CHAPTER I:
Farewell, Love

"Triscia! Hurry up," my mom called from downstairs. "You're going to be late for your farewell party!"

I sighed. I had just gotten over the fact that I was going to leave all of my friends and happy memories behind here in the Philippines and face a new beginning with my parents in a different country. I put down my brush on the dresser, observing myself in the three way mirror. Well, this is my going-away party; I ought to make a good lasting impression.

My mother knocked on the bedroom door, probably worried why I didn't answer. "Are you crying?"

"What? No," I said, my voice even. I do a very good job of keeping my emotions contained, not letting anyone else know about what I was feeling. "Just getting ready, I want to look good, Mom."

"Well, hurry up! It's your party and you can't be late."

"Yes."

I typed in the code on a little safe that sat on the edge of the dresser. It contained my jewelry and a few hand-me-downs from my grandma, along with other private things that I can't bear my parents to see, like letters and stuff. I rummaged around, pulling out a gold necklace that had the letter "S" on it and a tiny snake slithering around it. I put it on, noticing how it complimented my outfit. I dressed simply: a light blue sleeveless blouse and jeggings. I put on a pair of black heels and turning around in front of a mirror. Well, this is my last day here. I ought to make a good lasting impression.

I grabbed my black purse and went out of the room. My mom was working on some paperwork on the kitchen table, not looking up when I passed her. I took the keys that were hanging on a nail by the TV.

"What are you doing?" She asked when she heard the jingle of the keys.

"Aren't you going to drive me to the club?"

"No." She replied, shrugging off the table. She made a face as she put all the papers in an envelope.

"Oh," I said awkwardly. "Well, I'll just commute on the way."

"Nonsense! Kyle's picking you up."

"Really?" I asked, instantly smiling. Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Ah, that must be him."

She made her way to answer the door, me just right on her heels. Kyle, a tall and gangly boy just two years older than me, smiled as she opened the door.

"Hey, Aunt Marianne," he waved. Then he looked down at me. "Ready?"

I pecked my mom on the cheek. "Won't be out long." I called as I made my way down the walkway.

"Actually," I heard her reply. I turned around, not expecting that. "I decided to put off your curfew for now. You deserve more time now than ever to hang out with your friends. Make your last day with them memorable."

I was so delighted. I ran back to her, regardless of the height of the heels, and hugged her ever so tightly; my purse swinging. "Thanks, mom," I breathed.

When we were in Kyle's car, I opened the glove compartment and pulled out a CD of a band we both love. He nodded in approval as the intro of the first song sounded in the speakers.

"So you're going away, huh?" He asked nonchalantly, as if we were discussing something trivial about school. It might've just been me, but I think I detected an undercurrent to his tone.

"Don't remind me," I groaned. "It sucks that we only got to know each other for a year, and then I have to go away after that." I pouted.

He laughed, patting my hand. He lingered there for half a second, but I was too preoccupied in watching an elderly couple cross the road to notice. They were both wearing a jacket, gloves, and a scarf. Which was weird. On a hot afternoon like this, wearing something like that would be really stupid. But, call me crazy, I swear that when one of them turned smiled at the other, it revealed a row of very sharp teeth like a shark's.

I blinked. The heat must be getting to me.


"Are you sure that she will come?" The gravelly voice on the other end of the line asked.

"Yes, sir." I replied.

"Good," he seemed pleased. "Everything is going according to plan, Michael. I don't want you to mess things up, or there'll be great punishment."

I prevented myself from gulping. "Yes, sir. I'll be ready with the knife, just give me a signal."

"We cannot afford mistakes, tonight, Michael," he replied with a false sweetness. "If she doesn't die tonight, you will."

This time, I did not hide my gulp.


I have never had a greater night than what I just had with my friends.

Kyle drove me to the country club, where my farewell party took place. It was very amazing how everybody was able to keep this from me for weeks, up until my parents broke the news to me earlier over breakfast. Every single one of my friends was here. We weren't that many, about fifteen, but none the less, I was happy.

We danced, we ate, we had fun. I had the great pleasure of reconnecting with them, the sadness of leaving temporarily weighed down.

When I got really tired – my feet ached so bad – I sat down. After a few seconds, Kyle sat down next to me.

"So, Kyle," I said casually. "Promise me that you won't ever, EVER, forget me."

He looked at me. "Of course, Triscia! Someone like you is unforgettable."

"Stop it, you're making me blush." I pretended to look shy.

He shook his head, laughing silently. But then he became serious. "Hey, can we step out for a minute?" He gestured to a thick curtain, which behind it, was a balcony.

I stood up, pulling him by the hand.

The moon was bright and full, and the stars were twinkling like little beacons of light. They were reflecting off of the tops of the houses, I leaned over the railing, Kyle beside me. We didn't say anything. We just watched the sky or felt the wind as it lightly rustled the trees. The sound of traffic below us wasn't too loud to disturb the peacefulness that came with the night.

"You know, I'm really going to miss you, Trish." He called me by my nickname.

"Please don't tell me you're going to go all drama on me, Kyle." I teased.

He sighed, but a sad look crossed his eyes. He looked back up at the sky, but I continued to watch him.

"I never thought that it would end like this," he whispered so low that I wasn't sure that I heard him right. "I never thought that I could never see you again." He spoke a bit louder this time, not enough for me to hear the words clearly, but enough to detect a note of pain.

"Kyle?"

He turned to me, looking me straight in the eye. The moon reflected off of his glasses, making his eyes appear bigger than usual. "Trish, it's time that I tell you the truth. I can't believe that I let it get this far," he took a deep breath. "I love you, Trish. I've always had since the first time I met you, even before we became friends." His voice slightly broke on the last word. I didn't say anything, so he continued.

"You're the most important thing to me, you need to know that. No matter how far you are, my heart's always calling out to yours. And somehow, you always come back."

I bit back my tongue, preventing myself from saying, "That's cheesy." He waited for me to say something, but I couldn't think of anything that wouldn't make things go bad. Kyle! Kyle my best friend! I couldn't believe it had come to this! I panicked. I controlled my breathing, keeping my face smooth. I was in total shock.

I shivered when the wind blew. Without considering it, he held me tight, crushing me gently to his chest. I could feel the "S" press against my skin.

"It's okay if you don't feel the same," he stroked my hair. I half-expected his voice to break in pain when he said that but it remained soft, soothing. "I just want you to know that I'll always be here, that you'll always have one guy behind you."

I searched for the right word to say. "I… Kyle… I…" I stammered. I instantly knew I ruined everything. I instinctively wanted to pull away from him, but somehow I won't… can't. I can't stand hurting him, but this was wrong, I don't feel the same…

In the distance, I saw something peculiar. Pink lightning. I pushed him away gently and strained my eyes. I blinked. Had I seen right? Was I insane? I looked up at Kyle, and his face was a mixture of pain, confusion, and more pain.

"Didn't you see it?" I asked, perplexed.

"See what?"

"There," I pointed to the night sky. "Pink lightning! I saw it, I swear! Pink lightning!"

He followed my finger. "Trish, there was no lightning, much less pink lightning." He shook his head.

"Look, there it is again!" I pointed , but this time, it was nearer, and there were five of them now! "Don't you see it Kyle? Don't you see it? I swear." My voice faltered. I could see it in his face that he did not believe me, but here it is, it is still happening!

He shook his head. "Maybe you should go inside." He spoke quietly. I didn't know, whether Kyle wanted me to go inside because he was hurt of me 'rejecting' him and using a lame excuse to get myself out of the situation, or he just wanted me to go inside and sit down.

I turned around and went inside, willing myself to not look behind by shoulder. What just happened made no sense, the lightning anyway. It came from three different locations in the sky the first time, but they all came together in the end, as if connected.

Kyle didn't follow, probably wondering what could possibly cause such an event or just thinking about what happened between us. I sighed. This wouldn't do good for our friendship.

I winced. Hearing myself think those words was cruel.

Thankfully, someone else offered to drive me home tonight. I don't think sitting alone with Kyle in a car for an hour's drive without feeling awkward would be a nice end to this day. But before we parted, he hugged me tightly. Some of my friends didn't react, because they've already seen us in a friendly embrace, but only I could feel the intensity that came with it.

He whispered, "I love you, Trish. Take care of yourself."

Amidst long hugs, and tearful goodbyes, I was ready to go on and move forward with my life.


So, this is it for now. Hope you've enjoyed, at least, my first two posts. :) Comments? Suggestions? Violent reactions? Very violent reactions? Hit me up on the reviews or PM me. Reviews are encouraged! Well, bye!