Just A Moment

It’s been years since you last spoke to her. Naturally, you’re absolutely dreading the thought of seeing her again.

Your meeting spot of choice—a shitty dive bar 10 minutes away from your house. Not the most glamorous setting for a reunion, but it’s familiar territory and you know the owner will cut you some slack if this ends up going poorly as expected. So, win-win, probably.

You’re nursing a cheap beer, taking careful sips to avoid getting shit-faced before you’ve even laid eyes on her, and stealing constant glances at the door. It doesn’t help that her most recent social media post is from several months ago, so you’re not really sure what to expect. Hell, the last time you’ve seen her properly was high school graduation. She was practically drowning in her gown, a hand-me-down from her older sister who had, evidently, gotten the better half of the genetic lottery.

 You grin at the thought. Maybe seeing her again won’t be so bad.

“Hey, you!”

Your ears perk up immediately at the sound of her voice—sweet and soft like marshmallows. The second you lay eyes on her, all that anxiety goes away as you’re suddenly transported back to your youth, where everyday was another adventure spent together. All of those years apart, gone in the blink of an eye.

“Yuri,” you utter her name with a smile, “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”

She pulls you into a hug, the contours of her figure imprinted into your mind like a memory. Even after all these years, she still hasn’t grown an inch.

“How have you been?” she asks, her voice muffled against your chest.

“I’ve been, uh… fine.”

Yuri slaps your chest. “Just ‘fine’? Come on, be more specific than that!” She slides into the seat across from you with that impish grin, tapping the table impatiently as she waits for you to spill your life story. “We got five years of catching up to do, let’s go, slowpoke!”

You can’t help but chuckle at her antics. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

“Why change what’s already perfect?” Yup, still the same Yuri as ever.

So, you talk, and talk, and talk, exchanging tales about that one failed food truck idea you had while she counters with the time she ended up performing unknowingly at an old folk’s home. Talk about that one week in uni where you almost dropped out, and she’ll tell you about the weekend she spent in Copenhagen with food poisoning. She’ll ask about your love life, so you go on about the excruciating month and half spent in a situationship that you’re sure shaved off a good five years off the end of your life. Yuri will say she hasn’t dated at all, and you believe her because you know she’s never liked feeling tied down.

Talk and talk and talk until all the gaps are filled and there’s nothing but reminiscing to do. By then, all the patrons will be gone, chairs stacked onto tables, and the bartender cleaning a glass for far longer than he needs to be doing. You’d like to think he’s just stalling to give you two some more time, but the annoyed twitch in his eye tells you otherwise.

“It’s getting late,” you utter, checking your watch. “It was really nice getting to catch up with you like this.”

Yuri nods, cheeks warm with a couple beers (your treat, of course). “It really was. I…” She bites her lip, her gaze veering to the side like she’s avoiding something.

“What is it? C’mon, spit it out.” You nudge her foot under the table, producing a soft laugh from her lips. You’ve missed that sound more than you care to admit.

“I just… God, this is so corny.” Yuri hides her face in her palms, hints of pink peeking through her fingers. “I missed this. You. I missed talking to you for hours about everything and nothing.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She uncovers her face, cheeks now redder than ever, yet her smile is the only thing you notice. “Don’t get me wrong, traveling around the world is so much fun, but… I miss moments like these more than anything, y’know?”

“And what kind of ‘moment’ would this be?”

“You know, like…” Yuri gestures to the now empty bar, glancing around the room like the right words are hiding somewhere inside. “…I don’t know how to explain. It’s just nice.”

You can’t help but chuckle at her. “I think I get the idea.”

“No one else would,” she grins.

The bartender clears his throat, capturing both of your attentions, and jabs a finger at the clock that reads 1:07 in the morning. You and Yuri quickly gather your things, shooting a rushed apology behind you as you step into the chilly autumn air.

Yuri shivers, rubbing her hands against her arms. “I hope I didn’t get you banned for overstaying,” she utters.

“I’m one of his only regulars, I’m sure I’ll be fine,” you reply. As the cool air breezes past, Yuri meets your eyes, and for the first time all night, she doesn’t speak. And for once, you don’t feel the need to fill the silence. Her lip twitches like she wants to say something, but she doesn’t need to—you know her better than anybody. You know what she wants to say.

“Well,” her gaze falls to the ground, “I think I should go find a taxi or something. It was really nice seeing you again.”

As she turns to leave, you grab her wrist before you can give it a second thought. “Hey, uh… Do you maybe wanna come back to my place?”

Her eyes widen just a smidge before her lips curl into that impish grin of hers. “Why? What do you plan on doing with me?” she asks, dramatically covering up her chest.

“Not like that, you perv,” you laugh, rolling your eyes. “It’s late and my place isn’t too far from here.”

“And…?” She squints her eyes playfully like she’s trying to uncover some dirty secret hidden in your mind.

“And… I don’t really feel like saying goodbye just yet,” you admit, a flash of heat hitting your cheeks.

Yuri smiles at you—a real smile. No teasing or poking fun at you. Just genuine happiness displayed on her face. “Okay.” She takes your hand, her small fingers filling in the gaps between yours. “Lead the way.”

With a grin, you walk the familiar path back to your apartment, Yuri tightly gripping your hand. And you talk, and talk, and talk, about everything and nothing at all, just like you did in your youth.