Chapter 18: Our Favorite Place

"Riding a motorcycle?" Lucia asked when she saw Leo ready on his motorbike.

Leo smiled as he coded for Lucia to get on the motorbike.

"Never mind, just ride! You're not used to riding motorbikes, are you?" He said as he put the helmet into Lucia's hand who seemed unsure of Leo's plan.

"No, it's not like that! Fine, but tell me first, where are we going?"

"To the place of our childhood memories, our favorite place for both of us!"

"Our favorite place?" Lucia tried to remember about the favorite place that Leo had said. But it felt like all the places they used to frequent together were her favorite places.

But seeing Leo who was so excited made Lucia could only entrust everything to him. Lucia sat on the motorbike and nervously grabbed Leo's shoulders so she wouldn't fall. Seeing her behavior, Leo couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha...what are you doing? That's not how you ride with a guy!"

"What are you saying?"

"Hug my back!"

"Are you crazy?"

"Why? Afraid of your big breasts sticking to my back?"

"You idiot! Why are you talking like that!"

"Never mind, just do it! Otherwise, you'll fall! I'll be driving at full speed!"

"Are you crazy? You think this street is a racetrack?"

"For me, yes!"

Leo dashed straight into the street and made Lucia couldn't help but wrap her arms around his waist. Leo was happy and that made Lucia even more annoyed.

When they were little, the two of them used to ride bicycles together. Because Leo doesn't have a bicycle, he always borrows Lucia's bicycle which he calls 'Boss'

Leo had always rode his bicycle at high speed, through the streets in the middle of a field of fragrant lavender flowers.

Since the first, Leo has always been a driver for her who takes her wherever she goes on her bicycle. His shoulders that were once small and fragile, have now become firm and sturdy. Leo has changed so much, the only thing that remains the same is his radiant smile and laugh.

"Would you like to stop at the convenience store first?"

"What for?"

"Buy a condom!"

"Damn it! Don't mess with me, Leo!"

"Hahahaha...kidding! I mean we can buy drinks and something to eat there. You haven't had dinner yet, have you?"

"How long have we been there? Where are we actually going? Why don't you speak clearly?"

"If I say it now, so not interesting anymore!"

"Okay, I want some pizza and cola!"

"Pizza and cola, huh? All right, let's get pizza now!"

They stopped in front of a pizza restaurant. It was only when getting off the bike that Lucia really realized that Leo was really tall now.

"Why are you so tall?"

"Hey, the last time we saw each other was in the second year of high school, I was already growing up!"

"Yeah, I know! So, what's under your eyes? Scars?" She asked as she touched the scar on the corner of Leo's cheek.

Heartbeat...

Leo felt his heart beat faster, in the past whenever he was injured, Lucia would also touch his face like this to see how badly the wound was. At that time he didn't feel anything, but now for some reason something was different that he couldn't understand.

Lucia's face looked very close and it made Leo feel nervous, he quickly pushed Lucia's hand away before actually touching it.

"I'm fine! Just a small wound!"

"You still fight often?"

"Not really!"

"Is that true?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"I was just wondering! You still live with your dad?"

"My dad has die!"

"What? Died?"

"Yeah, he's dead! As you can see, I'm fine now! Alright, what pizza do you want?"

"Pepperoni!"

"Pepperoni? All right, wait here a minute! I'll order it!" His words as he approached the counter to order pizza and cola.

Lucia was dumbfounded, seeing Leo's stout back made her forget that a very long time had passed since the last time she saw Leo's back 12 years ago.

What happened during these 12 years? What grief have they experienced during these 12 years? And how did they live these 12 years? She really wanted to know.

"You're daydreaming again, aren't you? You really like daydreaming, don't you?" Unknowingly, Leo was already standing in front of her while Lucia was still busy reminiscing about the past.

"Ah...no! How's the pizza?"

"I already bought it, let's go!"

They resumed their journey to the secret place Leo had said just as the sun was about to set.

Leo's motorbike sped down a path surrounded by lavender fields that gleamed in the afternoon sun. Seeing this place, Lucia began to know the secret place that Leo was referring to.

Leo's motorbike stopped right next to a big maple tree and that's right, this is the place.

"This place?"

"You remember, don't you? Our tree house!"

Lucia walked slowly with feelings raging in her heart. This place, this atmosphere brought back memories that made her eyes teary.

Lucia was standing in front of a large maple tree, where their treehouse still stood firmly on the tree. Nothing has changed, everything is still the same as before.

"What do you think?" Leo asked who could immediately understand what Lucia was feeling.

"I didn't think this tree house still existed!"

"Of course! I fought desperately to defend this treehouse. Yes, even though Bryan thought my actions were ridiculous, but for me this is a place I really like!"

"Yes, because your grandma used to pick you up here every time you had a fight with your dad!"

"Tsk, hahaha...you still remember all the embarrassing ones, don't you?"

"Of course! There's no reason to forget it!"

"Is that so? So, why did you leave all of a sudden without telling us? Was there no reason for you to tell us?" Leo asked while standing right in front of Lucia with eyes waiting for an answer from her.

Lucia was stunned, she didn't know how to explain to Leo what was really going on right now. She had already promised herself that she just needed to keep it in her heart.

"Forget it! That was 12 years ago. I thought you guys would be fine without me!"

Leo sighed with a small laugh, he had already guessed that was the answer Lucia would give. He knew Lucia more than Lucia knew.

"Yes, okay I understand! Want to climb up? The stairs are still there!" Leo immediately climbed the tree without using the stairs to get to the tree house which was no more than three meters from the ground.

Seeing Leo easily climb up made her want to climb too. But Lucia realized that she was wearing a short skirt and it would be a shame to climb up like that.

"Hey Leo, are you sure the stairs are still safe to step on? Still solid, right?" Lucia felt a little scared every time she heard a squeaking sound as she stepped on the stairs one by one.

"Calm down! Give me your hand! I'll help you!"

Although she was a little hesitant, only Leo could help her for now so she could enter the tree house.

And when she arrived at the top of the tree house. Her eyes widened in amazement at how this memorable place had not changed at all. Scribbles on a wooden wall with the names of the five of them inscribed, pictures they put on the wall, posters of Pierre's favorite football player, Lucia's favorite wrestler poster, Leo's favorite professional racer poster, Nikola Tesla poster and Michael Jackson's poster complete with his signature which Bryan got from his uncle. Everything is still in this place, as well as dozens of comic books and the radio they used to listen the music.

Unknowingly, Lucia's tears streamed down her face. A wall photo that makes her chest feel tight because of the longing for a childhood that will not be repeated. This picture of the five of them in the treehouse, the one Uncle Pierre took when spring arrived 15 years ago.

"Are you okay? Why you crying?"

"No, I'm fine! I just feel like I'm traversing through time to our childhood!"

"You're right! Look, the sun has set! How beautiful, isn't it?" Leo said as he stared at the sun that seemed to be setting past the hill ahead.

The lavender fields are purple, turning golden. Lucia was amazed and her heart was filled with happiness. In this place, a place that brings back memories.

"You're glad I brought you here, right?"

"Yes,"

"Really? But you don't seem too happy!"

"Thank you, Leo!"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for not hating me!"

"Hahahaha...who said I don't hate you! You cheat!"

"Cheating? What did you say?"

"Pierre, did he stay at your place last night?"

"W-what? What are you-"

"I know! Don't lie to me! I went to his house this morning, but his mom said Pierre hasn't been home since last night. I asked Bryan and Chris, they didn't know. When I was going to your house this morning, I saw Pierre's car come out of the yard. He stayed last night, right?"

"T-that, he-"

"Why are you so nervous? Did something happen between the two of you?"

***