Then You Saw Me by Carrie Aarons

40

Taya

Being home in Webton feels strange now.

I left the house and kissed Austin “goodbye for now” only four days ago, and my hometown has never felt so empty. Which is weird because it’s not like we were ever a couple in this place. But the last time I was here, I was with him.

I’ve also spent so many nights in this house, in my childhood room, dreaming of the day he’d notice me. And now he’s my boyfriend. Now we’re in love. That fact makes me randomly giggle throughout the day when I think about it. For so long, I crushed on this guy I barely even knew, and now I’ve seen him naked, and he knows the spot on my neck that sends tingles shooting down my spine. It’s a weird twist of fate.

One that I’m so freaking thankful for. He moved into his apartment pretty much the day we left Talcott. Drove down to the city and busted his ass walking all of his stuff up five flights of stairs. The FaceTime call we had when he was done and lying on a mattress on his floor was both sad but hopeful. I’ll be there soon, and with every day, even though we’re apart, I grow more sure that we’re a forever type of deal.

I’m home for three weeks before I head to New York City for my UN internship, and this period in Webton is sort of a test. My parents and sister have taken a big chunk of time off her training schedule to try to patch up the hurt in our family. After reading my mom’s letter, which Kath delivered to me at college, my heart began to soften. I know we all have a lot of making up to do.

At first, I begged them not to. Kath has so much work to do before the Olympics next summer, and I’ve never said I wasn’t extremely proud of her. I’m going to be there cheering her on like no one else.

They waved me off when I said they shouldn’t take time off, and I’m more than happy they did. I know how difficult taking time off is for them, but they put me first for the first time in a while.

Since I got home, we’ve had family dinner each night, took a trip to the movies, and Kath and I have started watching Gossip Girl. She’s never seen it, while I’ve binged it several times, and it’s hilarious watching her reactions to all of the twists and turns.

Things are more easily patched between my sister and me, and I’m finding that the more time that we spend with each other, she’s actually very funny. She has a sharp wit about her that I truly appreciate, and I’m both sad it took us this long to figure it out and happy that we’re getting somewhere.

It’s harder with my mom and dad. There is so much blame on my end and guilt on theirs that conversations have been difficult. I can see they’re really trying, which is great, but it’s just going to take time to heal.

“You have a letter.” Mom hands me the envelope as she passes the couch and smiles warmly.

My stomach drops as I take it from her. Will I ever get used to having letters handed to me ever again? And why is the universe taunting me? She can be a cruel bitch sometimes.

Except when I turn it over, the handwriting on the front is penmanship I recognize. And the stamp and return address are marked as coming from New York City.

Carefully, I slice open the envelope with my finger and pull out a singular piece of paper.

My beautiful Taya, the opening reads, and my eyes instantly well up with tears. He wrote me a letter.

Austin, the man I’ve loved for so many years, the one I wrote about, has written me a love letter. With my heart beating out of my chest, I read on.

This letter is far overdue, so forgive me. Also, forgive me that this is so sloppy. I remember reading your curly script in the time capsule letter and falling half in love with you just by the swirl of your writing.

I’m sitting here, on the tiny balcony, which is technically just a fire escape, listening to the sounds of the city. And I miss you. I miss you so much that my heart aches. That organ beats for you and only you.

The only thing that seems to make it better is the knowledge that you’ll be here soon. That we’ll drink coffees as we walk hand in hand through Central Park. That I’ll school you in HORSE if we can find an outdoor court nearby. That I’ll walk you to work, and we’ll ride the subway together, huddled in a corner like all of those lovers you see in movies.

This summer is going to be epic, I promise you that.

I love you, Taya. You are the sweetest woman I know. This will be my time capsule letter to you, because mark my words, when you’re reading this in ten, twenty, fifty years, we will be together.

Always,

Austin

I put my hand over my heart and find it beating.

For him. Only ever for him.