Forever Yours

StillYou

Rosa

As I walked around my mother's garden, I remembered the first time I brought Julian here.

It was his birthday, and he was sad, for reasons never shared. One thing was sure, half the things the town said about his family were false. Though they had their secrets, but I mean, who doesn't?

They all kept to themselves, and I honestly didn't blame them, after how they were being treated in this place.

After years of not seeing him, I still couldn't believe the hold he had on me.

It made me wonder if he still felt the same.

As I sat down, my mind went down memory lane even more.

Leading back to when I was thirteen, after my awful disappointment of him not showing up that day.

I remember coming home moody and quiet that my parents thought I had been bullied.

The next day of school wasn't as exciting as the previous day. I got to school only to be greeted by Lena, who was apparently waiting for my arrival.

"Hey, good morning. What took you so long?"

"What... why? Were you waiting for me all along?"

"Yeah, of course, silly. You and I are friends now, right?"

I laughed a bit, but I thought it was sweet.

"Yes, we are?"

I said.

"So where do you live anyways?"

I asked her, maybe a conversation would take my mind or eyes off my surroundings.

"Well, close to the hospital actually. My mum is the head nurse."

"Wow, that must be cool."

She sighed.

"Well, if you think spending time with sick and dying people is cool, then I guess it's."

Right before I could answer.

He arrived on his black bike, drawing everyone's attention, and I mean everyone.

Because I immediately noticed how people started whispering and acting like he had some plague.

He moved past me without even a glance or a word.

Just nothing.

"Well, there goes trouble."

Lena said, scrunching up her nose like he smelt, which he didn't.

And it made me mad that everyone treated him like this for something that might well be made up.

Just then, the bell rang.

With everyone rushing into their classes, I waited, hoping I could see him again, and I did, but this time he gave a small smile. It looked sad and pitiful, and it completely broke my heart.

As the classes went on, I could feel his eyes glued to me. That brought a smile to my face, the thought of knowing he watched me too like I did made me feel it wasn't in my head.

Just as class ended, he threw a piece of paper before leaving.

I squeezed it into my palm like my life depended on it and rushed out towards the girl's bathroom.

Only to see his message telling me to meet him during lunch behind the library.

I was so excited and waited for lunch, which seemed to take forever.

"What are you having for lunch?"

Lena asked.

I had forgotten we had English classes together, and she was sitting by my side.

"Ah... was thinking nothing. I had quite a breakfast this morning, so..."

"Oh, okay, watching your weight, that's so good. I will be having just apple."

"Why just that?"

I was curious why people thought eating only apple was healthy.

"Nothing, I'm on strict diet this year as I intend on joining the cheerleading team, and I need to weigh a little bit less."

"Oh, the cheer team, that sounds like fun, apple eating."

I laughed quietly.

And so did she.

Class went by quickly, and it was finally lunch. I told Lena I wanted to take a walk around the library.

I waited a bit for Julian. Just when I was about to give up, he showed up.

"Sorry I'm late, I needed to make sure no one saw me coming in after you. As I'm sure you had about me and my family's supposed history."

He said, laughing a bit.

"I don't think it's true, just so you know, alright. Was that why you didn't say hello to me this morning?"

"That was all for your own good, trust me. You don't want to be seen hanging out with the brother of a murderer. That will certainly stain your reputation."

He seemed to take everything lightly.

But I think it all just a ruse to fool everyone he was hurting and alone. That much I knew.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything?"

"What really happened?"

"You should go back now. I just wanted to say hello like I had promised I would."

And just like that, he left without no words.

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