Order #1264

I met up with my younger self for coffee.

We agreed to meet at 10:00 a.m. She texted me at 9:55 saying she was just leaving. I replied with, "Thank God, me too," as I settled on the fifth outfit I had tried on and headed out the door.

We both arrived at 10:07 and laughed together. Not much had changed with our punctuality. We hugged, and I smelled the same perfume I put on today. It's still my favourite. She was wearing a brown “Brew” shirt and a pair of black leggings. I was wearing a black tank top with denim shorts.

We stood in line in silence, looking at the menu. "What are you getting?" she asked me when we were next to order. I told her I was getting something sweet. We both got Frappuccinos.

As we sat, she told me how much my hair had grown. I told her it took a while to get here. We both know I have trouble putting the dye and scissors down.

I asked her how everything was going. She told me she had just moved to Bermuda, she has two jobs, new friends, she’s been clubbing, and that she may have her first boyfriend.

I winced at the last part of her statement, and she asked me what was wrong. I told her she’d find out in her own time, and I shook my head and laughed.

She gave me a look but continued talking about how everything is so new and fun, but how some things are troubling her. I told her to have a very open mind and that, in time, things would settle down.

She told me that she’d been forced to start doing jiu-jitsu and that she does whatever she can to avoid it. She said it’s not her thing and that she prefers regular workouts—if she gets around to them.

I kept quiet about having eight medals, but I did tell her it would get easier, and then harder, but that everything that comes out of the gym will help me grow as a person.

I told her of the love that followed me off the mats—friendship, among other things.

I told her of my best friend and how much time we spend in each other’s personal space, gossiping, giggling, and trying to focus on technique rather than die of laughter.

She was confused about who I was talking about.

I told her jiu-jitsu takes us places, both mentally and physically.

I didn’t tell her about my boyfriend. She wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else.

I asked her if she knew what she wanted to study, and she looked at me like I was crazy before telling me, "I’m figuring it out."

I told her not to worry, and I promised her that she does, in fact, figure it out. I let her know I’m in my second year of college and that I love what I’m studying. I gave her nothing more because she has to learn as I did. To try, fail, and try again.

She looked at me for a moment with a solemn look on her face.

“Are you okay?” she asked. She told me I look different somehow.

I told her that it’s been three years and that things have changed.

I looked at my phone and saw the time: 10:57 a.m.

She noticed as well and told me she was going to go clock in. We gave each other a long hug, and I headed out the door.

“Was it the right decision coming here?” she asked right as I was leaving.

I turned back to her and took her hand in mine.

"It won’t be easy for you to get where I am. But coming here… this was the best thing you could have done."

With that, she rushed to clock in, and I started my music.

I hope to see her soon.