Forget Me Not

Cryptic Message

It's been a week since River was discharged from the hospital, friends and relatives had visited him at home, all he did was smile and wave, as he didn't remember any one of them not Elisa or His father.

His friends Jasper and Ava sometimes spent the weekend over at river's so they could keep him company.

In all the people that visited him, he wasn't really interested in them, he was searching for one person.

That person whose rings like a bell in his head everyday, whose memory alone haunts him.

He was searching for the owner of those pair of blue eyes and deep voice that rings in his head.

"River, time for school!!" He heard his mom's voice sing just outside his room door.

He quickly got off the bed, and reached for his phone, to check the time, Written boldly at the top of his screen was 6 :25 AM

He heard learnt a lot of things about his past self from his phone. You know it helps if at least a friend or family member knows your phone passcode.

He was lucky his friends knew password to his phone, and he felt grateful that his other self didn't really keep that a secret from everyone.

He jogged to the bathroom, as he wrapped a towel around his neck. After having a hot bath, he strolled towards his closet, seeking for that perfect outfit for school.

River scanned his closet, settling on a sleek black shirt that accentuated his chiseled physique. He paired it with dark wash skinny jeans, perfectly fitted to showcase his toned legs. A black leather jacket added an edgy touch, complementing his sharp jawline.

River accessorized with a silver watch and a simple chain necklace, drawing attention to his piercing eyes. He styled his hair with a subtle messiness, framing his face.

As he checked himself in the mirror, River's confidence surged.

He looked stunning. The perfect blend of rugged and refined.

His phone buzzed, breaking his reverie.

A text from Jasper:

💬"Hey, man! Ready for your first day back? Ava and I will pick you up at 7. You better be looking sharp"💬

River smiled, feeling a sense of normalcy.

"Hey, Mom!" he called out.

Lisa poked her head into his room. "Good morning, sweetie! Come down for breakfast before you leave."

River headed downstairs, his stomach growling. Lisa had prepared a hearty spread: scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and freshly baked pancakes.

"Wow, Mom. You went all out," River said, digging in. "Hmmm, i guess this was my favorite food right" river moaned out as he licked his lips.

Lisa burst out laughing immediately "you guessed so well baby"

Jasper and Ava arrived promptly at 7. Jasper whistled as River opened the door. "Damn, River! You're killing the game!"

Ava chuckled. "Down, Jasper. He's just going to school." River smirked, grabbing his backpack. "Just representing."

Lisa beamed with pride. "You look handsome, sweetie. Have a great day!"

The door closed behind River, and he stepped into the crisp morning air, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

💥

River held the Hem of his jacket tightly as he sat at the backseat, Ava was at the front seat beside Jasper the driver.

River had never found that perfect opportunity to open up best friends about who cloud really words. The words from that day at the hospital still kept ringing in his head.

[Cloud, break up, relationship]

Though he had gotten many past memories flashbacks and more of the blue 💦 piercing eyes.

"Umm, guys" he spoke out unconsciously, guessed his mouth moved itself.

"Having any problem?? Ava asked with a worried look on her face.

"Yeah, this guy named cloud... "

"Hrrrrrrrrr" The car screeched and came to a halt immediately he mentioned cloud's name.

"What??"

"You remembered him??" They both asked in unison with widened eyes.

"Not really but umm, i overheard when Jasper and my mom talked about him at the hospital"

"You did!!??"

"Kinda, am sorry i just really wanted to know him, I had little memories of him"

"Fine, it's okay" and the car was started again.

"So are u gonna tell me??" River asked.

"He's someone you once loved, or should i say love" Ava said as she placed her fingers on the airbag.

River's eyes widened, his grip on the jacket tightening. "Someone I loved?" River repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ava nodded, her eyes locked on his. "Yes, River. You and Cloud were in a relationship."

Jasper's gaze flicked to the rearview mirror, his expression somber. River's mind reeled. "What happened? Why did we break up?"

Ava's voice was gentle. "That's a story for another time, River. But know this: Cloud was special to you."

River's thoughts swirled with emotions.

Love.

Longing.

Loss.

The piercing blue eyes haunted him.

"Guys, I need to know more," River urged.

Jasper's voice was firm. "We'll tell you everything, River. But first, let's get to school."

The car accelerated, leaving River with more questions. As they arrived at school, River's anxiety grew.

Would he see Cloud?

What would happen when they met?

Ava's words echoed in his mind:

"Someone you once loved, or should I say love."

River's heart skipped a beat. Did he still love Cloud?

River stepped out of the car, his eyes scanning the school grounds. A sea of unfamiliar faces, but one face could change everything.

"Come we will show you around" Ava said

River nodded, falling into step beside Ava and Jasper. As they navigated the bustling hallways, River's senses were on high alert.

Every face, every laugh, every whispered conversation. He searched for a glimpse of familiarity.

"Hey, River!" a classmate called out, waving, River forced a smile, feeling disconnected.

Ava noticed his unease. "You okay?" she whispered. River nodded. "Just feeling a bit overwhelmed."

Jasper clapped him on the back. "You'll settle in." They approached River's locker, and Ava handed him a combination lock.

"Need help?" she asked. River shook his head, fumbling with the lock.

As he opened his locker, a piece of paper slipped out. A cryptic message scrawled on it:

💌 "Wait for me." 💌

River's heart skipped a beat.

Who wrote this?

And what did he/she mean?

River stared at the short note in his hands, which Jasper and Ava were oblivious of. Ava was the first to notice the strange look on river's face, and she was pushed to ask;

"Hey rivy you okay?? She asked as she touched his hands grabbing the attention of Jasper who leaned forward.

River didn't respond instead he shoved the message at the eyes of Ava and Jasper. Their eyes rolled with it trying to read the message.

Jasper smacked his lips with a furrowed brow" wait for me" he read out loud.

"Does the handwriting look familiar??" Ava turned to Jasper.

"I have seen millions of handwritings how do i know who owns this??" Jasper responded rubbing the back of his neck.

"Hmmmm" river hummed with thin lips.

"That's our mystery to solve" Ava said.

"I th...."

Grrrrrrrrrrr.....

Jasper's words were cut off, when the bell rang signifying the begining of the first lesson. The bell's shrill pierce cut through the tension.

"Guess our mystery will have to wait," Ava said with a sly smile.

Jasper nodded, tucking the note into his pocket.

River's eyes lingered on the empty space where the note had been.

"Wait for me."

Who wrote those words?

And what did they mean?

The trio headed to their first class, River's mind preoccupied.

As they settled into their seats, River's gaze drifted out the window.

"Wait for me."

The words echoed in his mind.

Ava nudged him. "Earth to River."

River blinked, focusing on the teacher. Mrs. Johnson lectured on calculus. River's notes were illegible scribbles.

His mind wandered. Jasper scribbled furiously, capturing every equation.

Ava tapped her pen on the desk, attentive. River's thoughts drifted back to Cloud, the hospital conversation.

Ava's words: "Someone you once loved."

The bell rang, signaling the end of the period. "Time for English lit," Ava announced.

As they packed up, Jasper turned to River. "Hey, you okay? Still spaced out."

River forced a smile. "Just tired." Ava's eyes narrowed. "We're watching you."

As they navigated the crowded hallway, River's thoughts lingered on Cloud. Ava and Jasper chatted beside him, but he barely registered their words.

Suddenly, River's shoulder collided with someone. "Sorry!" River apologized, turning to face the person.

His heart skipped a beat.

Piercing blue eyes met his.

The same eyes that haunted his memories, for an instant, they locked gazes.

Then, the blue-eyed stranger's expression shifted, from calm to shock.

To panic.

"River?" he whispered, his voice deep and barely audible.

River's eyes narrowed, the stranger turned and sprinted down the hallway weaving through the crowd.

Disappearing from view.

Ava and Jasper exchanged confused glances. "What just happened?" Ava asked.

River's eyes remained fixed on the empty hallway. "Did he know you?" Jasper asked.

River's voice was low. "I think I knew him."

Ava's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Who was that?" While River's gaze drifted back to the crowd.

Searching.

Hoping.

Fearing.