He longed for her, ever more so then ever. Her touch was pure bliss, her smile was like being in paradise. And yet, he took for her granted. He always saw her as his best friend and he knew she meant something more to her. He saw beneath the surface and he saw she had feelings for him. But he was afraid. He was afraid that there were cracks, that he saw her wrong, that she never had feelings for him. He's afraid that it would ruin their friendship and that worse of all, he might lose her too. He's afraid because deep down he knew, he has feelings for her too.
People always whispered behind their back. You're both too close to each other to be only friends, they would always say. People always thought that they were in a relationship with each other, because deep down, he wished it too. But he only saw her as his partner, his Harry to his Ron or sometimes, the Veronica to his Betty. They completed each other, without them knowing it. They were inseparable; you'd never see the one without the other and it takes hell to freeze over to see the one without the other.
But one day, they were. One day, she vanished like smoke. No one could even contact her, not even her best friend. Not even him. Their teachers refused to say anything, where she is or if she's okay. Days, weeks, months passed and go and never did she return or even say a word. They felt betrayed, HE felt betrayed. How could she leave without telling them first? And he vowed. He vowed that he would forget her. And try as hard as he could, he could never forget her.
People always rooted for them to be together. Their friends, their family, hell even their teachers. They were the perfect couple, even as friends. She sings, he tries to write with her. He photographs and sometimes she photographs too, much to his annoyance because "her pictures are better than mine". His locker would be filled with pictures. Pictures of her and their friends but her pictures were always on top. Everyone would be on their toes, patiently waiting for the day they'll finally be together. But when she vanished, everyone pitied him. Some were angry with him for some reason, hoping he took his chance when he had it but most of all, they pitied him.
He tried looking for her. He looked far and wide and he could never find her. For years, he looked overturning every rock, searching every nook and cranny for signs of her. Once he thought he had a solid lead. And as soon as he thought he finally found her, she's gone like the wind once again.
So he moved on. He found love in someone as brilliant as her, someone whose fire is as bright as or perhaps even brighter than her fire. She was with him all along and he was blind to her love. Their love for each other was great, yes, but he always knew something is lacking, something is missing. Yes she's nothing like her, but that's all that matters. All that matters is that he is happy and she is happy and everything is right in the world even though it's not.
How cruel fate is. He never knew that the next time they'll meet, it'll be in a concert. She'd be the one performing and she's still sing like the way she used to. Her flaming red hair would still be as vibrant as he remembered it and she would still smile like she used to. She'd still play the piano and if he closed his eyes, he could still picture her playing the same song in her room. She still sang just the way he remembered it, singing the songs they used to write together. She would still lose herself in her own music, and he wished that he could hold her, say good bye to her one last time.
He always regretted the things he didn't do. He'll always regret the fact that he didn't go out with her, not even once in high school. He regrets not seeing her for what she really is. He regrets not listening to his friends and not even trying to court her, not even once. But most of all, he'll always regret that he never tried hard enough to look for her. But at least he won't regret going after her this time.
He ran after her, as fast as his feet could. He ran past her screaming fans and her big bodyguards, past her security team and her people. He wheezed past the concert crew and even followed her to her dressing room. Up close, she's just like how he remembers her, minus the attire and the heavy make-up. She still hums as she prepares her things, still as meticulous as ever. He wants to cry at that point, but his every being told him not to.
"America Singer, do you still remember me?" he asked, his voice cracking. She turned around and he swore, he could hear his heart beat faster than ever. She was just as he remembered it. She still has those vibrant blue eyes that are so full of mischief. She still has the same smile 10 years ago that lights up the entire world. But her face didn't convey the expression he wishes it had. Instead it was full of wonder, of curiosity. It was as if, she didn't know him. "I'm sorry, should I know you?" was her response, careful and polite.
His world fell as her security team escorted him out of the venue. She does not remember me, was all he could think of amidst everything that happened afterwards. He was interviewed multiple times, by the police and her management inquiring him of his intentions. They were suspicious of him naturally but one could not help but pity the man who saw the love his life only for her not to remember him.
Hi guys! I'm so sorry that I'm not consistent but I'll try to update as often as I could. Thanks for always being there and I hope that you'll like this one :)