Rowan's POV:

Whoever invented running had needed a better hobby.

The wind slapped my face, snaking through my hair and cooling down my sweaty body as I swiped at the perspiration on my forehead. I sucked in a breath of air, relief washing over me when I caught sight of the familiar pale blue door that gave away my house. The world around me stirred as I continued to race time to my destination, my heart pounding and my mind pushing me forward despite the screaming ache of my lungs.

The winds picked up as the birds emerged, their twinkling melody lingering through the air almost as in encouragement. Taking in another chestful of air, I squinted through the golden shadow of the sun.

This was the time of day I loved the most. When the rest of the world was asleep, leaving the natural beauty untouched.

Raw.

Pure.

It was all mesmerizing in its simplicity, yet enthralling in complexity all the same.

My shoes slapped the pavement as I kicked up speed, my heart threatening to burst out of my chest. Wheezing, I reached the patio steps, pushing through the door and making a beeline for the kitchen.

After grabbing a cold water bottle from the fridge, I made my way to the shower. When done, I rushed over to my closet, pulling on a sweatshirt and some leggings. I wrangled myself into something presentable, making my way out of my room, taking note of the fact that my mom had not made an appearance this morning.

She was probably still at the birthing center.

I didn't remember her having told me otherwise. While my mom's memory was pretty solid, I found my journal searching for a reminder but did not find anything.

I stilled when I took notice of the gap in the date.

No.

It was rare that I made a careless mistake such as this, but there it was staring up at me like a sore thumb. I had forgotten yesterday. While I remembered parts of it, like celebrating with Skylar and Hayden and my classes, there were parts that were fuzzy already.

My stomach sunk as I stared at the blank page, willing words to appear. Not to my surprise, they didn't. I shook my head, fighting back tears of frustration as my blood went cold.

I wasn't sure how long I sat there, replaying what I remembered from the day before in my hand. But with each time I did so, I only felt worse. It didn't help that I knew there was nothing I could do to help the feeling. I just had to believe that I hadn't missed anything significantly important.

I pulled myself together a few moments later, continuing to get ready, in spite of my dampened mood. I grabbed a granola bar for breakfast after pulling on a pair of leggings and an olive camisole, finishing the outfit off with a pair of low-rise boots. I hit the door, managing to make it to campus with enough time to walk to my class if I walked briskly.

The wind was slightly biting, ruffling violently through my hair despite the shining sun as I walked. There were students sprinkled around me, but today everything seemed calmer than usual. I noted the shadows that fell over the student union building, sure that there would be yet another storm that night.

The rainy season here was no joke.

The weather was surely the reason why it was so quiet on campus. Usually, people littered the lawn, savoring stolen moments of freedom before booking it last minute to their lectures. But today, that wasn't the case.

"Hey, Rowan."

I slowed, at the sound of my name, the voice unrecognizable. There were only a few minutes left for me to get to the lecture hall before class started, but, because it felt evil to pretend like I hadn't heard the person, I turned around.

"Yes..."

Goodness, gracious.

My words fell short as I took in the sight before me, my previous thoughts flying away. Perhaps under any other circumstance, I would've been slightly annoyed with being delayed to class, but something about the warm hazel eyes that met mine caused me to forget why I'd been in a rush in the first place. They were illuminated by the sun's rays, muddling my thoughts, and momentarily leaving me without a response.

And it didn't end there.

My eyes continued to travel.

His tall frame towered over my five-foot-five stance in a way that would have been intimidating if it weren't for the handsome smile on his face. I took in the thick black hair that settled in messy waves over his forehead, being everything but styled but still becoming all the same. I held in an amused chuckle when I spotted intricate swirls of black ink peeping out from the sleeve of his shirt.

Attractive and tatted.

Figures...

The lazy smile that sat on his face was one I knew girls would flip over, making me wonder what I'd done to deserve such a blessing. For reasons beyond me the corners of his mouth tipped further upward as he continued to watch me watch him.

Good heavens.

"Yes?" I repeated, taking a quick glance at the time on my phone, and trying to make it look like I hadn't just been blatantly checking him out. When I looked at him again, his eyebrows furrowed, and an expression that almost seemed like confusion settled over his eyes.

"Well," he started slowly, looking at me like he was expecting something. Or maybe it was that he had been expecting someone else. "I was wondering if you still wanted to grab..." the guy trailed off, not finishing his sentence as his eyes seemed to search mine.

I lifted my eyebrow, wondering what it was he had wanted to say and equally as interested in why he had stopped. He ran a hand through his thick hair, the strands falling forward just shy of covering his eyes.

Instead of continuing, he muttered something under his breath that was a little bit too low for me to hear. I was about to ask what it was he had been saying when he nodded his head, more to himself than me. I swore a flash of embarrassment swept his features, but just as quickly as it came, any hints of the sentiment were hidden behind a relaxed expression.

"Never mind," he added, his eyes running over me once more before he shook his head. "Sorry to have kept you from where you were going."

Oh.

I just nodded, a tad more than a little bit confused as he walked past me before I could say anything. When I finally started walking again, my thoughts remained on him, a nagging feeling pressing in my mind

Something felt off about the whole encounter.

When I made it to class, the sentiment only grew when I entered my class, spotting him immediately. I watched as he walked up the tiered rows of seats, sitting in one of two empty ones near the middle of the classroom. I looked around for another seat, but the one next to him was the only one left.

I sighed, slightly uneasy. I paused when his eyes met mine, a moment passing before I started walking again.

I really needed to stop being late.

His eyes stayed on mine, as I made my way over. I dropped my gaze and took a deep breath, rummaging through my bag after I sat down. When I had successfully pulled out the materials I would need, I turned to him.

My eyes widened slightly when I saw he was still looking at me, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

"Hello."

Was he talking to me?

I resisted the urge to look over my shoulder since logically, there was no one else he could have been talking to. Although, it would have made my life easier if he had been.

"Hi. I think...I think you might have mixed me up with someone else, but it is nice to meet you," I said slowly.

His eyebrow raised when I extended a hand, and I immediately wondered why I had even done that. He didn't move at first, but I let out a relieved breath when the small frown that had adorned his lips, tipped upward, and he wrapped his hand around mine.

"I'm Elijah. It's nice to meet you again."

I stilled.

...Again?

"It's nice to meet you too," I smiled, despite the strangeness of the introduction. I eyed him once more, the words turning over in my mind as he faced forward. They remained even when the class had quieted down, and I turned on my voice recorder, preparing for the lecture.

Again?

I wasn't sure that I paid attention to anything the professor said, my mind too distracted with the peculiarity of it all. It didn't help that he was sitting right next to me wither, the earthly scent of spice curling around my senses and making his presence way too noticeable.

When the lecture ended, I packed my things up hurriedly, unsure of why I felt so odd. It wasn't until I made it to the doors that I glanced over at my shoulder, making direct eye contact with Elijah. The analytical expression was back on his features, his chin lowering slightly when our eyes connected. I quickly faced forward, heat moving from my chest to my face.

His gaze had been intense.

Curious, almost.

I winced when I made it outside, the glare of the sun crashing down on me unforgivingly. My own curiosity persisted even after I found Hayden and Skylar, only half-listening to what the latter was saying. my thoughts went back to when Elijah had called my name.

The way he had looked at me wasn't the way that someone would look at a stranger. And he had been asking a question. I was starting to get the weird feeling that he knew who I...

My stomach dipped.

I was an idiot.

My mortification grew as I continued to piece together why our interaction had been so off. Usually, I would have realized right away, but he had played it off perfectly. The only way that our interaction made sense was if we had met before.

It had to be that I just didn't remember it.

****

"Hey, honey.

I set my keys down on the table in the front hallway, walking toward the kitchen where my mom's voice had come from. Sure enough, I spotted her standing by the stove with a broad smile.

My gaze flew to the counter when she stepped aside, a gorgeous white cake presenting itself amidst an envelope and a bouquet of flowers. My breathing faltered, as my heart sunk.

"Mom..."

"Happy Birthday Rowan," She whispered hoarsely, wrapping her arms around me before I could say anything. "I know what you are thinking, but you are still here with me. We should celebrate that."

I said nothing, blinking against the pressure behind my eyes. We had talked about not doing the whole celebration thing that year. I had specifically asked her not to do it for a reason. She took a step back, her body slightly trembling as our eyes met, and I swallowed as my throat tightened. She knew the reason behind my silence. It was clear from the tears in her eyes.

I smiled, appreciating her efforts despite my heavy heart.

Mom swiped underneath her eyes. "So how was the first day of being twenty?"

"It was good," I breathed, clearing my throat. "Uneventful, but good."

She flashed me a small smile. "I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes."

My chest squeezed.

"You didn't have to get me anything."

She scoffed, placing a hand on her chest in mock astonishment her smile growing. I was thankful for it. I couldn't stand seeing her upset. Even if on this day of the year I couldn't do anything about it.

"What type of mother would I be, if I didn't get my daughter anything on her twentieth birthday? Now close your eyes."

I shut them with a small laugh, knowing that she would not let up if I didn't. I listened to her shuffle around the kitchen for a moment, before the sound died down.

"Okay, you can open them now."

I did, taking in her expectant gaze, and then the small box that was now in front of me. I eyed it curiously, wondering what it could be. My breathing faltered when I took the lid off the box, spotting a small silver key that lay nestled inside. Next to it, was a cutout picture of an advertisement.

An advertisement for the apartment I had been looking at for the past few weeks.

My heart had stopped beating as I stared at the contents of the box before lifting my head toward my mom.

"How did you..." I trailed off, trying to find the words.

She shrugged with a nonchalant grin

"Mothers know everything. I have known that you have wanted to find your own apartment for weeks. I was waiting for you to tell me," she said, bumping my shoulder lightly with hers. "When you didn't, I figured that I would make the first move. I also want to pay for the first six months' rent, so you are all set until then."

I shook my head. "H-how could you afford it? This was one of the most expensive ones."

I mean, we weren't poor, but we definitely were not in a place to be paying that much upfront.

"Don't worry about that, hon." I raised an eyebrow and she sighed. "Sometimes I question if I am the mother, she laughed. "I have been taking extra shifts." I opened my mouth, but she shook her head. "It's okay, Rowan. You deserve this. It was no hassle."

If she had taken extra shifts then it was definitely a hassle. One that I wasn't quite sure I was okay with.

"Mom, I am grateful, but I don't want you tiring yourself for this."

"I promise I'm not. I started taking more shifts when you started getting out of the house more. It gets lonely. Besides, it isn't like we can return it."

There was no arguing against that. But I could negotiate.

"Three months."

My mom eyes me for a moment before nodding. "Four. And then we will figure it out."

I only shook my head in prolonged astonishment.

I squeezed my eyes shut briefly, opening them a moment later. "You are okay with me moving out?"

She placed a hand on my shoulder. "I was worried at first. I honestly still am, but you shouldn't have to put your life on hold." She turned around, grabbing plates from the cabinet. "Besides, I believe someone used to tell us that worrying about something that may happen is like putting yourself through a stressful situation twice. I am deciding to put this in God's hands. You already move through life beautifully. I have faith that you will be fine."

I nodded, my throat constricting as I bit back the tears. It was my dad who had told her that.

"Thank you so much. I appreciate it so much. Really."

A small smile graced her features as she looked at the clock.

"You ready to get going?"

It was time.

"Yeah." I nodded. "We should probably go before it gets too late."

It wasn't long before we were in the car, a routine for this day of the year. It wouldn't have been right to only celebrate me. Not when my dad would have been forty-one.

I hesitantly stepped out of the car when we arrived, clutching the flowers that we had picked up on the way tightly. My grip was the only thing keeping me from staying in the car and locking the door in protest. It would have been childish but it would have voiced how I felt inside.

Just the very sight of the gravestones that lined the ground was crippling. It was even worse to know that among them, laid one for my dad. Despite years having passed, the visits never got easier. I didn't think they were supposed to though.

I waited for my mom to walk around the car before beginning to walk. On another day I would have marveled at the beauty of the day. The sun had started its departure, streaking the sky in gold as we walked. But today, it was only saddening to see the rays of fleeting light that blanketed a familiar headstone.

It was these moments that were the worst. The ones where I felt as if it was all a bad dream, and I would wake up, in my bed, with no disabilities, and go downstairs to see both of my parents sitting at the table, instead of one.

But that would never be a reality. So instead I just stood there, never having been more disappointed to be awake.

My dad and I had the same birthday.

I didn't stay long, standing with my mom for a few minutes before it became too much. Maybe it was cowardly of me to not be able to handle it, but the frosty bite of the emotions pouring through me was too painful to bear.

I squeezed my mom's arm, and she nodded, already knowing what I wasn't verbally saying. I turned toward the car alone, knowing that she would stay a little longer. She always did.

My feet crunched on leaves as I silently walked away. The day was serene even as night fell. The crisp air that signaled that winter was just around the corner, caused me to grasp my jacket around me tightly. When I spotted a figure kneeling by a gravestone not too far away, I quieted my steps, trying not to interrupt.

I must not have been quite enough, however, because a head raised.

My steps faltered, surprise running through me.

I stopped when he shifted, the light hitting his face and bringing it out of the shadows. There was no missing the slight redness in his eyes and the frown on his face.

My breath caught.

Elijah.

My pace faltered for a second before I began walking normally again. After all, it probably wasn't the best time to strike up a conversation, anyway. I gave him a small wave before I took a step in front of me, intending to continue to my car.

"Hey."

My back straightened, as the wind carried the sound of his voice over to me. I inhaled slowly, before turning.

"Hi."

Elijah sucked in a breath, as he raised to his feet. The heaviness in his eyes was almost too much to bear, prodding at the tears I held in for myself. I would have done anything to put back the smile he had given me earlier today, back on his face. I would have done anything to reverse whatever had happened that caused us to meet in a place like this.

"Sorry, I know that this probably isn't the best way to greet someone."

A dull ache formed in my chest on hearing the hoarseness in his voice. It hinted at a turmoil I knew all too well.

I smiled slowly, knowing it was the same one that all people who had lost someone found themselves giving when they met another like them. The one he sent me was full of returned understanding.

"It's okay, I get it."

I turned when I heard footsteps coming from behind us, watching my mom approach. Her clear eyes met mine first, before sweeping back to Elijah.

Always the polite type, she stuck out her hand, which he took with a warm smile. "Hi. I'm Tinley."

He shot her a warm smile. "Elijah. Elijah Scott."

I frowned when she stilled, her eyes widening slightly. It was nearly unnoticeable, as was the small breath she took as I watched her pause. She shook her head slightly after a second, letting go of his hand and turning to me way too quickly.

"I'm going to the car sweetheart, take as much time as you need." Her eyes flitted over to Elijah once more, her fingers fidgeting with the sleeves of her coat.

"No, it's okay mom." My gaze cut back to him, and I nodded. "I think that it is time to go anyway." He didn't say anything, his expression similar to how it had been back in the lecture. Curious almost. And as much as I wanted to stay and hear what some of those questions might be, a Cemetery wasn't the place to do it.

"Well, I'll see you around," I said, with a small wave.

I had to admit that part of me still felt uneasy, from my realization that morning. People deserved to be remembered. I still couldn't believe that I had forgotten him.