Chapter 17: German Chocolate

            I woke up sitting in a chair off to the side of the room, it must have only been moments later. My gaze drifted drowsily- trying to recognize those around me: Tammy, Rhoslyn… and Klaus.

            He stepped forward and took the hand that rested on my lap, “What a way to meet again, My Dear.”

            His German accent was thick and adorable, as it had always been. Klaus smiled and it threw me back to that summer- the summer I had my first heartbreak. We had been together for about two years, on and off. It hadn’t seemed that serious, but he was my first love. Then, one day he called me and told me that his family was moving back to Germany. That I could come say my goodbyes the following day and pick up anything of his I wanted. I had my mom drive me over the next morning and he greeted me at the door with a hug- one that made me wish he would never have to leave my side.

Even if we didn’t act like a typical boyfriend and girlfriend, he had still become my best friend. The thought of not being able to see him broke my heart. He hugged me and I cried into his shoulder, asking him if there was any way he could possibly stay. Klaus looked into my eyes and I knew that he had to leave. That there was no way his family would leave behind their thirteen-year-old son. He smiled as he bent down and picked up a little stuffed dog, “This was my favorite toy to sleep with when I was little. Spot- what an original name, eh?”

He gestured for me to take it and I smiled, rubbing the velvet ears between my fingers. Klaus’ hand reached up to my cheek and cradled it gently as his thumb wiped away the few tears that still lingered. He leaned forward and our foreheads touched, my hair dangling down in both of our eyes, “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too,” His voice was smooth and thick, like the chocolate from his homeland. “I promise I’ll come back. And maybe we can be together then- if you haven’t already found the one.”

“Klaus! It is time for Claire to go home, say goodbye!” His mother’s voice echoed down the hall from the kitchen, her words barely audible because of her accent.

We said our goodbyes and just as I turned to leave he touched my hand, or eyes met for a moment. He leaned forward slightly, so close that our lips nearly touched. We breathed the same air and I thought that this would be it- my first kiss. Klaus smiled nervously and pulled away, “Until next time, Meine Liebe.”

I was jerked back to reality- the music surrounded us and his hand still remained entangled with mine, my friends looking at me expectantly. A few feet away, my gaze landed on someone I wished was a stranger- his eyes full of hurt and anger. He clenched and unclenched his fists, “Cain?”