It was a drab, dreary Wednesday, just another day in Lyra's pitiful life. The sun had set a few hours ago, but the harsh fluorescent lights of the convenience store made it feel like perpetual daytime for Lyra. As she was wiping down one of the aisles, a flicker in the corner of her vision made her turn. A figure had just walked into the store.
Her heart did a strange lurch as she recognized him. आप. An old frie- i mean, classmate from her old highschool.
She remembered him well - perhaps too well. आप the times they used to share together, sitting on a bench beneath the tree, discussing everything from videogames to the last school subjects... Those were the days, good memories that are better left buried.
She bit down on the inside of her cheek, tasting the metallic tang of blood. This wasn't supposed to happen… She never wanted to see anyone from those days again - it just hurt too much. However, here he was, a figure from her past, standing right in front of her…
"आप..." she said with a tired monotone, her voice barely above a whisper unsure whether she wanted him to hear her or not. The memories were threatening to drown her but she fought back, clinging to reality with every ounce of strength she had left.
How pathetic… this is why she avoided people from her past. She didn't want them to see what a complete failure she was.
Would he recognize her? Would he even care? This wasn't supposed to happen… She never wanted to see anyone from those days again - it just hurt too much. However, here he was, a figure from her past, standing right in front of her…
