♫ Lemon ♫
I’ve been thinking of Drew until I reached home. It’s just sad that he didn’t even let me know he’s leaving.
I went straight to my room to check my email again. I smiled as soon as I saw my admission letter. Opening my Messenger, I informed Kellen that I’m going to France.
As soon as she’s seen the message I left, she started asking why I’m going there all of a sudden. Instead of wasting time, I just told her that I’ll tell her everything when I get there.
After two days, I’m now ready for my departure. “Lemon, hurry up! We might be late for your flight!” my mom called from downstairs.
When we got to the airport, the rest of the band was already there. They said they waited at the airport to not delay my flight.
I gave each one of them a tight hug. Each one got something to remind me of and since there are just too many, I’m not sure I remembered them all.
But what Kevz whispered made a mark in my head. “You take care of yourself there… said, Drew.” I wanted to ask more but mom called me to get in so all I can do is bid everyone farewell.
‘Take care? That’s it? He could have messaged me to say it personally. Doesn’t he want to talk to me?’
Kellen’s questions rained on me as soon as our eyes meet. Kale, on the other hand, keeps apologizing after I told them everything.
“What will happen now? Does that mean it’s really over between you and Drew?” Kellen asked, pouting and I nodded slowly at her.
“That’s sad… I really thought you’d be the ones to show us forever,” Kale added as he stood up from the bed and sat on his desk.
We were a bit emotional so Kellen and I were startled when Kale shrieked. "Kellen hurry!” waving a hand to call my cousin, he gestured toward the computer screen as if he was trying to show something.
Kellen immediately blushed when she saw what Kale was referring to. It was a picture of Homme, flexing the necklace he’s wearing.
“Proud boyfriend!” Kale squealed and Kellen can’t hide the smile on her face.
“Boyfriend? Since when?” my eyes widen as I look at the two of them.
“It’s only been three months,” Kellen answered shyly.
“And that’s her monthsary gift to him!” Kale informed me as he point at Homme’s picture again.
Kale continued browsing his newsfeed and he suddenly stopped at one post. “Wow! New girlfriend?” he asked irritatedly.
I looked at the picture and it didn't even take me a second to recognize who it was. It’s a picture of Drew with his arm over the girl’s shoulder and the girl’s arms around his waist.
I can feel their eyes on me. ‘That hurts! It’s only been a month since we broke up and now he’s got a new girlfriend? What a womanizer!’
“Hey! You should tell me about you and Homme!” I told Kellen to change the topic. Thankfully, she quickly jumped on the bed and starts narrating.
“Drew looks like he really got a new girlfriend,” Kale butted in as soon as Kellen’s done with their story.
“Let’s just let him be. We’re over anyway. He can have as many girlfriends again if he wants. No one will get hurt anyway,” I responded. Kale looked like he wants to ask something else so I quickly excused myself to go to the bathroom.
“Is it really over?” Kellen called behind me before I closed the door.
---
Days passed and they eventually turn into weeks, months, and years. I didn’t hear anything from Drew. Even just a simple hi or to ask how I’m doing, nothing. All he does is react to my posts.
There are times when I can see Kale stalking his account. But when he sees me, he would quickly close it and pretend he’s doing something else.
Not sure why, but after seeing his pictures with other girls several times, I suddenly lost interest in knowing how he’s been. How many girlfriends has he had so far.
Maybe he’s already moved on. Maybe he’s ok where he is now. And since it’s already been years, maybe it’s about time for me to start moving on too.
And now, we’re at a bar, celebrating our graduation. “Yasssss! We’re going home soon!” Kale announced as he raise his glass.
“True and I’m already excited to see my parents and my twin!” Kellen responded, clicking Kale’s glass.
“Your twin and parents or Homme? Don’t me!” Kale refuted but my cousin just laughed at him.
“Hey cuz, why are you so quiet?” Kellen tapped my arm to get my attention, as I was looking outside the bar. “Aren’t you excited to go home?”
I smiled lazily at her, fiddling with my fingers, “I’m excited of course! But I decided to stay here for another month,” I informed them and their eyes widen in unison.
"Don't tell me you’re planning to say yes to Levi?” Kale pried.
When Levi found out that I’m back in France, he started visiting our house again. He and a few others started showing their interest or even started courting me, but they all got rejected.
It’s because even if I deny it a hundred times, I really can’t fool myself. I can’t make myself believe that I don’t love him anymore, Drew.
Yes, I still love that jerk. I still love him even if it seems like he’s already moved on from me and everything else.
“Yes, I’m excited to go home and no, I’ve no plans of getting into a relationship with Levi. I can’t even remember how many times I rejected him.”
“Then why? Do you really have to stay?” Kellen asked, scowling.
“I don’t know, I just feel like I wanna make the most out of France. I think I miss it too much!”
“Or maybe… you’re not ready yet to face Drew,” Kale commented.
“But Drew’s still in the States!” Kellen replied.
“But he will come home and they will see each other eventually,” he added.
I chuckled as I look at the two of them, “You guys stop! Yes, part of the reason is Drew. I feel like I haven’t really moved on from him. It still hurts when you guys stalk his profile and see some bad news,” then they exchanged glances.
"Were we that obvious?" Kellen asked and I nodded.
"But that’s ok! At least we know he’s doing fine. Before I left, Kevz told me that Drew’s blaming himself for everything that happened. So it’s a relief if he’s really moved on.”
Both of them nodded before letting out sighs. "How long will you be staying here?” Kale asked, pouting.
“For another month or two? That will be quick. Before you knew it, I’m already on my flight back home.” I can sense their sadness but I really can’t do anything about it.
"Are you sure you're gonna be ok?" Kellen asked again and I nodded to assure her.
After leaving the bar, we went straight home to get some rest. I checked my phone before going to bed and again, Kevz sent me a link to a song.
Almost every month, he would send me one. The caption will always be “You might like this” but this time, it’s different and it caught my attention. The caption of the link is “For you and my friend.”
Even if he doesn't name that friend, I already know who he’s referring to. It’s none other than Drew. I can’t help but smile at his silliness, then again, I’ll have to miss it for a few more months.
---
Another week passed and the duo is now starting to prepare for their flight home. “Are you sure you’re staying?” Kellen asked again while packing her stuff.
"Cuz, stop worrying, I'll be fine here. Besides, I’ve already scored an interview in two days with one of the most popular ad agencies in all of Paris!” I bragged.
"You’re lucky then since you can already apply what you studied. When do you think we can do it?” Kale commented and turned to Kellen.
“Gosh! Can’t we go on vacation first and start job hunting after a month or two? Let’s start looking for a job when Lemon came back!” she replied.
We spent their last night with really late-night talks. We even had wine while listening to good music for an added dramatic effect.
During our talks, they keep reminding me of things and I just keep nodding at them. But of all their reminders, I can’t forget what Kale said. “Make sure that you’ve already moved on from him when you come back, ok?!”
I took them to the airport and headed straight to my interview. The next day, HR called me to let me know that I got accepted.
She said I nailed the interview and I'm working under the creative director. Hopefully, I won’t be working just to prepare coffee for them though.
Monday the following week, I prepared early for work. ‘This is it, Leslie Monica, there’s no turning back!’ I suddenly recalled what Kale told me and sigh. ‘Yes, I need to be over him before going back.’