She was different somehow. Her stride confident and determined. She no longer walked with her head down and shoulders hunched. She seemed comfortable in her own skin, she was a woman, not the shy withdrawn girl I once new. I wouldn’t have even recognized her if it wasn’t for her eyes. They’ve always been the perfect shade of blue, the only place where I can still see her insecurities. Her eyes always gave her away, they always spoke the truth, no matter what her fascade.

     She was wearing a grey tank top and black running shorts. It was obvious from her outfit and moistened skin that she was in the middle of a midmorning run. But even with her toussled hair and sweat, she was still beautiful.

     "Ashley?" she says again smiling.

     Her smile, I almost forgot. I use to live for it. Her smile was my sunlight, my comfort and peace. And with just one flash of it I was sixteen again. Walking down the hallways hand in hand, stealing glances at each other during one of her family dinners, having our secret rendezvous’ in the gym between forth and fifth period. She was my fairytale, and like all happy endings, this was a tragedy.

     " Oh, hey," was all I managed to say

      The silence that came after was deafening. I wanted to scream, run away, dig a hole in the ground and hide until the world came crashing down around me. I wanted to speak, but I couldn’t hear my voice, I couldn’t find the words. I was suffocating in my silence, but just like always she was there to bring me back.

     " God, this is amazing!" she says crossing her arms across her chest." I never thought I would see you again."

     " Well I guess miracles do happen Spence." My voice was breaking. I took a breath trying to steady myself, clutching my keys hoping they would give me support. The world was rocking and it took all my strength not to fall.

     " I guess they do" her words came out in a whisper. She put her head down and turned away before saying," So…how are you?"

     I wanted to tell her the truth. Tell her I felt empty and that I have no happiness in my life. I wanted to say my world consisted of ghosts, lies, and empty promises. But I couldn’t, things were not the same, we were not the same. So I did what came naturally…….

    " I’m fine and you?" I lied.

    " That’s good to hear….hmmm I gues I’m okay, life’s been a real bitch lately." she told me smiling.

    God this was so like her. Here we are in one of the most awkward situations in the planet, and she still manages to be honest. Suddenly, the silence was back. It was killing me and all I wanted to do was run away. This was too much for one day, and I was dying inside.

    " I’m sorry to hear that Spencer……really. But ….I have to go, I have a million things to take care of." I said trying to sound honest. I was surprised by the words that I knew were lies. I wanted to stay here, in this moment with her, but I couldn’t, and as I walked away I felt the distance between us with every step. I can feel the loss of her, and even though I wanted to turn back, to look at her one last time, I knew that i couldn’t say goodbye again. So I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and continued walking.

   " ASHLEY!!!!" I heard her scream behind me. She was running now, and I turned to see her stop a few feet away from me.

   "Do you want to come and have a cup of coffee with me?" She said, putting a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

   " I don’t drink coffee, besides don’t you have a run to get back to?" I said sarcaticaly with a smile.

   " It can wait, besides were in Venice Beach we can grab tea, a smoothie, a pint, whatever you want." she said extending her hand, " It’s my treat."

   We stood the smiling and staring at each other, and just like that I was sixteen again……..