Sakura (The Legend of the Cherry Blossom)

 

Akihiro sat underneath the apricot tree, enjoying all of the beauty and smells of spring time. It was a bright evening. The moon was hovering in the starless night sky, and its beams were passing through the gaps of the flowers of the apricots, washing everything in an enthralling and magical glow. Paper lanterns were hung on the branches of the trees to add elucidation to the ground of the Daigoji Temple.

Watching and marvelling the beauty of the flowers of the apricots was Akihiro’s favourite way of letting the time pass as inevitable as the flow of the water of the river to the sea. They never failed in making him caught his breath with awe and pleasure. He stood up and ran his fingers all over his kimono to tidy his appearance again. He closed his eyes and breathe in, loving the serene feeling he devours every time he was standing under the canopy of the apricot trees. He opened his eyes and released a fulfilling sigh.

Nothing could ever surpass the beauty of the apricots, he thought.

The newly blossomed apricots were swaying as the crisp wind of February blew in whirls. They were like long drapes hung over an open window. As the petals cascaded through the wind from the dancing trees, Akihiro reached his hand, palm up, and caught a single petal. It was the colour of the sky when the sun kisses the sea during sunset.

“Aren’t they just breathtakingly beautiful?” a voice of a lady behind Akihiro said and he almost jump in surprise for he did not notice somebody came behind him.

He turned to his back and held his breath as he stared of such beauty that instantaneously held his heart captive. Standing in front of him was a lady around his age. She got deep brown eyes, and as he stared at them, he feels like being lured. He felt like the world had seemed stopped running around him. Her lips were as rosy pink as her cheeks, like they were still in the grasps of the winter chill. Akihiro wanted more than anything to touch and caress them. She was wearing a kimono a pale hue of crimson. Her hair billowed with the wind, and Akihiro thought for a moment he might like to run his fingers in delight over her hair. She looked at him, and for a moment, he felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest as she smiled at him a bewitching smile. Ethereal. He finally found something that surpassed the beauty of the apricots, only she wasn’t a thing.

“May I have the pleasure of knowing your name, my dear lady?” he said, and curtsied.

“Sakura.” She said, and handed him a beautiful pink flower. “My name is Sakura.”

Akihiro stared at the beautiful and velvety pink flower that was rested in the palm of his hand. Its petals were elliptical and as pink as her cheeks and lips. Never did he ever see that flower before. A flower that, like Sakura, was far more beautiful than the apricot’s. He looked up. His mouth gaped as he realized that Sakura was gone. He let his gaze travel around him, to the trees and to the bushes, but she was nowhere in sight.

Sakura. He kept on thinking about her as he lied that night to sleep. Sakura, he kept on muttering under his breath, loving the feeling of her name on his lips although it made nothing to fill the huge gaping hole of longing he felt for her in his heart. That was a night full of thoughts about her, and Akihiro was oblivious that the sleep was lurking around until it claimed him.

The next days after the night of their meeting, Akihiro had searched for Sakura. He’d gone back into the temple and onto the ground that was packed with people. But she’s nowhere to find. He had searched everywhere, high and low, but it seemed Sakura was refusing to reappear again. He’s hopeless, searching for a lady he barely knew. He almost give up until one day, he finally found her.

Akihiro was getting into a caving stone archway that led to the ground of the temple. In the distance, he could see the people were gathering on the grounds. Others were already settled underneath the apricot trees, eating and drinking, and children were running and playing. The apricots were in full bloom now, and its flowers were like flames decorated all over the tree. Despite the distress he was feeling, his lips curved into a weak and tired smile. But that smile was ephemeral, for it turned into a hopeful smile as his gaze darted into a single pink flower that lied peacefully on the grass. It was the same flower that Sakura had given him the night they met.

“She is here,” he said in a whisper, picking the flower from the embrace of the grass. He went half-running to the ground, unable to suppress his excitement of the thought that he had a chance of seeing Sakura again.

Akihiro found her sitting on the edge of the fountain, running her fingers in its water and humming a very enchanting lullaby.  She was staring at a tree that I’d never seen grow; bear fruits or leaves or flowers before. It was the only unattractive and distracting thing among all of the beauty there was in the temple’s ground.

“Isn’t it very distracting?” Akihiro said the moment he was standing beside her. Sakura didn’t even flinch or cringe in surprise. But instead, she gave him a puzzled look when she looked at him. “I mean the tree. It’s out of place here in this beautiful ground. How unfortunate. It should be cut down and make firewood.”

Sakura shook her head before turning to look at the tree. Then she stood up beside Akihiro.

“It’s beautiful. Just because it doesn’t have leaves and flowers and fruits doesn’t mean it’s unsightly.  We must look inside and deeper because sometimes, what we see with our eyes is deceiving. Some beauties are hidden. Just like this tree.” She said. She slowly walked towards the tree and Akihiro followed behind her. She stopped a few feet away from the tree’s trunk. She reached up her hand and pressed her palm on the trunk, and then closed her eyes. “Feel it.”

Akihiro did the same. He pressed his palm just beside Sakura’s, and reluctantly closed his eyes, feeling foolish. Akihiro was stunned, for he felt like the tree was shuddering by his palm. It seemed like it had its own heart and was pulsating and beating. They took their hands away, which left Akihiro in a bewildering moment.

“Did you feel it, Akihiro?” Sakura asked, smiling at him. Her hair was ornamented with those beautiful pink flowers. He reproduced the one he got from the grass and tucked it back on her hair, where it truly belonged.

“Yes. It was shuddering however that happened. Or maybe it was just my imagination.” He replied, shrugging his shoulders.

“Maybe,” she said and started walking off.

“Sakura, how did you know my name?”

“The people said you have searched for me. Have you?”

“Yes. I mean…uh … It’s just that…” he stammered.

He stopped struggling to find some words to say when Sakura held his hand, and entwined her fingers with his. “Then I will stay and never leave you again.”

That was the spring time when their love started growing in their hearts. Akihiro never dreamed that the day would come he’ll find a lady that would capture his heart. All of those days that he was just chasing down a daydream; all of those days that he was living in a blur have come to an end. For there came Sakura who made his life clearer than a crystal.

Summer time came, and the two became inseparable. The love they felt for each other had bloomed, emanating a fragrant that nothing could ever be compared. Autumn came, when the flowers were starting to wilt and leaves were starting to fell off from their branches, yet their love had never wilted nor fell off from their hearts. It was still entrenched in there, irremovable, for forever.

But when the snow of the winter had just started to fall, Sakura was tainted with a terrible sickness. She was constantly visited by a high fever, and sometimes she was retching blood if not through her nose. Akihiro was very anxious, for he didn’t know what to do. His heart was being tortured and tormented every time he heard Sakura groan in pain. He dreamed that if only he could take away her pain, he would ache herself just for her. But he can not. And he didn’t know what to do about her. He was sorrowful every time he played in his mind what Sakura had said to him one night that she’s destined to die on the time of the winter solstice. He knew she could be strange some times. But he chose not to believe her. He cannot lose her.

“I’m leaving,” Sakura said in a weak and tired voice.

“No. you are not leaving. You’re too weak to go out.” Akihiro said, squeezing her cold hands. He dried the perspiration that was forming on her forehead with a cloth, and then threw the blanket to keep her warm.

The snow was still falling lightly outside. The chill of the winter was grasping Akihiro’s heart, turning it into an ice, and he didn’t know what to do to give it warm again.

“It’s winter solstice. I’ll leave now,” Sakura rested her head on Akihiro’s chest, loving his smell and the warmth he was emanating.

Akihiro threw his arms around her and released a heavy sigh as he realized what she really meant about her leaving. “I thought you are staying with me forever.”  Akihiro struggled not to cry, but the tears were starting to form, stinging his eyes. “I thought you will never going to leave me.”

“Don’t worry. I will come back for you.” She looked on his face, and dried the tears that were now flowing to his cheeks with her fingers. “I will.”

“When?” he asked between sobs, although he knew she wasn’t coming back ever again once she’s gone.

“On spring. And every spring since. I will ”

Akihiro didn’t really understand what she was saying, but he agreed anyway, not wanting to wear her out. He hummed the lullaby she taught him until she fell asleep. She fell asleep in his arms. And she knew that she will never wake up forever. The winter chill that was grasping his grief-stricken heart thawed and its water flowed out through his eyes into something that he knew would never end cascading.

He never knew why, but when spring came, he waited for her, convincing himself that she’s coming back. He knew that she was gone, but a tiny flame of hope was still flickering inside his heart. Everyday he was dreaming of having her again; caressing her rosy pink cheeks and kissing her little soft lips.

It was blooming season again, and this time, the apricots failed in making him happy. He wandered as lonely as a wind all over the ground of the temple, until he came into the flowerless, fruitless and leafless tree that Sakura had admired for a reason that was too bewildering for him to understand. The memories of them had come ringing through the air, and Akihiro sat down, and leaned his back on the tree’s trunk. He gazed around him, feeling like he was reunited with Sakura again. He could hear in the breeze the lullaby that Sakura loved to hum. Akihiro found himself smiling again since a long time that he wasn’t as he hummed along with the breeze, closing his eyes, hoping Sakura would appear when he opened them again.

When he opened his eyes, his mouth gaped in awe. Right before his eyes, a magical moment was happening. The beautiful pink flowers of Sakura were emerging one after another on the branches of the tree; from velvety buds until they dramatically open, revealing their surrealistic beauty. She had lived with her promise, and Akihiro can’t help himself not to smile. He stood up and kept his gaze onto the beautiful flowers above him. Then he reached his hand and pressed his palm on the trunk of the tree. Now, he will never be bewildered again. But he would believe that the tree was pulsating and beating Sakura’s heart.

The fruitless, leafless and flowerless tree was now the most beautiful thing in his eyes.

“Aishiteru, Sakura.”

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The Last Kiss (Chapter 13)

By gian carlo ♥

Chapter 13

Late and Pink Undies

THE LAST KiSS (CHAPTER 1). <— CLiCK THiS to READ THE CHAPTER 1
The Last Kiss (Chapter 12) <— CLiCK THiS to READ THE CHAPTER 12

“Hello,” I answered my phone that had been ringing wildly which moved me out from a deep sleep. I moved from my bed to the bathroom in slow, dragging steps, with my phone still in my ear but not really hearing any single word the caller, a guy, was saying. I wasn’t very alert till I washed my face with a cool water, and the guy on the other end was now definitely pissed at me.

“…won’t speak up, I’m gonna drive to your house and shove your phone down your throat ‘til you choke to death!” he went, and I laughed mockingly as I realized who it was.

“What’s so funny, huh?” Seth inquired irritatingly, and I could only imagine his face turning red with a frown and eyes were bulging, smokes belching out both of his ears. Just like in cartoons.

I yawned and stretched my back and my free hand. I squinted at the clock on my bedside table, and it read 8:46.

“I mean it,” he said. “I really do. And if I were you, I’d panic and hide myself in the drawer. Right. Now.”

I laughed.

“As if you know where I live,” I sat on my bed wanting to tease him. If he thought he can annoy me, well, he thought wrong. I knew he just called for that. Perhaps he’s still angry at me for calling him a jerk yesterday. He probably got my number from Arielle.

“Yes, I do,” he chuckled. “I had even seen you through your window dancing in front of the mirror with only your undies. And it was pink!” He laughed. I felt the color drain on my face, remembering that one morning when I did what he had just said, out of happiness of the news I received that I got the lead role of a play last spring. But however did he know that? Corinne’s window, perhaps.“You look like a fool. Did you know that? Perhaps you do because you’re looking at yourself in the mirror.”

He let out a very unattractive laugh, and I hang up.

Oh, my gehd! Now that was one, real embarrassing thing. Of all the people… him!

He rang again, and I felt like throwing my phone onto the wall, smashing it into tiny pieces and imagining it’s him. But only it’s a no no because as far as I am concerned, my phone was definitely innocent. So I answered him instead.

“Caught ya!” he said between guffaws. “So that was true then? I just heard it from Corinne. I never believed a word of it. Not until now.”

I felt the anger rising onto my throat. Fine, he won.

Corinne’s also one of the Barbies (aka Bitches) who was living next door. Her bedroom was also on the second floor of their house, facing mine. And we definitely see each other through our glass windows. I even saw her having a god-knows-what with Tim Perkins, long before she realized I might be watching them. She saw me gawking at them, and gave me a finger before closing the shutter. But I didn’t mention it to anybody even to Arielle and Kirsten. Now that was unfair!

“Cut the crap, Harris!” I belted out, wanting to smack his face. If only my fist could get inside my phone, I already smack the crap out of him. “Believe what you wanted to believe. You believe whatever is told to you anyway.” I switched my phone from one hand to the other because I felt like it’s heating my ear. “If somebody would tell you eating a worm would make you look good, I doubt you would even give it a second thought before you eat one. You’re like that, and you’re not worth the trouble of straitening things up with.”

“Eww. That’s nasty,” he said, enjoying himself. “Now he’s annoyed. Haha. Chill out, man!”

“Yes, I am totally annoyed. Who would not be when someone call you and knock you out of your sweet dream just to tell nonsense craps? But then again, you’re like that. Nothing’s new, really, right? So I’m already tired of your I-don’t-know-I’m-being-a-jerk-all-the-time act you put on,” I looked sharply at Corinne’s window and she’d just woken up. That bitch. “Why don’t you just…die?”

“Okay. Fine. Sorry.” He said. “Now that’s so cruel of you.”

“And you just called just to destroy my Saturday morning?” I said, eyebrow rising. Not that he could see it, but still.

“No and Yes. Okay. No, I didn’t call you to give you a bad morning which turned out that I have done anyway. So. Sorry for that, pancake. And yes, it was Saturday today! Yay!” he said cheerfully. And then his voice shifted to being cold and serious. “And you forget that today’s the day the different school clubs and orgs open for those who wanted to join what. Which means you need to get your ass in here.”

“Oh, crap, no!” I smacked my head with my palm. “Why didn’t you tell me immediately? Anyway, thanks for reminding me.” I paused, and joked. “Oh! Is that concern I am sensing?”

“Ha ha. Dream on!” he said frostily. “Just want to let you know that… You. Will. Gonna. Be. Goddamn late for our appointment with Mrs. Pascal, you fag!”

“Ah, hell no!” I smacked my head, this time a little harder. “I’ll be there in a…” I glanced at the clock on my bedside table and it read 8:48, and our appointment with Mrs. Pascal must be at 9:00. “I’ll be there right away!”

I hang up and threw my phone on the bed where it bounced a little on the mattress. I slid out of my shirt and pajama bottoms, and went for a shower.

* * *

Thirty minutes later, I was glancing wearily at the throng of students crowding the entrance hall of Crustville High. I knew I was supposed to be hurrying up but what for? I was already lat anyway. I just felt like watching the perky-looking freshmen who were wandering here and there, chattering about what club they will sign into. I scanned the crowds for familiar faces and saw Arielle flocked with her cool cheerleader friends (The cheerleaders were divided into two. The Barbies of Andra and Arielle’s Herd) who were all wearing their red-and-white costume.

I waved at them, and they waved back at me. And I was confused why they’re all giggling, and even from a distant I could see them batting their eyelashes.What? They fancy me now? Ew.

The reason just dawned on me when I turned on my back and saw Seth standing behind me. He was wearing his basketball jersey and looked really gorgeous. He looked even more attractive in his jersey; muscles showing and all that. I almost admired him. But the problem was… it’s him.

He’s angry. I could tell by just looking at his way of looking at me (like I’m a greedy dog who’d just eaten his lunch) as he strolled towards me.

He grabbed me by my hand and pulled me, and was dragging me as he made his way past the crowd of students, and I almost stumbled. When I regained my composure, I put force on my feet, arching my back, and tried to break his grip on my wrist. He still dragged me a little slowly and my sneakers squeaked onto the tile floor.

“Hey, hey, hey!” I punched his knuckles that were now white because of the tightness of his grip. “Loosen up! Or else I will bite you.”

We stopped and he freed my hand. I released a heavy sigh. “I not a baby, you know. I can walk.”

“He turned to face me with a fierce look. Like he’s going to eat me alive. “Now don’t look at me like that. I’m scared. Okay.”

I smiled cheerily at him, with all my teeth showing, wanting to make his anger left in a sudden rush, flowing out of his body like a bubbling stream.

“Whatever,” he let out a breath and shook his head before returning to walk.

I followed like a puppy behind him, rubbing my wrist that was marked red by his fingers.

“We’re goddamn late,” he said coldly.

“I know. I’m sorry,” I said, putting an extra kindness to my voice as much as I can. I knew better not to start with him. After all, it was my fault we’re late.

Now we were on the courtyard. The Barbies are practicing their routines, tumbling and spinning. And Andra, looking like at ease that she would still be the captain, was sitting on the lap of (none other than) Lance, who was leaning on a tree, wearing the same jersey as Seth’s. He’s very amuse, huh! Aahhh. How sweet. I bet the ants were crawling onto their skins, and that they just didn’t notice.

My eyes (not to mention my mind) were practically glued on them while walking that I didn’t realize Seth stopped in his pacing and I bumped onto his chest. I was glad he threw his arms around me which prevented me from falling down which would definitely be a one, humiliating accident. I stomped on his foot though which made him yell “ouch!”. But I bet he’s just overreacting. What with both of those big shoes of him. Jeez.

“Watch your steps, will you?” he retorted, and his gazed swept to where Andra and Lance were flirting. He then look at me and his face lit up into a grin, along with a shaking head. He turned to continue walking, and I followed behind him. I was glad he grinned. That only meant he was now cooling down.

But that made me think if he knew a thing about us, Lance and me. What with that look on his face, and a grin that seemed saying I know something. Well, it could be he’s just thinking I envied them. I don’t care, really, we’re over anyway.

We’re now entering the building where Mrs. Pascal’s office was. I greeted Mr. Heffley a good morning, suppressing my laughter as I remembered the look of his face when I accidentally threw a Kleenex right on his face.

“You’re a courteous lad, huh!” Seth said.

“I know,” I replied, eyes rolling. I looked onto his back, on his jersey that was number 8 and made a mental note to ask him later if it meant something to him.

“We’re almost an hour late,” he said.

“I know.”

Mrs. Pascal must be very angry by now.”

“I know.”

“She might make our punishment even harder.”

“I know.”

“Now will you please stop saying ‘I know’? It’s very irritating.”

“I know.” I covered my mouth with both of my hands so that the laughter that was now forming would not escape.

He knocked at Mrs. Pascal’s office door, and whispered, “Good Luck, to us!”. He looked at me, smiled, took my hand and we went inside the office.

TO BE CONTiNUED…

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The Last Kiss (Chapter 12)

Chapter 12

My Savior

THE LAST KiSS (CHAPTER 1). <— CLiCK THiS to READ THE CHAPTER 1

The Last Kiss (Chapter 11)<— CLiCK THiS to READ THE CHAPTER 11

“Perfect,” I moaned as I looked at my watch.

This Friday was one of the ugliest days in my life. First, I’d bumped into Seth and got oil washed all over me. Second, Seth splashed a soda on my face when he opened it, and claimed that it was just an accident, which, of course, I wouldn’t buy ever. And lastly, because of Seth, I got myself into detention for yelling and throwing Kleenex at Mr. Yeah, I know I’m the one who did those, but still.

And now, my car was gone. It probably went home already. Jeez. I knew Arielle stole it again. My only possible transport was the guy I’ve been avoiding the whole day who was now pulling out of CH parking lot. The last thing I wanted was to get myself bitten off─ again.

Once again, I scanned the parking lot, hoping I’d see a potential transporter because I’m so not riding Seth’s car. But as my sight traveled the whole lot, I was disappointed. No one could ride me home but Seth’s that was revving in the driveway.

I walked confidently as possible, Seth’s car behind me. I could use a little pride, you know. I pretended to be texting when he finally overtook me.

“Hi,” he said.

I turned and looked at him through his rolled down passenger-side window.

“Hey,” I said, and started walking off again.

“Need a ride?” he got out of his car and leaned his arms on its roof. “I saw Arielle left a while ago with your car.”

I surveyed him in silence for a moment, thinking whether I should take or leave his offer.What if he’ll get me into a huge car accident this time? Jeez. I still wanted to live.

“Come on. I just wanted to get even with you. You know . . . after all those oils, and soda and detention you got because of me.” He smiled apologetically.

“Wow! Just wow!” I clapped my hands, slowly yet loudly. “I’m so glad you’ve finally realized it was your entire fault.”

“No,” he countered. “They were not my fault. They’re all accidents. Maybe I’m the reason but still. Plainly accidents, ‘kay?”

I was about to take his offer when I heard a Mustang engine revving in the driveway. I sighed in relief. It was Rolf. Maybe I could ask him to give me a ride home.

He stopped near Seth’s car, and then poked his head out of the window.

“Hi.” He flashed me that smile that was filled with friendliness. But it made my scalp tingle. “Arielle took your car. He asked me to give you a ride home.”

“Oh, definitely!” I started walking towards his car. “I’m glad you came because some jerk was offering me a ride home.” I said, loud enough for Seth to hear.

“Goodman it, Rile! I am a jerk now? Look, I was trying to be nice to you. And if you don’t want it, then fine!” He said angrily, got inside his car and slammed the door very hard.

He went away at extremely high speed I was scared he’d knock into me.

I turned to Rolf and shrugged. He shook his head and smiled.

“Thanks,” I walked around his car and onto the passenger side. I pulled at the door handle once, twice. It didn’t open.

Rolf leaned over with a grin and easily popped the door open. “Hop in.’

“Oh, thanks,” I climbed in and slammed the door. “This has been the worst day of my─”

I turned towards him at the exact moment he twisted his torso around to glance behind us. My nose was practically touching the center of his chest. I pushed myself back into my seat, but not before smelling his light but distinctly citrusy scent.

“Worst day?” Rolf asked as he shifted his gears.

“Never mind.” I said.

He leaned over to turn the radio dial, and as he withdrew his arm, it brushed against my knee. Suddenly, a vivid dream flashed on my mind. It was like yesterday when he came down the beach and found me there so lonely. What made it different from reality is that, there had been lips and hands and fingertips involved. That was why I didn’t want to wake up but my alarm clock kept on ringing, pulling me out of the Utopia.

What am I thinking? Get a grip, Greswode! Why are you thinking like this? Jeez. I forced my eyes to stare straight ahead. We were now heading downtown.

Maybe I got a crush on him. I pressed my palm on my chest. My heart beats fast. It’s not as wild when I’m with Lance. But still. I inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm myself.

Yes, I got a crush on him. I glanced down at his fingers, wrapped around the gearshift. I almost reached out and placed my hand over his just to see how it felt. But I looked out the window instead.

“How was your day?” he asked, interrupting my internal babbling. “I bet you’ve been through a lot today.” He laughed lightly.

“Yeah, right,” I looked into his eyes. “Well, thanks to Seth,” I said sarcastically and shrugged. “He made my day real perfect.” I rolled my eyes.

“Have you been crying?” his brows merged together as he looked me into the eyes. I remembered the scene between me and Lance inside the detention room. I almost said yes, but managed to hold the words before they come out of my mouth.

“No,” I shook my head. “Hey! Keep your eyes focus on the road. I don’t wanna die yet.” I chortled lamely.

He shifted his gaze from me to the road.

“Have you heard the story of the elephant and the mouse?” he asked.

“No,” I answered. “Will you tell me?”

“Sure,” he smiled. “The story goes like this. One day, a mouse told the elephant, ‘Elephant, I am pregnant and you’re the father.’ Upon hearing this, the elephant was shocked that he collapsed. The next day, they went to a doctor for a test. Then the elephant happily whispered something into the ear of the mouse. Then the mouse was so shocked that she collapsed.” He turned to me. “Do you know what the elephant whispered?”

I raised my brow as if I was thinking. “No?”

He chuckled. “What the elephant whispered was, ‘Yes, I am the father. And our babies are twin; twin elephants’.”

Upon hearing this, I burst out laughing my stomach hurt. I smacked him lightly on the shoulder as I held my chest. “That was just so funny, Rolfy!”

“You like it?”

“Supah like,” I winked at him.

“You wanna hear it again?”

“Hear what?” I rubbed the tears of joy out of my eyes. “The elephant and the mouse?”

“Yup.”

“For what?” I frowned.

“So that you’ll laugh. I want to hear you laughing.” He grinned at me. “You snort like a pig.”

“No I don’t.” I crossed my arms on my chest as I leaned by the window. “What’s the point of retelling it? You can’t laugh with the same joke over and over again.”

“I know,” he said, and I turned to him with a questioning look. “But why do we keep on crying with the same thing, or person, over and over again, Rile?” he said in a voice that was almost a whisper. And I could sense a deep pain on it that was waiting and wanting to surface. “Why, Rile?”

I sat there silently staring at the seemingly endless road ahead of us, taking in what he’d just said. Suddenly remembering the times I cried over and over again. For a lost love. For Lance.

“You okay?” he asked cautiously.

“Yeah,” I said in a broken whisper. I cleared my throat. “I’m okay.” I smiled, attempting a light, breezy expression.

“You want to go out for a hamburger?”

“Sure.” I said.

“How about the Red Tongue?”

“Okay. Fine with me.”

Then there was silence for a minute or two.

“How are things going on with Lance?” he asked when we stopped at a light.

I didn’t answer. I just shrugged my shoulders.

“The trick is not to let him see you’re affected. Just smile. Walk with your nose high until it scrapes the ceiling.” He laughed.

“Woah! That was one bloody advise.” I laughed. “I think I’m gonna right that on my to-do list.”

Then we drove a little bit in silence.

We pulled in to the parking lot of the Red Tongue. Rolf got out of the car first to open my door, but I was already standing outside. He did manage to hold open the glass door of the restaurant for me, though, and watched as I passed through. I hoped the other diners didn’t notice because that’s just awkward. I mean, I’m not into PDA. Well, if you count that act an ‘affection’. I didn’t know. But that was just plainly awkward.

We settled into a booth overlooking the parking lot, and Rolf ordered us both burgers, cokes, and a side of French fries to share.

“What street do you live?” I asked.

“East Sixty. Why?”

“Just wondering.”

The waitress brought our foods and we both began to eat. I took small bites, chewed and swallowed as silently as I could, dabbed my mouth daintily to make sure there were no crumbs and mayo. I was careful to alternate my reach for fries with his, one to one, giving his fingers ample time to retreat.

“Do you have a girlfriend right now?” I asked as I took a tissue from the table.

“Did. She dumped me for another guy.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“That’s fine,” he took a big bite on his burger, leaving a crescent shape on it. “I’m moving on.”

“And by that, you mean, you still love her?”

He paused for a while before nodding his head slowly.

“It’s her loss. You’re a nice guy. Ideal boyfriend. I bet it’s turning her nuts realizing what she’d lost.”

“I doubt that. She’s happy now. And I’m happy for her.”

“Please. That’s a bull.” I waved my hand in front of me. “Of course you aren’t happy for her. Because when you haven’t let go yet, you could only feel pain and nothing more. Pain. Even me. No matter how much I try to be happy for him, I just can’t.”

“We’re the same, eh?”

“Definitely! And let’s drink to that!” I raised my glass of coke and he did the same.

We tossed and laughed, loud enough for the heads of the other diners to turn our way.

Rolf deposited the last of his burger into his mouth. “We might as well work hand in hand in nursing our broken hearts,” he chuckled.

I wasn’t quite sure what he meant, but I agreed anyway.

“Come on. I’d better give you a lift to your home.” He took the sole, remaining fry, swirled it in catsup, bit off half and offered the other half to me.

“Fair is fair,” he said, smiling.

I took it through my mouth, my lips brushing against his fingers.

He threw his arm over me, and together we went back to his car, laughing.

TO BE CONTiNUED…

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