Recommence

Original writing: June 2017
Uploaded: September 2019

Meet me at Tim Hortons on April 7th at 17:00. We have things to discuss.
-Yanik

I look at my watch for the zillionth time; 17:06. I hope she saw my letter... I start tapping my left foot and frown. Then again, it’d be much simpler if she didn’t see it.

I scoff and smile, how typical of me to want to avoid my emotions. I take a sip from my hot chocolate; from my corner of the restaurant I see very few people – not a busy day.

The girl I’m expecting is Sophie. I haven’t seen or spoken to her in two years – which is the exact reason I invited her. I’m worried she won’t show up because we didn’t quite end on good terms, but I like to think that she’s mature enough to come see me anyways.

Some movement at the door catches my eye. The door opens, a girl walks in. I smile and prepare to get up until I see curly brown hair – that’s not Sophie. I freeze as Sophie’s friend April walks in the restaurant, eyes scanning the room. I immediately regret my plans and strongly consider ducking under the table, but I get spotted before I can move. My hot chocolate suddenly requires my full attention and I can’t tear my eyes from it until April greets me.

"Well if it isn’t Yanik!" she says cheerily.

I make my mouth drop and I open my eyes wide.

"Woah. Uh, hey." I manage a smile. "April, what are you doing here?"

I start removing imaginary lint from my shirt as she sits down. She sits straight across from me with a large smile on her face as she observes my every action. I run out of imaginary dust to remove and, resigned to my fate, I turn to her.

"Probably the same thing you are," she says with a very slight tilt of her head.

I nod and take a good look at her, same thin eyebrows, same small mouth, same intense eyes. Not much changed in the past 2 years. I conceal a nod of approval behind my hot chocolate and sit up straighter. Suddenly realizing what she just said, I choke out a laugh. April raises an eyebrow.

"Is something funny?", she inquires, pursing her lips.

I hesitate to answer, slightly embarrassed, and look to my right – my school bag is next to me. I look back at her, and back at my bag, then back to her again.

"Uhhhh...", is all I can muster before I burst out laughing. I move my hot chocolate out of the way to try to explain, but I have no idea how to say this so I start opening my bag.

She frowns and keeps an eye on me as I open my bag. I shake my head and smile:

"Tell Sophie to come inside, I have something to show both of you."

She eyes me suspiciously before turning to the window, and shortly after Sophie walks in. She greets me with a meek smile.

"Hello."

I nod to her as greetings as I pull my laptop out of my bag. She looks at April with a furrowed brow and April just shrugs. I press power and we just sit, looking at each other with no one saying a word. Sophie breaks the silence.

"Sooooo… what’s going on here? You sent me a note, right?"

I tilt my head to the right, look up at the ceiling and scrunch my face as if I was trying to recall the name of my second grade art teacher.

"What time is it again? I always lose track of time."

Keeping my eyes on the ceiling, I slowly remove my watch and slide it across the table. I keep pretending to think and start stroking my chin for extra effect. April’s eyes brighten from curiosity as Sophie solemnly turns my watch over to dictate the time.

"Ummm… 5:12?"

I barely stifle a laugh as I turn my laptop towards them. A Word document is open.

"Could you read this out loud please?," I request, trying to keep my mirth inside. "And remember: 5:12!"

There’s a pause as both girls stare at me, eyebrows raised. I just stare back at them, huge smile on my face. They look at each other, Sophie shrugs. She turns her attention to my laptop. April gives me a weird look. Sophie starts reading my text out loud.

"I look at my watch for the zillionth time; 17:06. I hope she saw my letter… I start tapping my left foot and frown. Then again, it’d be much simpler if she didn’t see it..."