When I reached home, my mother told me that Daffine had left her pendent and chain in the kitchen. I told her that's I'd return it to Daffine the following day. I lay on my bed, looking at it. It was a small daisy pendant with a "D" engraved upon it.

I called Daffine and told her that I had her pendant. I told her that I could come to her university the very next day and give it back to her. She agreed. So, the next morning, I put on my favourite clothes, shaved, put on aftershave and gelled up my hair. I wanted to look more presentable than usual. When I reached her university, I spotted her quite fast. She was with Casper, sharing a chocolate and talking to Femke. 

"Daffine," I waved at her and she saw me. I went towards her and gave her pendant back to her. We had some small talk and finally, Casper got a hint. He told Femke that he wanted to get coffee. But she told him that she didn't feel like drinking coffee and refused to leave. And voila, Daffine went with him instead.

I was left with Femke. We took a walk together while waiting for Daffine and Casper to return. They were taking awfully long. Femke looked at me, "You came all this way to return the pendant?"
"Yeah, it was on my way. It's no big deal,"
"It was always a big deal for me," Femke walked beside him, "And I was always coming to your place, you'd never come to mine,"

Why does she not get over my mistakes? Yes, I know I was a terrible partner, that's why we are not together anymore. She dug her face in her overcoat as she looked at me, "You have changed for her,"
"I changed because I grew up. I hope you did too," I pushed my fingers into the pockets of my hoodie, "Casper seems to like you, but I hope tell you tell him everything about you, even the parts that I maybe haunt,"

"You don't haunt me. I am over you,"
"I'm happy for you," 
"I am too. You will be twenty one soon. And still chasing women who don't care about you,"
"Did you care about me?"
"Of course I did,"
"That's why you cheated on me,"
"You always were cold towards me. I needed your touch,"

"Go fuck yourself,"
"Max!"

"Max!" I heard Daffine. She was walking towards us and Casper walked behind her. I smiled at her, "You guys took so long,"
"Yeah, sorry. The cafeteria guy didn't have a change, and neither did we," Casper said.

"I feel like I'm going to fall sick," Daffine looked at him. 
"You came home all drenched last night. I told you, you're going to catch a cold," Casper scolded her. 
"I should go home and rest. My head hurts,"
I can take her in my car!
"I can drop you," Femke offered. What is your problem Femke?! I gave her an annoyed look and she smiled at me. 

"Thank you, Femke," Daffine smiled and Femke went to get her car. Casper went after her. Finally, just Daff and I. She looked at me, "I have a feeling that Casper might be getting serious about Femke. I am happy for them,"

"Yeah, me too," Finally, Femke will leave me alone. Though, I wouldn't trust her with my happiness if I were Casper. 
"I hope one day, I can have that too," Daff said, "It'll be a completely new world for me,"

"You've never loved anyone?"
"I have. But I've never had anyone love me for who I am. It's always a performance,"

"Are you performing now?"
"No, with you I am my most authentic self... But that's because I am not trying to impress you,"
"You always impress me though. See, that is the way it is. Women and men are supposed to be loved the way they are, not by what they have to be or what they aren't. People who are meant to love you will love you through who are, not who you pretend to be,"

"That's a beautiful thought, Max," She smiled at me, "That's why I like you,"
"Really?"
"Yes, you're very thoughtful, you observe the world around you, and even though you told me you don't care about people, I think you do. You spend time with people to make them feel included, that's why you stayed with Angela that day even when you made plans with me. You are forgiving, you forgave me for not showing up twice. Human relationships matter to you, the fact that your ex can still talk to you freely shows me that you weren't a bad person to her. You care about people more than you think you do because you don't do it consciously, that's just who you are. I like that. I keep liking you more and more,"

"Daff..."

Femke honked at us, "Get in the car, girly"

Daffine turned and looked at me, "Bye Max,"
I waved at her, "Call me tonight?"
"Sure," She smiled.

"I keep liking you more and more,"

That makes my heart feel very funny... like cold firewood finally burning in fire. That crackling sound that wood would make, is what my heartbeat feels right now. Does your heartbeat feel like that too?

-To be continued