times of the year. Especially when June got closer, since it was the month that my mom left.

The entire world celebrated the beginning of summer when I mourned the start of my suffering. It was a time filled with gloom, not sunshine.

But I had the feeling that this year would be different.

Whatever Ezra may have been experiencing, I would have to be patient. Because I understood the feeling of grieving a family that never existed.

Although there were voices in my mind that told me he was hiding something from me. There seemed to be a sliver of guilt that crossed his expression every now and then. Nonetheless, I had never been happier. I refused to allow those pessimistic thoughts to convince me of any type of deceit.

He wouldn’t do that to me. Not after everything we had been through.

I examined myself in the mirror, comparing the tone of my complexion with the skin of the girls beside me. I sighed and shook my head. Today would be a good day. I would not give in to my insecurities. Ezra had taught me to love who I was. If a person like him could love me, then I should be able to love myself.

Well, I should probably hold back on the word “love”. I couldn’t get my hopes up like that.

All I knew was that I did love him, but I didn’t think I was ready to be fully emotionally undressed before him and tell him that.

The door to the washroom squeaked open before it was pushed against the wall, causing a ruckus that caught my attention. When I looked back, the girl with fire-colored hair strutted inside. Her sharp gaze focused on my reflection in the mirror. The other girls in the restroom had hurried out when Scarlett had sauntered in.

“Oh…” she began. “It’s just you.”

I could notice the disdain in her eyes as she scrutinized me.

“Just me,” I replied, coiling one of my curls between my fingers. I gathered my mousse and gel and set them in my bag.

Scarlett walked up to the sink beside me, and fixed her hair before pulling out a small crimson bottle of lip gloss. “How’s it going with that boyfriend of yours?”

Why did it matter to her? I remained silent, a look of confusion striking my features.

“He is so good-looking. Boys like Ezra have always amused me. Those soft-hearted characters, with dark pasts. Yet they shine through the darkness, am I right? But of course, boys will always disappoint, won’t they?” she chuckled.

“I’m sorry, I’m not quite understanding where you’re going with this conversation, and I don’t have time for your banter.” Picking up my bag, I began walking toward the exit of the washroom. Until she stepped in front of me.

“My brother told me something interesting about your boyfriend.”

I felt myself go still.