Celine Garcia
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"Time for your shots young lady.", the nurse said as she came inside my room. I sat up slowly and she prepared the syringe.

"That boy earlier, was he your boyfriend?", she asked. I just sat silent.

"He is such a sweetheart.", the nurse commented and I looked at her. She was smiling while doing the procedure. She must have remembered something from her past?

"My boyfriend then died of cancer. We both were still in junior high school. He was similar to your boyfriend, very sweet and kind. I bet your boyfriend must be really strong.", the nurse continued on. My mind was preoccupied with the thought of how painful this must be for Anthony.

"Must be painful for him, you think?", the nurse questioned and I looked at her with a surprised expression. It was like she was reading my mind! She giggled as she was tidying up and she stood.

"Since then, I have never loved anyone else but him. Honey, it's up to you on how to cope up with how this must feel for him. You know what I did?", she asked and I looked at her looking at her hand warmly.

"I cherished every moment we were together. We both grew stronger every single day I visited him. Instead of worrying, why don't you smile?", she said, warmly smiling at me. A sudden flashback of Anthony saying he wanted me to smile more flooded my mind and I cried, covering my mouth with both of my hands.

A little girl came running in my room. Both of us looked surprised.

"Wait I told you to wait for me outside. You might disturb my patient.", the nurse told her.

"But mama, I'm hungry!"

"Don't worry. Mama will be on break soon.", she replied. The little girl looked at me.

"Mama, was papa like this in bed too?", she asked. I gasped. Is she...? The nurse knelt down and smiled at me.

"He left but he gave me a reason to live on.", the nurse told me. The little girl smiled at me.

"Hang on in there, young lady.", the nurse said as she held the little girl's hand and exited the room. I was left alone. She was her daughter. A reason to live.

It rained. The sound of rain drops knocking on my window glass. Trees soaked in water. Thick clouds and a cold room. I stared at my arm with the dextrose attached to it. I sighed. There's no point in crying all the time. I should cherish my time with Anthony. It's what's important right now. Yeah, I'm dying but what of it? I'll smile for him instead of crying silently. But...

It hurts to smile.

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Anthony Williams

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"Classes are finally over.", Leah said while I was arranging my books.

"Are you going today as well?", Lee asked and I nodded.

"I need to work so I can see her.", I replied.

"You know, you've changed so much after meeting her again after eight years.", Lee said. I looked at both of them who were smiling at me.

"I guess so.", I replied.

"Let's go?", Leah asked both of us.

"Where?", I asked.

"To Celine ofcourse!", Leah replied.

"Today is thursday. I have work.", I told them. They grabbed my arm and we all rode the bus going to St. Catherine's.

"Don't worry. We'll take care of the fare. Just sit back and smile when you see her.", Lee told me. Like what he said, I just sat there silently while waiting to arrive at our destination. an hour later we arrive. We went inside the hospital and walked towards the nurse station.

"Celine Garcia. We'd like to visit her.", Leah said.

"You've got the wrong floor miss. The ICU is on the 2nd floor.", the nurse replied. The three of us were in shock. I was speechless. Her smiles flooded my mind and I collapse to the floor. She is where?! Later I got up and ran. I could hear them calling me but I didn't care. I didn't believe what the nurse told me. I ran as fast as I could. The sound of crushing leaves as I stepped on them, I arrived by her window. I was left speechless again. Her silhouette, gone. No one was inside. My heart pounded so hard and it hurts. I started getting teary eyed. I heard Leah and Lee panting as they approached me. All they could see was an almost bling man crying infront of a window. I never cried so hard in my life. The ICU could mean that she's in critical condition. I punched the wall.

"Anthony!", Leah raised her voice but Lee stopped her.

"Anthony! I know how much pain you are in right now, but please, don't hurt yourself. Celine will be sad to see you like this. Please, Anthony.", Leah pleaded. I went silent. It was like my soul vanished, like I died inside. I stood up and both of them looked at me with worried faces.

"I'm going to work.", I said and left them.

Bustling city. Crowded street. I was at my part time job, arranging books.

"Anthony?", Aira, a senior high school like me, called my attention but I didn't bother to notice.

"You can talk to me if you like.", she said. Still I did not ever bother to reply.

"Both of you, you're done for the day. Thanks for your hard work!", our manager told us. I stood up and went to my locker. Aira followed me. Both of us got out of the store together and walked together since we were headed to the same direction going home.

Cars honking. Annoying lights from the city. Both of us continued on walking until we arrive at a quiet street going to our houses. We live near each other like just two blocks away. Aira grabbed my arm.

"Hey. What's wrong?", she asked. I didn't bother to reply.

"Why won't you talk? I'm here to listen!", Aira raised her voice. I looked at her.

"If you don't like to talk then tell me so that I'll bothering you.", Aira said. I closed my eyes and I sighed. The next thing I knew, my eyes open wide in shock.
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"I forgot to return his book.", Lee said.

"Geez! Can't you be any more forgetful? Good thing we know where he lives. If not, Anthony will surely fail the test tomorrow.", Leah said. When both of them turned a corner, they saw a sight that was not really good to see.
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"W-why?!", Leah shouted. Aira and I pulled away and I saw Lee and Leah's flustered expressions.

"Leah! Wait, I can explain!", I replied. Leah got teary eyed.

"Just because she's in the ICU right now doesn't give you the right to go around and flirt with someone else!", Leah yelled and Lee was trying to stop her from possibly punching me. Leah got away and walked towards us. I was getting ready for the impact but instead she walked past me and gave Aira a painful punch. Lee and I were just in utter shock.

"And you! I know Anthony well enough to know that he only loves Celine and not to cheat on her while she's fighting for her damn life! Stay the hell away from Anthony!", Leah yelled. Aira was left speechless, face marked by Leah's punch. Leah walked away, grabbing Lee's arm and a book fell on the road. I took the book.

"I'm sorry Anthony. I shouldn't have-", Aira was apologizing when I drove her to a corner and I punch the wall beside her face. Her eyes were wide open.

"Please. I'm begging you. What ever feeling that you have for me, stop it. I love Celine and I will only love her. There is no other girl for me. Even if she will be gone, I will still continue to love her and no one else.", I told her off.

"I got it.", she replied while touching her cheek, where Leah punched her. I pulled away and walked home, leaving her behind. The next day at work, I turned in my resignation. Aira had this worried expression on her face but it did not bother me. Now I have to apologize to both of them. I got out of the bookstore and Aira came rushing to me.

"Anthony if this is about last night I-", I cut her off.

"It's okay. Goodbye.", I bid her farewell.

As I walked towards the street, it's almost winter. It's getting cooler these days. I guess I better head home and take a warm bath.

Unconciously I arrived at the beach where we used to come play and hang out. The sound of the waves were a bit aggresive today. This place sure brings up a lot of memories. My eyes tear up and I wiped them off. Damn it. You got me all emotional.

"Anthony!", I turned around and saw no one. I thought I just heard her voice. My heart started beating fast and I started to feel uneasy. I hasitly made my way to the hospital. Celine. Please, don't die on me. We still have a lot of things to do! Please. Fight. I'm being strong for you. Please fight back. I'm begging you. Please.

I fell on my knees while running towards the ICU. Celine. Please.

Just then, I felt a warm breeze coming through my shoulder. I looked behind but there were only nurses and patients walking by. I started crying and ran again as fast as I can. I arrived at the ICU. I peeked and I saw her parents crying.

This can't be. No. Celine.

I sat on the floor trying to absorb what I just saw.

On that day, I died with her.