he was finally home, not for a weekend or a small pit stop along the way â home. grateful to awake to the company of his mother and younger sister he claimed to be a nuisance. it was astonishing the simple things he grew to appreciate after nearly a year of various hotels and a cramped tour bus. heâd been walking the aisles of the local market, running errands for his mother as she required some household supplies. he checked each item off the list as the basket accumulated items heâd hardly known the purpose for. it felt nice, filling a basket without having to calculate every penny to match what he held within in his pocket. he was nearing the end of his list when he noticed a familiar figure across the way. there she was â the girl heâd admired since his early days as a toddler. sheâd been there his entire life, minus oliver she was truly the only one he had. various people from their school had attempted to contact him while he was on tour, putting forth the charade theyâd always been friends, but never her. perhaps he knew why, as the infant before her perfectly mirrored his perfect olive skin. he froze in his steps, a lump forming in his throat as he scoured his brain for a proper excuse. âlaken-â he shouted across the aisle, feet pattering in the direction of the other. he still wasnât certain what he was going to say, features consumed by a twist of confusion. âhey.â he managed, arm extending behind his neck to shuffle raven locks. âyouâre here.â
hearing her name echo down the aisle was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. her name never sounded quite as wonderful as it did when it left his lips, but she was hoping that the first time they ran in to each other again wouldnât be like this. âcaleb,â she semi-whispered back, grateful for the fact that the boy was hurrying towards her since she seemed to be stuck to the floor where she stood. now that he got closer she could truly take him in. while it had only been about a year, he seemed so much different -- older, but in a way that looked wonderful on him. âyouâre home,â laken wanted nothing more than to say more, to talk to him like she would have ages ago, but insecurity was eating her up inside. she hadnât told caleb about the boy that sat quietly in the stroller because she didnât know what to say, but there was no hiding now. âw-when did you get in? iâm sorry i didnât take over any welcome home cookies or anything. i would of had i known.â
