Allison
I walked closer, my eyes fixed on Jayden’s angry expression. “What’s going on?” I asked, in wonder, and as I approached, I heard Jayden’s low, menacing tone. “Don’t make me a killer or hater, dude.”
Colby just grunted, his face twisted in anger. I sighed deeply as I listened to Jayden’s threatening tone. What was going on? Why was Jayden acting this way?
I held Jayden’s arm, trying to calm him down. “It’s not what you think,” I said. “Colby and I, we don’t like each other. Stop this. Besides, you know that day that we hugged and all that was a lie and a way to make you leave. We aren’t dating at all.”
Jayden’s expression didn’t change. “That’s what you think,” he said, his voice still laced with anger. “What does this Colby think?”
“Enough, Jayden!” I screamed, closing my ears with both hands. “Please, I beg you, it’s enough. Ugh!”
Just then, the bus pulled up beside us. “You both should leave, the bus is here,” Jayden said, nodding towards the bus.
We boarded the bus, and as we found our seats, I found myself staring intently at Jayden from the window. Even after he was out of sight, I continued staring, my eyes fixed on the spot where Jayden had been.
When the bus had gone further, I turned my attention to Colby, who was sitting behind me. “I’m really sorry for what happened,” I said. “My brother can be very possessive sometimes.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he smiled. “It’s fine. I understand.”
I patted the empty seat beside me. “But why are you sitting behind me? Come sit down close to me.”
“No, don’t worry. I’m okay here, please,” he replied, shaking his head quickly.
“Why are you acting this way?” I asked, looking at him puzzledly.
Colby’s expression was neutral. “After your brother’s talk, I think I’ll maintain my distance from you.”
“Oh no, you won’t!” I growled, stood up and went back to where I joined him.
“Hey,” he sighed.
“What?” I glared. “He’s not here so can you calm the fuck down?”
“Fine,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “It’s just because I’ve got a match on Wednesday and I want to be alive to witness it.”
“Excuse me?” I turned to him, confused.
He smiled, shaking his head. “I didn’t say anything.”
With that, I turned to the front, and in that moment, my phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence. I checked the screen and was taken aback by the caller ID – Gideon. My heart skipped a beat. Gideon was calling me for the first time in weeks, and I couldn’t believe I had almost forgotten about him.
I felt a pang of guilt for ignoring him for so long even after promising that I would reach out to him. My mind racing, I hesitated for a moment before answering the call.
“Hey,” I said finally, trying to sound casual.
Gideon’s deep, sweet voice sent shivers down my spine. “Hey, howdy?” he asked.
I swallowed hard, my thoughts swirling. Why was his voice on the phone call sounding so familiar? Maybe, I really did know this guy. Maybe… just maybe, he was someone close to me in the past.
I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “I’m good, what about you?”
Gideon’s response was laced with a hint of sarcasm.
“Well, I’m here, where you left me.”
I felt another twinge of guilt, remembering how I had forgotten about him. “I’m really sorry about that,” I said, trying to apologize. “I’ll always give you a call from now on, to be serious.”
“It’s not cool,” he chuckled slightly and just then, his tone slightly changed into something serious. “By the way, I saw you.”
My heart skipped a beat. Saw me? Where? Did he probably see me and Jayden hugging each other like sweet couples back in front of his mother’s house or did he see us sharing a kiss in the restaurant after savoring the delicious chilly food and did he see us on the way to the bus stop holding hands and talking while giggling. Many thoughts danced around my mind and for once, my heart didn’t stop beating.
Even though he didn’t know Jayden as my stepbrother. What if he later knows one day? What would happen? I really should stop overthinking but now, it suddenly seems like I don’t own my thoughts and can’t control myself.
“You saw me where?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
But inside, I was panicking. Dammit! This wasn’t good. Even my best friend, Colby didn’t know anything so why must someone whom I haven’t even remembered fully well, know?
I glanced at Colby, who was watching me with a curious expression. I tried to smile, but my mind was racing with thoughts of Gideon and what he might know.
Gideon’s voice was casual, but I detected a hint of curiosity. “I saw you with two other guys at the bus stop. I wanted to call you, say hi, but the tension there was too much, so I just withdrew myself.”
I sighed softly in relief and of course, tried to downplay the situation. “Oh, about that… It’s just a little fight. The boys will be fine.”
“Okay, then,” he chuckled. “But can I ask, who is that guy?”
“He’s my stepbrother,” I replied, trying to sound unconcerned.
Gideon’s response caught me off guard. “You don’t have to tell me, I know he’s your step brother. I mean, the other one.”
I swallowed hard, my mind racing. How did he know Jayden was my stepbrother? I never told him anything about that. Or did I? When we knew each other before the accident…? He knew everything? How much does Gideon know? How close were we really?
Gideon’s voice brought me back to reality. “Alice, you’re not answering me.”
I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “I’m really sorry… but how do you know Jayden?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
My mind was racing with questions. I was really beginning to lose my mind. Who was Gideon? How? When? Why!!
“Alice, I know many things about you, but I’ve forgotten everything. In time, you will know the truth.”
His voice sounded mysterious and this made me more scared, worried, confused, and… distressed.
My face contorted in frustration, and I clenched my fists. “Don’t fucking tell me that bullshit! I want to know now, tell me everything!”
Colby’s eyes widened in concern as he leaned in. “Hey, what’s going on? You’re scaring everyone.”
I didn’t care that the whole bus was staring at me. My focus was on Gideon.
Gideon’s tone remained calm. “Okay, then. I will tell you everything, but not over the phone. I’ll send you a message with a meeting place and time. We’ll talk in person.”
“Yes, please,” I nodded even though he couldn’t see that. “We need to talk this out before I lose my mind.”
“But I need a favor from you,” he said, his voice sounding cautious.
“What is it?” I asked, swallowing hard, looking down at my chest which was falling and raising heavily.
Gideon’s response sent a shiver down my spine. “I don’t want you to tell anyone that you’re meeting me. Nobody at all.”
I hesitated for a moment before responding. “Alright, I promise. We’ll meet secretly and talk things out. I won’t tell a single soul.”
Afterward, he ended the call and I let out a deep, relieved sigh. Well, at last!
Colby’s curious expression turned concerned. “What’s going on, Alice? Who was that person? Why do you need to meet them secretly?”
I looked at him, my eyes pleading. “Colby, can you just forget this, please? This is really personal.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he apologized immediately. “I shouldn’t have asked. I’m really sorry again.”
I nodded, my gaze drifting back to the front. My face felt serious, my mind consumed by the conversation with Gideon.
I needed answers. I needed my memories back. I needed to remember everything I had forgotten. The desperation was suffocating me, and I felt like I was running out of time.
The questions swirled in my mind, making my head spin. I felt like I was trapped in a never-ending nightmare, and I couldn’t wake up.