My Hometown Love

Chapter 8 – Walking Away

Kevin’s P.O.V.

I tried running after Lexie, begging her to stop and listen. But all she did was keep on running, growing further and further away from me with each step. I watched as she ran, yearning and hoping she would turn around and look at me. But alas, she soon disappeared from my sight.

I dropped down to sit on the bench cradling my head in my hands wondering how did it all go so wrong. It all started when Jake told me Lexie was coming back to town. I was ecstatic because I always had a soft spot for her. I hoped that she forgot that I broke her heart 6 years ago and we can be friends again or maybe more. But deep down I knew that what I did was unforgivable. I was a jerk back then and she was such a sweetheart. I told myself that the minute I see her, I wanted to sit down with her and apologize for all the hurt I caused.

Then, I saw her as she entered the Lava Java. She looked so beautiful in that yellow dress that brought out her eyes. She walked in like a ray of sunshine, beaming away, till her eyes fell on me. I saw her face fall and I knew that she hadn’t forgiven me for what happened. I tried to get close to her and open up but she kept pushing me further away every time I tried. As she sat in my car as I sent her home, I couldn’t contain my happiness. How I wished for this back then, Lexie in my car as we drove and talked till the dawn breaks. It was sweet of her to remember my car, it made me believe that there might be hope that she puts the past behind her after all.

Almost a week later, she was slowly opening up to me and we were on a great road to friendship. That’s when I decided that it was time I apologized formally. I texted her and she agreed to meet with me. I picked this chic new place that wasn’t too busy and sat down, anxiously waiting for her to arrive. When she appeared before my eyes, everything I rehearsed to say just flew out the window. I couldn’t bear to wipe off the smile on her face and replace it with hurt, but I was determined to get it over with before we moved further along.

That’s when it all happened. Liliana. I always hated her. She would throw herself on me with hopes that I would fawn over her. She was mean and manipulative. If I knew she worked here, I would have never come here in the first place. As she approached our table, I hoped she didn’t come and flirt with me in front of Lexie. Instead, she went all out on Lexie.

When she said that Lexie was needy, clingy, and hung up on me, I was outraged that she dared to say that, while I’m right here, in front of them. I was about to tell off Liliana when she reminded Lexie of her graduation dance 6 years ago. My heart dropped as I looked into Lexie’s eyes filled with hurt and embarrassment. And then there was a flash of anger on her face, directed at me. Probably since, if I didn’t do what I did, she wouldn’t be in this situation right now. She stormed off out of the café with me running after her.

**********

I stood up from the bench and got into my car. I was lost. I want to make everything better. I can’t bear to see Lexie hurt, but I didn’t know what to do! I slammed my hand against the steering wheel swearing at myself. I started the car and decided to drive around to give myself time to think.

I drove past Lexie’s house with guilt, hoping maybe I can talk to her if she’s outside. The curtains were drawn shut in her room as I stared at her window.

DING!

My phone chimed with a message from Jake, requesting me to come help with the wedding favors at Lava Java. I immediately rushed there with hopes that Lexie was there too. I opened the doors to only find Jake, Maria, Sam & Mindy, hustling over a table full of assorted items. I pulled a chair next to Jake and started helping fill up little gift bags with purple paper tissues.

“Hey Jake, where’s Lexie? Shouldn’t she be here too?”, I asked Jake as I stuffed a handful of tissues into the bag.

“Oh, she’s not coming. She said she wasn’t feeling too well and asked to be excluded from wedding prep for a day or two.”, Jake replied clearly worried about Lexie’s sudden disappearance.

“I see. I hope she gets better soon. Do send her my regards”, I said trying not to flinch with guilt.

Jake nodded and continued inserting mini lavender candles into the bags.

********

An hour later, we were all beat. Jake made us some iced tea and we were all ready to call it a day.

My mind was still racing, trying to figure out how I can make it up to Lexie and make her listen to me without running away. I knew she was stubborn at times and I admired that about her. But this time, I needed to find a way to get to her and her stubbornness, probably without alerting Jake or their parents to the situation.

DING DONG!

The café doors sounded, waking me from my thoughts and into real life. That’s when I saw my solution, walk into the café. This was going to be my best shot at getting to Lexie. I quickly walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulders.

“Hi. You’re Priya, right? Lexie’s friend?”, I asked with my friendliest smile plastered on my face.

“Yes? Though I haven’t seen her in ages since I moved to Chicago 4 years ago. Wait a minute, you’re Kevin Walker right?”, Priya replied eyeing me suspiciously up and down.

“Yup, that’s me. Actually, Lexie is back in town and I need a huge favor from you.”, I told her as I guided her to a nearby table to tell her my plan.

************

Lexie’s P.O.V

I spent yesterday evening and today morning in bed sobbing into my pillow. Luckily, my parents were at work and Jake was busy with wedding stuff that I excluded myself from.

I flipped over and stared at the ceiling, cursing myself for trusting Kevin again, and getting my heart broken again. Though technically it wasn’t his fault, it wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t do it years ago. It was like the ghost of my past was haunting me again.

I scolded myself for trusting him, for not pushing away like I planned to originally, and for agreeing to have coffee with him.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid!”, I said to myself as I hit my head with my plush pillow.

DING DONG!

The doorbell rang and caught me by surprise wondering who it could be. I knew it couldn’t be my family or even Maria since they all had a key. I hoped it was not Kevin because I can’t face him again after yesterday.

I dragged myself off the bed and check my reflection in the mirror, only to see a raccoon instead of myself in the reflection. I wiped my face and headed down the stairs.

I opened the door and almost bit my tongue in disbelief at who was standing in front of me.

“Oh My God! Priya!”, I exclaimed as I ran to hug her.

“Miss me?”, she asked cynically as she hugged me even harder.

“More than you can imagine”, I replied controlling my tears, while I cursed my ever-emotional self.

*********

I dragged Priya in and I brought her to the living room, the very same living room we used to have slumber parties and playdates.

“It’s been so long. What are you doing back?”, I asked eagerly.

“Well, my Mom had a bad fall last week. Since my sister is overseas, I decided to move back until Mom gets better. Plus, my work can be done remotely.”, she replied as she looked around the room, filling herself with the ambiance of sweet memories.

“Oh do send her my regards. I hope she gets better soon. Maybe I’ll drop by one day to visit her.”, I replied as I held her hand comfortingly.

“By the way, how did you know I was here?”, I asked abruptly, curious.

“Well, that is a long story. I’ll tell you later. Now, tell me about you.”, she replied brushing off my question.

And so I filled her in on every detail from the time I lost my job till what happened yesterday.

“I see. Well, actually Kevin Walker told me you’re back.”, she said after all my stories.

“Wait, Kevin?!”, I replied, dazzled that they met.

“Yup, and he wanted me to give you this and to promise him that I will make you read it.”, she said as she handed me an envelope from her bag.

I stared at the envelope with my name written beautifully on the front. I pulled out the letter and a huge realization dawned on me as I opened the folds of the letter.

Kevin freaking Walker wrote me a handwritten letter!