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“Yeah. When things fall apart, you tend to reflect on better times, right?”
“Yes.”
“High school wasn’t awesome for you, but the times we hung out were some of my best.”
“What?” He sounds astounded.
“With you, I didn’t have to be the popular football player, you know? I could be me. There was no pressure to act a certain way or like certain people. I was myself with you.”
Michel stares at me in seeming disbelief. “I thought…” He chuckles, shaking his head. “I wanted to believe you truly enjoyed my company, but I convinced myself I was your good deed.”
“Dude. No. I’ve missed you, and I feel like an ass for letting life get in the way of keeping in touch.” I put my hand on his wrist. “I guess we have a second chance though, huh? We both ended up here again.”
“We did.” He smiles briefly before clearing his throat and neutralizing his expression.
I realize quickly he has a public image to uphold. “What about you, Michel? Married? Kids?”
“No. I’ve been busy making a life for myself. If you remember, I wasn’t much to look at before. It took some time to reinvent.”
“Aw, Michel, you were cute. Maybe not in the ways shallow people valued, but for anyone who knew you, you were definitely cute.”
“Now you are lying to me.”
“I’m not.”
Michel holds my gaze for a few seconds before he pulls it away. “I can show you my place. It’s just a few blocks down. You’re welcome to come tonight if you wish.”
“That’d be great. I’d love to see it.”
“Come on then.”
He stands, walking so fast I have to jog to keep up. He’s definitely not the kid I used to know, but the man in his place is mighty intriguing.
He slows his pace as he glances over his shoulder. “Sorry.”
“You walk like a man with purpose. Nothing wrong with that.” I huff a laugh. “But damn. I’ve been warming a chair at a desk for years. I’m out of shape.”
Michel gazes at me with humor in his eyes. “You look great in my opinion. Almost the same, but more mature. Your muscles grew with you.”
“Thanks. Just luck. I haven’t seen the inside of a gym in way too long.”
“Same.”
We resume a better pace, my gaze shifting around to take in the changes. “It’s like Dorothy landing in Oz.”
“What?”
“You know, ‘we’re not in Kansas anymore.’ Your changes are incredible. It’s like you took a town in black and white and added vibrant color. Last time I was here, it was sad.”
“I’m glad you like my efforts.”
“A lot. Yeah.” I catch myself checking him out and I cough to cover my nerves, knowing my face is burning red.
Michel smiles. “Here we are.”
We turn to our right and the sight stops me in my tracks. Where once there was nothing but industrial buildings, trucks, and dust, now there’s a lush green space with a tall brick building behind it. I remember it from back in the day. It was a flour factory that closed when I was still in middle school. There’s a large sign in the grass out front that reads ‘The Lofts at City Center.’
“Wow, Michel.”
