Somewhere in the stars

Yes

I dashed away as fast as I could. I was running so fast that I collided with someone. "Rumi, are you alright? Why were you running?" I looked up to see that I had run into Manager Roy. I then got to my feet and brushed myself off the floor. "Sorry, Manager Roy, but I don't think I'm feeling well; is it okay if I go home now? I have a fever and don't want anyone else to catch it," He then turned to face me, concerned for my well-being. 

He then exhaled deeply and nodded. "All right, Rumi, if you say so, you may leave," I smiled faintly and left immediately. I walked towards my bike and rode it to the hospital. I need to see my mom tonight. I opened the door to my mother's hospital room and just stood there staring at her, who was still in a coma and lying on the hospital bed. My eyes started to tear up, I walked over to my mother's bed and hugged her.

 "Please, Mama, wake up. I really need you," I spoke to her in hushed whispers. I silently pray that she hears me and wakes up. And that everything will be fine, and that everything will return to normal. I'm not sure when I started falling asleep, but after that crying session, I slowly drifted off to sleep. I was startled awake when I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked up to see Devin and me inside the library. 

Fuck, I'm dreaming. To be honest, I don't feel like seeing Devin right now. "Hey, are you alright? You look really down. You didn't come home, and it was getting late, so I went to the hospital to see if you were there, and you were, and I saw you asleep. Did something happen?" I stood up from the chair, ran my hand through my hair, and closed my eyes for a few moments. I exhaled a soft sigh.

 "I'm fine, just tired," I said. He didn't seem convinced at all, and out of nowhere he grabbed my face and looked me in the eyes. "Rumi, please don't tell me lies. I know we haven't gotten to know each other very well yet, but trust me when I say I'm your friend and I'm willing to listen," I couldn't help but tear up when I looked into his soft chocolate brown eyes, which were filled with sincerity. 

He hugged me tightly, refusing to let me go. We stood there hugging for a while as he spoke gentle and soothing words to calm me down. We eventually sat down and let the silence consume us. It's funny, though, because I don't feel awkward at all. In fact, it feels safe and peaceful. I like it. I hear him clear his throat and turn to face me. "So, Rumi, what's the problem? Do you want to talk about it?" I took a deep breath in and nodded. "Yeah, I'd like to talk about it," I said. 

He then looked at me as if he was waiting for me to tell him my story. I let out a gulp and cleared my throat. "My first love was Chase. I knew in my heart that it wasn't just a crush. I know I adored him. And a part of me hoped that he might love me back. That was probably just wishful thinking on my part," When I looked at him, I noticed that he had a look of disbelief on his face, but his eyes glistened with sadness.

 I'm curious why. "Aren't you surprised that I like guys?" I asked him. He then smiled and shook his head. "No way, I'm not surprised.  But what I'm really surprised with out of everything that you said is the fact you like someone like him," That made me frown. "What do you mean someone like him?" My brow furrowed as I asked him. He then chuckled. "Chill, it's just that he looks like a playboy and, to be honest, he's pretty straight," he shrugged. I slam my head against the table. He was correct. 

He was a player back in the day, despite the fact that he was kind and protected me. He was always flirting with many girls, even to me, which is why I fell for him in the first place. At the thought, I groaned and rolled my eyes. "I was such a fool to fall for someone like him. Of course, him kissing me meant nothing to him. He even claimed to be joking," I grumbled loudly, completely forgetting that Devin was here. 

I gasped as I realized what had happened and looked at Devin, who had his mouth agape from the confession. "What?! He kissed you? H-how? W-when? W-why?" I then looked at Devin, who was clearly taken aback by what I had just said. I chuckled nervously and slowly nodded my head. He then pointed at me and exclaimed loudly as if I had committed a crime. He yelled, "Explain yourself!" That made me laugh, and I raised my hands in surrender. "Yes, I will explain, just relax for a second," I said, waiting for him to relax so that I can explain.

 "So here's the deal with Chase and I. We had been friends since I was ten, so we were extremely close. Growing up, I had a feeling I liked him more than just a friend or a big brother who always looked out for me. And a part of me wondered if there was a chance for me and him to get together, and if he liked me as well," I let out a sigh. "Even though I knew he was a bit of a jerk, bringing women here left and right, a part of me, well, a stupid part of me, hoped he'd realize he liked me back and wanted to be in a relationship with me. 

Chase got so drunk one night, the night of Nick and Chase's despedida party. And I was a little tipsy at the time, but I remember everything," I paused for a moment and gulped, Devin just looked at me, his face filled with curiosity as to what happened next.

"Anyway, Nick and I ended up helping Chase up to his room because he was so drunk, and Nick then left us for a while.  I sat next to his lying body on the bed. And I could've sworn he was sleeping, so I did the stupidest thing possible and confessed my love for him,” A moment of silence descended upon us, and then he’s laugh broke the silence. I rolled my eyes at him. "Yeah, I get it, it was stupid okay," He sniffled, wiping away his small tears of laughter and clearing his throat.

 "Sorry, you may continue your story now," I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Anyway, he suddenly opened his eyes, sat up, and kissed me. Of course, I was taken aback. But after that kiss, he immediately passed out and slept, snoring. When I told him the next day that he had kissed me, his response was only... Oh, that was a joke; I was probably too drunk to realize it. And after that, his family moved abroad. 

Nick and I still talked every now and then, but me and Chase...it was just too awkward. And I was too hurt," I then looked at Devin, who appeared to sympathize with me. At the very least, he understood. "Since then, I've tried to forget about him, acting as if I never liked him. And now he's suddenly returned, which is upsetting and then I saw him having s*x with my co worker," He then patted my shoulders and smiled at me. "Oh well, now that I know why you're upset, I'm not so worried anymore.

 You know, he could be your first kiss or love, but someone else could be your last and that’s more important so don’t get stuck and just move on," That made me smile. I mean, he was right. Ugh, that f*****g likeable ghost. I didn’t expect him to actually be good at advising. I let out a sigh and gave him a warm smile as I turned to him. "It's a yes, Devin," He then looked at me, perplexed. That made me chuckle and roll my eyes. "I'm referring to the friendly date. I'd like to go on a date with you," 

His face then immediately lit up as if it were the best thing he had ever heard. He abruptly stood up and hugged me tightly. I can't stop giggling at that. "But Reya comes with us," I said, He abruptly nodded his head. He looked like a cute puppy. Oh, I’m so lucky I met you Devin. I just wish it were under different circumstances.