Anthony Williams

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"So Celine couldn't make it today. It's reported that she caught a cold.", our teacher announced. She's sick? Why? Could it be from the day we were at the beach? But that was like a week ago already. Should I visit her? Wait, that would be weird. 

"Are you okay Anthony?", Leah asked.

"Yeah.", I replied.

"You looked restless.", she said.

"It's nothing.", I replied looking like I'm pissed off. The day ended in a flash. I wasn't able to see her today. I went home and laid down on my bed. I kept thinking that the longer she stayed, the more that I wanted to see her - making up for the lost time. It's been going well, I think? Ugh!! Not being able to see you in just a day is making me think of all sorts of weird things!! I sat up and I saw a picture of us on my table. I stared at her. My mind was just filled with thoughts of her.

Celine...

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Celine Garcia

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"I can't come back yet. Please give me more time."

"No! You're already dying!"

"I'm dying!! so what's the point of coming back over there?!"

"Shut up! You will come back here! I will personally come for you!"

"I'm begging you... Please."

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Anthony Williams

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I need some fresh air. I got out and went to the beach. Again, I bumped into her.

"Hey.", I greeted her.

"Hey.", she greeted back. Huh? Is it just me or was she this pale?

"I heard you caught a cold."

"Yeah."

"How are you feeling now?", I asked as I looked at her. I was shocked to see her in tears.

"I'm recovering." Something tells me something's off.

"Why are you crying?", I asked and sat beside her.

"I guess I just remembered some bad memories here."

"Like what?", I asked. She looked at me and caressed my eyes.

"These.", she replied. She gently took her hand away and stared at the sunset. I felt really sad all of a sudden. I had these emotions I can't explain running through me.

"I'm sorry I made you almost blind. Because of me, you're walking with a crane to guide you. Because of me, you can't paint very well. It's because of me that you lost everything."

"You may have hurt me and I may have had a few step backs, but now that you're back I think I can start over." Now we were looking at each other.

"Anthony..."

"I guess it's kind of strange to ask you this but... in order for me to start over, I would need you." She kept looking at me with this sad look in her eyes. I caressed her cheek and wiped off her tears. All of the hatred that I have built all these years faded away. 

"Will you be my eyes? Celine...", I asked. This was the first time I have seen her cry so much. I was able to finally say her name after all these years. That's it. This woman... This woman in front of me is my childhood best friend, the one I love. I loved her ever since. These feelings were buried deep within me after all the hatred and grudge I had. This woman in front of me was the one who broke me and the only person who fixed me. I was finally able to smile and say her name.

She held my hand and she closed her eyes.

"Yes. I will be your eyes, Anthony. If that will make you happy then I'll be yours.", she replied. She said yes?! I was so happy that I hugged her tight.

"I'm sorry that I didn't treat you right when you came back. I was supposed to be happy but I was selfish and became angry instead. But now, I can be with you, right?", I asked.

"Yes. I want you to be with me, Anthony... I need you to be here with me.", she replied. We smiled at each other.

"Stop crying already. Your eyes are swollen."

"Okay, I'll stop. I'm just really happy that you said my name again... and that I get to be with you again.", she said. 

"Please don't leave me again."

"I won't so don't worry."

"I'll take you home. You're still recovering and it's starting to get cold.", I said as I helped her stand.

"Thank you." We both arrived at her empty apartment.

"I'll go ahead. See you tomorrow.", I said and turned around. But then I felt someone grab my arm. I looked behind and she was there.

"Can't you stay for a bit longer?", she asked. I closed the door and we both went to her bedroom.

"Are you sure you're okay?", I asked.

"Yeah. I just wanted company since my mom isn't always around.", she replied. It was getting dark around us already. Has time flown by that fast?

"I'll turn on the lights, okay?", I said. 

"Just turn on the night lamp. Since not many people are here.", she said and I did as what she wanted. I sat back on the bed with her. I saw the same picture of us when I last came here. 

"I have a picture of us too in my bedroom.", I said.

"You do?", she asked.

"Do you think I would just throw away our memories just because I hated you so much? I'm not a heartless person though.", I replied. She smiled.

"Thank goodness. I thought you tried to forget about me already. It's been eight years.", she said. It was silent. 

Dimly lit room. The night sky was visible from the window. I could see the stars. They're even brighter than last time. Is it because she's with me? Has everything been this beautiful? Are all of these because I'm with her?

We looked at each other like we were about to say something. Staring at each other should have been awkward but right now, it's not.

"Celine." I could see her blush. It made me blush as well. 

"It makes me really happy when you say my name. It somehow makes me energized.", she said. I caressed her cheeks and I pulled her closer to me.

"Anthony." I heard her whisper my name. Then we kissed. 

Just like that. On a starry night, a couple, who were childhood friends, kissed passionately. It wasn't lust nor was it on the spur of the moment. It was what they wanted; to be with each other. Their warmth was comforting them. Each of their presence was the most important thing for them. A boy, who held a grudge against her for leaving him out of the blue for eight years, and a girl, who came back to see him for one last time, comforted their loneliness with each other's lips.

It was them who broke each other and it was also them who fixed each other.