It doesn't seem like a big place. It has a cosy air and once you pay attention to it you can't look away, but it won't catch your eye easily. It's hard to describe exactly the vibe from this place but if I have to choose one word I would say 'interesting.' The windows are large and clean and you can see a few tables with people eating at them. There are two windows, one at each side of the door with the sign that says open. Above there's a bigger sign that read EVERGREEN in a very simple yet strong font.

I like the effect.

I walk up to the door and open it; a bell rings that announces my arrival. I was right, it's not a big place but it's not small either, it has the adequate size for a restaurant that clearly isn't meant to be mainstream. The waiters around dress in black and the only thing that tells away they work there is the apron with the name of the restaurant. There are not many tables or costumers, but I don't think that's a problem, I think it was meant to be like that. I get that feeling, at least. The decoration is mostly green, of course, with loads of plants and pictures of amazing landscapes and animals with some caption that raises awareness.

"Hello, may I guide you to a table?" a girl asks me. She has short purple hair and many piercings, on her eyebrow and nose and many, oh so many on her ears. She dress in black leggings with army boots, a black tee and the restaurant apron.

"Uh I-- I think someone is waiting for me. His name is Archie, but I'm not sure. I was sent here," I explain. H's letter didn't tell me what to do the moment I got here. "I'm Maca," I add just in case.

"Archie! Yes, he's here," she beams with a smile so bright and wide that I can't help but smile too. She doesn't know me but she clearly knows Archie. "So you're the girl she's waiting. It's not a date, right?" her voice sounds worried and anxious. Why do I get the feeling this girl fancies Archie?

"No, no! Not at all. His best mate sent me here. I'm just passing by to collect a letter and ask him a few things. Are you his girlfriend?" I ask and blush because that's none if my business. I'm being noisy.

The girl blushes, too and looks down and I feel terribly for embarrassing her like this.

"No," she replies in a whisper and I don't miss the longing in her voice. I smile because I don't know what else to do. "I'll take you where he's waiting," she adds and opens her right arm to indicate the way.

I follow her directions and she walks just a bit ahead of me. I wonder what kind of guy Archie is to have this effect on this girl. Until I mentioned him she had this confident presence that you just can't ignore, but now it's like she hid in her bubble and doesn't dare to come out.

At the corner of the restaurant in a table for two there's a guy. His hair is light brow and shaggy and he's wearing big black framed glasses, the typical hipster ones. He's wearing a white tee and a grey cardigan with a red loose scarf around his neck. His trousers are black and his ankle boots are grey. He doesn't stop scrolling on his phone until the girl by my side clears her throat.

"Archie, the girl you were waiting for arrived," she says and he looks up. His face is cute and his eyes are green, but he's too light for my liking. I don't feel anything that could give me a clue as to figure out why this girl reacts like this.

"Thank you, Steph," he says and then he smiles and I get it now. His smile is beautiful, bright and contagious, candid and friendly, honest and inviting. His smile makes him an unforgettable man.

Then his eyes are on me and so is his smile. I feel a bit nervous now.

"So you're Maca! My mate has talked about you so much I feel like I know you," he says standing up and offering me his hand. I shake it and smile.

"It's a pleasure. I can't tell he’s told me about you 'cos there isn’t much you can fit in a post-it," I try to joke but I'm still nervous. I don't know why.

"It's okay, don't worry. Please, take a seat. Steph," he says looking at the girl this time, who seems quite upset. "Please, bring us your best!"

"Sure," she replies with a smile only for him as we take a seat one across the other. I still don't know why I'm nervous, and I'm pretty sure it's not Steph’s kind of nervous, it's different.

I look at his smiley self and I think: he's H's best mate. He knows him better than anyone else, and he is now looking at me, seeing me and my stomach is tied in knots. I feel like I'm in some kind of test, as if this is the decisive moment because if I don't pass I won't get to meet H.

What if Archie decides I'm not the kind of girl that H thinks I am and decides not to give me the next letter? What if he thinks I'm too much if a mess to befriend H?

"Relax," he says still smiling. "I'm not gonna hurt you or anything. My mate and I are not plotting something to kidnap you and sell you in the black market," Archie tries to reassure me and I'm surprised that the thought didn't even cross my mind. I certainly thought of that when I left home but now I was just scared Archie might not let me carry on with this adventure.

It's been half a day, how's this even possible? Is there something wrong with me?

"I— it's not that, it's just that… I dunno. I'm nervous, I guess."

"Don't worry, I'm here to ease your worries. My mate— uh, how do you address him? He forbade me to tell you his name and it's kinda complicated."

"H," I reply and he nods.

"Makes sense. Anyhow, H decided that it would be good if we met first so you wouldn't be that scared of meeting him. You can ask anything you want and if you decide not to carry on, he'll accept it," Archie explains.

"So this is like a test after all," I mumble and he chuckles.

"Yeah, kinda. For that loser," he laughs. "Seriously, if you wanna know any dirty secret I'll be happy to share. I know plenty," he adds leaning in closer, like sharing a secret. I giggle.

Before I can think of a question, Steph comes back with a tray and two juices that she puts in front of us. "Speciality of the house. Completely organic," she says to me with a nice smile. I return the gesture. "If you don't like it I can bring another one."

I take a sip and close my eyes in delight. It's not just one flavour, I feel a taste of kiwi and maybe apple and something else. It's citric but sweet and it tastes amazing.

"Uh no, I really want this," I moan and both Archie and Steph laugh. "It's wonderful."

"I'll be back soon with your lunch." Steph nods goodbye and takes a last glimpse of Archie before turning on her heels and leaving. I watch Archie and how his eyes follow her as a lazy smile is still on display. Hmm, maybe it's not only Steph the one with a crush.

He turns his attention back at me and something in my expression must tell him I've caught him staring. He blushes and my smile widens.

"You should ask her out," I input and he blushes even more.

"Uh no, she's out of my league. Too gorgeous and too cool for me," he adds as an afterthought and almost to himself.

"Well, it's not like I know you guys but if it counts, I think you'd make a great couple." He smiles at me grateful but doesn't say anything. I don't push the topic because it's none of my business, but I do hope he asks her out one day.

"So, what do you wanna know?" Archie asks me taking a sip of his juice, too.

I think about it. I didn't think of the questions in my way here, I was too focused on the memories of how we got here that I forgot about planning ahead. There are many things I want to know, but I want to find out from H, I want to ask him and have a conversation.

"Uhh…" I mumble. "What about… hmmm did you know about the post-its?" I shoot and he nods.

"Yeah, H is always one to do things for other people. He told me the day he left the first post-it. I remember I asked him why he did that, because in my eyes there was no point. He couldn't even know if someone found them or not. For all he knew, the wind or rain could've taken them away," Archie tells me and I smile as I listen to the story. "But he kept doing it. He said it was worth the shot. Then one day he found a reply," Archie flashes me with a knowing smile. "He was so happy, like a puppy. He couldn't stop saying ‘I told ya so!’" We both laugh. "I didn't think that making others happy would make him that happy. I was gladly surprised."

"He's very kind for doing that. Somehow his notes always come at the right moment," I tell him and his smile changes, it's grateful and I'm not sure why he looks at me that way. "Does he exchange notes with someone else?" I ask and I feel heavy when the words leave my mouth, but I don't know exactly why.

"No. You're the only person who's ever replied. That makes you all the more special to him. One day he told me 'I know her name,' and his face was something I haven't seen before. I don't think he ever imagined it would become something like that."

I look down feeling my cheeks warmer so I take the scarf off.

"What did you say when he told you about meeting me?" I inquire shyly. I'm asking more about his opinion and at the same time I'm find out about those moments I only knew from my perspective. I'm discovering his reactions to the same things and all that makes me feel somehow lightheaded.

"That was like two month after you started exchanging notes regularly. He told me if it was crazy if he said he wanted to meet you. I told him that probably you wouldn't accept because for a girl it’s a bigger risk, you know? You had no reason to trust him. I could tell he was sad with my answer and probably he waited until he couldn't help himself to ask you to meet. The day he did, I remember, he had this guilty expression. Like a dog who chewed your favourite shoe. 'I asked her to meet with me,' he confessed and I swear he couldn't meet my eyes," Archie laughs once again. "I just grabbed his shoulder and wished him good luck. Between us, I really hoped you would say yes because I knew it meant a lot to him. I'm happy you agreed to meet him. Was it hard?" he asks me this time.

I think back of the day I received that note. I remember the surprise, I remember the fear and uncertainty and I definitely remember the longing to meet him. To see the boy who had been cheering me for so long.

What would you say if I tell you want us to meet?

That was all what it said and I froze. I didn't reply that day because I wasn't sure what to do.

"I talked about it with my friends. I wanted to meet him but I was also scared," I confess and he nods. "They told me not to do it because it was dangerous, especially if none of them could go with me."

"Then why did you agree?"

"Because I was disappointed and sad when they told me not to do it."

Archie smiles widely at my words and I feel embarrassed all over again as I remember the post-it I left.

I would say I'd love to —Maca

Right at the moment Steph is back and with her presence I come back to the present but my hand rests on my bag, the one that has my journal with all of H's notes inside. Every single one of them.

In front if us there's something that looks delicious. It's like a pie of vegetables with smashed potatoes and a sauce on top of it. The decoration is wonderful, not fancy but pretty.

"Everything is organic and no animal origin," she presents. "Enjoy and if you want something else, just call me."

“We’ll do, thank you so much, Steph,” Archie says with a big smile and I swear Steph has only eyes for him. I kind of feel left out. Not that I mind, though.

She leaves a few moments later and once again his eyes follow her. I wonder if she knows of his affection or if, just like Archie, she thinks it’s an unrequited love.

His eyes are on me after a while and I’m looking at him with a knowing smile that makes him blush again. I didn’t think that making people blush could be funny.

“Well, Maca, this is H’s favourite dish. Every time we come here he asks for the same. It’s the speciality and their way to get clients,” he shares in confidence and I chuckle. “Try it and I promise you you’ll come back. I come here at least thrice a week.”

I grab my fork and go for the first bite, a bit nervous but also excited. Once the food is in my mouth I completely understand Archie’s words. It’s sublime, the taste that leaves in your tongue, the perfect equilibrium between spices and the ingredients. It’s an explosion of textures and it makes me feel like I’m home.

“I told you,” Archie says without me saying a word. There’s no need for that. “So, Maca,” Archie starts as he also takes a bite. “What’s your next question?”

-:-:-

Today I went to watch "If I Stay", book and author that inspired me to write Post It, and I sobbed like a baby. I just loved the book so much and the movie is lovely! If you haven't read anything by Gayle Forman, then you're missing half of your life!

Regarding this chapter, I hope you liked it! Some people ask about how many chapters PI will have, I think around 25 so we still have a long way to go and more letters to collect.

Dedication to @YfkeLammens

Bel, xx

PS: remember you find me on twitter! @BelWatson it's the fastest way to interact with me.
PPS: Picture of Steph on the multimedia.