I never imagined that a locker-sharing program could bring me heartbreak. Why my locker-mate is my crush has been the question all this time. The summer break, my crush decided to answer it themselves...

***

The roasted cocoa beans' aroma, delicious coffee, and its warm environment at Anna's Coffee was something that made me feel at home. That was the moment I was waiting ever since that summer break.

I was with my classmate Jerry, admiring the heaven-in-disguise. Favorite friend at favorite place. But that was not completely my plan. Inviting my locker-mate Cupid was my first plan. Forget my favorite friend, he was the only guy I swooned over at my school. Yes, there were guys cuter than him. But for me, nobody is cuter than Cupid.

But as Cupid refused to come along with me, I invited Jerry, who agreed to come with me.

***

I heartily had a cup of Latte, along with chocolate croissants. As I paid the money and was about to leave the place, I heard someone calling me.

"Lora?" It was a feminine voice from the cash counter. As I looked back, I saw the young cashier looking at me. It must be that girl, I thought and as I went towards her, she continued, "Well, a guy came yesterday morning, and asked me to give this to you when you come," and gave her a paper. It was a letter written on an A4 sheet.

"Me?" I asked curiously.

"Yes."

"O... Kay," I said and took the paper from her, hesitantly. I looked at Jerry and said, "Jerry, you go home first. I'll join you at the park."

And Jerry said, "Sure, Lora! See you," and left the café, while I took one of the tables there, composing myself and getting ready to read.

***

Hey, Lora!

How is your vacation going? Great, isn't it? Well, don't ask about mine. It's been a terrible phase of my life ever since I came to NYC. My folks were right. We could never survive here for long. I thought that I could fit in in this place, but your friends proved me wrong. I literally enjoyed nothing in your school, because of my every aspect as a Mexican. In fact, I suffered a lot. A lot of bullies and teases, your friends and your seniors tortured me to death.

In all this darkness in my life, I found a ray of hope, which is you. The moment we crossed paths, everything changed for good. At times, you stood for me and spoke up for me. I started believing that only you can make me feel better than anything.

Still, life could and would never be the same. I could no longer live here, and I already had enough. Living as an outcast, life is not easy at all, you know? So I decided to leave forever. No more bullies, no more discomfort.

But, to be brutally honest, I can't say that I will be leaving this place happily. It's not that I'll be missing nobody. I will. I will miss you a lot, Lora. I will definitely miss those days we spent together, those moments we laughed together, cared for each other, standing up for each other, and every nanosecond I spent with you.

And now, I remember your frequently asked question. You used to ask with that whiny tone, right? That's why I chose you as my locker-mate. I used to lie that I don't have any specific reasons, but literally, I have three.

1. You're my one and only companion in NYC.

2. I can't assure the safety of my belongings if someone else was my locker-mate. Thanks to Miss. Maddison for choosing the locker-mate up to our choice.

3. I feel like I'm deeply in love with you and I can't refuse that I don't.

Let me elaborate about the third reason. I've been in love since the day we met. Sometimes, I feel like I need to make you mine forever. I'd honestly planned various ways to propose to you. But I also don't want to ruin your life by this. If I do, then I'm damn sure that you'll have to face all the embarrassments like me as The Official Girlfriend of an Outcast. Thank me for that later.

Now, let me leave. Enjoy to the fullest!

Bye!

Cupid Morales

***

As I was done reading the letter, I could not stop from hating life. I never expected that life could be this cruel too. I thought that I loved my friends, but after reading Cupid's letter, I realized that my friends were so capable of kicking someone out of the country.

Without waiting, I ran outside and got into a cab to go to Cupid's house. I know he must have left NYC by then, but I believe in the existence of something called destiny.

After half an hour of a ride, I reached the street where Cupid lives with his family. I went to the tenth house on the left side of the street, which is Cupid's house. I opened the safety gate and expectantly went towards the door, but it was locked. All my hopes busted down like the clouds outside. It started raining.

While I was thinking whether I could find a way to reach the Morales, I saw their neighbor, Mrs. Bergers, stepping out. Maybe she could help us, I thought.

"Hello, Mrs. Bergers!" I greeted as usual, concealing my fears and worries.

She looked up at me and beamed, "Hey! How are you, dear Lora?"

"Am good, Mrs. Bergers," I replied.

"Fine! What brings my dear here?" Mrs. Bergers asked.

"Well, Mrs. Bergers... I heard that Cupid had left the States with his family. Is that so?" I looked at her, expecting an answer. Something positive.

"Ummm... Do you want to meet Cupid?" She asked back.

"Yes," I said.

"Well..." Her pause made me feel like something is fishy.

"What happened?"

"Cupid committed suicide this morning," she said, and continued, while I couldn't hear more than that. White noise entered my ears and I didn't know what to do next.

After a few minutes, I came back to reality, where it seems like Mrs. Bergers have been expecting an answer.

"What happened, Mrs. Bergers?" I asked.

"What do you mean, Lora? I told you what had happened. Today is his funeral," said Mrs. Bergers.

"Mrs. Bergers, are you leaving for his funeral now?"

"Yeah," she replied.

"Uh... Shall I come with you?" I asked. I need to see him for one last time.

"But..."

"Please!"

After thinking for a while, she agreed.

***

We took a silent stroll to the graveyard where Cupid's funeral took place. I couldn't grieve for his death. I felt like I'd killed him. If I'd been his side stronger, I wouldn't have lost him. Yet, instead of blaming me for not giving him strong support, he thanked me for giving my tiny support, which wouldn't suffice for him.

As we reached the graveyard, we saw the Morales conducting their funeral for Cupid. I let out a sob, while Mrs. Bergers held my shoulder.

I controlled it and went towards Morales. There were Mr. and Mrs. Morales, Cupid's parents, and Jupiter, Cupid's brother. Mrs. Bergers and I stood next to Jupiter, while he greeted only Mrs. Bergers with a weak smile. Ignorance, I thought.

We were staring simply at the rituals they perform. I was afraid that I would forget Cupid. But I know I shouldn't. Because I loved him.

The Bishop buried Cupid's body, along with the love I had for him.

"Rest in peace," I whispered silently.

***

A WEEK LATER...

Mrs. Bergers asked to come to WeCare Hospital at Queens. With a baffled mind and heart, I went there, while Mrs. Bergers and Jupiter were waiting for me.

"What is it, Mrs. Bergers?" I asked.

She gripped my hand and took me, without replying to my questions. She took me to the children's ward.

"Cupid donated his heart. After his death, doctors had transplanted his heart to a kid. He's there," Jupiter said, pointing out at a kid in bed number 7.

I went to the kid, who was happily playing with an elephant doll. It looked up at me as I stood next to him, and gave a smile.

Sitting beside him, I asked, "How are you, dear?"

With a childish voice, it replied, "Fine, sister!"

Tears were stagnant in my eyes. I continued, "Dear. Don't ever feel inferior to yourself. Nobody is stronger than you. If someone teased you, fight back. Don't feel shy. Live like a king. Promise me that you will live like this."

Looking at me innocently, he replied, "I swear, I'll live up to your words, sister!" and gave me a pinkie promise.

I wiped my flowing tears and said, "Call me Lora. Okay?"

"Okay, Lora!" He replied, while it reminded me of Cupid. I hugged him hard and hard like how I hug Cupid.

Word Count: 1470 words