Status: Complete!
Back for Good
dos
It’s eight ‘o clock in the evening and here I am sitting in my Audi RS 5 which was parked across what we’ve always called the ‘Sevenfold Estate’. Damn I mouthed to myself because, Brian was right. Everything was still the same in there, the houses around the neighborhood were big as well but this stood out at how it towered all of them. It’s because we had a rooftop but the difference was the top was closed but the rest of the place was opened. It looks like a fourth floor of the house when you’re outside.
From afar I see Johnny in his usual plain black shirt that fit him just right. He was rubbing his shoulders with his palms; he probably must have been waiting for me for a long time. I wanted to give myself another hour to think things over but seeing him out there just tugged out my soft side so I started my engine, drove through the already open gate and there I was: right in front of Johnny.
The look on his face was either amazed because of my car or because I was back. I took off my ponytail and let my wavy dark brown hair with red lowlights fall back to my shoulders. “Johnny!” I shrieked as I went out of the car and ran up to hug him, my legs wrapped immediately around his waist. He wasn’t able to say a word, taken aback by my sudden action. We pulled away then he cupped my face then started shaking me, his eyes wide. “Please tell me, Gwyneth that this is really you? If not, I will drop you on this front porch and leave you until you freeze to death.”
“Couldn’t believe you’d be this mean to me after everything, Lewis.” I said with mocked hurt but my lips curved up a smirk as I called him by his second name. He took his hands off my face then hugged me again, tighter this time. “This is really you, shit!” After one last squeeze, he dropped me and I fell on my ass. I rolled my eyes then stood up and slapped him playfully on the arm then opened the trunk and took out my luggage then Johnny took a hold of it right away making me smile at him. I slammed the trunk door shut then he signaled me to get inside first.
I opened the wooden door then slowly stepped inside I looked around then up the stairs. I felt nostalgic because of the way all the wooden furniture from the stairs to the doorframes to the windows remained the same. The paint job was still maintained. I remember one time, Matt and Zacky started to fight playfully and both of them ended up injured as they rolled down the stairs. That was always one of the numerous memories I wouldn’t be able to forget ever. I snapped back when Johnny shut the door and announced excitedly “Guess who’s back!” as we walked over the dining room, I took a peek first and saw Brian and Zacky already on their feet as if some football players ready to tackle the opponent. The rest of the seated people were quite familiar: Michelle of course was next to Brian, next to her was Lacey: Johnny’s girlfriend and there was two empty seats which I assume would be Johnny and I’s.
On the other side, was Zacky’s girlfriend: Gena right beside him. The next woman I recognized was Matt’s girlfriend: Valery but next to her was a man different from the rest of them, he was actually in a formal shirt. The head of the table, where Matt usually sat was empty. I frowned because maybe he didn’t want to see me again or it was awkward because Val was here. Zacky, Johnny, and Brian hugging me at the same time interrupted my thoughts. I tried to spread my arms to hug them back but instead they were pinned to my sides. “We missed you so much, Gwyneth!” Zacky exclaimed as they hugged me tighter causing me to let out a choked sound. The girls told them to get off but at the same time, they couldn’t hold their laughter. “I’ve m—missed—d you-uuu too, ggg—uys.” I said through their arms that were snaked all around my shoulders, giving me little air to breathe in.
They pulled away and they looked at me up and down, my mother gave me the same look when I arrived at Germany. The look that was looking for something that changed but then relieved when they found out it was only my hair. I couldn’t help but get teary-eyed as I scanned them one by one, nothing really has changed (aside from them having girlfriends now and Brian actually getting married) and it made me feel home the moment I stepped in. I placed my palms up to them, signaling them to quiet down. “Seriously guys,” I started looking at them then at the girls (and guy) left at the table. “I fucking missed you and everything Huntington and everything Avenged Sevenfold and everything us. I fucking miss it.” They all pull into a less-suffocating group hug as I wiped the little tears off both of my eyes. Finally, I was able to wrap my arms around them pulling them a little closer.
“Matt.” Michelle pointed as she was chewing on her mixed vegetables; we pulled away and saw Matt standing beside the doorframe, holding a six-pack of Corona on his side. The look on his face unreadable: he wasn’t upset but at the same time he didn’t look happy. “Hey.” I said quietly almost in a whisper, everyone’s eyes were on him: waiting for him to do or say something. Without a word, he handed me the pack then went over and took two plates and placed some grilled tenderloin in both then some mash potatoes. He walked towards the poolside then he looked back at me then with his nose pointed to the direction where he was going.
I pointed to myself and every one of them nodded “Of course, it’s you.” Gena said with a chuckle. I placed my shoulder bag with my luggage and told them I’d fix my things later. Then caught up with him.
I knew exactly where we were going: on our ‘secret place’.
I remember the both of us wanting to have our personal space in the house and when we mean personal we mean it’s only for the both of us. We sent the four other boys into a trip to Vegas for the weekend so we could get it made. It was on the corner of the pool, on the outside it looks like part of the high wooden fence that separated us from the neighbor but when you get a closer look, here’s this little knob that would open it and bring you there. It wasn’t anything grand, a small space with the grass as the floor and walls: there was a small wooden round table and two wooden folding chairs. We’d hide for a day in there and when we go back in the house they would wonder where we went and our alibi was we took a walk but actually we just stayed there, drank beer and talked about life.
Matt made sure the door was closed before he sat down across me; I’ve already opened two cans of Corona so we made a toast and drank. “So, how are you?” He voice was so cold it sent shivers down my spine, I didn’t know what he was trying to do but I decided to just go with it. I took my lips off the can then cleared my throat: “I guess, I’m fine. It wasn’t heavy for me to leave my family in Germany even with father gone because they’re all doing fantastic. The family business is now back on it’s feet. And in a span of seven years could you believe all my three siblings found German spouses?” It was a relief and a shock that I didn’t have a hard time talking to him, it felt right and usual as if nothing happened. Finally, a slight smile appeared on his face as he settled his can on the table and then started slicing on his steak.
“Wow, that’s crazy. How about you? Found a German hottie for youself?” His smile was teasing.
“Nah, they were never my type and I was too preoccupied anyway.” I shrugged taking my fork and took a piece of mash potato in my mouth. “Enough about me, how about you?”
He was already opening his second can of beer when he spoke: “Just focusing on the band, really. Now that Jimmy is you know, gone.” Before I could even open my mouth, he spoke again: “In terms of romantic involvement, I started dating Val during ’04 but we broke up two years ago and we remained friends.”
This time, I made a teasing smile: “I was supposed to ask about Jimmy, though.”
“Oh sorry.”
“Hey, I was kidding.” I assured him, placing my hand on his wrist. “So that’s her new boyfriend with her in there?” He placed his free hand on top of mine then he nodded.
“Jimmy wanted to see you days before he died.” Matt frowned as he looked back, “And we joked and told him to just wait because he wouldn’t die yet anyway but he did. I know Johnny called you but we understood when you couldn’t come because your dad died at the same day. And I bet Jimmy understood you too: he always did. When you left I hated you, really. But he was there to explain to me everything and taught me how to understand that sometimes we have reasons that could be misleading to others but fuck it when it’s the right thing.” We looked at each other then looked down at our hands then sub-consciously, we laced our fingers together.
“You know why I hated you?” He asked as he held my hand tight.
“Why?”
“Because you told me you loved me and didn’t wait for an answer.” When I looked up, Matt was inches away from me and I felt like there was no other way to move than forward so I did.
There it was: the kiss that took seven long years to happened. This would sound so cliché but it felt right: nice and slow. It was out of need and want, desperation out of separation, the kiss that was the wait is over kind. It took us another two minutes before we pulled away. He cupped my face with one hand then whispered: “We should keep this from the rest of them until Brian’s wedding, let’s give it as a gift.” He winked then we burst out of laughter.
When we went back to the house, we were surprised to find out we’ve been away for five hours. The rest of them were still in the living room watching a movie, “Where’d you two go?” Brian asked as we walked in with his arm wrapped around my shoulders and mine on his waist. We looked at each other with a knowing look then back at them.
“We went for a walk.” We said at the same time before we found a place to sit.
From afar I see Johnny in his usual plain black shirt that fit him just right. He was rubbing his shoulders with his palms; he probably must have been waiting for me for a long time. I wanted to give myself another hour to think things over but seeing him out there just tugged out my soft side so I started my engine, drove through the already open gate and there I was: right in front of Johnny.
The look on his face was either amazed because of my car or because I was back. I took off my ponytail and let my wavy dark brown hair with red lowlights fall back to my shoulders. “Johnny!” I shrieked as I went out of the car and ran up to hug him, my legs wrapped immediately around his waist. He wasn’t able to say a word, taken aback by my sudden action. We pulled away then he cupped my face then started shaking me, his eyes wide. “Please tell me, Gwyneth that this is really you? If not, I will drop you on this front porch and leave you until you freeze to death.”
“Couldn’t believe you’d be this mean to me after everything, Lewis.” I said with mocked hurt but my lips curved up a smirk as I called him by his second name. He took his hands off my face then hugged me again, tighter this time. “This is really you, shit!” After one last squeeze, he dropped me and I fell on my ass. I rolled my eyes then stood up and slapped him playfully on the arm then opened the trunk and took out my luggage then Johnny took a hold of it right away making me smile at him. I slammed the trunk door shut then he signaled me to get inside first.
I opened the wooden door then slowly stepped inside I looked around then up the stairs. I felt nostalgic because of the way all the wooden furniture from the stairs to the doorframes to the windows remained the same. The paint job was still maintained. I remember one time, Matt and Zacky started to fight playfully and both of them ended up injured as they rolled down the stairs. That was always one of the numerous memories I wouldn’t be able to forget ever. I snapped back when Johnny shut the door and announced excitedly “Guess who’s back!” as we walked over the dining room, I took a peek first and saw Brian and Zacky already on their feet as if some football players ready to tackle the opponent. The rest of the seated people were quite familiar: Michelle of course was next to Brian, next to her was Lacey: Johnny’s girlfriend and there was two empty seats which I assume would be Johnny and I’s.
On the other side, was Zacky’s girlfriend: Gena right beside him. The next woman I recognized was Matt’s girlfriend: Valery but next to her was a man different from the rest of them, he was actually in a formal shirt. The head of the table, where Matt usually sat was empty. I frowned because maybe he didn’t want to see me again or it was awkward because Val was here. Zacky, Johnny, and Brian hugging me at the same time interrupted my thoughts. I tried to spread my arms to hug them back but instead they were pinned to my sides. “We missed you so much, Gwyneth!” Zacky exclaimed as they hugged me tighter causing me to let out a choked sound. The girls told them to get off but at the same time, they couldn’t hold their laughter. “I’ve m—missed—d you-uuu too, ggg—uys.” I said through their arms that were snaked all around my shoulders, giving me little air to breathe in.
They pulled away and they looked at me up and down, my mother gave me the same look when I arrived at Germany. The look that was looking for something that changed but then relieved when they found out it was only my hair. I couldn’t help but get teary-eyed as I scanned them one by one, nothing really has changed (aside from them having girlfriends now and Brian actually getting married) and it made me feel home the moment I stepped in. I placed my palms up to them, signaling them to quiet down. “Seriously guys,” I started looking at them then at the girls (and guy) left at the table. “I fucking missed you and everything Huntington and everything Avenged Sevenfold and everything us. I fucking miss it.” They all pull into a less-suffocating group hug as I wiped the little tears off both of my eyes. Finally, I was able to wrap my arms around them pulling them a little closer.
“Matt.” Michelle pointed as she was chewing on her mixed vegetables; we pulled away and saw Matt standing beside the doorframe, holding a six-pack of Corona on his side. The look on his face unreadable: he wasn’t upset but at the same time he didn’t look happy. “Hey.” I said quietly almost in a whisper, everyone’s eyes were on him: waiting for him to do or say something. Without a word, he handed me the pack then went over and took two plates and placed some grilled tenderloin in both then some mash potatoes. He walked towards the poolside then he looked back at me then with his nose pointed to the direction where he was going.
I pointed to myself and every one of them nodded “Of course, it’s you.” Gena said with a chuckle. I placed my shoulder bag with my luggage and told them I’d fix my things later. Then caught up with him.
I knew exactly where we were going: on our ‘secret place’.
I remember the both of us wanting to have our personal space in the house and when we mean personal we mean it’s only for the both of us. We sent the four other boys into a trip to Vegas for the weekend so we could get it made. It was on the corner of the pool, on the outside it looks like part of the high wooden fence that separated us from the neighbor but when you get a closer look, here’s this little knob that would open it and bring you there. It wasn’t anything grand, a small space with the grass as the floor and walls: there was a small wooden round table and two wooden folding chairs. We’d hide for a day in there and when we go back in the house they would wonder where we went and our alibi was we took a walk but actually we just stayed there, drank beer and talked about life.
Matt made sure the door was closed before he sat down across me; I’ve already opened two cans of Corona so we made a toast and drank. “So, how are you?” He voice was so cold it sent shivers down my spine, I didn’t know what he was trying to do but I decided to just go with it. I took my lips off the can then cleared my throat: “I guess, I’m fine. It wasn’t heavy for me to leave my family in Germany even with father gone because they’re all doing fantastic. The family business is now back on it’s feet. And in a span of seven years could you believe all my three siblings found German spouses?” It was a relief and a shock that I didn’t have a hard time talking to him, it felt right and usual as if nothing happened. Finally, a slight smile appeared on his face as he settled his can on the table and then started slicing on his steak.
“Wow, that’s crazy. How about you? Found a German hottie for youself?” His smile was teasing.
“Nah, they were never my type and I was too preoccupied anyway.” I shrugged taking my fork and took a piece of mash potato in my mouth. “Enough about me, how about you?”
He was already opening his second can of beer when he spoke: “Just focusing on the band, really. Now that Jimmy is you know, gone.” Before I could even open my mouth, he spoke again: “In terms of romantic involvement, I started dating Val during ’04 but we broke up two years ago and we remained friends.”
This time, I made a teasing smile: “I was supposed to ask about Jimmy, though.”
“Oh sorry.”
“Hey, I was kidding.” I assured him, placing my hand on his wrist. “So that’s her new boyfriend with her in there?” He placed his free hand on top of mine then he nodded.
“Jimmy wanted to see you days before he died.” Matt frowned as he looked back, “And we joked and told him to just wait because he wouldn’t die yet anyway but he did. I know Johnny called you but we understood when you couldn’t come because your dad died at the same day. And I bet Jimmy understood you too: he always did. When you left I hated you, really. But he was there to explain to me everything and taught me how to understand that sometimes we have reasons that could be misleading to others but fuck it when it’s the right thing.” We looked at each other then looked down at our hands then sub-consciously, we laced our fingers together.
“You know why I hated you?” He asked as he held my hand tight.
“Why?”
“Because you told me you loved me and didn’t wait for an answer.” When I looked up, Matt was inches away from me and I felt like there was no other way to move than forward so I did.
There it was: the kiss that took seven long years to happened. This would sound so cliché but it felt right: nice and slow. It was out of need and want, desperation out of separation, the kiss that was the wait is over kind. It took us another two minutes before we pulled away. He cupped my face with one hand then whispered: “We should keep this from the rest of them until Brian’s wedding, let’s give it as a gift.” He winked then we burst out of laughter.
When we went back to the house, we were surprised to find out we’ve been away for five hours. The rest of them were still in the living room watching a movie, “Where’d you two go?” Brian asked as we walked in with his arm wrapped around my shoulders and mine on his waist. We looked at each other with a knowing look then back at them.
“We went for a walk.” We said at the same time before we found a place to sit.