Our Dawn Is Hotter Than Day

Apology

Nicole's POV. 

The sun is covered with thick clouds today. All the passerby seems so busy with their own lives; looking at their phones, I wonder whose message they are waiting. 

I wonder who made the lady beside me smile when she received a notification from her phone. Is it from her friend? Boyfriend? Or maybe she got hired from the job she always wanted. I took a seat at one of the benches covered with shade, holding the warm coffee and looking at people who come and go. 

"Why did you want to meet me?" Dawn directly asked, standing in front of me. 

"I bought you some coffee," I answered, motioning my head towards the coffee I placed on the bench. She took it and sat beside me; hearing the sound of her sighs made me feel nervous and guilty all of a sudden. 

"How confidential it is that you want to meet with me?" she asked, straightly looking at the view in front of her. 

 "I saw Sky's SNS yesterday. Thank you for coming to the contest; you made her so happy," I said, calming the atmosphere first. 

"I didn't do it because you couldn't make it. I did it because Sky invited me. I'm not someone who ditch a friend that needs my presence," she said after taking a sip from her coffee. 

"A lot of things just happened recently. I admit that it's bad of me to forget the important events."

"I know that's not the only reason why you asked me to come here. Just get to the point," Dawn said with tense in her sentence. I look at her, but she only diverted her eyes towards the children playing in front of us. 

"I saw Awi yesterday," I said, getting to the point as she says. 

"What's new?" she scoffed, cutting me off.

"What's new is that I saw her crying. I overheard her conversation with Bryan," I said, looking at her. She looks guilty, yet she managed to hide it by acting as if she didn't care. 

"So what?" she asked with her straight voice. 

"Dawn, trust me, it's not my intention to ruin your friendship with her. If there's one thing that I would never do, it will be causing someone's failed relation. I knew that the two of you fought partly because of me. But I never did anything with a motive to ruin what relation you two have. And I never apologize for the things that I didn't even do in the first place, so I hope you understand," I said with sincerity. 

"I never did ask for your apology. You're just wasting my time here," Dawn said and was about to get up from her seat, but I manage to stop her. 

"I won't apologize, but I also don't want what happens between Cheska and me, happen to both of you." 

"Don't compare our friendship to yours because we are not the same in the first place," Dawn said, throwing me deathly daggers. 

"But the pride and jealousy that you have right now are just like the pride and jealousy I have back then."

"Cheska is like a sister to me. I loved her. I treated her like a precious treasure of mine. She's the first person who accepted me for being a lesbian, so I told myself that; I'll keep this friend until the day I die. But then, in just one snap, everything changes. Cheska became more focused on her new-found happiness, making me out of place. I was jealous, but I never told her about it, hoping that she'll notice it first, but she didn't. Instead, she gets further away from me that I could no longer reach her. Pride and jealousy turn to fight, the fight turns to chaos, and chaos turns to a bitter separation."

"If you love her that much, then why didn't you give her another chance to be your friend?" Dawn asked, filling her eyes with curiosity. 

I was caught off-guard with her question. I also wonder why. Is it because of pride or trust issues? I don't even know. But I always wonder that maybe if she came back to me a week or a month after we separate, then perhaps, I would have given her another chance. But in life, we never get what we wanted. 

"Two years have already passed, Dawn. Within those years, a lot of episodes happened. I don't know if she came back because she missed me or was left with no choice because everyone is indifferent to her these days. I find it hard to trust someone who causes me so much pain."

"Perhaps, what I want to tell you is that, don't wait a year for both of you to reconcile. The key to a strong relationship is communication. I know you're mad, upset, and jealous. You have so much on your plate, but please don't cut Awi off. If you have someone whom you unconditionally love and you came to face a huge misunderstanding, don't leave it unsettled. Talk it out in a calm manner while remembering the reasons why you love each other. You're friends, and friends do fight, but at the end of the day, a strong friendship always reconciles."

Silence circled us, but the sound of children's laugh echoed all around the area. The sun is starting to set as its rays slowly disappear. 

"Now I understand why Awi likes to hang around with you. You give pretty good advice," Dawn said, which made the two of us chuckle.

Scarlet's POV. 

Darkness. That's all I see. But the sound of chirping birds and dancing trees lingers around the area. 

"Where do you plan to take me?" I asked Bryan while holding his hand tight so that I won't fall. 

"We're here. Don't take your blindfold yet," Bryan commanded, which made me stay put in place. I can only hear the sound of some liquid and the romantic melody of music. I heard him got closer then he stops in front of me. He then removes the piece of cloth that is blinding me. 

After opening my eyes, the first thing that greets me is a man wearing a simple white shirt and pale shorts with a pair of black sneakers, smiling at me. Behind him is a mat shaded by the tree with two perfect meals, and the liquid that I heard earlier is the sound of red wine poured into the empty glass. I look around, and I found myself standing in this beautiful park with lots of flowers around us.

"Happy Birthday, Scarlet," Bryan said with his sweetest smile. I was left speechless, and all the words that I want to say remain at the tip of my tongue. 

"Thank you so much for this! How did you even know it's my birthday today?" after a few seconds, I finally uttered some words. 

"I have my resources," he smirked and took a seat in front of me. 

"It's not that much, but dig in," Bryan added, handing me the meal that's in front of us. 

"It's already too much, Bryan. Thank you, I appreciate your effort," I said, giving him my eye smile. 

After having a fine meal, we decided to stroll around the area. The beautiful sound of people laughing while enjoying their day echoed everywhere. I look up above the clouds, and all of a sudden, a banner with a "Be my girlfriend" phrase appeared. Bryan held my hand and smiled. 

"What do you say?" he asked, smiling at me. 

"Is this for real!?" I asked, with tears starting to fall 

Everything feels so surreal. I never imagined that the man who was brave enough to save me, the man whom I had a crush on, is now asking me to be his girl. I swear I want to cry a bucket of happy tears right now. 

"What?" he asked, confused at my reaction. 

I then heard people clap, looking at the couple that is not so far from us. The man is on his bended knees, offering the love of his life a bouquet of red roses. After the girl accepted it, the man stood up and kissed her.

"Hey, are you okay? I asked if you want to fly a kite with me?" Bryan asked, which wake me up from reality. 

Of course, it's the freaking kite Scarlet! Why would you even think that he'll want you to be your girl? I can't believe you're embarrassing yourself in front of the person you like, Scarlet you're starting to be delusional! 

"I'm sorry, but I think I need to go," I answered out of embarrassment. I quickly packed up my things and made my leave. Bryan followed me and grabbed my wrist. 

"Hey, what's the problem?" 

"I'm sorry, it's just that I'm just not feeling well," I said, looking everywhere but him. 

"You could have just said that earlier. I'll take you home," Bryan said and packed up his things. 

"No. I'm okay. I'll go first. See you when I see you," I said and ran away. 

Dawn's POV. 

Scarlet should be home by now. I'm lucky that I got her favorite; cookies and cream-flavored cake. I bet she'll love it. I couldn't buy her a gift since my class schedule is so hectic, but I hope this cake is enough to make her day. I hate to see her fuss again just because I didn't prepare anything. 

After I made it inside the house, a fine meal placed on a table with lighted candles surprised me. Before I could even think that it's Scarlet's doing, a familiar face appeared in front of me.

"I hope you don't mind. I asked Scarlet for the keys so I can prepare this" 

"You don't need to do this, Awi," I said, looking at her. She walks closer and engulfs me in a hug. 

"I have to put an effort if I don't want this friendship of us to break apart," Awi said with a shivering voice. 

"You're not responding to any of my messages," Awi starts to weep.

Right, how could I forget!? It's because of too much school works. I didn't mean to ignore her for more than a day. 

"I'm so sorry, Eaverly. I didn't mean to say those words to you," Awi said, hugging me tight as if she doesn't want to let go. 

"i***t," I said, releasing myself from the hug. I placed the cake that I'm holding on top of the table and turned to face her. I wipe her tears that stream down her face and look straight into her eyes. 

"I'm the one who should be sorry. I let out some unnecessary emotions. I'm just upset that I feel like I'm no longer a part of your life. I keep blaming myself and felt confused at the same time. I keep asking questions, where the hell did I go wrong? What the hell did I do? I keep thinking that maybe it's all my fault. Maybe, I did something and didn't notice. You're the only best friend that I have, Awi. I don't know what to do if I ever lose you," I said, holding back all the tears that I kept hidden inside. 

"I love you, and I don't want to lose you, Dawn Eaverly Raught," Awi said while engulfing me in her embrace once again. 

"I love you, and I don't want to lose you too, Awi Anderburg," I said, finally letting out all the tears. 

"So, what do you say if we celebrate our friendversary again tonight? I made us some dinner," Awi said, releasing from our hug, making me smile and nod at her sentence. 

After we had our dinner, we waited for Scarlet to come home for us to open the box of cake. I'm dying to eat it right now, but it would be rude of me to open it without the birthday celebrant. 

Minutes after, the door was opened, revealing a sad Scarlet. She was wearing her pink blouse and black shorts with pair of sandals. We were about to greet her, but her reaction made the atmosphere awkward. 

"Cuz, are you okay? What happened?" I asked, worried that my cousin might have gotten into some trouble. 

"f**k it! I'm so embarrassed!" Scarlet uttered and, walk closer to us 

She then saw a box of cake at the top of the table and look at me, only to throw a questioning look. 

"I-I thought you would fuss again if I didn't buy you anything for your birthday, so I bought some cake. I originally wanted to give you a present, but unfortunately, I couldn't find some time to prepare one. Di-did you not like it?" Why the hell did I stutter? 

"Thank you, Dawn, your efforts are much appreciated. Unexpected episodes happened today, so I forgot that I was born this day. Anyway, you can have some of it first. Don't forget to leave a portion for me to eat tomorrow. I'm kinda tired right now," Scarlet uttered after drinking a glass of water. 

I'm a bit sad to hear her say that. After all the troubles I went through to buy her a cake. But of course, I'm sure she wanted to have some tonight, but her thoughts are just full right now. 

"At least, blow the candles first?" Awi asked, noticing my reaction 

"Sure, why not?" Scarlet replied, giving us her warm smile. 

"Happy 20th birthday, Scarlet. May you be blessed by our Almighty Father above," Awi and me greeted with full of energy after the birthday celebrant blew out the candles.