The Girl Who Came Back

Amy and her parents couldn't make it to the funeral as they was on holiday abroad, but a few weeks later, I received from her, by post, a beautifully drawn card. Her pain and loss literally poured out of the card, from every care-written word to the small drawings in the corners. It was clear that Kyra's death had affected her greatly, and I wrote two letters that day, one to Amy, thanking her for the gift and giving words of comfort. The second, to Adam, telling him that Amy had been extremely close to Kyra, thus asking him to keep an eye on her. I had posted those letters, thinking that was that.

And now, seven years later, she had come back.

********************************

"You sure know a good time to visit, Amy", I said, as I entered the living room.

Amy was standing by the study table, looking through my album, filled with photos of Jeanne, Kyra and me. She hadn't even heard.

Walking up to her, I placed my hand on her shoulder. She turned round sharply, before wiping her cheeks with her sleeve.

"Sorry", she said, her voice slightly shaky. "It's-"

"I know", I replied softly.

An awkward silence filled the room, and I went to turn on the electric fireplace, trying to warm the place up a bit.

As she sat down on the sofa, I made my way to the kitchen, saying "Make yourself at home; I'll be back with some coffee".

It took a few minutes, but I came back with two cups filled with the perfect antidote for a cold morning.

Walking up to her, I noticed that Amy had removed her hoodie and placed it close to the fire. I could now see that she had wavy dark-blonde hair that ended in curls, a hairstyle that really suited her. She was wearing a tight grey sweater and with those leggings, I couldn't help but notice that she had a nice physique, not too thin, curves in the right places. Unconsciously, my eyes went to her chest area for an instant, and found that while she had medium sized breasts, they were very round and stuck out firmly, something I noticed even more with that sweater.

Realising that I had accidently checked her out, I slapped myself mentally for the perverted thoughts before handing her the cup, to which she gave her smile, with the words, "Thank you, David."

I noticed that fact that she had used my first name, and it bugged me, as she had always called me "Mr.Leonard", but I brushed it aside.

We chatted aimlessly while we drank the coffee, filling each other in of the past 7/8 years. I told Amy about my job and recent life while she told me about her university and her hobbies/interests.

"So how old are you now?" I asked after talking about her course for University.

"21 in four months", she replied, with a strange smile, like it was part of an inside joke, which confused me slightly, but I disregarded it.

To change the subject, I asked her something that I was wondering about for a while.

"So how are your parents doing?"

At the very question, Amy's face darkened, confirming my guess.

"That bad, eh?" I asked with concern.

"You don't know," she replied with a weary tone. "Mom and Dad divorced three years ago. I lived with my mum for a while, and she couldn't have been more miserable, always blaming me for everything. I had to get out of there. Dad......I haven't seen him in a while, not since he hooked up with some local slut called Jade. No idea where he is now, could be dead for all I know, the fucking prick. So yeah, it is that bad".

Amy returned to drinking her coffee, before she noticed the shock on my face, and asked what was wrong.

I shook my head in reply, saying, "Nothing, it just seems weird to hear you talking like this. It only seems like yesterday that you were a child."

Something, annoyance possibly, flickered through her eyes, and she said softly, "That was a long time ago".

"I know. It's just strange, that's all." I countered, before asking, "So where do you live now?"

"I stayed with my friends for a while, and when I got a decent part-time job, rented a small apartment. It's a nice place, good value for money."

"You don't live on Campus, then?"

"Don't even get me started on my Campus", she replied with emotion, and started giving me a ferocious rant on everything wrong with the place.

"You should have been in my University, that place was wild", I replied, telling a few stories of my young, foolish self and the troubles we got in.

As we talked, the topics ranging to... pretty much everything, I was surprised by how easy it was; it felt like talking to a lifelong friend. Amy was confident, her enthusiasm infectious and she had an incredible sense of humour, one to rival the one I had. I found myself laughing like I've never laughed in the past 7 years, and catching my breath, I realised that she was what I used to be, and seeing how far I had fallen, I couldn't help but be slightly depressed.

Eventually, I finally got my senses together and asked, "So, what's with the sudden appearance?"

Amy's face lost its shine. For a moment, I wondered if she was going to cry, but then, she reached into her bag and withdrew a small chain.

"I was cleaning the storeroom in my apartment, and I found this", She said slowly, before placing the chain in my open palm. "Kyra gave it to me the day I left and I just thought......it should belong to you."

I had hoped that she wouldn't mention her. To be honest, even now, it hurts when I think about them. It had taken a whole year to get out of my depression, the worst days of my life. I didn't know if I had the strength to endure that again. Nevertheless, I opened my palm (no idea when I closed it), and examined the chain.

Silver, with a small heart at the end. I recognised it instantly, as it had been a gift from me. Kyra had always been crazy about chains, that much can be said. Girls and their jewellery, eh? She loved this, it was her most favourite one, and yet, she had simply given it to Amy. That, more than anything, gave me my answer.

"No." I said softly, standing up. Amy stood up too, looking confused. "I have my memories. But Kyra gave this to you, and I wouldn't feel right if I had this."

I put the chain back in her hand, saying, "Besides, I think it would look much better on you".

Amy's eyes were wet. I think mine were too, but I didn't want to check.

"Thank you", she said, her voice quivering. She put the chain around her neck, and I helped attach it at the back, my fingers slightly brushing the skin of her neck.

"You see, it suits you perfectly", I said with a smile, after putting it on. She smiled back at me, her dark blue eyes more noticeable than ever. And then, she took a step forward, right up to me, staring at me with a hard look in her eyes. Her head moved forward, and without even thinking about it, I found mine moving back. Amy stared at me as if she had been slapped, and then...

"I should get going, I have to be at the station at 12", she said suddenly, pulling back.

I too was kicked back to my senses, but I took it in stride, despite the fact I had no idea what just happened.

"That's OK. Do you want a lif-"

"No", she replied, in a sharp tone, answering before I even asked the question. "It'll be good for me to walk for a while."

Amy seemed very hesitant and confused, as she put her hoodie back on, and believe me, the feeling was mutual. She wanted to say something, but found her unable to do it. I found myself being more scared than I have in years.

"Bye, David. Thanks for the coffee." She said, opening the front door.

Standing at the doorway, she gave me a hug that seemed to linger before pulling her hood over her head and briskly walking away.

I watched her walk away, before closing the door, feeling unnerved. My mind was spinning, still wondering what the hell just happened. It can't be what I thought it was. I sat back down on the sofa, staring blankly at the cup on the coffee table, before the ringing phone brought me back.

********************************

Over the next few weeks, I found myself being a lot more confident. I found myself changing with no conscious reason. A new self, meeting with people after work, getting drunk and having a good time. My new attitude certainly got me more popular with my colleagues, though I was careful to still do the work and never overdo my new self. After all, I was the CEO, and was expected to be the responsible one.

I also noticed the amount of attractive females in the office, women I hadn't noticed for years and found myself flirting around them, especially towards Sarah. I found myself spending more and more time with her, enjoying every second we spent together. And yet, even though I am now happier than I've been in years, I could not make that final step. I could not ask her out, something was stopping me.

The constant battle between my will and my mind raged within me, until I decided that this was a simple problem to solve. I wanted to call Sarah, to just ask her out, but I couldn't. Therefore, I decided not bother. I'll just stay like this, my new attitude, casual flirting, nothing more. And though I knew it was not fair on her, I figured that this was the best way. And sometimes, for a split second, I almost convince myself of that.

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TWO MONTHS LATER

It was absolutely pouring with rain during the journey home. After popping into the local supermarket to stock up on food, I was making my way back to the car, getting soaked, when I accidentally bumped into someone, and was it fate or a huge coincidence that it happened to be her?

"Amy?" I asked, still unable to believe the odds. She looked like she had been outside for hours, she was absolutely drenched. Her clothes had been soaked to the point of being shapeless, and her hood was absolutely failing at keeping her head dry. Carrying a small suitcase with her, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"David? Oh my God, what are the chances?" She exclaimed, cheerful, even in this weather. I gestured her to walk with me to my car.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked with concern, as I opened the boot and put the bags and her suitcase in.

"Just a small problem, I'm supposed to stay at my friend's house, but apparently, her family decided at the last minute for them to all go to their cousin's house." Amy said, her casual tone making the whole scenario somehow amusing. "So I've been spending the last hour walking around in the rain, trying to find a hotel in this shithole of a city."

"Well, you're definitely handling it better than me." I replied with a laugh. "If that happened to me, you'll hear my curses from a 2 mile radius, and random people will be shouted at to the point of crying."

Closing the boot shut, I heard Amy asking me if I knew there were any hotels nearly, when, out of nowhere, I asked:

"Why don't you stay with me?"

Did I really just say that? Why did I just say that?

"Stay........ with you?", Amy asked slowly, and was it just me, or did her eyes light up?

Okay, David, you cannot take back what you just said, so go balls confident.

"Sure, I mean, it's only one night, right?" I said, making my voice sound as casual as possible. "It's seems like an easier choice than paying for a hotel, but it's your choice."

Amy seemed to consider the option, but somehow, I knew that she had already decided. She just didn't want to look too eager. So I waited patiently, and then, a few seconds later:

"Sure, I guess that's fine." Amy replied, with a smile. As she got in the car, I looked up, knowing that the weather was definitely getting worse. Sighing, I got into my car as well, and started the car. Somewhere in the back of my mind, as I was pulling out of the spot, I wondered if Amy staying over was a good idea, but I chose to ignore that thought, and started to drive back home.

********************************

We reached my house about half an hour later, during which the rain had become a storm. Lightning frequently streaked across the sky, followed by the deafening sound of thunder. The rain battered us without mercy as we made our way up the path, and Amy huddled close to me to shelter her from the worst of the downpour. Reaching the front door, I gave my keys to her (I was carrying the bags and suitcase), and she quickly opened the door, before rushing inside, eager to get out of the downpour. I followed suit, closing the door behind me before placing the bags on the hallway, as we laughed our heads off for no real reason.

After calming down, I turned to Amy, and said, "Feel free to choose one of the rooms upstairs to stay in." She thanked me in reply, and walked up the stairs. A small part of me stared at her ass as she walked up, how it moved with every step, before I forced myself to look away.

"The room on the far right is mine, so not that one", I called after her, as I placed my jacket on the radiator, before following her upstairs and then to my room, wanting to change into some dry clothes. Rummaging through the mountain of clothes strewed on the floor, I found a t-shirt and some denim trousers, and put them on. After a brief thought, I put on some deodorant as well, to mask the smell of rain. Checking my reflection and finding it suitable, I was making my way back downstairs, when Amy suddenly came out of her room, and walked straight into me.

"Sorry David, didn't look where I was going" Amy said apologetically.

"No problem, it was my fault, I'm not used to having someone else at the house." I replied with a wary smile. Budging past her, I was on the stairs when she asked:

"Hey, do you mind if I use your bathroom? I really need a hot shower after all that time in the rain."

My mind flashed on an image of Amy showering for second.

"No, it's fine. Bathroom's over there." I replied casually before going downstairs, telling myself to get a grip.

While making dinner (I figured I might as well cook since I had a guest), I convinced myself that the sexual thoughts I had of Amy was just because of the whole scenario. If it was any other girl that was staying over at my house, it would probably have the same effect on me. It had nothing to do with her.

Amy is.......was Kyra's friend; she's like a second daughter for me. I have nothing but fatherly feelings for her, and I repeated this to myself several times. And yet...

********************************

Having finished cooking, I decided to take a break and watch a football match that some of my friends were talking about for the past week. Sure enough, it was a hell of a game, being tied at 1-all, and some spectacular skills and fouls. I was immersed in the game, that I didn't hear Amy walking in. It was only when she asked if there was any dinner, then I turned to her, and froze.

Amy's choice of clothing was very.........form-fitting. She was wearing pink pyjama bottoms that clung to her legs tightly, showing off her long legs and ass rather well. To go with that, a white tank top that was slightly small for her, allowing me to see her bust very clearly and the outline of a bra. It also allowed me to see a thin slice of navel, and that combined with everything else, made her look.......

She met my curious glare, and I nodded at her clothing.

"Oh, that", she sighed. "I was only supposed to be staying with my friend for the night, and only brought my bedtime clothes and the clothes which are now drenched, so that doesn't leave me much choice. Besides, you should see the clothes she wears at night. "

"So, both of you spend the night together in one room, with clothes like that. Anything else you want to tell me?" I said in a nudging tone and raised eyebrows, before I could stop myself.

"I guess that it is really true that men don't age mind-wise", she replied with a small grin, and I counted myself off the hook, still unable to believe I had said that. More surprising, she didn't seem to mind, in fact, it seems to have the opposite effect.

Walking past me, Amy settled down on the sofa against the side wall. I gave her the remote, asking her if she was sure that she wanted dinner now, as it was only quarter past 7. She replied yes, so I made my way to the kitchen, coming back a few minutes later with two plates of Italian pasta, with my custom-made sauce, with a dash of spice (Say what you want, but I've always been proud of my cooking).

Judging by her reaction as she ate, Amy was definitely a fan.

"My god, this is delicious!" she said, or something similar to that as her mouth was full with pasta.

"Thanks", I replied. "It was nothing."

"Spare the modesty, after making food this good, you're allowed to show off about it."

"Well, I do what I can", I replied with a laugh, before turning back to the T.V.

Unfortunately, Amy had decided to watch some romantic film, which wasn't really one of my preferences, but she's the guest so I decided to just suffer through it and watched it without really paying attention.

A while later, after both of us were done eating, as I turned my head, meaning to check the clock, my eyes skimmed over Amy, before coming back to fix on her. Because the sofa was to the side, she was sitting along the sofa, her legs resting on the armrest. My eyes ran over her long legs; how the tight pyjamas showed it off, before moving to her breasts, hidden underneath that tank-top. Again, I was fascinated by the roundness of her tits, and told myself it had to be a push-up bra, there's no way a natural breast could defy gravity like that, unless there's silicone involved. But she can't have...

Amy moved slightly, and I hurriedly turned back to watch the film. Of course, after that, every so often, I would stare at her out of the corner of my eye, admiring her body. At one point, her tank-top had gone up slightly as she stretched. Now, I'd never been a navel guy, but seeing her smooth abs and belly button....

Of course, every time I did look at her, I would look away guiltily a few seconds later, telling myself to get a grip. But believe me, it wasn't easy.

As the movie reached it's climax (the two main characters getting together, really, are you even surprised?), out of nowhere, Amy asked, "Have you thought about getting married again?"

Funny, I should be offended that she asked such a personal question, but I couldn't help but notice that I never thought about it. Was there another marriage in my future?

"I don't know," I replied truthfully, after a moment of thought. "I don't know if I could."

"That's ridiculous. You can't stay like this forever", Amy said passionately. "Imagine if you had died, would you want Jeanne to remain unmarried for the rest of her life?"

Her logic was undeniable, but I chose to ignore it, saying, "It's not that simple, Amy."

In response, she turned the T.V off, grabbed a chair and set it down in front of me, before sitting down on it.

Looking directly into my eyes, her dark blue into my pale grey, she said "David, it's me. You always been there for me when I was young, I just want to repay the favour."

I sat there, on the sofa, wondering what I should do. Part of me wants to just go to bed and let this day end, but talking to someone about a problem always lessens the burden, right?

"Ok, Amy", I sighed. "You're right, I should be trying to move on with my life, but I can't and trust me, I tried. There's this girl called Sarah in my office, I like her and I'm pretty sure that she likes me too, but guess what? Every time I go to ask her out, my mouth clamps shut. SOMETHING STOPS ME, EVERY SINGLE TIME! So, it's not like I have a choice about remaining single, because I can't even ask a girl out, even though sometimes, I'm really.........well that doesn't really matter. So tell me, Amy, what's your diagnosis?" A moment of awkward silence followed my tirade. To be honest, I did feel slightly better having let out some of my rage.