Driven by Temptation

Driven By The Past

I'll use you as a warning sign that if you talk enough sense then you'll lose your mind

I'll use you as a focal point, so I don't lose sight on what I want

I've moved farther than I thought I could

But I missed you more than I thought I would

I'll use you as a warning sign

That if you talk enough sense then you'll lose your mind

~"I found" by Amber Run

xXx

For the past half hour, Rachel has been staring at her reflection, staring at her tired eyes, even assessing her choice of wardrobe. Soft familiar murmurs of distant voices danced around in her head, the sound of cars, boisterous teenage laughter, and the ringing of the various bells that she couldn't quite place. A palette of earthy green, blue and red hues invaded her conscious state as if she should remember exactly what some a part of her might want to reminiscence.

She can almost recall an aroma of cinnamon and peppermint surrounding her, almost forcing her to think harder. She gripped the edge of the sink, looking at herself in the mirror trying to pinpoint where the start of her naivety truly began, and a variety of images of a man flashes through her mind... brown hair... denim jeans... kind eyes...

She looked up to see a man standing right in front of her with a boyish grin plastered on his face and his hands stuffed in his pockets.

She could see his lips moving, but the sound drowned out in front of her as unwanted memories began stirring in her. Rachel squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath for what now awaited her.

"Nice to meet you too, I'm Rachel..."

"Rachel..." His voice dripped honey as her name rolled off the tip of his tongue. "Such a lovely name for such a beautiful girl..." the man settled himself next to her on the bench with the slight graze of their knees not going unnoticed.

She gritted her teeth as her impending headache started to return, she was now a prisoner to the unwanted memories that flowed freely throughout her at its own will, everything seemed heightened; touch, sight, and scent.

"Not to be rude or anything, but you seem a little old to be here... on campus... at a high school," Rachel surveyed, eyeing him closely.

He playfully sighed, "You're right, I don't necessarily go here, but I'm just meeting up with some... acquaintances."

"You're associated to teenagers?" she raises a questioning brow.

"Skeptical, aren't you? I like that."

Rachel blushed and turn her gaze at the high school students throwing a football back and forth on the grass. She closed her journal that was open on her lap, and set it down on the bench and returned her eyes on him.

"I actually graduated from college not too long ago."

"So I'm guessing you're around twenty-two?"

"Close, twenty-three."

His eyes never wavered as she absentmindedly fidgeted with her fingers, not knowing what else to say in fear of embarrassing herself.

"I fear I must go, Rachel. It was a pleasure meeting you," he stated, standing up from the bench, "I hope I can see you again?"

"Uh, well, I uh-"