Chapter Seven: Evan

After a chatter-filled five-hour flight that consisted mostly of me and Alyssa getting to know each other with some occasional bantering here and there, we finally arrived in New York.

I must say, it isn't different from the last time I visited here with my parents when I was a kid and if anything, the atmosphere almost feels the same. The people are just as loud as last time and are just as hurried to get ahead of everyone with no regard to how they're coming across, whether they may appear a tad bit abrasive and inconvenient.

In short, it's still the same New York City that I visited when I was younger.

Alyssa and I were practically glued to the hip even as we got off the plane together, entered the airport building, and retrieved our luggage at the baggage claim area.

But even until we hopped off the aircraft, we found it hard to go our separate ways as we just stood in the middle of the airport, fidgeting in our spots as I contemplated whether or not I should get her number and still keep in touch with her after this.

Because not gonna lie, I did enjoy her company throughout our entire flight. We never ran out of things to talk about despite how glaringly different we were from each other, saved by our mutual interests in video games, Chad Stahelski movies, and comic books.

She made me feel like there was a life outside of our time together back on the plane because even if we won't achieve anything out of this romantically, I can see her being a friend at least.

It's been a while since I last talked to a girl without the intention of just spending less than 24-hours with her and quickly erasing her from my memory the day after.

Because for once, I can see multiple scenarios where we can take this to the next level. Whether it be intimately or platonically, for once, I actually wanna see where this newly developed friendship I have with Alyssa can go.

"So..." she trailed off as we stood facing each other, not knowing what to say next because our last exchange of words will now define what we'll become after this.

"This is our awaited departure, I guess," she said with a grin before it abruptly fell "Not that I'm saying I anticipated leaving you and all-"

"No, it's okay, I understand." I reassured as she let out a relieved sigh "However, I must say this departure wasn't something I was looking forward to. I had a great time getting to know you."

That instantly lifted her spirits as a huge smile overtook her face "Really? Me too." she said as she bit her lower lip "I had a great time as well, considering I didn't expect to make a friend from my flight here but you made the journey more worthwhile."

"Same with me," I stared at her gleaming blue eyes that almost had a trace of... hope in them. Or maybe I was just imagining things because, for some reason, I was getting the impression that much like me, she's also hoping that said journey won't just end here.

That it'll prolong because it has the potential, and I can see it when it comes to her, feel it even, and it's been a long time since I've last had anything, or anyone, to be hopeful about.

To want to hold onto and think maybe, just maybe... they'll stay.

That she'll stay.

"Usually I'm not the kind of person to initiate friendships from 5-hour flights considering I need a certain amount of time to get to know someone better before trying to pursue anything with them but..." I proclaimed in earnest as she let out a huff of laughter at that, yet appearing eager to know where I'm heading with this.

"But I'm willing to keep in touch with you after this if that's okay?" I confessed as she blinked at what I just said, astonished.

But it wasn't soon that the awestruck look in her eyes morphed to that of equal fondness, as she opened her mouth and spoke in her usual eager tone "Here I thought you didn't feel the same but it turns out I wasn't alone in this." she admitted, "I really wanna keep in touch with you as well, I had a great time getting to know you, despite how brief it was."

Before I could even respond to her confession, she spontaneously hunched over her luggage and started digging through it, as I looked at her with a raised eyebrow wondering what she was doing until she stood at her full height, with a pen in hand this time.

She popped open the lid of the pen with her teeth and suddenly took my hand in hers, scribbling something down onto the surface of my palm as I blinked back in perplexity at her behavior.

It was only after a few seconds I had registered she was writing her number down, and once she was done she looked at me, took the lid of the pen out of her mouth, and said "This is my number and once you've got settled into the city, you call me and we can catch up, okay?"

She then gave me her pen and offered her own hand for me to write on "Now it's your turn, and you better write a legit number. I don't wanna come home thinking that my advances weren't actually reciprocated."

I shook my head in amusement, taking her frail hand in my hold as it seemed almost tiny in comparison to my hand as I started writing my number down.

The texture of her hand was soft and smooth, a stark contrast to my callous fingers as it grazed her skin, and once I was finished she looked up at me with her dazzling blue eyes.

Tilting her head upwards to maintain eye contact considering her full height could only reach below my chin, again, something about her that was just so different from me.

She's just so... different. So alienating from what I'm normally used to that I never would've thought I'd end up wanting more and more.

It's different but in the best way possible, and maybe this is what I've always wanted, what I've always needed. Something different but at the same time...

Fits me just right, without any complication.

"I'll hear from you soon, Evan," she said faintly amidst the boisterous sound of the people in the airport as they passed us by.

But I didn't care because, at that moment, I don't think I've ever felt as connected with a person in so long that the disruption that currently surrounds us has simply been reduced to nothing but background noise.

"... I'll hear from you soon too, Alyssa."

* * *

After a tiring yet well-spent day of flying here from Los Angeles, I have now arrived in the comfort of my new home which is a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan that I had managed to find with the help of my parents, as they had many connections with several real estate agents who were more than happy to oblige in assisting me with my last minute apartment hunting.

I dropped all of my luggage onto the hardwood floor which caused a thump to resonate inside the vast space of the living room, as I quickly let my eyes sweep around the interior of the apartment.

It's minimal but extravagant still, definitely the kind of flat people with enough money like my parents are able to afford, let alone one located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

With a black sectional-styled sofa placed in the center of the room that faced a flat-screen TV, as well as a white-based fur carpet that was draped over the ebony floor, different varieties of abstract paintings hung on the walls, which were also painted in eggshell white.

On top of that, there was a crystal Chandelier that glimmered freely above the sofa which cast a fluorescent glow in the entire room. It wasn't too big but it wasn't small either.

I marveled at the sight and couldn't help but think that my parents went overboard looking for a place I'll only be staying in for as long as my degree will allow me to stay here in New York.

I'd probably apply for an internship somewhere to compensate for the rent as well, but seeing as how luxurious this apartment is, I'll probably still need the help of my parents for my finances.

I took a brief stroll around the apartment, just checking out the different rooms such as the bathroom, the bedroom, and the kitchen.

The countertops were made out of pure dark marble and when I opened the cupboards, there were already cooking supplies and utensils inside ready for me to use.

I still needed to buy groceries but overall, the apartment was more than enough and there was no doubt I'd be able to live comfortably under these conditions provided to me by my parents.

Though, it was overwhelming still, to be honest. Considering they have been nothing more than patient throughout my grieving process and recovery, they never failed to make sure that I was getting better and that they were here for me each step of the way.

It really did mean a lot, even though I was cynical at first upon recognizing their efforts, thinking that they were only doing this out of guilt because they tried to take my freedom away, it's nice to know they're doing their best to make up for their mistakes.

After my tour around the apartment, I immediately start unpacking my belongings, starting with my clothes as I put them inside the closet.

I took out my bathroom necessities, and also set up my laptop - the bedroom was a bit empty, saved by a bed, the closet, a nightstand, and a desk table.

I continued unpacking until I emptied out all of my luggage, checking even the tiniest of pockets, and just when I was sure they were all clear, I suddenly felt an unfamiliar lump poking from inside one of the back pockets of the navy blue baggage where I had stuffed my clothes.

Curious, I unzipped and dug through the opening, which was hard considering it was very small, but once I padded over the item that was stuck inside the bag, I felt myself freeze upon recognizing the not-so-unfamiliar shape and texture of the object.

And just like that, I pulled out a bracelet... but not just any other bracelet, it was the one Maggie got for me when we went on our first date together.

Blinking, I slowly sunk down onto the floor of my bedroom as I stared at it for a while, just inspecting it and wondering to myself how it could've gotten here after all this time.

Letting it dangle freely through my fingers, I don't even have a recollection of slipping it into my luggage whilst I was packing, but then again, I could've done it unconsciously.

Knowing that my rationality always seems to fade away when it comes to her.

I hold it tightly within my clutch, wanting so desperately to just throw it out and not look back, but again, even the mere idea of her always seems to prevent all types of common sense from dictating my judgment.

It's only ever about feelings this, and feelings that.

There's always going to be nostalgia tied to the memory of her, and if there's one thing stronger than the sip of recovery, it's the still lingering aftertaste of the hurt you were left to suffocate on.

... But still, I relent, shaking the thought away as I hold the bracelet in a closed fist, stood up, and stalked towards the nightstand, opened the bottom drawer and dropped the bracelet into the empty space, and closed it shut with my foot.

Exhaling a deep breath, I knew better than to dwell on the fucking past again and to beat an already dead horse just when a new stage of my life has just begun.

No more mourning, I have something good going on and for once, I have a good hold on it.

And this time, I'm gonna make sure it doesn't slip away.