for : winterblitzz23 (sorry i took so long) XD i couldn't decide what to write. but hey, i hope this is okay. WRITERS BLOCK.

"I'm sure you can move on from this, Romeo." the blond haired woman patted his back as he sighed.

"I don't know, Stella.. we've.. been together for so long." his voice grew fainter at the last few words, still hurt by Xara's final words to him as she left him for Fred. The third guy in their trio.

"I know," Stella sighed, still petting Romeo's back as he clutched a cup of tea. "But you're strong enough to get through this! I mean, look what you've accomplished!" she gestured to the walls, "You always told yourself that you could never live alone but now you've got your own house."

Romeo looked at the carpet, his bare feet drawing patterns as he thought about Stella's words. The blonde always seemed to be there for him, supporting him and sometimes inviting him over for lunch back at her place.

But Romeo couldn't help but feel like a burden to her. "I'm sorry Stella," he rubbed his eyes with a piece of tissue, "But I-I'm fine now."

Stella raised an eyebrow, grabbing a piece of tissue as well. She seemed to hesitate a little before gently reaching out to wipe away a tear which Romeo had missed. "Really?" she asked, looking at him.

Romeo nodded glumly, breaking the eye contact. "Uh huh... I think I need to take a walk, like you always suggest.."

Stella smirked, "I'm surprised you actually remember, to be honest," she flipped her hair. "Well, let's get going and clear that empty head of yours." she stood up, resting her hand on his shoulder of a moment before heading into the kitchen.

Romeo leaned back in his grey couch, looking out the window to see the balcony, where there were potted plants and gardening tools dumped at the sides.

Ever since Xara returned from her trip to California, many many years ago, she had reunited with Fred and Romeo. And when Xara accepted to actually marry Romeo... well.. everything went downhill from there.

And he didn't know what he did wrong.

Sure, the first few months were alright. The two had always had many moments of laughter and happiness and even spent their first Christmas together.

They turned their apartment balcony into a miniature garden, all because Xara loved the outdoors. They bought this house together, hand in hand as they moved in.

Romeo did everything he could to make her happy.

And all that changed when Romeo found out about her secret admirer, Fred. Their old friend...

Turns out, the two had been exchanging letters back and forth. Not as pen pals, but...

"Don't think about it too much," Stella nudged his shoulder, making him look up at her from the couch. "If you do, you're never gonna get over her." she told him as she held out a hand.

Romeo took her hand, feeling a little uneasy since the last time he held someone else's hand, it was Xara's.

Romeo had many qualities. He was sometimes selfish, self centered and he loved attention. But he wasn't a cheater. He didn't have an unfaithful bone in his body so he naturally didn't feel comfortable holding another woman's hand.

Stella seemed to notice though, because she gently let go of Romeo's hand, letting it drop by his side. "Sorry.." she apologised. Without a word, Romeo nodded, feeling empty without Xara by his side.

"It's gonna be okay, Romeo," Stella got in the car, and he followed her. "Just relax while I drive us somewhere.. I think you might like it." she glanced at him as he stared out the car window, propping his head with his arm as more cars drove past.

"Alright then.." Stella started the engine and pulled out of the lot, making Romeo grip the armrest. "Jeez, Stella," he gasped as she manoeuvred around some slow moving cars. "Can't you slow down?"

Stella laughed, "You're being a wimp, Romeo. This is my slowest speed. Now shut up and let me drive." she replied cheerfully, speeding down the highway and heading towards a place only she knew about.

************************

His feet sank into the loose sand, making him smile a little. "Do you like it?" Stella's voice asked from behind him as he walked around, acting as if he had never touched sand before or even went to the beach.

Romeo pressed his hands in the sand, feeling himself relaxing as he heard the waves crash into the shore. It was so peaceful, he didn't want to leave...

His eyes drifted over to the blond haired woman, who was hugging her knees to her chest and just staring up at the orange sky, which was streaked with pale beige clouds.

Stella... there was something about her which made Romeo's heart feel heavy. She was caring... kind.. and supportive. Even though she was always telling him that she was selfish, cruel and power hungry. But he had never met someone so honest. And sympathetic.

"Stella?" Romeo called her, "Why.. did you bring me here?"

Stella looked at him, a small smile on her face as she looked right at him.

"Well," she began, "The ocean is a great place to get away from your thoughts. That's what I believe anyway." she dipped her hand in the grainy sand and let it run through her fingers.

"So I thought I could share this place with you."

Romeo didn't know what to do. Stella was someone he could trust, but by the sounds of it... she sounded like she actually loved him. The way she would smile at him or how she always tired to cheer him up.

But Xara... he loved Xara so much but she was in love with Fred instead.. why was he trapped in a vicious cycle.?

Why did fate have to torture him this way?

"Romeo?" Stella's voice interrupted his thoughts, making him look at her. "I've been calling you for at least five times... what's wrong?"

Romeo looked down at the wedding ring and pulled it off. "Stella.." he looked at her and he stood up. He knew what he had to do... and he wasn't going to look back. "Can you come with me? I need to do something.."

She nodded, immediately scrambling to her feet as Romeo made his way towards a sand dune, and a rock pool.

Rolling the gold ring around his palm for awhile, Romeo sighed.

"I guess this is my way of saying goodbye.." he held out a hand and dropped the shiny gold band into the rock pool, letting it vanish from sight. And at the the same time, he felt relaxed and at ease as if someone had removed all the worry from his shoulders.

"How did that feel?" Stella asked Romeo, who was smiling down at the rock pool. The wedding ring was gone.. which meant he had to move on.

And he had no other choice..

But he knew what he had to do. Repair that hole in his heart.

"Isn't that pretty? Just in time too." Stella smiled, her blonde hair turning into gold strands as the sunset's rays washed over the two.

Romeo blushed, taking Stella's hand and making her turn to him, surprised. "I know something prettier than the sunset." with that, he pulled her in for a kiss.

He was going to remember Xara, even though she had broken him... he was going to pick himself up again, this time...

he smiled a little when she kissed him back.

with Stella's help.

-End