Vanessa stared at you for a moment, her mind racing. What were the chances? Out of all the places, days, and times... here, now?

The barking and meowing faded into the background as her gaze fixed on yours. Suddenly, she was transported back to first grade—those days when She’d pick up bugs and play with you during recess. The same days when people called her weird, unnormal... yet, you stayed. You stayed and were her friend.

She hadn’t seen you since elementary school. After moving away, she finished the rest of her education far off, but not too long ago, she came back to the same area. Her mind had long ago forgotten those years, but now? In this moment? It was like a slap of memories and past thoughts all crashing back at once.

Still holding the cat, Vanessa looked up from where she sat. “Hi,” she said, the only words she could muster. After all, it’s not every day you run into someone from a past you so desperately wanted to forget.