xD3siR3x & kiroro

[kiroro]

Erica was a little nervous at first when the bike started off wobbly, but he soon got it under control which was a relief and she put her hands on his shoulders since she thought that wrapping them around his waist would be a little awkward.
"U-umm," She said looking down the street, "You take a right at that stop sign up ahead," she said.
Erica directed him all the way to Ms. Johnson's shop with no problem at all. She took her hands from his shoulders, "Well, here we are," she said looking at the shop, "She'll be closing soon, so I guess you should hurry with whatever it is you want to do."

[xD3siR3x]

Alex was pleasantly surprised to have reached the store so quickly. He made sure to memorize the way for when he'll want to visit this place again.
"Thanks for your help," Alex got off the bike and smiled at her.
"What don't I treat you to something?" he offered.
"My treat of course," he waited for her to get of the back seat and take the wheel.
"I'll be right back," after saying that he entered the shop and looked around for the old lady.
"Hey, Ms. Johnon!" he greeted her once the woman apeared from betvween the shelves.
"I see you're still heathy," he smiled at her with a smile that was both gentle and mischievously childish.

((Maybe it'll stay this time o.O ))

[kiroro]

"Oh, no, that's alright," Erica said moving in the seat. She then watched him go up nto the store, I should go in too, she thought leaning her bike against the steps, she knew no one would try and take it from her, and if they did she'd be able to find it in no time in this small town. She walked in and watched him greet Ms. Johnson, well, it seems he remembers her.

Ms. Johnson looked at the boy that had just come in suspiciously. Who was this red-haired boy? She squinted and then took the glasses that were sitting on her head and pulled them down to her eyes, another subtle movement that proved Ms. Johnson really was growing old. "My my my, who is it we have here?" She said looking the boy up and down, "Tall and old, much older than when I last saw. let me get a closer look at ya," she walked closer to him and placed a warm, soft hand on his arm and looked up at him, he was much taller than she was, "My, you sure have grown handsome also, haven't you boy?" She turned him a little to get a better look at him, "My Alex you sure have changed."

Erica's heart skipped a beat. Did Ms. Johnson just say Alex?

Ms. Johnson finally noticed Erica not too far away, "Oh, Erica, I see you went and welcomed back your old friend huh? I would have though he had forgotten you by now!" Ms. Johnson laughed, "Have you guys been telling each other your memories of the past?"

Is this really the ALex I used to know so long ago? How come he didn't say anything to me? Erica didn't answer Ms. Johnson, she just stared at Alex for a while.

[xD3siR3x]

Alex waited till Ms.Johnson examined him to her heart's content with that little smile still playing on his face. He was really glad that she recognized him.
"Well of course I changed," he replied proudly. "It's been years and grew handsome, don't you agree?" he joked around.
"But I didn't grow that old to forget you... Will you still give me that special discount for bubble gum, please?" he added and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

When Ms. Johnson turned to the girl, he glanced at her as well. Just then he realized, that he forgot to ask her name earlier.
"So your name is Erica?" he asked her.
"That's a nice name," he smiled," And now I guess I know why were you at the apartment complex earlier...." he pondered.
"So did you manage to meet that old friend of yours?" he asked and tilted his head to the side.

[kiroro]

Ms. Johnson looked from Erica and then back to Alex she smiled, pat Alex on the back and then made her way over to Erica, "You shouldn't stare, it's not polite," she laughed and put a hand on Erica's back and then Erica looked at her confused, "What?"
"You're telling me that's Alex?"
"Of course dear, who else would it be? Didn't you recognize him?"
"Well, yea, but he didn't..." She trailed off.
"Oh, don't be like that, he has to forget someone, but I don't undestand why he'd forget you."
Erica looked over at Alex, "So, you really didn't remember me?"

[xD3siR3x]

All the while Alex listened to their conversation being no less confused than Erica. He could hardly understand what they were talking about. Did he really forget someone? He searched his head frantically, but it was all in vane.
"I'm sorry..." he shook his head apologetically. He was rather embarrassed about the whole situation, but at that moment, he really couldn't dig up anything about the girl in front of him which was a shame. He shuffled a bit thinking of a way to disperse this whole awkward situation.

[kiroro]

Erica was a little disappointed at this. He really didn't remember her, but instead of frowning she gave a smile, "it's ok, really," and she meant it.
"It's ok?' Ms. Johnson looked at Erica and then sighed, "Perhaps he'll remember you in time? What about it Alex?"
"Ms. Johnson?" She then looked at Alex, "You know, I think I should get going," she gave a nervous laugh, "Um, it's my turn to make dinner and well, it's getting pretty late," She said and turned toward the door, "I'll see you tomorrow Ms. Johnson, and bye Alex," she waved to them both and the walked out of the store.

[xD3siR3x]

He listened to the whole conversation and watched the girl leave, "See ya, Erica," he waved at her and stood there for a while. Apparently he was missing some very important moments of his life. Scratching his head, the guy figured that he might need to apologize to her...

"Umm I'll take this, and this, and this, please?" he said to Ms. Johnson, placing some products on the counter. Then, thanking the woman, he left the store and headed home. On his way, Alex kept thinking of a way to see Erica again...

[kiroro]

"Oh! So how was it? Where is he?" Erica's mother asked as she had come through the door.
"It was ok," Erica smiled at her, "He's really changed mom, you should have seen him."
"Should have? Why didn't he come with you? He have something else to do? Too busy to see his old neighbors huh?"
Erica shrugged and laughed, "Well I guess, I mean, if he had remembered us maybe he'd have wanted to come and see you guys."
"What? He didn't remember us? Did he remember you?"
Erica sighed, "No mom. He doesn't remember me at all."
"Aww, I see," Her mom walked over to her and hugged her, "Well it'll be alright, ok?"
"Yea, I know mom, but I still kinda wish he hadn't forgotten me, you know? I mean, I still remember him..."
"People change Erica."
"Yea I know mom. Here, I'mma go and try and get dinner started. Has dad come yet?"
"Not yet."
"What did he say about Alex?"
"He said that he hopes to see him soon."
Erica nodded, "I see. Ok," she said and walked to the kitchen

[xD3siR3x]

Once home, Alex went straight to the kitchen to make himself something to snack on while unpacking his things. Opening the boxes, he looked for old photo albums. There was only one and he grabbed it as if it harbored the answers to all of his questions. Turning the pages slowly and examining every photograph, Alex finally found something that might have been Erica over 10 years ago... She looked like a cute little girl, and the two kids in the picture also looked extremely happy... Unfortunately that didn't bring any memories back. The guy sighed. He would have to apologize to her again tomorrow, if he finds her that is.

[kiroro]

The next day Erica went into work. She started out by cleaning up a little around the shop, it was around 10 now and not too many people came in this early.
Ms. Johnson came from the back and watched Erica for a bit before asking, "Are you ok?"
"Hmm?" Erica looked over at Ms. Johnson, "Oh, yes I'm fine," She smiled.
"Will you talk to Alex today?"
"Um," Erica wasn't sure, "I guess if he wants to talk to me. I don't know what to do or say or anything now..." Erica started to sweep again.
"What were you going to say if he did remember?"
"Well, I was hoping to go over a few memories or something," Erica admitted, "Like our old secret spots we'd go to if we were bored, or old games and things like that," Erica sighed, "but I guess I can't."
"And why not?"
"He wouldn't remember anything."
"Your point? Why don't you try and help him to remember? It's not like he's old and can't get them back. They're just in the back of his mind."
"I don't know Ms. Johnson."
"Ah, fine, but you think about it..."

[xD3siR3x]

The next morning Alex woke up earlier than usual. He didn't take much time to take a shower, get dressed and have some cereal for breakfast. There were still a few boxes that needed some unpacking, but he really didn't feel like getting to it right now. As soon as e ate, the boy left his apartment and went outside. While walking, he searched his pockets till he found a pack of bubblegum. He took out a piece and threw it in his mouth. Somehow that has become a habit of his.

Alex walked down the streets, remembering the turns and corners she pointed out for him the previous day. Soon enough he found the shop again and went inside in hopes that Ms.Johnson would tel him where to find Erica.

[kiroro]

Erica had just finished the morning cleanining when the first costumer of the day walked in. The shop was usually very slow, but at least a few people would come in eventually, even if only to talk or to only buy a few things.
She looked over and gave them a small greeting to the shop, then she noticed that it was Alex, "Oh, Alex, hello," she waved at him. She wasn't expecting him to be back at the store again today.

[xD3siR3x]

The minute Alex walked into the store, he froze. The boy never expected to see Erica so soon, no... He wasn't ready and didn't know what to say or how. He turned his head to side a little with a shadow of embarrassment. "G-Good morning, Erica," he greeted her and managed to smile somehow still not quite facing her.
"Look, I'm ... sorry for what happened yesterday," he started.

[kiroro]

"Yesterday" Erica smmiled and then gave a small laugh, "No, it's ok Alex, it really is. I guess... over time people have to forget something, don't you think?"