24. This Town

"Hey." I hear from next to me.

"Hey, Princess."

I frown. I thought I graduated from Princess to Olive.

I groan.

I feel a soft kiss on my forehead and open my eyes.

I'm leaning on Aron's shoulder as he drives the car through a beautifully sunlit street.

"We're almost there." He says.

I shoot up.

"Really?"

Aron nods.

"Just about twenty more minutes or so."

That's crazy..  I look out the window at the scenes passing us. I know this street. I remember this. It hasn't changed at all.

"How do you feel?"

"Fine." I say as my stomach somersaults.

"We should probably go to a hotel first and—"

"I wanna go straight to the school. I need to know if he still works there."

"What? Are you ready to see him right now?"

I stay quiet. It's not like I'll ever be.

"How about calling the school first?"

"No. I want to go in there anyway. I need to see it again." I wonder if I'll remember more. I wonder if it'll help me heal.

Aron sighs. "Alright."

When we pull up to the school it's lunch break. All the kids are playing outside on the playground. It hasn't changed at all. Not one bit.

Aron and I step out of the car and approach the school building.

As we walk by some of the kids stare at us like we're aliens.

I guess we do look a little different. I'm sure in this small town these kids have never seen someone with ripped jeans or... someone as hot as Aron. Now that I think about it these kids look like they're from 2005. That's how they're dressed anyway. I guess this town really never changes.

I walk into the building and it feels like it's my first day of school again. I get more nervous as I walk through the empty hallway. Aron grabs my hand in support.

Then we spot a woman behind a counter. She gives us a strange look and then her eyes lower to our intertwined fingers.

I pull my hand away.

"Can I help you?" The woman recovers from the shock and plasters on her best fake smile. She has a strong southern accent.

ONE I DON'T HAVE, FOR THE RECORD.

"Yes. We're looking for a Mr. Sanders. Neil Sanders." Aron says.

I'm amazed he remembered his full name after I only told him once.

"He used to teach here four years ago."

I stay quiet and carefully watch the secretary's reaction.

"Oh yes! That is correct. He doesn't teach here anymore. He had an early retirement due to health problems, I believe."  The secretary smiles.

My shoulders slump. Did we come all the way out here for nothing?

"Do you know where he lives?" Aron asks.

The woman gives him a sympathetic look. "I'm not at liberty to discuss it. I'm sorry."

Aron leans forward on the table. He looks her deep in the eyes. It's the kind of look that would make anyone melt.

"Oh, pretty please? My friend used to be his student and we'd really like to see him again." He smiles.

I'm not even the one being flirted with and even I'm getting hot watching him.

"Umm.. well—" She blushes.

"Oliver Sky, is that you?" I hear from behind me.

I turn around and see my old principal, Denver. He hasn't changed much other than the weight gain and the slight ageing.

I smile. "Yeah, it's me." I say awkwardly.

"It is SUCH a pleasure to see you again!" He pulls me close and almost squeezes me to death with his hug. I just stand there and wait for him to get off me.

"You have grown up so much!"

"Yeah, that is generally what kids do." I say, much more pointed than I intended.

Mr. Denver laughs loudly.

"And who is this?" He asks, eyeing Aron who looks just as annoyed as I probably do.

"That's my.. friend. Aron."

"Nice to meet you." Aron smiles. I try not to laugh at his clear irritation.

"So what brings you here after all this time?" Denver asks.

"I'm.. actually looking for someone. N— Mr. Sanders. I'd love to see him again. But I was just told he doesn't work here anymore."

"That is correct."

"Do you know where I can find him?"

"Oh! Well, he just lives in the same old house he lived in four years ago. Y'know, the house on the hill?"

I flinch at the image in my mind of the old secluded house on the hill where no one could ever hear you scream.

"Do you remember where it is?" Aron asks quietly.

I nod.

Kinda hard to forget.

He grabs my hand again.

"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you. We really should get going." Aron drags me through the hallway.

Back in the car I just stare ahead of me. My skin's crawling and I feel sick.

"We're not going today. You need a break."

I turn to him. "Aron—"

"Don't 'Aron' me. He'll still be there tomorrow. For now we're gonna chill, okay?"

I nod.

"Okay." I mumble.

Aron grabs my hand while he steers the car with the other.

"Was it hard?"

"A little." I mutter.

He squeezes my hand and I slowly relax.

We open the door to the hotel room and I immediately fall down on the bed.

The room is colored in dull red tones. The golden hour sun shines in through the white lace curtains.

"Tired?" Aron asks as he places the bags next to the door.

"A little."

Aron lays down next to me, turned towards me.

"You can go sleep. I'll unpack." He murmurs.

I face him and kiss him gently. He wraps his arm around me and kisses me back. I wrap one leg around his.

"Thank you. For being so good to me. I don't deserve you." I whisper.

"I could say the same to you." He whispers back.

Our noses touch and I look into his golden eyes. He's so beautiful. I look away for a second to catch my breath. No fair. He's already golden and the sun just makes it worse.

"What are you blushing for?" He chuckles.

Oh God, I'm blushing.

I bury my head in his chest.

He laughs loudly.

"Shut up." I say as sit on top of him.

"You're gonna get the bed all dirty." Aron murmurs pointing at my shoes.

"Isn't that the point?" I whisper before kissing him again.

He moans happily.

His hands hold my waist and he pulls me closer to him.

I pull away unwillingly.

"Jesus." I say annoyed. I know that If I go any further I'm going to lose it again. "Fuck!"

"Hey.. it's fine. We've got time."

I sigh. "I know."

"Don't be upset. I'll do you soon enough." He caresses my ear and gives me a cheeky smile.

I blush.

"In the mean time.. I'll go take a shower." He smirks slyly. And with that he leaves the room.

I look up at the ceiling. Tomorrow it'll all be different. Tomorrow this will be over.