Seeing You

It had been years since she came back here. Michelle had spent most of her life running away from this town, hoping to escape the pain of the past. But unfortunately, it had not worked. Life seemed more than determined to remind her of that difficult time all over again. She was back in her hometown for the first time in seven years.

Everyone knew everyone here. That is actually why she was back. Michelle's grandmother's best friend died, and of course, Grandma Mary wanted Michelle to come home for a bit. Michelle could never say no to her Grandma, especially in her time of need, so she had agreed.

Having had two failed marriages, Michelle had nothing tying her to the city she currently lived. When she left, she was young and foolish, but no more. Now that she had returned, she planned to just spend a few weeks with her grandma then go back to her tiny hovel in the big city. Sighing softly, she knocked on her Grandma's door.

"Grandma Mary! It's Michelle!" She yelled out, between knocks. "I'm here!"

Of course, since everybody knew everybody, the door was unlocked, so Michelle walked right in. The house smelled like her grandmother, warm and inviting with the slight hint of chocolate chip cookies and sweet tea. A smile lifted the corner of her eyes as she looked around the entryway of the house, a pleasant feeling of nostalgia curling through her veins.

"Michelle, we're in the kitchen, dear!" Grandma's voice was as sweet and comforting as always. "I was just talking to Edith's grandson."

If her heart could have stopped it would have. Edith was Grandma Mary's late best friend. Edith's grandson was the source of Michelle's pain all those years ago, and the main reason Michelle had left her hometown for a bigger city. Freezing in her steps, she felt like turning tail and running away. Of course, Grandma was none the wiser to the turmoil her words had put Michelle in.

"Well, get on in here, girl." Grandma said in a stern voice, snapping Michelle out of her thoughts. "Sorry about that, sweetie, Michelle is used to the City now, so she's probably feeling weird about being home."

Not quite, Grandma, she thought looking around the hallway as she walked slowly towards the kitchen. Michelle was more afraid of what was on the other side of the door leading in there. She had not seen HIM since she left, and she had vowed then that she would never see him again. Sighing, she put her hand on the doorknob.

Victor Collins was her high school boyfriend and one of the most handsome guys in her hometown. He had the most unusual colored gray eyes, gorgeous chocolate brown hair, and dimples when he smiled. At least, that was what Michelle had remembered. He could look completely different now, she thought, opening the door.

Unfortunately, he did not. Of course, he had grown up, but he was still the same heartthrob he was back in high school. Apparently, he kept his hair short now, and as his gray eyes fell on Michelle, she noticed those dimples as a smile lifted the corners of his lips. It was a warm smile, friendly even.

"Michelle, how's life in the city?" He asked from where he sat, his turtleneck shirt and blue jeans seemed to strain against his form. "Well, I hope."

"Ah-ha-ha." She laughed nervously, stroking her left elbow with her hand. "It's...life."

That was the best answer she could give. What was she supposed to say? That nothing had been right since she left her hometown? Not with her, or her relationships with men? True, she was successful as an editor for a magazine, had her own place and her own car, but that was all she had going right.

And why should she have to have a relationship? Why was her mind on this? Was it because it was the first time she had seen him since she left the town? Or was it just because her Grandma had recently asked if she was seeing anyone?

"Ah, right, I heard about your Grandma Edith." Michelle continued, glancing over at Grandma Mary who wiped her eye carefully. "Grandma Mary told me."

"Oh, thank you." Victor said, coming to a stand. "Could I...borrow you for a moment, Elle?"

She recoiled slightly at the sound of her nickname from his voice. Not even her ex-husbands had known she had been called that, and of course, she did not tell them either. Elle had always been what Victor had called her. It was special, private, something just for the two of them. To be honest, though, she did not really want to talk to him alone.

"Um...I am just here for Grandma Mary." She countered, keeping her eyes locked on her grandmother. "It's not a social call, Victor."

"Oh, go on dear. Victor here just wants a second." Grandma said, interrupting her. "I'll be fine for a bit."

If she could have, Michelle would have thrown her hands up in annoyance. Why should she subject herself to the same speech she heard seven years ago? She was not looking for a new start with an old flame. The only reason she had not even left was because Grandma Mary needed her. Michelle sighed and put her bag on the chair next to the door before leading Victor out of the kitchen, through the entryway, and onto the porch.

"Look, Elle..." We both started at the same time, before he nodded to me. "Look, Victor..."

"I'm not the same person I was when I left here. I'm not back to rekindle a flame or fix anything broken between us. I'm just here for my Grandma who is having a rough time." Michelle said, looking at the ground. "I don't want to hear excuses or that it wasn't your fault, or anything like that. I don't even want an apology for making me look like a fool our senior year. I just want to do what I came to do and go back."

"Okay, you said your piece, now it's my turn. I don't care if you're the same person you were back then, nor do I care if you want any of what I have to offer you." He replied, walking over to grab my arm gently. "I missed you and there was not a day that went by I didn't think of you. At least while you're here, let's talk things over."

She really did not want that either, but the pleading look in his eyes always did something to her insides. Victor had always had an odd amount of sway over her emotions and actions, and he knew it. As Michelle stood there trying to think of a way to turn him down, Ashlynn walked over from the house next door.

"Michelle! I had no idea you were coming back!" Ashlynn had always been a thorn in Michelle's side, since they were toddlers. "And Victor. Haven't seen you two together since high school. Are you guys getting back together?"

"No, Ashlynn, we're not." Michelle replied firmly, turning her back to Victor and Ashlynn. "And I'm only planning to stay for a week. I have a job to get back to, so if you have something to say, there's your time limit."

Ashlynn had been the reason for everything. A rumor had begun to spread around her school that Ashlynn and Victor were sleeping together. At first, Michelle had not believed it, until one night, she saw someone that looked a lot like Victor sneaking into Ashlynn's house. Shaking her head from the memories, she glanced over her shoulder one last time before walking away.

Walking back into her grandma's house, she looked around the entryway again. Pictures of her family hung all over the walls, covering almost every surface of the white painted walls. She moved to the living room next. They had spent a lot of time in here when she was little, Michelle thought, running her fingers along the table.

Clearly, Grandma had not updated her furniture in a while, but Michelle actually loved that. She had been so focused on the décor that she had not noticed Victor had followed her in. When she turned to leave the room, he was right behind her. Michelle covered her mouth so all that came out was a squeak instead of a scream.

She glared up at him, annoyed that he had followed her. It was clear he was not just going to let it go. What else could she do? Sighing softly, she motioned to the sofa, taking a seat herself first. Might as well hear what he has to say because he will not give up otherwise.

"Victor, for my Grandma's sake, you had better keep it down." Michelle whispered, looking towards the kitchen. "I can be civil, but I refuse to make any promises if you lie to me."

"Understood. I didn't touch Ashlynn." Short, sweet, and to the point as always. "I tried to tell you that sooner, but that day, Ashlynn and Gabe got in the way."

Gabe. After Michelle had dumped Victor, Gabe had asked her to go on a date with him, but she had refused saying that she was not interested in romance right then. Shortly after, she moved to the city to become an editor. But then, who was that she saw sneaking into Ashlynn's house? Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him.

"It's true. That night was Gabe dressed in Victor's stolen clothes." The extra voice had Michelle turning towards the door to see Ashlynn herself. "I wanted Victor and Gabe wanted you. So...we set that little act up so you would believe the rumors."

If that was true...Michelle thought, looking between the two. If that was true, then the reason she left was false. She stood suddenly and walked over to Ashlynn. Victor had followed, but was shocked to see Michelle slap the other woman as hard as she could. Part of her hated that she had done it, but she had held back that pain for a very long time, only to find out it was all a lie.

"I...deserved that." Ashlynn said as a tear made its way down her cheek. "I'm so sorry, Michelle. I really truly am."

"You...neither one of you understand the HELL I've gone through. Even if that does clear up the misunderstanding, Victor..." Michelle continued, turning towards him with the force of a storm. "That does NOT mean I want to try again. I told you, I'm not here to rekindle anything. I'm here to take care of Grandma and go back."

The truth was, she was having a hard time swallowing all of this. Life had not been good to her, with the exception of her career. Her ex-husbands were just that for a reason, and she had only JUST recovered from that trauma. She did not need...THIS now."

Instead of staying there even one second longer, she ran, straight up the stairs to the room she stayed in as a teenager and closed the door. It still looked the same as when she first came here. Grandma Mary and her late husband had renovated it right before Michelle had moved in. It had a little bit of a vintage feel with its antique furniture and green colored accents.

Sinking onto the mattress, she looked at the vanity on the table across from her. It had been a long time since she was in this room, but it felt like she had never left. Falling back on the clean sheets, she stared up at the familiar ceiling of her old bedroom. Back then, she hated to leave her old Grandma alone, but she had anyways.

Michelle's parents were famous lawyers that never had time for their kids. Her, her older twin brothers, and her eldest sister had all stayed with Grandma Mary when they were teens, but each one moved out after a while. The twins became doctors, and her sister was a lawyer like their parents. Michelle was the only one with a small dream.

She wanted to open her own Magazine business. Unfortunately, that had not panned out, but she was still at a pretty high position in her current company. Despite all that, Grandma Mary and her parents all supported her in whatever it was she decided to do. Her eyes closed until the conversation downstairs caught her attention.

"You'll have to pardon her, Victor. It's been seven long years and the poor thing has had two failed marriages. The first was abusive and the second only cared about himself." Grandma's voice carried through the paper-thin walls. "Michelle hasn't dated anyone in at least four years. I know you still carry a torch for her. I maybe old, but I'm not blind."

"Miss Mary..."

"Don't give me that...I knew you were in love the first time you saw her. I was there, remember?" Grandma laughed as Victor tried to backpedal. "Soon as she stepped outta the house that day, you tripped over nothing staring at her and forgot your backpack the next day so you could walk with her. The last time I saw anyone look at someone like that was when I met her Grandpa."

"Come on." Victor's voice was a chuckle. "It wasn't that bad."

"Oh?" Michelle could hear the teasing question in Grandma's voice. "I seem to remember prom, you barely got your jaw off the floor to say hello to her. And she's still just as in love with you as she was back then."

"Could have fooled me." He replied, sounding sullen. "She seemed cool and detached."

"Keep in mind what I said about her ex's boy." Grandma countered and Michelle heard a smacking sound. "She just got over that trauma. All Michelle needs is a little patience."