No.

Days have passed and yet the actual day, has not been confirmed. At some point I had hoped that he would change his mind and stay away, but it seems unlikely he would.

Now that I've learnt about William returning soon, it's like I can't escape talk about him. My ears would catch onto conversation about him, especially with many interested in what he may look like or how different he must seem now.

If only they knew.

Different made up scenarios of possible encounters between us, has placed me on edge. Seeing him again, feels like all my secrets would be staring me in the face soon.

It's clear that I haven't been myself and now Lia has taken notice. She's questioned me on how I am doing so many times today, it's kind of annoying.

I know it's not her fault, I'm just being cranky.

I honestly wish I had found out everything much later.

It's sad to think that I might be the reason my mother ends up in hospital again. There's no doubt that my deeds would be heavy for her to bear.

Today is a friend's wedding. Well, someone from Lia's friend group. I only managed to refuse twice before Lia literally dragged me out of my home. The promise I made a few weeks back, about accompanying her totally slipped my mind. Being reminded of it, made me want to keep my promise and not disappoint her.

Her excitement to witness ' true love' as she'd said, shut me up and no longer protest.

The ceremony itself was sweet and quite romantic. Despite not being the biggest fan of big weddings, a sit through this made a difference in how I viewed them. I could not be immune to my emotions. I was taken back to a time where I was away. The memories struck something into my heart.

Being a part of the event and witnessing everything, had some kind of effect on me, I can't lie.

All I know is that I sat through the whole ceremony, being a witness with not much to say but a lot said in mind. By the time we reached the reception, I was exhausted and wished to head home.

However I did not voice this out, because I didn't want to ruin the experience for Lia. The joy she expressed about being there, softened my heart.

For a while during the ceremony, I was a silent watcher for most of the time, observing everything that took place infront of my very own eyes. I became disturbed by my emotional self during the time rings were exchanged.

I was touched, very much so.

" Today was truly special." Lia gushes on our way home.

" Hmm."

" That is the kind of thing I want for you."

" Huh?" I stop to look at her.

She also stops and our eyes meet.

" When it is your time to get married, it will be grand and-----"

" No!" I blurt out the word before I can think about.

She blinks at me, probably taken a back by my tone.

" You don't want to get married?"

" No -yes, I mean not now. W-why are we even talking about getting married? That's something for years to think about." I add on, walking past her.

" But -------"

" Lia, let's talk about something else already." I quickly shut down the topic, so she wont think of saying more.

I hear her sigh from behind me. " Fine, by the way you look pretty today."

" What do you want?" I say, narrowing my eyes at her.

" Nothing." She quickly says, not convincing me one bit.

Suspicious.

" I don't believe you."

" Really, it's nothing."

" I'm giving you 5 minutes, after that, don't even think about -------"

" Can I sleep over today?"

I stop in my tracks and look at her. " Why? I mean you know you are always welcome, but you never randomly ask." I point out, when she doesn't meet my eyes.

She shifts on her feet, now fueling my curiosity.

" Lia..."

" I don't wish to go home today."

I frown at her words, " Did you have a fight with your mom again?"

She nods, looking quite uncomfortable.

I let out a sigh as I close the distance between us, wrapping an around her shoulders.

" What was it this time?"

" I'd rather not get into it."

" Okay." She visibly relaxes.

" But you have to let her know first."

The plea in her eyes is enough to tell me that she'd rather not.

" I'll talk to her. Mom might ask a lot of questions." I say instead.

" Thank you." She says, sounding grateful.

I watch her walk ahead with a concerned frown.

When we reach home, our mood changes. Our laughter and chatter dies down when we see that mom has company.

And it's the last person I would expect to set foot here again.

" Mrs Myers?!" The name comes out in more like a surprised whisper.

Both mom and Mrs Myers look in our direction, probably hearing our footsteps.

' What is she doing here?'

Warmth touches my cheeks when I realise that now the attention is on me.

A nudge from Lia, knocks me out of the flood of thoughts that were about to overtake my mind.

" Uh, good afternoon." I greet politely.

Everything about this moment is awkward.

" Um, excuse us." Lia says or more like take over, because I seem to have lost my words.

I let her lead me by arm towards the stairs, in an attempt to escape.

"Wait, girls!" Shoot, mom, not now please.

We stop on our tracks and turn to face her.

" Mrs Myers would like to have a word with you, Milla."

" Me?" I point to myself, wanting to be sure if I heard right.

No, please no.

" Yes, have a seat."

I internally sigh, knowing that I have no other choice but to do this. I comply and take a seat, despite how thrown off I am.

" I made cookies, why don't you help me with them dear." Mom says to Lia, preventing her from joining me.

The hint is out there. Whatever Mrs Myers wants to say to me is meant to be private. Unfortunately Lia and mom can't be present.

" Oh okay, sure." Lia nods, following after mom.

It's no doubt she is worried, by the way she glances over her shoulders at me.

" Milla?" I turn to Mrs Myers.

She's been staring, I felt her gaze and I've been trying to avoid it.

Sitting on opposite sides, face to face in my mother's living room, this situation feels familiar. It's been years since we've sat in front of each other like this. That was a different time then, our attitudes towards each other are no longer the same.

I consider her age and remember that I can't act anyhow, especially being in my home. I'm simply weary of her visit, after such a long time.

" I know that I am the last person you expected to see."

That's right.

" I stayed away, like you asked." I remind her.

" I know." She says through a sigh.

What more could she want then?

She closes her eyes for a moment, before she looks at me again.

" I'm sure you know that he is returning home."

" I heard."

" And I'd like for you to see him."

" Excuse me?"

" I want you to meet Will again."

" No!" The word slips out the same time I'm on my feet again.

~ Flashback~~

' I want you to stay away from Will.'

I blinked at her, not sure if I heard right.

' Mam?'

' I want you to stay away from my son, Milla. This, whatever it is that is between you two, it must end, today.'

' I don't understand.' I shook my head.

' Okay.' She lets out a sigh, pushing back her blonde hair back, as if she were already done with this conversation.

A conversation that had just begun.

I needed the reason behind why it was happening in the first place.

" Look, my Will is a good boy, with good manners and is very friendly with everyone. Unfortunately many don't appreciate that and instead, take advantage of his good nature."

" Mrs Myers-----"

" Let me finish." She held up her hand, stopping me.

" Milla, you are a fairly decent child, I won't deny that, but your closeness with my son is something I cannot accept any longer."

At that moment, all I could do was stare at her as I tried to find my words.

Did she have a problem with me? Did I do something wrong to displease her?

What could have made her not like seeing me around her son?

" I'm sorry." I said, my eyes now drawn to my feet.

" What are you apologising for?" She asked, sounding surprised.

My head picked up then, as I responded, " For whatever I did to make you uncomfortable in your home. I won't return there again."

My mother had always warned me about making people uncomfortable. She taught me to give someone space, if ever they felt uncomfortable.

Instead of saying something, she stared at me. The longer her hazel eyes remained on me, the more I started to feel nervous and uncomfortable.

It suddenly didn't feel like my home. It felt like I was seated in the principal's office.

I decided to say more, wanting to break the silence.

" I-I know that Liam got into trouble because of me, and I'll take responsibility. I promise."

" His name is William."

" Huh?" I blinked up at her.

" Milla, William has a bright future, one planned and set out for him eversince he was born. So I refuse for anything to mess that up. He needs to be focused and not distracted."

" You believe I'm that distraction?" I asked, feeling something twist in my heart."

She looked away from me but her silence was enough.

" Mr Myers said something different, he said --------"

" Mr Myers was just being kind." She immediately said, cutting me off. "

" He has something to look forward to everyday when he's around you. He smiles much more than I've ever seen him." I said, earning her gaze. " That's what Mr Myers told me."

He said more that day but these words stuck with me. They were unexpected but touching.

She was silent again.

" Was that all simply kindness too?"

William Myers was never someone I had in mind when I thought of a friend. I tried to avoid it and even placed distance between us, but one day something changed. We only hung out a few times but not to the point where we were joined to the hip. We weren't attached to each other or anything.

I do know that Liam had found some liking into making random visits to my house.

Was that where she found the problem? I've warned William to stop trying to hide away in my house, each time he didn't like something at home. In other words, when he wanted to throw a fit.

He was too stubborn.

But even I could admit that I'd really started to enjoy being around him.

Unfortunately, all of this was about to end. His mother wanted to put a stop to it.

" Not that you need to know, but I'll tell you anyway. William is leaving soon."

" Leaving?" I blinked up at her in surprise.

" Yes, he is not coming back."

Ever?

" He's not?"

" Not for a long time." She deadpanned.

I opened and closed my mouth, but nothing came out.

" Milla, I do hope we understand each other here and now. You and my son don't have to see each other ever again, after today."

She walked past me but I stopped her.

" Mrs Myers, wait!" I jumped to my feet and walked over to her.

" Liam and I were never friends." I said.

A part of me felt like I'd just lied to myself. Either way, I've said what I said.

' Whatever it was, it's over now.'

Why did those words unsettle me.

' Oh, and you asked what wrong you did? I think the most important thing to acknowledge here, is that you got too close to my son."

Those were her last words to me before she left.

The moment I sat down again, repeating the conversation I'd just had with Mrs Myers, I realised something.

I didn't want William Myers to leave me.

***(End of flashback)***

She is still the same attractive, elegant and out of our league lady, in which sat at the same seat as years back. Her intention was clear then, she meant to push me away from her son.

I understood this as I grew up.

Well, she succeeded.

' Did she really?' My conscious questions.

My level of nervousness increases, when it hits me that I'm not only in the same room as Mrs Myers but his mother.

" I-I don't think that's a good idea." I further explain for my little outburst.

I can't meet her eyes right now. Guilt is heavy on my shoulders.

' Please leave .'

" I know why you are saying this." My head whips in her direction.

" W-what?"

She knows?

No, she couldn't possibly know.

She gestures for me to take a seat, which I do after hesitating.

" Years ago, what I said to you -----"

" You were pretty clear about everything." I remind her. " I respected your wishes and I hope the same is done for me."

" You can't or you won't?"

Did she not hear what I just said?

" Mrs Myers----"

" I will admit Milla, coming here wasn't easy. I've been reminded of alot, which I wish to forget."

" Maybe you shouldn't have come then." The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop myself.

That sounded rude but is the truth.

Shoot, mom is close by, she might intervene, when I don't need that. I've got this under control, well, I think.

" That was rude, I'm sorry." I say, breaking the silence that had lengthened between us.

" William is the reason why I'm here and it will remain that way." She says, eyes locked on mine.

I have no doubt in her honesty at this moment. William is everything to her.

" Well, for your son's best interest, his past should not be dragged into his present."

" I wouldn't be here if I still considered you his past."

I don't know how to respond to that.

" Besides, someone else wanted this to happen."

I give her a questioning glance.

" Mr Myers."

Mr Myers, someone I grew up admiring and who was close with my father. Despite social differences, their friendship overshadowed all that.

" He has always had a soft spot for you and I can tell, that you respect him alot. No matter the years, that still remains." She sounds certain.

" Yes I do." I agree.

Mr Myers had been good to me, as far as I can remember.

" Well, good." She nods. " That means you'll have something to think about while I leave you with this."

I watch her take out something from her bag, before she rises to her feet and hold it out for me to see.

" What is this?" I ask, receiving it nonetheless.

" William deserves a warm welcome. He's been gone for too long."

The same person who didn't want me anywhere near her son, is personally inviting me to her son's party?

I never thought I'd see this happen.

She never comes to you, you go to her, unless it's about her son.

" I must say Milla, you surely have grown." These are her last words to me on her way out.

A question hits me right at that moment and pushes for me to chase after her. Thankfully I reach her right when she was about to walk out the door.

" I have a question!" I call after her.

She stops and turns to face me.

" What is it?"

" Family means everything to William and that should be more than enough. Somehow you sound sure, that my presence will make some kind of difference. I don't see it but you clearly do, so why ------"

" A warm welcome is all he needs, to consider staying."

They want him to stay for good?

If only they knew I felt differently.