Chapter 3: Echoes of the Past
The next morning, I woke up with a dull ache in my head and a heart heavy with memories. The sunlight filters through my thin curtains, casting a warm glow on the worn-out furniture. I roll over, groaning, and bury my face in the pillow. Last night’s events play on a loop in my mind, Alexander’s voice and eyes haunting me.
I drag myself out of bed, my body protesting every movement. After a quick shower and a cup of bitter coffee, I sit at the small kitchen table, staring out the window. The town of Greenwoods looks the same as always, a place trapped in time. But for me, everything feels different.
As I watch the world outside, my thoughts drift back to my childhood. Alexander and I were inseparable back then. Our mothers were friends, which meant we spent countless hours together, playing in the fields and exploring the woods.
Our mothers used to joke that they named us similarly because they were soulmates who shared everything, including their children’s names. Alexandra and Alexander, are the two peas in a pod. It seemed fitting at the time.
My mom left when I was ten. She ran off with another man, leaving my dad and me behind. The abandonment shattered our little family, leaving scars that never truly healed. My dad withdrew into himself, and I clung to the one constant in my life—Alexander.
I remember the day she left vividly. It was a sunny afternoon, the kind that made everything seem brighter, happier. I was playing in the yard, waiting for Alexander to come over. When I saw her suitcase, I knew something was wrong. She didn’t even say goodbye. Just a quick kiss on the forehead and a promise to write. She never did.
Alexander found me crying under the old oak tree in our backyard. He sat beside me, his arm around my shoulders, and didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to. His presence was enough, a silent promise that he wouldn’t leave me.
From that day on, he became my anchor. We spent our days together, exploring the woods, playing make-believe games, and dreaming of a future far away from Greenwoods. His singing was a constant comfort, a reminder that not everything was lost.
We had our secret spot by the river, a place where we could escape from the world. It was there that Alexander would sing to me, his voice blending with the sound of the rushing water. Those moments were magical, a respite from the pain and confusion of my mother’s abandonment.
As we grew older, our bond deepened. We were each other’s confidants, sharing our hopes, fears, and dreams. But as high school loomed, things began to change. Alexander’s talent for music became more apparent, and he started to pull away, spending more time practicing and less time with me.
I understood, of course. He had a gift, and I didn’t want to hold him back. But it hurt, feeling like I was losing the one person who had always been there for me. The final blow came when he left town to pursue his dreams, leaving me behind in the very place we had always dreamed of escaping together.
The day he left, I stood by the river, our secret spot, feeling more alone than ever. He promised to come back, to stay in touch, but as the months turned into years, his letters and calls became less frequent. Eventually, they stopped altogether, and I was left with nothing but memories and a heart full of unresolved feelings.
Now, sitting at the kitchen table, I can’t help but wonder what might have been if he had stayed. Would things have turned out differently? Would we have found a way to make our dreams come true together?
My phone buzzes, pulling me out of my reverie. It’s a message from Julia, asking if I want to grab lunch. I hesitate for a moment before replying with a simple “Sure.” I need the distraction, anything to take my mind off the past.
I meet Julia at the local diner, a place we’ve frequented since high school. She’s already seated in our usual booth, a wide grin on her face.
“Hey, Alex,” she says as I slide into the seat across from her. “Rough night?”
“You could say that,” I reply, picking up the menu even though I already know what I’m going to order.
“Still thinking about Alexander?” she asks, her tone gentle.
I nod, sighing. “I can’t seem to shake it. Seeing him again…it’s brought back a lot of memories.”
“Good ones or bad ones?”
“A bit of both,” I admit. “Mostly good, but it’s complicated.”
Julia leans forward, her expression serious. “You should talk to him. Really talk to him. Get everything out in the open.”
“I don’t know if I can,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “There’s so much history between us, so much pain.”
“Maybe that’s exactly why you need to talk,” she suggests. “To heal, to move on.”
I nod, knowing she’s right but not ready to admit it. The waitress arrives, taking our orders and giving me a moment to collect my thoughts.
As we eat, Julia fills me in on her college life, her stories a welcome distraction from my own turmoil. But my mind keeps drifting back to Alexander, to the boy who was my best friend and the man he’s become.
After lunch, I head back home, my heart heavy with memories and unresolved feelings. I pass by the old oak tree in the backyard, the place where Alexander once comforted me. I can almost hear his voice, soft and soothing, as he sang to me.
In a fit of nostalgia, I decide to visit our secret spot by the river. The path is overgrown, the way obscured by years of neglect. But my feet know the way, guided by the memories etched in my heart.
When I reach the river, I’m overwhelmed by a wave of emotion. The place looks the same, yet different. The trees have grown taller, the river a little wider, but the magic remains. I sit on the grassy bank, staring at the water as it rushes by.
I can almost see our younger selves, laughing and playing, free from the burdens of the world. I close my eyes, letting the memories wash over me. I hear Alexander’s voice, singing a song he wrote just for me, the melody haunting and beautiful.
********
The pub is crowded tonight, a haze of smoke and chatter filling the air. I sit at the bar, nursing my drink, trying to drown out the memories that refuse to leave me alone. Today is my twentieth birthday, but there’s nothing to celebrate.
I take another sip of whiskey, the burn a familiar comfort. The noise around me fades into a dull roar, my thoughts drifting to Alexander.
Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice the figure approaching until he’s right beside me. Zayne, or “Z” as everyone calls him, slides onto the stool next to mine. He’s tall, with dark, brooding eyes and a smirk that promises trouble. His leather jacket clings to his muscular frame, a symbol of the gang he runs with. Z has always been trouble, Just like Alexandra, he's the kind of guy mothers warn their daughters about. But his charm and dangerous allure have always drawn people in, including me, though I would never admit it.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Little Miss Sunshine,” he drawls, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Out drinking alone on your birthday? How sad.”
I roll my eyes, taking another sip of my drink. “What do you want, Z?”
He chuckles, leaning in closer. “Just came to see how my favorite girl is doing. You know, you should really learn to stay out of trouble.”
“I’m not in trouble,” I retort, my grip tightening around my glass. “And I’m not your girl.”
His smirk widens, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Not yet, maybe. But you will be. You see, Alex, in this town, you’re either with me or against me. And trust me, you don’t want to be against me.”
I glare at him, anger bubbling up inside me. “I’m not afraid of you, Z. You don’t own me.”
He laughs, a cold, cruel sound. “You should be afraid. Because if you’re mine, no one in this town will ever, ever touch you. But if you’re not…”
He trails off, the threat hanging in the air. I feel a shiver run down my spine, a mix of fear and anger coursing through me. I open my mouth to retort, but a familiar voice cuts in.
“Leave her alone, Z.”
I turn to see Alexander standing there, his eyes blazing with anger. He looks even more handsome and intense than usual, his presence commanding the room. He grabs my arm, pulling me away from Z and into the safety of his embrace.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Alexander growls, his voice low and dangerous.
Z stands up, his smirk fading into a scowl. “Just having a little chat with Alexandra. Didn’t know she had a bodyguard.”
“She doesn’t need a bodyguard,” Alexander snaps. “But she has me. And if you ever come near her again, you’ll regret it.”
Z sneers, his eyes narrowing. “Big talk for someone who ran away.”
Alexander’s grip on my arm tightens, his jaw clenching. “I’m back now. And I’m not going anywhere. So stay the hell away from her.”
Z chuckles, taking a step back. “Fine, have it your way. But remember, Alex, this town isn’t big enough for both of us. She’ll have to choose eventually.”
With that, he turns and walks away, his presence leaving a dark cloud behind. I feel a sense of relief washes over me, but my heart is still racing. Alexander’s anger is palpable, his protective stance both comforting and overwhelming.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice softer now.
I nod, trying to steady my breathing.
******