A Missing Puzzle Piece

Zach’s POV

I was left in complete shock after Travis and everything he had said to me. I had never expected anything like that from him. I pulled open the car door, and just stood there far a moment.

Travis wanted Molli too, and obviously thought he had a good chance with her. When I saw Molli in the corner, I had thought she was mine for sure. TRAVIS. Travis wanted her too.

I shook my head and sat in the car. I turned on the radio. Nicole knew Molli, and knew who Molli was. She had made that VERY clear in our little conversation. Ilya wanted Molli to know who she was. Nicole was strongly opposed to it.

Nicole had been really pissed off when I told her she I was on Ilya’s team for this one. She told me we were “ruining Molli’s future” or something. That’s not true. Molli was so happy when she went to hockey games, and I loved it when she would come to my games and push me to be the best hockey player I could be. I remember clearly the fire in her eyes, the smile on her face and how her cheeks would be pink from the cold of the ice. She was beautiful for sure, and extremely kind and caring. I loved her. And I guess I still do.

I pulled out of the parking lot, still lost in thought. I don’t want Travis to see the green ambitious fire that lights her eyes when she was determined. I don’t want Travis to see hear her laugh after a good joke. I don’t want Travis to entwine his fingers in hers. I don’t want Travis to see that beautiful smile that lit her face. I don’t want Travis to see her little shy smile when she is uncomfortable. I don’t want Travis to see her face when tears are streaming down her cheeks when she’ll still trying to be strong. And I never ever, ever, ever want Travis to feel her lips on his.

“Damn!” I screamed. Why did I have to lose her in the first place? “God dammit!”

I still consider Molli mine. Nobody else does, but Molli is MINE. I’ve seen her every side, I know her the best. I know how to make her happy. I know her. Nobody knows her like I do. Nobody in this world.

I pulled into my home, and I realized Travis would already be here. Realizing I was going to be the one staying in a local hotel. I wasn’t in the mood to hang out with him. Then I had a better idea.

I saw Travis’s car in the driveway. I sent him a text. I’ll be back later, probably. I said, not explaining myself.

I pulled out of the driveway. I drove over to Ilya’s with an idea.

I saw that they were home and I banged on the door, hoping they would come to the door, and hoping I wasn’t interrupting anything.

Ilya answered. “Hi Zach. What can I do for you?”

I answered, “I need Molli’s address.”

“Tryin’ to get lucky, I see.” Ilya said with a smirk.

I just took it and laughed. “You know me all too well. Nah, I just wanna talk to her. It’s been about 9 years man.”

Ilya nodded. “Ok. Nick’s in the shower so I’ll have to search for it myself. Come on in.”

I stepped in, and followed Ilya down the hall. He fumbled through some papers. “I can’t find it Zach. Sorry.”

Nicole came down the stairs in a bathrobe. Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. “Zach, I didn’t expect…”

“Nicole do you have Molli’s address? Someone’s trying to get lucky.” Ilya said with a smile.

Nicole rolled her eyes. “Get lucky with MOLLI? Do you know her at all? She’s not going to,”

Ilya cut her off. “Just give the man the address.”

“Right. Ok, Zach. 31 Ashland Street. On the left side if you go in through Plymouth, which I highly suggest if you’re going from here.” Nicole said off the top of her head.

“Where’s my house?” I asked, mocking her.

“I spend a lot of time with Miss Molli. Go have fun. Do you want me to write it down for you?”

31 Ashland Street. “No, I got it.” I answered. “Thanks. And uh, sorry.”

Nicole smiled at Ilya but was talking to me when she said, “It’s no problem. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye.”

I got back in my car. I didn’t plan on doing anything but talk to Molli, despite Nicole and Ilya’s speculations.

I drove up the street. I looked carefully at each house number, memorizing the look of Molli’s street. How her taste had changed in the last decade.

I smiled seeing it was exactly the same. The houses were small and the area had lots of trees, with flowers and leaves beginning to emerge, even in the dark of the night I could see that.

I parked my car in Molli’s driveway. There was a big window, and I could see the kitchen through the thin cream-colored curtains. I smiled, seeing that there was a water bottle and a plate that seemed to have a slice of pizza on it. The chair was pushed out, and I briefly wondered where Molli was.

I would soon find out, walking up to her door through some leafy branches. I didn’t ring the doorbell instead I remembered our secret knock and decided to use that. Then I remembered she wouldn’t remember.

The door creaked as it was opened. Molli’s hair was wet, and tied in a ponytail in the back of her head. She was wearing an old baggy shirt that I remembered, even recognizing it as my own. It was a concert shirt, Bruce Springsteen. I remembered that concert. How I wanted to take Molli, but she was in Virginia that weekend.

I smiled. “Hi.”

She just rolled her eyes. “Come on in.”

I smiled more at her sarcastic greeting. Travis wouldn’t understand it. But I saw it coming.

Molli sat down, leaving me standing. I shut the door, and when I turned back, she was finishing her dinner.

I took the empty chair across the table. “So, how’s life?” I asked.

Molli just shook her head. “Hard. You?”

“Same.”

Molli’s green eyes burned into my brown ones. “So, how’s hockey treating you?”

“Hard.” I replied with a little laugh. “But I want to talk about you. Did you say you were born in Virginia? Earlier.”

She nodded. “That’s what my mom said.”

Her mom hated me for leaving Molli.

I just sighed. “Any news from your dad in the last nine years?”

Molli’s father went missing four days before her sisters wedding. Molli and Elizabeth would cry together into the night, and Elizabeth (Molli’s sister) even postponed the wedding, hoping they could find her father. I remember when the news was broken to Molli. I had gone over to her house 2 minutes after. She was sobbing, and she just hugged me and sobbed into my chest.

Molli shook her head. “Nothing. Not even a death notification. Oh Zach,” Her eyes were clouding again, and I could see the tears about to come.

I took her hand, while she looked at me, and let me lead her as tears flowed down her cheeks silently. I found the couch and sat down, and pulled her down next to me. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have brought it up.” I said, as she sobbed into my shoulder, snuggling up into me.

Molli’s tears finally ceased, and she looked at me. “Thanks. I really appreciate you being here. I missed your shoulder.”

She used to cry on my shoulder all the time. Whenever she was a little upset, my shoulder would be here for her. So would my open arms. But then I left. I hung my head.

She threw her arm around me. “And what’s up with you, Sad Eyes?” I never cried, but whenever there was something up, my eyes give it away. That was Molli’s nickname for me.”

“I, I thought you said that you didn’t remember anything about us…” How could she remember Sad Eyes, or my shoulder?

Molli sighed. “I don’t.”

I let it go, but I wouldn’t forget. I just sat there with Molli on her couch, holding her hand and giving it an occasional squeeze.

She looked at me with a smile. Out of nowhere, she leaned in and kissed my cheek. I was stunned. I never expected that! I wanted to scream in excitement. She loved me! She loved me! She STILL loved me!

I wrapped my arms around her, and held her tight. This was another thing Travis wasn’t allowed to experience with Molli. He wasn’t allowed to love her. He wasn’t allowed to give her a huge hug to cure all her worries.

I kissed the side of her head. We looked at each other, and at the same moment, leaned in. Our lips were almost touching. I closed my eyes. When I reopened them her eyes were closed too. I smiled at her, even though she couldn’t see.

I loved her. I really did. I wondered if she felt the same way. “Molli,” I whispered.

She opened her green eyes and smiled. “Zach?”

Even her voice was beautiful. I gave her a small grin. “Have you had your first kiss? I mean after the accident.”

“No,” She said, her smile growing. Her hand went to my chest, and her other hand went around my neck.

“Well, are you ready for your first kiss then?” I whispered happily, being unable to drag this out any longer.

Molli pulled away real fast, crushing my heart into a billion tiny pieces.

I looked at her, hoping the hurt would show clear in my eyes. I opened my moth but closed it.

Then out of nowhere she came at me, attaching her lips to mine. Her hands were on my shoulders, and my hands were on her waist.

She broke away. I teased, “That’s no fun!”

Molli’s green fire eyes shone, she raised an eyebrow, and sat back down on the couch and I could tell the moment was over.

I sat down next to her. She snuggled in really close. I didn’t want the kissing to be over. It had been nine years. I needed it again. Deciding not to ask for it, I smashed my lips against hers.

I could tell she was surprised, and that made it better. She kissed me back.

After nine years, she was mine again.