6

Susan's POV

As they sat and began to eat, Valerie was thinking about how she finally gets to meet Conner's best friend- Susan.

"I have heard a lot about you," Valerie said to me.

"Uh huh! I hope only good stuff," I say with a small chuckle.

"OH PLENTY GOOD!," She smiles widely. "It's like none of Conner's childhood story is complete without your mention." She glances at Conner.

She seems like a good person.

"Come-on, its not like that," Conner protests.

"Really? You know you can't lie even if you try to," Valerie smirks.

"Yeah right!" He scoffed.

They both look close.

"Seriously though, my favorite is the treehouse incident," she says to me admits laughter.

"I remember that incident too," Conner laughs.

A chuckle escapes my lips, "what a day it was," I chimed in.

"We worked our asses off to build that tree house," Conner added.

"Yeah," I giggled.

"Susan, you're living in New York, right?," Valerie inquires glancing in my direction.

I nod, "Yeah."

"So did you hear about our upcoming project in New York?" She asks.

I shake my head, "Uhh no, I didn't know." I said. She throws Conner a glance.

"I-- I haven't had the chance to tell her anything yet," Conner explained.

Conner was going to come to New York?

Someone's phone rings.

"Oh excuse me, I have to take this!" Valerie said excusing herself and stepping into the living room. "I have to cut this trip short," she announced as she returned.

"Oh why?" Mum spoke up.

"What happened?" Conner asked.

"I totally forgot I was supposed to take my mum out for shopping," she explained.

"Oh okay," mum replied.

"Then you better run for your life," Conner laughed.

She chuckled, shaking her head,  "Exactly!" She exclaimed.

"Hope to see you soon," I said with a smile.

"Yes! Thank you for having me, lunch was delicious Abby," she addressed my mum.

"Come again soon," mum chorused.

"I will," she nods.

"You're welcome anytime," Conner adds.

"Thanks," she responds and leaves.

After a while, my mum left to take a little rest and Conner stayed to give me some company. Inside became a little stuffy so we decided to move out to the patio and enjoy some fresh air.

By now dusks has fallen and the blue sky was decorated with splashes of orange mixed with retreating clouds of white, and a cool and refreshing breeze blew slightly rustling a few leaves on the trees.

"I thought you were too embarrassed to tell anyone about the treehouse house incident?" I asked settling into a chair glancing in his direction.

"Uh well, not anymore," he states as he follows suit.

"Uh huh!" I nod.

"Can't believe we fell off of it. . . Thats like the best part of it," he grins.

"We got hurt badd," I added with a laugh.

"Pretty bad," he nods also in fits of laughter.

"That day was EPIC!" I exclaimed staring at him. His dimple still showed whenever he laughed and his eyes shone as though a fire was lit in it.

"Indeed it was," he said in agreement.

He was holding my stare which made me a little nervous so I looked away breaking the eye contact.

I clear my throat a little and ask, "do you want coffee?"

"You making?" He raises a brow.

"Yes," I answer.

"Then of course!," He exclaimed, grinning.

"Be right back," I say then stand with a smile. He smiled back.

—Few minutes later—

Conner's Pov

It feels so weird being here with her after so many years of her being absent.

"Here you go," she hands me a cup as she returns.

"Thanks!," I say taking the cup and I instantly put it on my lips taking a sip. It's hotness burns my tongue and I inhale the steamy aromatic scent. "So how's everything back in New York?" I ask.

"Fine, I guess," she takes a sip, "I am here now so I haven't been thinking about it much." She says with a shrug.

"Does that mean you're staying?" I ask hope rising within me. I really hope she stays this time.

"Umm-- I guess so— Don't want to leave mom all alone." She explains.

I hum. "Hmm, so the only reason you would be staying here is 'your mum'?" I question staring at her.

Idiot! That wasn't right.

Her red hair has really grown a lot than before. I remember when it was always short and she would be mistaken for a boy at times. Her brown hazel eyes still hold fear and vulnerability, I wish I could take them all away.

"Sorry, I mean of course you should stay for her," I apologise and feel an awkward air come up.

"Uh, there are few other things to consider too," she states. "I mean it's my home and it—,"

""It has the familiarity"?" I interrupt her, asking. She blinks as though trying to remember something. She probably doesn't remember but I just quoted her.

"I see you are still not good with words, huh?" I acknowledge.

"It's not like that--," she says then pauses.

I arc a brow and ask, "Huh, really?"

"NOT ANYMORE at least," she says quietly.

"What changed?," I interrogate.

"When you live alone, there is a lot you have to change about yourself," she says looking at the now empty cup in her hands.

"Hmm," I hum.

"As far as my stay is-- um– wait a minute," she protests with a slight shake of her head.

"What?"

"Did you just quote me when you said "it has the familiarity"?" She asks

"You finally got that, huh?" I drawl.

"I just thought back to your words and YEAH," she said.

I shrug, "Your words not mine."

"Haha. . . Very funny!" She states.

Susan's Pov

Why did I say that?

"Believe me, there is nothing funny about about that reference," he said as his voice turned serious and was laced with accusation.

"Uh--,"

Although he was looking at something distant, I didn't miss his pained expression that had volume.

I shouldn't have said that.

"Sorry," I plea and he sighs. He still sighs out loud.

"Things were normal back then, no Susan?" He asks and I just hum.

A lot has changed, this is not then.

"You remember how impatient I was back then?" He asks

"Yes, I do." I reply.

"I am not anymore though!" He states.

"What do you mean?" I ask in confusion.

"I mean somehow you managed to teach me how to be patient," he said.

I am unable to understand what he's trying to say.

"Can I ask you something?" His says looking in my direction.

"Uh hmm?" I whispered.

My breath hitched a little and I was hesitant because I didn't know what was running through his mind.

"What is it?" I asked softly. I know he must have a lot of questions.

Conner turns to his side so he is facing me and I look up into his eyes.

"You know 'WHAT'!" He snaps. Suddenly his eyes fell and he let out heavy breaths as his face softened.

"I don't know Conner," I respond.

"How did we get here?" He asks accusingly.

Its because of me, I cried to myself.

"Don't just sit there Susie. . . I NEED TO KNOW!" He said yelling the last bit.

I can't remember the last time someone called me ' Susie '. But then he was the only one who ever did.

He runs his hand through his hair then suddenly grabs my arms but not so hard enough to leave any bruise.

"Tell me something Susan?" He spits out.

"What?" I whispered.

"Do you know how it FEELS. . . How it feels to live in a life where you don't have the answers to WHAT WENT WRONG?" He jerks, his actions shaking  me in the process.

"Conner!" I call.

"Don't! Please-- I can't let you off the hook! I finally have the chance to know— I have spent years asking myself the questions which I should have been asking you. But, I never got the chance. Questions that are haunting me more now that you're back!" He eyes moved around my face.

"You-- I don't know what I did that was so wrong Susie! Probably it didn't matter to you anymore," he scoffs. "It's been five years. But we were close— we were best friends!" He cried.