We had reached the last page of Grayson's memory calendar, but there was no pressure as it was known that I would give him as many more days, months, or years that he needed. Accepted at the same College, and choosing to remain roommates, we'd have more than enough time to continue the memory recreations.

     Amid Grayson's last planned memory, we ran hand in hand through the local park, still recovering from the euphoria of graduation. Leaving immediately after the ceremony, still in our black gowns and caps, on foot we had made way for Abe's Park. Abandoning our shoes in the muddy grass, we perched ourselves on the old rusty swings.

     We swung quietly, at complete ease as we gazed at the dim sky.

     "Alexa?" Grayson interrupted the silence, strange apprehension to his tone.

     I turned his way with a pounding heart. His anxious tone washing over me, lips parting to inquire what was wrong, my words faded upon properly observing him. His eyes were far from nervous, he was amused.

     "Here we go," I laughed, foreseeing my suffering of his horrific acting.

     "Do you promise not to hate me for this?"

     Though I knew this was part of his act, the idea that I could ever come to hate him was so ridiculous that I couldn't help but react. "Huh?"

     Lips quirking into an almost smile, Grayson struggled to compose himself; my genuine puzzlement nearly breaking his act.

     "I've been meaning to tell you for a while, but I always chicken out..." his words faltered. Pausing dramatically, his feigned fearful gaze bore into me. "I like you," he finally exhaled, words spilling in a rush. "In a more than just friends type of way."

     I both grinned and cringed at the cheesiness. Grayson returned the smile. No sooner was he smiling was he scowling urgently, egging me to respond.

     "I like you too?" I tried.

     Grayson rolled his eyes at the uncertainty of my tone, but he smiled and nodded to claim my answer satisfactory.

     Delighted surprise marking his features, he grinned widely before shyly ducking his head.

     I frowned again.

     Few painfully silent seconds passing, Grayson's eyes finally flickered upwards, nodding his head my way as if to say your turn. Brows and forehead creased in profound confusion, I watched him cluelessly. Grayson rolled his eyes, as though I was to blame for not being able to read his mind. Not so subtly, he gestured towards his lips.

     Nose crinkling upwards in amused displeasure, I bit back a laugh. He always seemed to act in a way that would ensure the most awkward situation possible. As cheesy as it was, as difficult as it was to swallow a cringe, I brought my lips to his for the chaste kiss I knew he was waiting for.

     Lips meeting in a short peck, Grayson was the first to pull away. He beamed at me; lips parted into such a ridiculous ear to ear grin that I erupted in laughter.

     "You're so weird," I laughed, shoving him lightly.

     Nudge of my shoulder forcing him to swing sideways, he took hold of the chains supporting my leather seat and spun me to face him.

     "Now that's a believable reaction," he smiled. "Very similar to what you said then."

     "Good to know I had some common sense."

     Gasping indignantly with a smirk he released my seat, swing spinning wildly as a result. Steadying myself on his gown, my smiled never faded.

     "Does this mark the end of the torturous role playing?" I inquired hopefully.

     "Unfortunately, that was all we said on the matter, then," he explained dismally. "But I do want to give you this, this time..."

     Pulling a velvet, rectangular box from the inside of his gown pocket, he handed it to me.

     "I was too scared to give it then," he added.

     Gingerly I lifted the cover. Brows furrowing upon observing the familiar heart shaped locket, my gaze drifted to my chest, where usually hung my necklace. My neck was now bare. Turning over the locket, I ran my fingers over the inscription and opened it to reveal my family picture. I burst into laughter.

     "This is my locket!"

     "It was your fourteenth birthday present," he justified with a soft chuckle. "I had intended to give it to you when you came back from the weekend trip... It used to haunt me. Always on my bedside table, waiting for the day I could give it to you."

     Smiling sadly, I let him return it to my neck.

     "It haunted you so much that to make up for it, you decided to gift me it three times."

     Grayson threw his head back in laughter. "I promised this is the last."

     "That's a shame," I said.

     "If that's what you want than I won't disappoint." He grinned; brows arched in challenge. "But you won't see it coming... Mark my words, in two years you'll find it under our Christmas tree."

    "Won't see it coming? You just told me when to expect it."

     "You'll forget," he said matter of factly. "You've got a poor track record when it comes to remembering."

     "Shut up!" I laughed, shoving him again.

     Giggling and teasing, Grayson told me about the many chores and hours spent working at his uncle's farm that he had required to earn enough money to pay for the locket. Laughing at his horror stories of crowded chicken coops and shovelling of cow manure, we swung for hours.

     Eventually tiring of the swings, Grayson guided me under a nearby oak tree. His back against the bark, I sat between his legs, falling easily against his chest. Staring up at the stars, I listened to many more stories. Sitting there, completely captivated by the soothing sound of his voice, I realized that forgetting wasn't so bad when you had such a gifted storyteller to help you remember.

     Today marked the end of the 248 days. I couldn't jump for joy and admit that I had been wrong to completely hold no faith in the success of Grayson's memory calendar. And that was alright. My memory hadn't returned in a sudden flash, but I held no disappointment or resentment. The memory calendar may not have countered my amnesia, but it proved to be successful in ways that I couldn't have imagined on that day I first agreed to the 248 days. It had brought me closure, a sense of identity, and not only allowed the re-knowing of my best friend, but in this person, I found so much more.

     Maybe my memory would never fully return, maybe I would forever feel the familiar, irritating tingle of the verge of a memory, but it was hard to care when I was wrapped safely in Grayson Ryder's arms. With such support, it didn't matter how long it took the amnesia to fade.

     The past does guide the future. Perhaps I didn't remember it all, but I was who I was because of it, nonetheless. Alexa Adams didn't die on that cold night in November. I had been broken; conscience and identity shattered. But I had been reborn since; the colossal hole heart in my heart healed. With some help I found myself and released the guilt of living. It was terribly unfair that my parents and sister's lives were cut short. But it would be equally unfair to let it destroy mine as well. I owed it to them to live fully.

     The past would always remain an important part of my life that I longed to remember and honor, but for now... I looked forward to the future; to creating new memories with the boy who was as stubborn as a mule; the boy who proved to be a ginormous pain in my behind but who couldn't seem to leave my mind; the boy who despite the cold and growing night, refused to leave our spot under the tree.

     "Just a few more minutes," he promised, nuzzling his head in my shoulder. "I didn't get this last time. I'm afraid I may never let you go."

The End