Episode 15

I hesitated for a moment before opening the message from Mark. He’d always been the type to joke around, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I quickly found myself smiling when I saw the simple message:

"Hey, Alexis! We still on for Friday? Need to catch up, you know? :))"

I exhaled a sigh of relief, my thoughts momentarily diverted from Professor Sungit. Mark was one of the few people I didn’t have to overthink things with. He was straightforward, no hidden meanings or complicated emotions. Just friendship.

I quickly typed my response.

"Yeah, definitely. See you Friday."

---

At Friday, I decided to wear something casual but a little stylish, since I was going to meet Mark. I chose a fitted shirt paired with dark jeans and some clean sneakers. It wasn’t too fancy but still made me feel confident enough to face him. I topped it off with a light jacket in case it got a little chilly. I don’t want to overdo it, but I also don’t want to look too casual, I thought.

The cafe where I was meeting Mark was a comfortable mix of cozy and trendy, with ambient music playing and a nice aroma of fresh coffee filling the air. As I navigated my way through the tables, I spotted Mark already there, waving at me with a easy smile.

"Hey," I greeted, sliding into the chair across from him. "You're early."

Mark shrugged, still smiling. "I always get here early. You know me."

I couldn’t help but laugh then Mark offered me a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. He really knows what I like, I thought, feeling a little touched.

"Thanks, Mark. You remembered," I said with a smile as I took the coffee from him.

He shrugged with a grin. "How could I forget? I’ve been around long enough to know your favorites."

I took a sip of the coffee and a bite of the cake, both just as good as I remembered. The familiarity made me feel comfortable, even though I was still curious about why he reached out.

"So," I started, setting down my cup. "You wanted to catch up?"

Mark nodded, his expression becoming more serious. "Yeah, I did. I actually have some news. But first," he looked at me squarely, "I want to ask you something."

My heart rate quickened slightly at his serious change of tone. "Okay," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "What is it?"

"Tomorrow, there’s a gallery exhibition and... Michael, he will be there as well. He just got back from abroad," Mark said, his tone casual but with a hint of something else that I couldn't quite place.

I felt a sudden rush of memories. Michael... I hadn’t thought about him in a long time. Back in high school, I had a bit of a crush on him, though it was never anything serious. Now, the thought of seeing him again stirred up old feelings that I wasn’t sure I was ready to face.

"Wow, I didn’t know he was back," I said, trying to sound casual even though my mind was already racing. "That’s... interesting."

Mark watched me closely, his gaze unwavering. "Yeah, it is. It’s been a long time."

He paused then, his eyes on me as if trying to read my reaction. I fidgeted with my cup, suddenly feeling like this was a more significant interaction than I’d initially thought.

"What... what made him decide to come back?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Mark leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "Well, from what I gathered, he’s been traveling and working on some projects abroad, but now he’s ready to settle back down. He’s got some new things he wants to show off, and the exhibition seemed like the perfect way to make his return."

I could tell Mark was still observing me, waiting for my reaction. The name Michael, the idea of seeing him again, it all seemed to bring a flood of memories I wasn’t sure I was ready to relive. Michael and I had never really crossed paths after high school, and now the thought of reconnecting felt overwhelming.

"That’s... cool," I said, though I wasn’t sure if I was convinced. A part of me was curious, but another part of me was unsure if I was ready to face the past. The weight of Mark’s gaze made me feel exposed, like he could see through my calm façade.

Mark nodded slowly, studying me. "I know it’s been a while, but I thought you might be interested. I’ve seen Michael around recently, and well… he mentioned you. He seems like he’s eager to catch up, too."

"I'll think about it, I'm kind of busy too," I lied.

Mark nodded, not pressing the issue. "Alright, just letting you know. It could be fun, though."

I smiled, but in my mind, I was already thinking about it. Should I go? I mean, it’s been years since I saw Michael. Would it be awkward? The uncertainty made me hesitate, but I also didn’t want to seem uninterested.

Mark, sensing my tension, changed the subject. We continued our conversation, the topic shifting to lighter things like the latest gossip and college shenanigans.

Hours later, after we finished our coffee and cake, we finally parted ways. Mark hugged me goodbye, a familiar gesture, but his eyes seemed to linger a bit longer than usual, like he was trying to say something more.

But all he said was, "Just consider it, okay?"

---

I decided to sleep on it. Tomorrow, I would figure it out.

In the end, I decided to go. Despite my hesitation, I couldn’t shake the curiosity about seeing Michael again after all these years. Plus, I figured it would be a good opportunity to check out the exhibition and maybe catch up with some old friends.

When I got there, I scanned the room, searching for any familiar faces. The gallery was buzzing with people, but I was especially on the lookout for Michael. Alright, here goes, I thought, taking a deep breath as I walked deeper into the venue.

As I made my way through the exhibit, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves. The place was crowded, and the hum of conversation surrounded me. I pretended to be engrossed in the artwork, glancing casually around the room, waiting for the moment when I would finally spot Michael.

After a while, I finally saw him. There he was, standing with a group of people, talking animatedly. My heart thumped against my chest as I observed him from a distance. He looked just as striking as I remembered—tall, dark hair, with a commanding presence that seemed magnified by his confident demeanor.

I watched as Michael spoke, his hands gesturing as he explained something. His face was animated as he engaged with his companions, and I couldn't help but notice the easy rapport he seemed to have with them. There was an air of charisma about him, a charm that seemed to draw people in.

I hesitated for a moment, feeling suddenly self-conscious. I smoothed down my hair and checked my reflection in a nearby mirror. Take it easy, I told myself. It's just Michael. It's not a big deal.

:))

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