Tuesday, 14/10/2008
It only took two days for the two reunited friends to meet up again. They’d exchanged a few text messages during the day in between, and Lily mentioned she had something to do around the city centre and thus would be there the next day. The university and thus Amelia’s lodging were near there – she was living in a dorm, something she’d mentioned in one of her messages. Amelia suspected her friend’s mention of being there was a hint that she’d like to meet up, so she suggested they visit a nearby café that she often frequented.
Her lectures were already over by midday, so she set out to their designated meeting spot. As Lily had arrived by car they’d arranged to meet at a nearby parking area. It was still ten minutes too early when Amelia got within visual range of the place, and she noticed that her ‘date’ was already there leaning against her car, hands in pockets, headphones on and with her gaze cast downward as if lost in thought – and she probably was, Amelia figured. She doubted that side of her would’ve changed much. The car was a dark blue station wagon and looked to be an older model – cars weren’t exactly her expertise – but at least externally in very good condition. She recalled that Lily used to be quite particular with her belongings, as few of them as she’d had back at Saint Cecilia’s, and what little she’d had the presence of mind to make note of at her house suggested that it was still the case as well.
As Amelia observed her friend, who hadn't spotted her back across the road yet, she suddenly found herself wondering if she would've ever even recognized Lily on her own. Of course, her memory of how her friend had looked back then wasn't exactly fresh, but she had instantly recognized her in the picture. But the adult form of her friend while not completely different certainly had enough differences that she concluded she probably wouldn't have recognized her any time soon, at least from her looks alone.
Not only was the braided hair well-kept and at waist length obviously very long compared to what she'd had in her youth, but it also wasn't anywhere near as red as back then, even here in broad daylight. At a glance, she could pass for a normal brunette. Though too distant to see right now, similarly she’d noticed the other day that there were far fewer freckles, and they were now quite faint rather than pronounced like they used to be. Despite standing still and being hidden away under yet more loose-fitting clothing – a knitted combo of a long grey cardigan and a white scarf, paired with black sweatpants for a greyscale look – Lily also projected a certain effortless physicality. Quite unlike her younger self, indeed. The only thing that was immediately similar to her old self were her eyes. Not that Amelia could see them from this far, but she’d had the thought the other day after first seeing the photo and then looking at Lily’s current self in the eyes after.
As though finally sensing she was being observed, Lily lifted her head and turned to look right back at her. Amelia gave her a quick wave, looked both ways and crossed the street while her friend stashed the headphones and music player back inside the car and walked up to meet her. Following her earlier thoughts Amelia wanted to sate her curiosity.
“You know, I was just wondering about how you even recognized me the other day,” she inquired after they'd exchanged their hellos and started making their way to their destination. “To be honest, I don't think I would've realized it was you any time soon without that photo. After all it's not like I look the same as back then, just like you don't.” For a long moment, Lily appeared to be thinking it over.
“I am not entirely certain how,” she finally admitted. “But despite the different last name, I was sure once you said your name.” She paused, and to Amelia she appeared to be slightly embarrassed. “Even so, I... could not bring myself to just say it directly. I think I was afraid that if I said something, somehow it would turn out to be just another dream.” In response, Amelia bumped into her friend lightly as they walked, not really finding suitable words of her own words in turn and letting the contact instead convey that she was indeed still real. After all, she’d had a number of dreams over the years about meeting Lily again as well, only to end up sorely disappointed every time.
Comments (0)
See all