Anthony Williams
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I stared at the blank ceiling. I could only hear my breathe inside the room. I could never forget what happened. I didn't even have the chance to pologize to her. I never got the chance to go on dates with her, watch a movie together, eat out together, and say that I love her a much as I wanted to. It's too late. It's already too late. It's been months, no, a year since she died and I still have not moved on. I will never move on. Every night, I cry myself to sleep. I skip school and stay at home. Leah and Lee have been calling me every single day but I never bother to answer. I have just been cooped up inside my room. I lift my head up and I realize I was still sitting in front of my desk. I looked around and I opened my drawer. Inside were a bunch of stuff that reminded me of her. I took out our picture when we were still kids. Staring at it made me really emotional. I tried to contain myself but I could not. I cried. I cried my heart out every day, still longing for her presence. I don't care if I had to care for you for the rest of our lives. I don't care if we can't go on dates and watch a movie together. Just as long as you were here with me, I could not ask for anything else. This is what I get for the grudge that I had for her for the past eight years. I could still remember her sad face when she was new in our school several months ago. I remember how I painted her but instead I painted an abstract.

Wait. Paint.

I stood up and gathered all my art materials. I drew and painted on a canvas. Hours passed by and I still wasn't done. I looked out the window and I noticed it was already dark outside. I will not sleep until I finish this. Little did I know that I soon fell asleep.
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I knocked at his door but I got no response. I slowly opened it I found my son sleeping with tons of paint on his face. His room was quite a mess but when I saw what he painted, it made me smile. I placed his food on his bed.

"You're finally starting to paint again after a year."
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I woke up and saw food on my bed. My uniform was ironed as well. I looked at the painting I did. I stared at it intently. If this was real, she would have been flustered already. I chuckled while reminiscing it. I did the finishing touches and finally, it was done.

I stood up and cleaned my room. I opened my window and I saw a flower fall unto the window ledge. I took it and looked at the tree outside. It's spring already, huh? I placed the flower on my desk and got ready. I thought that I should start fresh. I will still love her forever but I also need to get myself together. I should in fact be thankful that I still managed to be in my third year of senior high shool. Just a few more weeks and I'll graduate already. I got out of my room and saw my mom in the kitchen. She turned around and saw me.

"Morning.", I greeted. She greeted back and approached me.

"You've finally cheered up.", she said.

"Not totally but I'll do my best.", I replied.

"Just a few more weeks and you'll finally graduate. Time flew so fast.", she said. I looked at the calendar and thought to myself that it already has been a year since it happened. I never went to her burial. I probably should go and have a visit. She must have been lonely all by herself.

"I'm off mom.", I said.

"See you later.", she replied. I walked to school and at the school gates I saw both of them.

"Anthony!", Leah greeted.

"Glad to see you back. I wonder how you still managed to graduate with us.", Lee wondered.

"I may have skipped a lot of classes but I did pass all exams and did my homeworks as well so it doesn't really matter if I skipped or not.", I replied. They both smiled at me and we all went to class. Our science teacher told me to get some reference books at the library. While walking, I passed by the art room, the room where I first realized how beautiful she was. It all started in this room. It was fun.

I arrived at the library. While looking through some references, I looked back and I remembered that I went with her here instead of going to gym class because... it was when I started to like her. But damn that old geezer caught me that time. I chuckled at that funny memory. I got all the reference books I needed and I headed back to the classroom.

The day ended fast. I went to a flower shop after school to buy one for her. I rode a bus going to the cemetery. I had my mom sketch me the location of the tomb but when I got there, her name wasn't there. Strange. I just placed the flower on her family's grave instead and went back home.

"I'm home.", I said.

"Welcome back honey.", my mom replied.

"Hey mom, I went to the cemetery but I didn't see her tomb there. Are you sure it was there?", I asked.

"Her parents just called today while you were at school. They told me they transferred her to the country side. Haven't you received my text?", she asked. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and my mom did text me during lunch. I just didn't notice until now. The country side is really far from here. I can't visit her there. I regret not being at her funeral.

"Don't worry. Even if you weren't able to visit her, I know she's happy to see you now, going to school and painting again.", my mother reassured me. I sighed and smiled.

"I guess so.", I replied.

"Come on. Help me prepare for dinner. Dad will be here any moment.", my mom asked. I placed my bag on the couch and I helped her out. Later, I took a shower after bath. While I was changing, I saw a note. I opened it and this was the note she made for me. Don't catch a cold. This was the time when we got wet at the beach. I smiled. Idiot. Now you're making me cry again. I can't help it. I just miss her so much that it hurts. Don't worry. I'll graduate college and become a painter like you wanted. I pursue arts and become a painter for you, Celine.