Katy Perry's "The One That Got Away" (Short Story, Fiction)

They had not seen each other for a year. It wasn't enough to forget, just about around the time for longing. Last time they've been together, they were friends, the type that held hands. The last time, he gently refused her subtle advance with a soft laugh of amusement. He was clever like that. She didn't feel rejected. He somehow made her think it was only the alcohol. She gave him a coy smile and told him she was done for the night and needed to hit the hay. He hailed her a taxi, kissed her on the cheek, and sent her off. She slept that night forgetting she was ever inappropriate. And then it was only after a year that she saw him again.

He was grinning from ear to ear. It was a kind of shy grin that just couldn't be held back. On the other hand, she was barely smiling, just a slight contortion on her expression, that way of hers like she's almost biting her lips to keep from showing any hint of emotion. But he knew she was also happy to see him. He offered her coffee. She declined with a short laugh. "I still don't drink coffee."

"What do you want then?"

"Beer, silly." And they found themselves hanging out in a small bar, one of those they used to frequent.

It was still late afternoon, and so a few tables were still empty. Taped rock music was playing from the bar, but since they got a table outside, the volume was lowered enough for a conversation.

"I missed you. You should have just told me."

He only smiled at her and took a swig of his beer, his eyes beginning to wander around the bar. She understood he wasn't ready to have that conversation yet—maybe he'll never be. There was still some pain having him there, so close again after all this time. He had grown a short beard, maybe only a few days old. He was even manlier now than before. She reached out to feel his face. He let her, even leaning his head toward her hand, brushing his cheek against it, letting her know he missed her as well. It was all he could do after disappearing so abruptly, leaving her with only stories carelessly thrown around by clueless people. And because both of them knew that he was back now, yes, but he still wouldn't be hers.