Alex Nilsen

I put the car in park and climbed out of the driver’s side, walking around on the curb to stand on the passenger’s side. Leaning against the door, I kept glancing down at my watch, waiting for you to come out of your dorm so we could get to the airport.

We had done this every summer since we graduated high school together. We’d take a spontaneous trip with our savings and go out on our own to make memories as friends. It’d been a busy spring semester for both of us in college, and we’d hardly seen each other in months.

Here I stood now, on your college campus, as I waited for you to come out with your luggage. I’d always been very organized, and you were pushing us closer and closer to being late for our flight.

I’d never get used to your spontaneity.

*Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I forced myself to stop looking at the time. I found myself pacing back and forth around the side of the car, scuffing my shoes and kicking around a small rock while I waited. And waited… And waited…

“Alex!”

I looked up, and all my irritation seemed to melt away when I saw you running toward me, dragging two large suitcases with tote bags hanging off of either handle and another on your shoulder. Smiling, I couldn’t help but scoff. You had always been so carefree with your own eccentric style. We were complete opposites, sometimes I wondered how we even grew so close.

“You’re not getting all of that in the car.” I teased as you ran up to me, your eyes bright and your smile even brighter. I quickly popped open the trunk for you. Even after months of us being separated in college, it already seemed like we’d never lost a moment together.

“And you’re going to make us late.” i jested with a crooked smile, admiring the way you seemed the glow in the sunlight.