I ALMOST TRIPPED on my feet as I jumped straight into her arms - the force made her legs unstable. She chuckled, wrapping her arms around me. I could smell her cologne - sweet and strong - a lot like her. I could feel tears taking shelter under my eyes as I yearned for this feeling of warmth of my best friend, since forever.

She heard me sniff and immediately pulled back, looking at me with a small pout and furrowed brows she asked, "Are you crying, strawberry?"

I chuckled at her usual nickname of me, the way she said it - always warmed my insides. I slowly nodded my head, curling my lips into a huge smile looking at her- at how gorgeous she is. Seeing me smile the corners of her lips tucked upwards too, squinting her eyes into the size of peanuts as she grinned widely.

Her dark caramel skin shone under the artificial lights while her chocolate wavy hair was shorter than I remembered - reaching just past her ears. Her freckles were gone, the cheekbones which were once never visible - now pointed out sharply without makeup.

"Stop staring at me, It's rude." she playfully patted my cheeks before walking past me to the counter and picking up the tray full of cupcakes and strolling back to a table - her boots clicking on the marble floor as she moved.

I followed her trail and sat opposite of her at the table, she picked up a cupcake and took a huge bite - closing her eyes as she softly moaned at the flavors. I gaped at her with my lips parted -  my heart started beating rapidly against my chest as her voice played in my ears like music.

"These are just the same, god I missed them," she said, picking another of it from the tray. "So, how are you, strawberry?"

"I missed you, cupcake..." I blurted, not exactly answering her question.

I wanted to ask her so many questions, so many things, why did she leave without telling me three years ago? Why did she never contact me? How is she doing? How's college? Where is she staying? But no words came out.

She let out a deep breath, her gaze hovering over my face before landing directly into my eyes, "I missed you too, but I'm here, now."

"After three years?"

"You got a pretty shop. Just like you always wanted - shades of blue and white." she beamed glimpsing around. I bit my lip, I knew her too well to know how she dodges away from situations she doesn't want to handle.

"Where will you stay now?"

"Your apartment," she smirked, standing up from the booth - picking up a cupcake with her. I peered at her with my eyes broadened, confused about everything related to this girl.

"But-"

"Chop, chop! Time to close Leah's lovely cakes," she said, cutting me off with clapping her palms, dusting off the cupcake remains. I shook my head at her before doing the daily routine of closing the shop.

I stepped out of the shop, shivering slightly du e to the chilly air as I stood on the dark silent lane just to see a black motorcycle - the engine revving as she sat on it, waiting for me.

"Hop on strawberry, indicate the directions, will you?"