Untamed Reunion

Chapter 2

Callum

S eeing Hazel was a refreshing shock to my system. She dyed her hair from her normal brown color. I like it on her, it’s fitting. Her lips are still pink and plush, her brown doe eyes that say so much without her uttering a word.

I have only been back in town for a day, and honestly, I’m not sure what I expected. I didn’t know where she ended up after we broke up. After trying to reach out a few times once her parents had passed, and no response, I gave up. I knew she was hurting and I didn’t want to cause any more bad feelings.

I sit on my bed with my phone in my hand, scrolling through our last text messages. It was such a dark time for her, I didn’t know how to react. I was also younger and knew less about the world as it is. My reaction could’ve been better, but the past is the past.

I was planning on going to the harvest festival by myself tonight, just to mingle and get some food before retiring for the night, but now that I know she’s still in town, I think my plans may change.

Before I can think too much about it, I call Johnathan. The phone rings a few times before he answers.

“Hello?”

“Hey man, it’s Callum.”

“Hey dude! What’s up? Long time no talk.”

“Yeah, I know. I uh- left pretty abruptly. I just couldn’t be around anymore after everything.”

“I get it, but anyway, enough about the past. What’s going on?”

“Well, I’m back in town and was wondering if you’re going to Harvest Fest tonight?”

“You best believe we are! There’s a group of us going and we’re meeting some others there.”

“Do you mind if I tag along?”

“Nah, I don’t care. We’re meeting at five. I’ll come pick you up at, say, four-thirty?”

“Yeah, that sounds good. Thanks, man.”

“Yeah don’t mention it.”

I hang up the phone and laugh at myself. I have to pull together a costume, especially if we’re going to be meeting up with other people. I can’t say that I don’t hope I run into Hazel while I’m there. Even better if she’s still friends with them and we’re forced to hang out all night. I’ve missed her. I’ve missed her touch and having her smart-ass comments following me everywhere I go.

As I lay back, my golden retriever, Butter, jumps up on the bed with me. I scratch her head, thinking about everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours. I’ve signed on property, moved back into my parent’s house, ran into my ex-girlfriend that I still think about, and now I’m meeting up with my old friends from college. I've known them for seven years, technically. I graduated five years ago but moved away two, so I'm not sure that time counts. I'm twenty-nine now, so the math would add up.

I wonder if she still thinks about me.

Four thirty rolls around and Johnathan shows up right on time. It’s kind of emotional seeing him, it’s been so long. We give each other a hug, pulling back before I start crying on him. I’ve always been a cryer, my parents taught me that it’s a healthy way to express emotions and that, even as a man, I’m allowed to. None of that ‘men don’t cry’ bullshit rhetoric.

I get in the car and it’s non-stop conversation between the two of us. It’s like no time has passed at all. We talk about anything and everything as the scenery passes before us. It’s like this town hasn’t changed. The small library still has the weathered paint covering the front door. Obviously The Roasted Bean is still up and running with their delicious as fuck coffee. Even the college still looks like a big brick building with not much to it.

“Hey, maybe this is new news to me, but have you tried the pumpkin spice latte at the coffee shop?”

“Duh! Who hasn’t?” he laughs.

“Well, apparently me, until today, and damn, that’s good!”

“Wait! They have it back in stock?”

“Well they did, it might be gone now that I’ve visited.” I can’t help but chuckle. The only reason I even tried it was because that was Hazel’s order. I normally just drink my coffee with sugar and a little bit of cream, leaving all the extra frilly stuff to the side. It sounded interesting and I couldn’t help myself, so I went for it and I’m glad I did. I’m pretty sure it’s the best damn coffee I’ve ever had, and I drink a lot of coffee.

“Well, damn you then,” he snickers.

We fall into a comfortable silence as we pull into the lot awaiting us. It’s the same as I remember it, but the air feels electric tonight. I immediately start scanning the crowd for Hazel, like she’s magically going to appear in front of me.

“She’s not here yet.”

“What?”

“If you’re looking for who I think you’re looking for, she’s not here yet. They will get here in a little bit. I’m dating Daphne now, and you know them. They come as a pair.”

“Well congrats, man, but I’m not looking for anyone.”

“Yeah, sure. Whatever floats your boat,” he says as he claps my shoulder.

Okay, maybe I am looking for her.