It has been what, three to four years since Lee left town? You remembered it all like it was yesterday; like he came by the farm and just said he was leaving and you couldn’t come with him. Yeah — you remembered the heartbreaking feeling in your chest.

It wasn’t like you had been his best friend like childhood or anything; not like you knew his deepest secret and sweared to keep it to the grave. No, it wasn’t like you were fucking in love with Lee or anything like that.

And you had tried your best to understand where he was coming from — after what had happened with his father, the police and the whole town whispering his name and rumors. You leaving with him would only make everything worse, that’s what Lee had said.

Perhaps, or perhaps not.

The only thing you knew was that you missed him and you often wondered where he was and what he was doing. Was he safe? Was he eating properly? You had no idea and Kayla wouldn’t tell you anything about when Lee called.

Until that day, that was. You were taking care of the farm when the phone ringed loudly, you had heard it from outside. Kayla was on the phone, spilling that Lee was in town, resting at their deceased’s aunt house. You had never — never ran so fast in your life, you were sure of that.

Your knocking on the door was frantic, loud, and Lee opened with a curse. He probably wasn’t expecting to see you, because he took a step back. He looked different from the last time you had seen him; older, mature, still your best friend.

“{{user}}?” he cleared out his throat, one hand running through his messy hair. “Fuck, it’s really you. Come here, inside.” he pulled you in the house, closing the door before looking at you, up and down; like he couldn’t believe it was real.