Chapter 15: 14 | the ghosts returns
I wasn't sure how or when, but I had made it to the bookstore where I first met John. I'd gone through the day in a daze after the phone call from my mother, reminding me of Aiza's anniversary. Her death anniversary.
"Will you be visiting her this time?" She asked, although her tone indicates she knew what my answer would be.
It had been almost 3 years since her death, and I've missed her memorial each year. Sighing to myself, I pushed the door to the bookstore open and looked around. Hoping to catch John at work.
"Hey there! Can I help you look for something?"
I was knocked out of my reverie when a familiar face came into my view, he looked like he was in his early 30s, with kind green eyes and a light ginger-like stubble. He had a cap on along with an employee's green apron. He reminded me of someone...
Licking my lips, I shook my head and continued to walk towards the music section when my phone buzzed with a message. It was Rebecca asking if I had plans for the rest of the day. I replied with a no and was going to put my phone away when I noticed an unread message sent by John. Hours ago.
Crap! I was supposed to call him but the phone call from my mother had me placing everything else on the back burner. Not wanting him to assume I was ghosting him, I dialed his number and waited for him to pick his phone up.
No answer.
Groaning, I wrote him a text apologizing for not calling sooner and letting him know I was in the bookstore where he works. I was too engrossed on my phone I wasn't aware of the person in front of me before I bumped into him, dropping my phone in the process.
What is with me and accidents in this bookstore???
Then again, I should've watched where I was going.
"Watch where you're going." I was bending down to retrieve my phone when the guy I stumbled into voiced out his annoyance. Rolling my eyes, I stood up to apologize and walked away when I realized who it was.
I felt myself pale.
Michael.
He wasn't looking at me, instead, on the cover of some book with a frown on his face. I stumbled backward and quickly kept my head down when he tried to look my way. Muttering a sorry I sped walked past him and turned on my heels to get out of the bookstore.
So he really is in New York. I thought I'd seen him when I was at the bar but I figured it was just another person that looked like him. He had grown. Reaching the entrance to the subway, I paused by the wall and took a breath. My heart was racing and my hands were shaking.
Uncaring of how others would view me, I slid down the wall and hid in between my knees. I hate this. I hate this. I just wanted a clean slate. Why wouldn't my past leave me alone? Why would mom remind me of Aiza's death? In what world could I ever forget that night? Why can't I just forget?
I want to stop feeling things. I want to stop feeling guilty.
I hate this.
I almost let out a scream when I felt someone roughly pulled me up by my arms. My fight-or-flight instinct had me clawing and scratching my way out of the stranger's arms. I tried to scream but no words could come up.
"Aria? It's me! John!"
Startled, I slowly looked up and released a heavy sigh of relief before completely leaning onto him. I was drained.
And then I blacked out.
»»---------------------►
John was already on his way to the bookstore when he noticed a familiar figure speed walking toward him. He hadn't heard anything from Aria and wondered if she was ignoring his message on purpose for leaving.
Or maybe she was just busy.
Squinting his eyes, he first noticed the hair. That red fiery hair. Aria? It was hard to distinguish as she had a dark beanie on and frantically pulling the beanie down to cover her eyes as she looked down. It wasn't until she bumped into him before speeding towards the subway did he started following her.
He still didn't get a full look at her face, but something told him it was her.
Just as he was about to reach her, she disappeared into a storm of people that just came out of the incoming subway. Cursing to himself, he pushed his way in but found himself in circles of unfamiliar faces.
He hated crowds.
His phone vibrated with a message. It was Aria letting him know she was in the bookstore. Exhaling a sigh, he shook his head and decided to head back. Only to stop in his tracks. The crowd had already dispersed and he could clearly see Aria leaning on the wall for support clenching her heart as though she was having an attack.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone