36- The day we met

The day we met

World change: World II

September 16, 2016, noon.

I open my eyes. My pupils meet the daylight directly, so I have to blink several times to get used to reality. My phone is by my side; right on my nightstand. There is a sticky note attached to it. I quickly realize it's from Dakota. Judging by this, and the fact that I don't have a drip, it may not have been long since I passed out.

"I charged your phone. I also left food to heat up in the refrigerator. I love you. Dakota."

I drag my hand back and forth across my face to wake up. I feel very disoriented, but it's nothing new. Even if someone shouted at me to remind me to take the compass of my life every day, I would still forget it.

I set the note aside. I pick up my cellphone, turn it on, and activate the wifi. I already had some pending notifications, but I come across more than ten notifications from Professor Chad. I tilt my head back and groan. I know he's excited, but I think excessive enthusiasm can be bad.

I decide to respond to the messages related to my work first. Going to the studio at this time doesn't sound tempting. It's already past noon. Plus, it's Friday. This day is busy only when there's a launch coming up.

The cursed letter that supposedly belongs to Faven comes back to my mind in a flash. Being aware of the matter again draws a myriad of unanswered questions in my head. Just when I think I'm close to understanding something, I take two steps back. At this rate, who knows when I'll find out if Chad's nonsense is real or fake. I don't know anymore. Am I going crazy at the possibility that it might be real?

I prefer to clear my mind by calling Dakota to see how her day is going.

"Hello, hello. I'm with a client," she says. "I'm glad you're fine, Eron."

Guilt invades me once again.

"Thank you for being attentive to me," I mumble. "How long will it take for you to be done?"

"About forty minutes. She also needs a hairstyle. Drop the bomb so I can hang up," she demands, but I can imagine her smiling.

"Send me your address by message so we can go have lunch together, what do you think?"

"A kind of picnic, you say? I'm in. I love you. It's a date. Goodbyeeee."

I smile like an idiot after hearing her. Yes, sometimes it's necessary to make an effort for things to turn out the way you hope. At this moment, I wish Dakota could feel happier and more at peace. It may be guilt that moves me, but mainly it's because I love her that I want to make an effort to do something different.

Enticed by the enthusiasm, I suddenly get up and end up feeling dizzy. Ah, what an idiot. I've always known that I shouldn't do that. I really don't learn from my bad experiences, huh?

Once I recover, I start getting ready and go to heat up what she left in the refrigerator. I decide to respond to more messages in the taxi to avoid distractions and delays. Once inside the vehicle, I let Dakota know that I'm on my way, and now, I gather all the strength I can to see everything Chad sent.

I read the messages and see the photos. A strong pang hits me in the head as I read seeing images of the letter with many colors and a bunch of strange explanations along with the questions: Did you read the book? Have you decoded the letter yet?

Eron (me): Professor Chad, I already understood who five is. And I know someone who received T's letter. I'm on my way to an important place. I'll tell you more later. Thank you.

I decide not to pay any more attention than a message to calm him down and give him something to occupy himself with. At least, I don't want to be bothered during my time with Dakota. I deserve that tranquility. Doesn't he spend quality time with his partner or grade exams? He says he's busy, but he contacts me every day.

I arrive at the place where Dakota is, and I let her know that I'm waiting for her outside. In a matter of five minutes, she gets in the vehicle. She looks happy and radiant. It makes me so happy to see her like this.

"How did it go?"

"It was great! Today I did a bride's makeup. She wanted blue eyeshadow, and she loved it! I'm a loyal advocate for blue in makeup."

I see her perfectly done blue eyeliner, and although I don't know much about the topic, I agree. It looks nice on her.

"Do you have more appointments today?"

"Yes, but they're social makeups. We'll have time to eat peacefully," she says. Then the taxi driver starts driving. "Hey, Eron…"

Her index finger dances on my thigh. I have to clear my throat to not show nervousness.

"Yes?"

"I love you," she kisses my cheek.

There is a big difference between the Eron that Dakota met and this Eron. There is also a big difference between the old Dakota and the current one. We were both lost and desolate teenagers fighting for our dreams, but seeing them as impossible. Faven accompanied us throughout the process to improve our mental health, but it wasn't easy. Nothing was easy. Nothing is perfect, after all.

We met in the waiting room of the psychologist who was a friend of Liry, Faven's older sister. I, due to my eagerness and impatience, arrived an hour before the session. Dakota, on the other hand, arrived ten minutes before hers. I didn't know it back then, but she had fallen before leaving and had to stay longer at home, healing the wounds on her knees. Otherwise, she claims she would have arrived earlier. And now that I know her, I believe her.

It was our first session with the psychologist. We've both been friends with Faven for many years, but the idiot never introduced us.

She spoke to me first. I confess it gave me a certain feeling of rejection because she was a complete stranger trying to start conversations with me, but it took a few more encounters for our strange friendship to blossom. Faven was the one who helped us turn it into something more.

He left a letter in each of our mailboxes, inviting us on a date. We both pretended not to be excited, but our eyes couldn't lie for us. We played video games that day and ate junk food in a park. It was simple, but it marked the beginning of our countless dates. Faven still boasts about it.

Going today to do something similar to that first date, but more aware of the affection we have for each other, makes us think about those beautiful days. I'm sure Dakota feels as happy as I do today. I genuinely hope that we can resolve our small or big conflicts because I don't know if I'll be able to feel this way with anyone else.