His room wasn’t exactly what I expected. I took a really good look around while he stood at the far end shuffling through one of his drawers. He’d just gotten here but it was all set up. Posters on the walls, a bookshelf on the other end with the books sorted by color, a lot of miscellaneous items around for someone who’d just settled in.

I finally sat down at the desk while I waited as he impatiently rummaged through his drawers. My heart was still pounding, all I could think about was his dad barging in and lashing out at me, saying all sorts of terrible things about me. I didn’t think I’d survive it. If his dad found me here, it would be over. My parents would certainly know and they’d just have to throw me in an underground dungeon to make sure I never went anywhere at this point.

‘You are really on edge.’

In a split second he was at the desk next to me and he could sense how worried I was, how out of place I felt. This was my default because I knew what was at stake. I didn't want to make my situation worse.

‘If your dad finds me here, you don’t know—’

‘I won’t let that happen, trust me,’ he interrupted.

I finally noticed that there was something sparkling in his hand. He opened it to reveal a beautiful pendant, a mixture of silver and gold. It was a miniature hand with gorgeous, intricate swirling patterns, tiny pink jewels tracing the shape of the hand and a golden eye in the middle encrusted with another sparkling jewel. I’d never seen anything like it, so mesmerizing, so pretty.

‘Do you like it?’ he asked.

I took it in my hand, inspected it further but I was already bewitched by it. It felt so smooth and light, just so perfect.

‘I love it!’ I beamed.

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‘Here,’ he said, snatching it from my hand then pulling me towards the mirror.

He was right there behind me and I could feel his breath on my neck, his scent lingering somewhere in the background but close. His beard hairs brushed my shoulder just a little, just enough to send me spiralling. Was I supposed to be feeling this way?

He took too long fidgeting with the necklace, but the results were worth it.

This was the best gift anyone had ever gotten me. His smile behind me fit perfectly well with this jewelry on my neck, it’s shimmer was just right. Kyle was my friend and here I was feeling all giddy as he stood just behind me , his face just beside mine as he gave me that crooked smile that was so endearing. I just haven’t seen him in a while, I told myself.

‘It’s perfect,’ I finally said as I felt him move away and finally turned around.

‘I got it a year ago in Rabat. I didnt know if it would be your thing, if you'd like it. I kept thinking you know, like "is he a jewelry person"?’ he said.

The fact that he'd taken his time to think about that, to worry about what I'd like, it just warmed my heart. He was still the best friend I'd ever had.

I hadn’t noticed that he’d placed a small box on the bed until he opened it and started taking out the photos that were inside.

‘What’s that?’

He gestured me to come see, but I was fine here at the desk, not so much over there with him. Being close to him had proven to be unpredictable and I don't know how to exactly comprehend what was happening, these chills. Maybe I was just really happy.

There were pictures of him from all of the places they’d visited over the years, some of him alone, with the other boys, people I didn’t know or recognize. There were some with their teachers as well.

‘What about the girls?’ I asked.

I hadn’t seen any of them even in the group photos.

‘Oh, um, we were never really in the same place,’ he replied.

‘Really?’

‘They had their own thing going on, went to different places and they stayed back for now until the end of summer,’ he said.

I wondered why they’d separate them like that while I went through more of the pictures.

‘Looks like you had a lot of fun,’ I said.

‘It had its moments, but it was mostly just school, you know. Very strict rules and not being able to come home to see my parents, to see you.’

I felt myself blushing again. What was wrong with me today?

‘You weren’t really missing out on anything here,’ I said.

We talked for a while as he told me about the pictures and where they were taken, ranging from a small neighborhood in Amsterdam, to the markets in Rabat, a trip to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. He had a lot to say and so little time. His face lit up as he described everything in perfect detail, as if he was transporting me there, putting me right at the center of the scene.

‘Thanks for this.’

I put my hand on my chest, making sure that it wasn’t a dream, that I hadn’t imagined all this happening, the beautiful necklace he’d gifted me, this great evening. He’d surprised me and turned my whole day around at the last minute and I really appreciated it. I hadn’t felt this good in a while, since that time when we were little kids and we could just play all day without any thoughts, before it all happened.

‘You’re welcome. I really did miss you, Jeff,’ he replied.

That smile again, that warped smile always got me.

‘I have to go,’ I said.

‘Don’t be a stranger.’