Popping His Cherry

A Decade Later(5)

Nigel

I can't believe it's been ten years already. Today was homecoming. I wasn't looking forward to seeing Nolan, Sonia or anyone else really. I was going as more of a final concession. It's been ten years since I heard from Zalia.

Oh, I heard news about her and I saw her in TV and on every social media platform but personally nothing. Are you confused, well so am I.

A day after we had ourrr own senior prom she disappeared. I know you might think I'm exaggerating but I'm not. I went home at dawn after spending the night with her, I don't think she remembered our promise but I do. As silly as it sounds I still love her. Though I'm not sure she ever loved me. Or she wouldn't have just left without telling me a thing.

I tried calling her later that day she didn't reply at first and then after a few calls they told me the line was disconnected. I raced to her house thinking something was wrong. I knocked and shouted till her elderly housekeeper opened the door for me.

I burst into the house and run into her room.

It was empty. As if she was never there.

I tried asking the housekeeperbut she swore she had no idea where Zalia was. Her parents' room was also bare. As if they had packed up and moved. I was devastated but I waited until Monday so I could ask the administration if they knew anything.

It turned out to be a dead end, we both had already passes our finals so going to school was more of a formality. I was told she'd already come for her certificate and had essentially graduated from the school.

I tried for weeks to call, I tried tracing her whereabouts but nothing came up. It was as if she was a ghost and if I hadn't known her so well I would have believed she was one.

My parents finally had to sit me down and tell me to move on with my life. I was going to my dream college to do something I loved, and even better I had qualified for an acadamic scholarship, taking a huge burden off my parent's head.

Sooooo I went to school. Nothing really changed, I kept to myself and spent most of my time studying. At least I wasn't bullied like high school. I tried my best but I could never forget her.

Then in my senior year I saw her again, well not exactly, the whole world saw her. She was in the first season of The Unconventional Beauty Contest. A show for anybody who wanted to be a model, no age, weight or nationality barrier.

I almost didn't recognise her but she hadn't changed her name. She just went by Zalia now. She looked so beautiful, she had definitely toned up. She still had curves for days and she stil made my heart beat faster every time someone ao much as mentioned her name.

You're pathetic.

I normally try to fight my snarky inner voice but I have to agree with it today.

I doubt she even remembers me, I had almost given up in her but I just decided to see if she'd come for homecoming and if she doesn't...

Well then it's time I finally give up. Even I know when it's time to call things quit.

I noticed Nolan walking my way with Sonia, hopefully they just pass by me or better yet don't see me at all buttttt of course luck is once again not on my side.

"Hey Nightingale, I didn't know it was possible but you seem ever more like a loser than you did in school. Are you waiting to see for Zalia?

If you are then you're more delusional than we thought, who know the fat chick was so hot.

You know I'm beginning to think you're a bad luck charm. She hung around you in high school and she was never noticed. She leaves you for a few years and bam! She's a star, must suck to be you. Well at least you can say you knew her back when she was ugly and fat. Well it's been nice talking to you, I have to go I see some reporters around." He wrapped his hand around Sonia and turned towards the direction of the reporters.

I guess I forgot to mention that Nolan was a professional football player. And Sonia was his 'girlfriend', well in a way, Nolan had been caught many times by the media cheating but Sonia never minded or complained. Honestly it seems like every time he cheats she gets a new car or diamond necklace or goes on a shopping spree.

I didn't follow their lives but I couldn't help but hear snippets of it on the entertainment news.

I look around and see people catching up with old friends and laughing over old memories, I'mall alone waiting for someone who is probably never going to come back here.

I left the gym where the event was being held and made my way to the car park. I'm tired I give up, I guess she never loved me at all.

I made my way to my car and was about to open it when a hand lightly tapped my shoulder.

I turned around to see Zalia?

It was hard to tell because she was shades and a hat but I'd recognise her anywhere.

"Hi Nigel, I've missed you so much. Can we talk p, I just want to explain everything to you then you can forget I exist but please just give me a chance to explain."

I know I've been waiting on this moment for years but now that it'shere I'm speechless.

I don't know what she's going to tell me and for now I don't care but before anything else I did what I''ve been dying to do for ten years.

I pulled her to me and kissed her.