I parked Uncle's car in front of a neat two-story house with snow-white walls. Actually, that's what all buildings in our suburb looked like. I pulled several paper sheets out of the glove compartment and started writing frantically. Several times I stopped to read what I'd written so far and scratch out parts I didn't like. I even crumpled up several pieces of paper and threw them on the floor.
A couple of minutes later the text was ready. I got out of the car and walked toward the porch. I was about to shove the note under the door, but as I bent over, the lock clicked. The door swung open.
"Hi Chris," I said.
I expected to see hate or at least disgust on my ex-boyfriend's face, but he only smiled cordially.
"Hi, Sam. Did you come to steal my Welcome door mat?"
"No… I… Er…" I stuttered, fumbling with the sheets of paper folded in half. "I wrote you something. I wanted to apologize. Well, here…"
I handed Chris the letter. He took it, but instead of unfolding it, just stroked the crease with his fingers.
"Well, if you wanted to apologize, do it. Let's skip the formalities since you've come in person."
He smiled again, obviously amused by the situation.
"I guess this way is indeed better. It's bad writing anyway."
The fluster caused by Chris's sudden appearance went away, and I regained my confidence.
"At first I wanted to apologize for… you know perfectly well for what. I did a terrible thing, absolutely unacceptable and unforgivable. So I decided against asking for your forgiveness. I don’t deserve it. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for what happened and even more sorry that it happened to you. I cannot explain why I behaved like I did, but I want you to know that it wasn't about you. You had nothing to do with it, and it was all my fault. I want you to know that I'm very, very sorry, and if I could ever make it up to you, I definitely would."
"You've changed. You've become so serious," Chris said. "I've forgiven you a long time ago, Sam. I'm not an idiot, and I understand that something serious must have happened to make you run away from home like that. I figured it was not about me and you didn't want to hurt me. So you can relax and stop blaming yourself. Honestly, in that situation, it was not your slap and not your insults that upset me the most. I was upset that you could not confess to me what really happened to you then. I know that what you said about your parents' problems was bullshit. I talked to Mary."
I could not find what to answer to this and only looked down. For a second it was an awkward silence but then Chris broke it with a question.
"Why did you decide to talk to me now? How long has it been? Two months, if not three."
"I don't even know how to answer. It’s just that today is the first time I came home."
"But you know my phone, email, Skype, Facebook. You could've called or texted me."
I stopped to think for a moment. I knew perfectly well why I never contacted Chris. I was too busy trying to make my life work as a vampire, fighting, robbing, killing, being taken hostage, and rescuing a beautiful princess from monsters. Thinking of Luma made me smile involuntarily, and Chris was quick to notice that change.
"You found it!" he exclaimed cheerfully.
"What?"
"Your true love!"
And again, a smile lit up my face.
"Yeah, you did! I can see it in your eyes!"
I remained silent. I didn't know how to talk about my new love with my ex-love, especially considering that this time it was a girl.
"Good for you! I'm glad it worked out so well."
Chris leaned in and hugged me.
"Happy birthday, Sam. You didn't think I forgot about it, did you? Go now, get back to your new boyfriend. I have my own thing to do."
"It’s…" I hesitated for a moment, "it’s actually a girlfriend."
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