Coming Back

[Kaligurl222]

Kali leaned back in her seat on the plane and closed her eyes, she could see the day 5 years prior...the day everything had changed. Kali had been raised by her grandmother when her parents had died in an accident when he was just two. She had been dating Jake her junior and senior year of high school. They had grown up very differently. Jake's family ran their town while her grandmother barely made it. Kali could always tell that his parents didn't like her. They had always wanted him to be with someone from their crowd, not some charity case. Kali truely loved Jake. They had talked of what they would do after graduation and where they would be going. Kali knew she could never afford the prestigous schools Jake could but he promised they would both attend somewhere they could be together. Those plans changed when his mother cornered Kali one night. She informed Kali that her grandmother had fallen behind on her mortgage and the bank would soon be opening the house and they would be demolishing it. That's when she gave Kali the ultimatum, either she leave right then and there and break all ties with her son or her grandmother would soon be homeless. Of course Kali could never let that happen to the woman who raised her. So she went home,packed her bags and left. She never called or wrote to Jake again. She didn't come home for holidays for fear of running into the family.

And that brought her back to reality as the plane landed. She was back. Her grandmother had passed away and she was back to take care of the funeral arrangements and to deal with the house and everything in it. She rented a car and drove the half hour to where she had grown up. When she pulled up to the house she was flooded with momories, good and bad and she had to wipe a tear from her bright green eyes. She pushed her. Long dark brown hair from her face and grabbed her bag, heading up the front steps.....

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack never forgot the day he heard that Kali had left. Why did she leave? Why didn't she talk to him before she did?

They had been the best of friends, more brother and sister. They spent pretty much every minute outside school together, getting up to all sorts of mischief. It didn't bother either of them that they came from very different backgrounds. It clearly bothered other people, mainly his parents.

Now, five years later, he was finishing up high school was due to graduate in a few months. It was Saturday and he found himself driving up Kali's old road. Then he noticed an unfamiliar car parked outside.

I couldn't be?

He parked on the other side of road and crossed, walking up to the house. He, hesitantly, tapped on the door.

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali was overwelmed by the memories behind the door to the house. She almost didn't hear the knock on the door. Had to be a neighbor who didn't recognize the car in the driveway. She made her way back to the door and opened it. It was like a ghost from her past...... She was speechless when she saw him.... What was she supposed to say? She smiled, "Hi..." was all she muster up. It had been so long....so why did feelings come washing back? She took a steadying breath.

 

[theficticiousme]

When the door, Jack couldn't believe his eyes.

"Kali?"

He remember this geeky, lanky kid with glasses. She was a real tomboy.

Before him stood beauty, personified. Her dark hair had really thickened out, swaying down her back. Her green eyes sparkled, and her body.....she had definitely grown up.

"Uh, hi", not sure if they should hug or not.

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali shook her head to bring her back to reality. Not knowing if he would even want her to touch him she took a risk and stepped forward putting her arms around him in a light hug. Funny, it didn't feel ackward at all. "It's good to see you......you look really great." she smiled. "Would you like to come in?" she asked, not really knowing why he was there or what they were going to talk about....she could only think of one thing he would probably want to discuss....her leaving out of nowhere...she really didn't want to talk about it....but how could she expect him to just "let it go?"

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack hugged her back.

"Sure", stepping inside.

In the kitchen he knew so well, he turned and asked,

"So....where have you been?"

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali followed him to the kitchen. When he asked where she had been she exhaled a deep breath. "Umm, here and there....moved around a bit but I'm kinda settled in New York....for now." truth be told she hated it there...the city was too much but thats where she had a job...and it paid her rent so thats where she lived. "How've you been?"

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack could sense she didn't walk to talk about why she disappeared.

"I've been ok, finishing up high school in May. Football finished before Christmas, lost the state game", he said with a smile.

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali smiled, "I see...I'm sure your excited to be done huh?" Kali roamed the kitchen/dining room, memories flooding back to her.... Her and Jake eating meals with her grandmother.... her and jake fighting over homework or some other stupid topic. She looked back over at him, "I just can't believe she's actually gone....."

 

[theficticiousme]

"Yeah, I heard. I'm so sorry".

In truth, Kali's grandmother was more of a mother to him than his own. His mother was away alot, still is.

"Hey,what do you say we get ice cream and get down to the lake, like old times". he said with a smile.

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali couldn't believe he was suggesting that they hang out.... after what she had done? She smiled, it was so good to see him. She nodded her head, "I'd like that." She led the way out the front door, closing it behind her. As they walked down the sidewalk she looked around at the neighborhood. "Things haven't changed here at all." she laughed

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack looked around,

"They really haven't. You know, I haven't been over this side of town since you left."

They continued the short walk to the ice cream shop.

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali looked over at him, "Why did you come over today.....I mean, if you haven't been over to this side since I left?" she probably had no right to ask....afterall he hadn't brought up why she left... But she was curious.

They entered the ice cream shop, the same owners still working behind the counter. When they saw Kali the owner squealed in delight. "Kali?!! Oh my goodness!!! It's so great to see you! I almost wouldn't recognize you.... Probably wouldn't have if you weren't with your trusty sidekick!" she winked at Jake. "You must be in town for your Grandmother....so sorry dear....she will be missed."

Kali smiled, "Thank you...she definatly will be." They ordered their icecream and said their goodbyes before they walked outside.

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack didn't know why himself.

"I just found myself on your road and saw your car. I didn't think it would be you."

Down by the marina, they walked side by side, as if only they existed.

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali nodded her head in understanding. "I see...well I'm glad you did." As they reached the end of the dock they took a seat, their legs dangling over the edge just above the water. "I've missed you Jake."

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack looked into Kali's eyes.

"I've missed you too", smiling.

They enjoyed their ice cream, while gazing out over the lake, just like they used to.

 

[Kaligurl222]

After a few minutes of silence she looked over at him, "So, do you have big plans after graduation?"

 

[theficticiousme]

"Actually, yeah, I've been accepted into Stanford on a football scholarship. They have an amazing program. I could be playing all four years."

He looked at her moment,

"So how about you?"

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali smiled, genuiley happy for him. "Thats amazing Jake! I'm happy for you." She leaned back on her elbows and looked over at him as he asked about her. She shrugged her shoulders knowing after all the arrangements had been made she would be going back to her hole in the wall apartment and her job in NY. "I'm just going to go back to what I've been doing....working." God she sounded so lame. Sitting there talking about her stupid little job when Jake would be attending Stanford....playing football. It was just a reminder of how different they really were.

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack saw the sad look on her face.

"What kind of work are you doing? What happened to school? You had so much potential 5 years ago."

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali smiled, "I work at a bakery..." she forced herself to smile, "Things changed for me....school just wasn't an option and it still isn't." she shrugged her shoulders. "I've kinda come to terms with it."

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack felt genuinely sad for Kali. She had such promise. She could have even joined him at Stanford.

"That's too bad. You could have done really well".

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali smiled, "I believed that at one point too." she smiled at him letting out a deep sigh.

 

[theficticiousme]

Jack thought for a moment.

"You know, the SAT deadline is not for another month, you could still apply".

 

[Kaligurl222]

Kali smiled, "Last time I checked college costs money.... I don't qualify for enough scholarship wise to not pay...and no one would give me a student loan looking at my background..."