Bittersweet Symphony
One-shot

Evelyn walked towards the Barberry tree. She untied the ribbon that kept her ponytail up and held the lavender ribbon on the palm of her hand. Sighing, the wind blew through her hair as she looked up at the beautiful tree.

"You thought that my hair looked cool when I tied it up didn't you, old friend?" Tears threatened to fall as she smiled and tied the ribbon around one of the entwining branches.

She placed her hand on the bark of the tree and laughed quietly to herself. Looking down, a few drops of water fell and touched the ground. Sniffing, she used the back of her hand to wipe her tears away. Reluctantly, she retreated her hand and looked at her ribbon that swayed gently to the direction of the wind.

Evelyn's eyes widened when she felt warm arms embrace her from behind. She relaxed and immediately knew who it was. This feeling is so familiar and only one person could make her feel this way.

"Arlo.." She said

"Your hair is really cool, Evelyn" Arlo said, his breath on the back of her neck made shivers go down her spine "I missed you"

"It's only been a few days" Evelyn said "Tomorrow everyone's planning to visit"

"A few days?" He asked huskily "Felt like forever to me..."

They let go of the embrace and Evelyn turned around. She saw Arlo but this Arlo wasn't solid. He looked transparent. Arlo looked down on the ground and nervously kicked his foot on the ground, a worried expression on his face. Evelyn opened her mouth to ask what was wrong but he interrupted by looking up, a smile on his face.

"I've accepted the fact that you'll love someone else one day," He said

"Arlo..." She mumbled

"I know it's selfish but a part of me wants to keep you to myself" Arlo admitted "But that's gone now, when you get married, I'd like it if you'd invite me as well"

"But.."

"I love you," Arlo said earnestly "I...still do"

"I love you too" Evelyn said

"But we can never be together" He said "I realized that when you decided to go home a few days ago.."

Evelyn looked down in guilt. She couldn't look him in the eye anymore after hearing him say that. She didn't want to admit it but every night since that day, she couldn't sleep well. Second thoughts about Arlo's request kept filling her mind. But right now, in this exact moment, she made a solid decision. She wants to be with Arlo. Your arguments are invalid. She looked up and looked him straight in the eye with strong determination.

"Arlo, I wanna be with you," Evelyn said, her bottom lip quivering "I made a mistake, it's you...only you"

She felt the tears roll down her cheeks. Arlo walked over to her and lifted his hand up. Using his thumb, he wiped her tears away, a concerned smile on his face. They stared at each other for a moment before Arlo bent down and locked her in another embrace. Evelyn closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his body. She held him tightly, as though he'd disappear if she didn't.

"No, Evelyn," He said "You belong here in your world, you'll be happy here"

"I really won't" She said, burying her face into his chest

"Yes, you will" He pressed on "Please smile for me"

Though he couldn't see it, he knew that she was smiling.

"Be happy and live life to the fullest every single day" He said "Know that I'll always love you and I'll always be here if you need anything"

Her eyes filled with tears again.

"Don't worry, you'll move on"

A few tears left her eyes.

"I'll wait for you to visit," He said "I'll wait forever if I have to"

That was the last thing he said before a bright light engulfed him and he disappeared. Leaving Evelyn in the same position, desperately looking for the warmth that wasn't there anymore.

xXx

Evelyn visited every single day but a few years later, in one particular day, she visited. She placed her hand on the bark and smiled.

"Hello, old friend" She smiled "I'm..I'm getting married in a week"

No response but she knew that he was listening.

"Even though I said that I've moved on a few days ago, I really haven't" She admitted "Well, I was never a good liar"

She hugged the tree and a few stares were directed at her. She didn't care.

"Even though I'm promising my life to another guy, know that I've promised forever to you" She said "You're my first love and I'll never forget that"

Evelyn left after a long conversation to Arlo who was listening intently. Arlo watched from the inside of the tree as she walked away. He let a tear slip as he realized that his first love was getting married to some guy he doesn't even know. But a smile tugged at his lips as he looked at the lavender ribbon. Looking down at his roots, he saw a card.

A wedding invitation to Arlo.

I know, I know, this story has a horrible ending. I'm only a 13 year old girl having some fun with writing so don't flame, please!

Based on Pacthesis's dating sim, Number days.

Arlo and Evelyn belong to her.