Return to me

The sun was laggardly setting. The swirls of colors were slowly blending with the night sky. Starry stars were glimmering in one at a time, and the full moon serenely illuminated the night. The presence of clouds was forgotten and Eddie strolled down a valley of roses. The fragrance inundated him, and he felt fervor as bright red shimmered around him. A small smile tugged his lips, and he placed his hands on his pockets as he continued down the array of venues offering specials for the roses. It was, after all, Valentine's Day.

His auburn locks slayed back and forth with the wind, his cheeks were tinted with a soft red hue, and his lips were burning with numbness. It was a chilly February in the Big Apple. And Eddie was beginning to regret coming here in the first place. But he had to.

It was his parent's anniversary and they had decided to celebrate this year in New York City. Eddie would've left three days ago back to L.A.'s warmth and familiarity. But he preferred to lay back a few more days and be at peace without having Jake behind his ass all the time. The media wasn't too bad; the paparazzi and his fans let him be for a while. And it was today that would be his last day, and he'll be on his way back to L.A.

A frown found a way to his lips, and he lightly puffed a breath of cold air out. I should've left yesterday, he thought. Eddie looked around his surroundings, and despised everywhere he looked. Every corner was filled with red. Every store, every post was vandalized with words of affection and even red was painted over the trees. He walked on hearts of red, and couples cuddling brushed past him. He was the only soul who had no one on his side. It's not like Eddie cared. In fact, he didn't mind being alone on this day or on other occasions. But he couldn't help but feel solace as well. He felt lonely, and sometimes that aggravating feeling tug on his chest.

Eddie sighed dejectedly, and he continued to walk down, ever so often bumping into preoccupied couples. He clutched his hand within his pockets, and felt a cold, smooth texture roughly crumbled in his hand. Eddie took out the object from his pocket and held it in front of him. His lips twitched upward and he chuckled at the memory. The time, the place, the person, the paper and the reasons all rushed back to him. The green paper shimmered under the radiant lights that the posts expelled. He cleared his throat, and he quickly placed the paper on his pocket. He inhaled, and walked in a faster pace.

His mind was unmercifully being consumed by memories he had attempted to forget a long time ago. The scenes flashed back to him. They were bullets constantly pushing through his chest. He pressed his lips tightly, and gently let his guard down. Everything faded to black. Everything, except… her.

Long, wavy, brunette hair. Captivating hazel eyes that pulled you in a trance. Pale skin complemented by rosy cheeks. A timorous smile, and a gentle laugh that tasted like honey with cinnamon to your ears.

He could picture her oh well, like, if it was just yesterday that he saw her for the first time. It was all such a bitter-sweet memory. She was a sweet, and quiet thought within him that screamed millions of volumes every time he felt lonely.

He was walking faster now. The stroll down Time Square was dismissed, and she was taking him captive once again. Now, everything around him reminded him of her. And that certain affliction that he knew so well was returning.

Red strings tangled him. World maps tormented him. Pink roses caught his eyes, and burned his insides. Splashes of water drowned him. His vision played games with him. Hallucinations of desks, chalk boards, and paper planes stood still as he passed them. He heard a strong Cuban accent, whistles, and a melodic voice gently whisper: "Do you have paper I can use?" A question that repeated over and over again in a sequential order. And each the time the voice grew more comfortable and louder, and each time it faded even more.

Eddie's head was pulsating, and his lungs were asking for oxygen. He felt so out of breath, like all the air was robbed from him.

He hated it. He hated days like this. Where all the colors, all the sounds, all the couples reminded him of what he could've been with her if he wasn't so inconsiderate. He detested it.

The distressed man brusquely came to a stop and leaned on one of the walls. He quietly fumbled in his pockets and pulled out the cursed paper. The paper that he wrote so long ago, but never had the guts to throw it away because it meant so much him. This simple paper held something so precious to Eddie. It reminded him of the best years of his life. But it also reminded him of what he lost.

Eddie placed the paper on his lips, and closed his eyes.

The memories were too much. They were too adamant, and he was feeling the treacherous need to relive every moment he spent with her. He chuckled bitterly as she was finally letting him breathe. He inhaled a long haul of air, and he succumbed on the wall. He delicately placed the wrinkled paper back on his pocket, the place where it has been all this time. Through every concert, every interview, every event, every family reunion, every photo-shoot, every recording session, every signing event… his pocket.

Eddie closed his eyes and relaxed his feverish breath. And softly, a smile began to form. He remembers now. He remembers the day that she made him hers. The day she stole his breath away. His shoulders relaxed, and his fist unclenched as he was giving in. He was reminiscing that day.

AP Human Geography. Seniors mixed with sophomores. Mr. Tirado giving the least of a welcome to every student on the first day of school. A class of 40. Atmosphere frigid. And an empty desk right next to a timid girl.

He was being consumed by it all. But it was all interrupted when he heard a soft cry behind him. He opened his eyes and gently looked beside the wall he was leaning on. He discreetly observed, what he assumed was a girl and two guys. The girl was cornered on the wall, and the two guys were pushing her further. They whispered vulgar profanities to the girl, and even though it was dark and he couldn't see anything, he knew she was trembling with terror. He automatically began walking towards them.

"Come on, Baby. Don't be like that." The guy with the black leather jacket said. He inched closer to them. His mind was screaming no, but his body acted on its own.

"Talk, girl. Are you fucking mute or something?"

The girl was growing smaller and smaller by the second. The two guys diminishing every bit of her. She whimpered when one of them abruptly grabbed her arm and shook her forward. He was suddenly consumed with rage. And it surprised Eddie how protective he was of this stranger.

"St-uo-p-"

She whispered through silent tears. His feet got closer and closer to them, the distance extinguishing.

"What the hell was that?"

"Please… leave me alone."

Eddie suddenly stopped on his tracks. His eyes widened and his lips parted. He stood aghast as he recognized that voice. The soft angelic tone. She could've whispered it, and he would've recognized it regardless. Lights were suddenly flickering in the small compartment of the two buildings, and his heart stopped beating like the first time he first saw her.

Dull hazel eyes were showered with complete terror. And his breath was caught in his throat.


Hehe, new story, sorry :o. It was itching me to write it okay. And plus, it'll probably be short. So don't be mad at me because of Worthless and Trust... I'll probably fall off with this story too and stop updating for months and going. Who knows.