Our Dawn Is Hotter Than Day

With You, Under The Moon

Nicole's POV.

Seeing the reflection of the moon in this vast ocean and feeling the warm breeze that is hugging me plus a bottle of flavored soju made me feel at ease. It's like a perfect solution when you're upset.

"I finally found you, Nicole Tolseva" A familiar voice echoed through my ears. I let out a sigh before I uttered some words.

"It's not like you to be out here, Awi Anderburg," I said fixing my eyes at the beautiful ocean.

"You reek of alcohol" I added

"I tried to look for you at the bar you're working at but there's no sign of you. A bartender named Smilyn treat me to a drink, I don't even know why I accepted it. And then she told me to try and visit this place, sober up and go home. The picture looks nice and so here I am." she answered

"Sit down then," I said, offering her the vacant space beside me

She hesitated at first but still took a seat beside me.

"Are you still upset? Mad? Do you hate me?" she asked, bombarding me with her questions

"I told you didn't I? It's fine. I understand the situation back then" I explained which made her face show a sad expression

"If it's really fine then why are you not responding to any of my messages?" she asked, fixing her eyes towards the vast ocean.

I took a deep breath before letting out a sigh as I fixed my eyes towards the shining moon.

"Remember Cheska? You met her at the party yesterday. The one who saw us kissing" I said

"I do remember her. Why? What about her? Did she threaten you or something?" she said, with a hint of worry in her tone

"It's not like that silly," I said as I turn to face her and laugh.

Before I continue the story, I took a deep breath and let out a sigh again. I look at the vast ocean as I feel the warm breeze wrapping around my body.

"She's... she's an ex-friend of mine. She wants to talk but I know what she'll be going to tell me anyway and so I refused"

"And what do you think she'll say?" she asked, curiosity circling her eyes. I give her a smile

"She'll try to build a friendship with me again" I answered and gave her a frigid smile

"Isn't that great then? I mean, she was once your best friend. It's nice to reconcile with someone you love, don't you think?"

"Not really. You can't just reconcile and go back to the person who hurt, abandon, and betrayed you. You can forgive them but that doesn't mean you have to go back to them. That will only make you a fool." I said as I took a sip of soju

"Don't get me wrong. Cheska, I do love her. She's the first person who accepted me for who I am. Who accepted the real me and by real me, I mean me being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Cheska was like a sister to me, I treated her like a family. I still remember those days, those days where we were so happy that no one can ever separate us from each other. We stick with each other like we are some kind of glue. Until the day came when she officially became a member of our school's dance troop. I remembered her saying that ever since she was a kid, dancing is what makes her feel alive and so I give my full support when she decided to audition before she became an official member. I was so happy when she made it, finally, she and her troop will be dancing on stage in front of the students for some organized event. Unfortunately, something changed. The time that we have for each other slowly turned into a small dot; she found a lot of newfound friends, friends who are better than me. I'm a jealous friend, frankly speaking, I'm immature. I hate it when she cancels our plans every last minute because of reasons that her troops want to hang out with her" I said and took another sip of soju

"I lost my patience and decided to give up on our friendship. a few days after, I missed her. I wanted to talk to clear things up which thankfully, she granted. We met under the school's big tree. I explained to her why I said some words that probably hurt her, I also asked her what happened to us, why everything slowly changed. She did answer me but I didn't expect the choice of words that came directly from her lips" I said gazing at the shining moon

"What did she say?" she asked looking at me.

I took a deep breath before looking at her in the eyes

"I'm much happier when I'm around them" I uttered.

I tried not to show the tears that start to build up and so I let out a faint smile. I gaze at the stars above and continue the story

"Months passed by, the situation continues to change. Lots of students became a fan of her because of her dancing style. A lot of episodes happened and then suddenly, an issue about my sexuality spread out. It's like a big fire that cannot be easily stopped. I was not afraid though, people finding out about my sexuality made me happy because finally, I'm free from secrets. But it saddens me that Cheska's reputation was also in the line back then" I stop at the mid part of the story and took a deep breath

"Cheska was just starting her career back then, of course, she wants to be accepted. That's why I understand the things that she has done. The constant talking against my back, the bullying, even those times when they make a ruckus just because I used the women's restroom. In the end, decided to end up our friendship because I would be a fool if I did not" I said, letting out a chuckle

"Sorry for taking up your time in some of my stupid dramas" I added

"Have you forgiven her?" she asked never leaving her eyes on me

"Yes, I did. I forgave her a long time ago. But that doesn't mean that the scars from the past no longer linger inside me. That's why it's kind'a hard for me to be friends with her again" I said, with a hint of sadness in my voice.

I wipe the tears that start to fall on my cheeks. Suddenly, she put her arms around me, wrapping me in her embrace.

"I do understand where you're coming from. What you've been through is not that easy but it's okay if the scars from the past still linger around you. What's important is that you have forgiven her. You are hurting because you're still in a process of healing. And when you want to be healed, you have to endure first the pain so that someday you'll find yourself smiling because you are already fixed. Someone we love might have broken us leaving us a traumatic past, but someone will always be out there, waiting for you until you're fixed, helping you along the process you'll be able to get back up, ready to face the world again" she said sincerely

"You are something," I said as I nestle my head at the nook of her neck.