Please, remember [Don't forget Book 2]

Witness

"The sky looks cool, doesn't it?" Noah says after laying on the cold grass and using his jacket as a pillow.

I laugh before sitting next to him. "It's always cool."

He sighs, closing his eyes as he speaks. "Thank you for helping me the other day. My mother would had killed me if I lost my glasses."

"No problem. Why aren't you wearing them now?"

"Well, I don't really need them. And, knowing me, I could have lost them if I had brought them with me." He giggles.

We remain in silence. Being with him feels good. The fact that this moment won't last forever is painful.  I know this will end, but that doesn't mean it is not worth living.

"What are you thinking about, Eric?" He asks, sitting up straight and looking at me. Our faces inches apart.

"No-Nothing."

He smiles widely at my stuttering, laying back on the floor. "Why did you try so hard to talk with me?"

I purse my lips together and answer until I'm sure I won't stutter again. "We were really close friends, you know?"

"Were we?"

"Believe it or not."

Noah chuckles at my words. "The kind of friends who helped each other with homework and that kind of stuff?"

I laugh silently at the memories of high school. "Yes, exactly that kind of friends."

"Oh..."

No sounds again. I feel in peace.

Noah will eventually remember our actual past, I'm sure. What I don't know is if I should tell him now. Probably not. That would just freak him out, wouldn’t it?

What do I do?

"What are you looking at?" He asks in a louder tone.

My cheeks turn red when I realize I was staring right at him for what must have seemed like an eternity. "Sorry, I was just-"

He gets up quickly. "I-I don't know what you're thinking, Eric. But I have a boyfriend." He states, shaking his jacket in the air to dry it a little before putting it on again.

I get up as well, but don't even try to approach him. "I know. I wasn't thinking that kind of stuff."

"What was it then?"

"I was remembering the good times we passed, that's all." He frowns, looking away from me. "I'm sorry, ok?"

He nods, taking his hands to his head. "Can we go back? I want to go home."

"Sure."

We return to the party in silence. Noah doesn't even bother in entering the house. He only calls his friend and waits for him and his girlfriend -I suppose- outside.

I say goodbye before looking for Kevin and Troy inside. They're only chatting in the kitchen along with two girls. Valenti seems to be having fun, but the other three people in the room look bored as hell.

I clear my throat to gain my friend’s attention. They all look at me and the ladies use this opportunity to escape.

I laugh at this. "What were you talking about?"

Troy sighs. "Anime."

"Thank you, Eric." Kevin says before hugging me tightly. "I've heard that conversation a million times."

"Hey! That's not... Well, yeah, it is true." Troy agrees with an ashamed smile.

Kevin walks away. "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah, I think so. Will you guys stay for a little longer?"

"Maybe."

"Alright. See you on Monday."

"Bye." They say almost at the same time.

I make my way through the crowd of people until my car. Once I'm next to it, I doubt about going home.

I look at the hour on my phone's screen. It's not even midnight. With all that has happened today, I know for a fact that the awful thought will haunt me until I fall asleep and I'm not actually tired.

I save the keys in my left pocket and look around me. I can return to the park I previously visited. Looking at the stars may help me think of other things that don't involve my memories. The path, I don't remember it so well. I was too busy trying to seize my moment with Noah to pay attention to my surroundings. However, I was mistaken when I thought my internal GPS would help me get there.

Shit.

I miss Fairford now.

I turn back, ready to go to my car. Nevertheless, my action is interrupted by a loud scream near me. A man is crying out for help.

I approach the place where the sound was originated, hoping not to find something too morbid. A couple of cars pass by, ignorant of the situation. On the other hand, my hands are shaking in fear.

Whispers come from an alley on the other side of the road. I brave enough to run towards it, but I hadn't noticed a car has just passed the traffic light.

Fortunately, the driver gets to evade me and keeps going right next to my frightened body.

Unfortunately, a shadow in the alley knows I'm there. I might be the witness of a murder now.

I never thought I would actually be grateful with the football training so early, but I'm running faster than I ever could.

I get to my car and nervously enter the key. Then, I drive home.

My muscles are tensed up and my heartbeat is uncontrollable. I keep looking at my rearview mirror, but nothing strange shows up.

I don't even bother in parking the car; I just turn off the engine and go out. Fear runs down my spine when I hear a vehicle approaching me. It's black and has the lights turned off.

He had been following me all the time.

I run inside my house and close the door immediately, laying my back against the wood with all my strength.

The murderer tries to open it. I take out my phone and call the police as they kick the door from the outside.

They must have heard me talking with someone, because they stop. I end the call after having told them my situation.

The police will arrive soon. However, the killer must have left already, and I need help now.

My back slides off the wood and I end up sitting on the floor. Tears run down my face as my shaking hands try to dial another number on my phone.

"Please, answer." I whisper.

But my pleads serve for nothing.

The only thing I hear is a message already recorded.

"Hi! This is Noah’s phone!! If you're hearing this, means that I couldn't answer in time, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you. Say whatever you want after the tone! Hope you're having a nice day!!"

"Noah..." My vision blurs. "I'm sorry if I annoy you." I gasp. "But I need your help. You were always there when I had panic attacks." I start sobbing. "Just... Just call back. Ok?"