Later on that night Shane got dressed and made her
way to the Planet to meet up with Carmen. It was about quarter to
seven, so Shane had just enough time to walk there. When she entered,
carrying flowers in her hands, she saw that Carmen wasn’t alone. She
noticed it was a guy. That’s two surprises in the course of last night.
She quickly hid the flowers behind a counter and made her way to their
table. Should I be upset? Shane thought to herself, or maybe I’m just
making it a big deal. I mean we aren’t completely togetheryet.

“Hey Carmen.” Shane spoke flatly, no emotion was found in her voice.
Carmen closed her eyes for a moment and turned smiling, hoping that she
would sort it out with Shane later. “Hey, this is Freddy, a childhood
friend, an old friend, he’s a friend.” Carmen joked as she introduced
Freddy.

“He’s made a surprise visit here and so I thought he would grab some coffee and meet some of my friends.”
 ”Hi Freddy, I’m Shane.” She didn’t know whether Shane was a
friend or a girlfriend so she left it at what shane had stated. She
could tell Shane wasn’t happy from the look on her face and argued with
herself trying to figure out if Shane would be upset knowing the real
reason Freddy was here.

“well hey ima’ just go use the washroom. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Freddy left the table leaving the two confused souls to deal with each
other
“I’m sorry I should have called and told you.”

“It’s ok Carmen, it was a surprise. No biggie.”

“Are we still up for tonight?”

“Well, I think you should spend some time with your friend. Maybe show
him around.” Shane was hoping that Carmen would reject the idea but
what would be the odds of that. She leaned over and kissed Carmen on
the cheek before leaving. Carmen sat there and said nothing waiting for
Freddy to come back. As soon as Shane walked out she pulled her hands
through her hair trying hard not to let it get to her. She walked back
home. Carmen was slapped out of thought when Freddy came back and sat
down.

“Where’s your friend?”

“Oh, she had to run.”
“Freddy?” Carmen changed her tone.

“I don’t think you coming back here was such a good idea.”
 ”Carmen, we can work this out just give it another shot. I
promise. Are you with someone?”
What was Carmen to do? Her first love appeared out of no where
strolling right back in to her life. He was everything she once wanted,
everything her mother wanted. And a part of her wanted to simply make
her mother happy. Did he deserve to have her again? After all the
waiting, giving up, and pain that he caused her? Carmen let her
thoughts linger as Freddy still tried to convince her that it was worth
it.

     That night Carmen and Shane lay awake in their
own beds separated by space and walls. Shane lay still, eyes wide open
looking above at the ceiling that didn’t look the same when Carmen
wasn’t beside her. And on the other side of town, Carmen tossed and
turned hoping to get tired and eventually fall asleep. Freddy was in
the guest room where her mother helped him get comfortable. He was
probably passed out already she thought. She got up rubbing her eyes
and making her way to the window grabbing her phone off the desk to
check if she missed any calls. None. She missed Shane. Shane got up and
ended up in her kitchen to get some water to cool her down. Perhaps it
was all that she needed to fall asleep. But she knew it wasn’t water or
the way it may relax her. She was missing something that obviously
wasn’t by her. She leaned next to the counter taking her last sips. It
was then that she heard a light knock on the entrance door. She looked
at the stove to check the time. 3:37. she made her way cautious of any
danger, but after looking through the peep hole she grabbed the knobbed
and fully opened the door.

    Freddy snuck out of his bed and walked to the
washroom but decided to stop by Carmen’s room to see if she was awake.
Knocking on her door, he gave up the third time, and opened it, hoping
to find her sleeping. The bed was ruffled, Carmen was gone.

    Carmen looked up from the spot she had spent minutes
looking at. She tried to speak but no words left her lips. Shane
grabbed her and pulled her inside. They were close, and stayed that way
until Shane finally pulled her in for a long hug. Carmen began to cry
as Shane slowly comforted her and guided her to her bedroom where they
sat on her bed and held each other till morning.