A Memory Faded - [Seventeen]

After the band practice, Fletcher walked Alex home. She held his hand tightly, like she didn’t want to let go. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she closed her eyes, with the security of him beside her. With most girls, he would’ve felt uneasy, even in the whole generic girlfriend-boyfriend setup. But there was nothing generic, nothing usual about them. There was a quiet comfortableness about them.
Alex was happy too. Her ex-friends held boys on their arms like handbags. Merely an accessory. An accessory, that was, until they got behind the bike sheds or into the bedroom. Then her thoughts switched to Fletcher. He didn’t want that sort of commitment, he just didn’t care about that sort of thing. He was more the romantic type. Which was rare nowadays.
“We’re such a weird couple,” she said, speaking aloud, “Compared to ones at school.”
“That’s what makes us different. We’re not like them. We don’t wanna be like them.”
“True…hey, do you want to come in for a coffee or something?”
“I can’t, I gotta get back later. Homework, y’know?”
“Oh…okay.”
“I’ll come round tomorrow though, I promise.”
Alex’s face lit up.
“Okay, cool.”
“Aren’t you going to kiss me goodbye?” Fletcher said with a smirk, “Or…”
Alex ran up to him and pecked him on the lips.”
“That wasn’t to say goodbye though.”
“Meaning?”
“It was to say hello for next time.”
Fletcher laughed and rubbed a hand through his hair.
“Cute. Very cute. Bet it took you a long time to think of that one.”
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about it, to be honest.”
“You must be the prettiest girl not to have had a boyfriend ‘til now.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Fletcher Redfearn.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“It is so.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
Alex ran to her door and turned back, waving like she would to any old friend. She was had a mastery in the art of understatement. Fletcher turned around and walked back down the road towards his house. The night was cool and humid, not to the point where he needed a coat (although he’d brought one anyway, just in case). He hummed ‘Honey This Mirror Isn’t Big Enough For The Two Of Us’ at half tempo, before slowly speaking, “Well I find it hard to stay, with the words you say…”
He stood still and looked around. There was movement behind a car opposite Alex’s house. He walked slowly across the road and towards the car. A stalker perhaps? A would-be burglar? Running forwards, he jumped on the person, knocking them to the ground. He looked down and saw a face etched with surprise and fear. And this face was a familiar one.
“Elizabeth?!”
“Fletcher…I’m sorry…”
“What were you doing?”
“I was…seeing whether you and Alex were actually going out.”
“Couldn’t you have just asked? It might’ve been easier, and less risky.”
“You’re not exactly the most approachable person at times.”
“At times?”
“Yeah, like when you’re busy talking to Alex and ignoring everyone else.”
“Elizabeth, she’s my girlfriend…and you’re one of my best friends. I can’t do two things at once, especially when I want to talk to her privately.”
“Fine. Can you get off me now? I’m late for dinner.”
Fletcher stood up and pulled her up with him. She tugged her hand out of his and ran around the corner onto Allan Drive. She shook her head. Tears rolled down her face as she ran. He had been so cold.