Hi guys. So this will be the final chapter of Naively Clueless.

First thing is first, let me apologize for being SOOO late to update. But I was battling writer's block. I know that making excuses is bad. But I hope that you guys'll accept my apology.

Then, I would like that thank all of you who've patiently stood by me during the telling of this story. Thanks for reading, reviewing and also adding me to your favorites.

Okay…On with the story.

Naively Clueless

crystal-mist

It definitely was not a pleasant way for me to know that Dan was moving away.

I received a text message from Shun. It said 'So, Alice…Don't forget to bring some balloons for the party.'

I blinked my eyes in confusion. What did he mean? Which party? I was never informed of any party. I spent a little bit of time thinking. However I could think of none. 'What party?'

'Oh man…Julie hasn't told you about the farewell party we're organizing yet?' came his reply.

Okay, now Shun was confusing me. But then; this sparked inquisitiveness in my mind. 'Who for?'

'Use you common sense, you fool!'

Now I was now ticked off.

'Stop your insults and just tell me who, idiot.'

When the phone bleeped about five minutes later I walked up to it and glanced at the message. It shocked me. 'For Dan, obviously.'

I gazed at the message. Instantly, I knew that it would be better to enquire about the matter to someone other than Shun.

I turned my room upside down searching for my diary which had Julie's phone number written in it. Granted, all I had to do was walk out of my house, go to Julie's and then ask her face to face about it. But then, for some strange reason I felt that calling her would be better.

I flopped down on my couch and dialed the number. I waited… The monotonous drone of the ringing was getting to me; and patience wasn't really a virtue I had truck loads of.

And then, a voice sounded from the other end. "Julie speaking. What's up, Runo?"

I figured she had caller ID. "What's this about a party?"

"Nyah! I forgot to tell you…its next week. Alice and Marucho will offer the refreshments, we've got to take care of the decorations. You know I'm good at that. And Shun said that he will take care-"

I knew that Julie's ranting would go on forever if I did not intervene. "No…I mean…" I struggled to form a logical sentence. "Where's Dan going?"

Julie drew in a deep breath of surprise, and then a silence fell over us. I waited for a while wishing that she would speak first. But she didn't.

"Ju?"

"Don't tell me he didn't tell you yet."

"Uh…no."

"He's moving back to his parent's place… He's going to study there this year. He's leaving on the 28th."

"But…today…is the 14th." I have no idea what I intended to convey by that statement. But then, the confusion that shrouded my mind did not subside. Why had he not told me? Did he think that I wouldn't find out?

"Honestly Runo…I thought you'd know by now…"

"Yeah…well."

And that was the end of that conversation.

That day, I felt like going to the terrace to wait for Dan and then smack him right on the head if he showed up. And strangely enough, that is exactly what I did. I also had a book in my hand to ward off suspicion.

The flow of time slithered slowly like a sluggish snail. Plus, the book I was reading was downright boring. It was probably my horrible mood that made me so somber.

After about half an hour there came footsteps. And then a voice that called out to me "Hey…"

I wanted to hit, scream and yell at him then and there; but I decided to completely ignore him.

I am sure he was puzzled because he tried greeting me again only to be disregarded.

"What's with that grouchy face?"

"…"

"Runo?"

"…."

He sat down beside me. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

"Cut it out." I barked.

"Aggressive."

"That's enough of your innocent act."

"What?"

I was really enraged. He was leaving, he might not ever come back again and he did not have even the consideration to tell me… Did he think it inconsequential?

"Where're you going?"

That was when he realized what had made me mad. "I'm sorry." He muttered.

"Sorry? Sorry! For what!" I exclaimed.

"…" he didn't look like he was ready to speak.

"For having deceived me?" I spoke out. Yeah, I was ticked off BIG time. "For having made me lower my guard? For having made me trust you? What for?"

"Runo…I."

"I trusted you!"

"Uh."

"Why exactly would I have admitted something so embarrassing otherwise?"

"I'm sorry…" he said. I was about to intervene once again when he shook his head. "Let me speak."

I don't know why, but I obeyed and did not disrupt him.

"I did not plan for this to happen. Honestly…I didn't plan this… My Mom just called me one day and told me to go over there to study next year...And I meant to tell you…I did, that day. But whenever I wanted to tell you…I'd be distracted."

"Don't make excuses."

"For real…the last time I wanted to tell you, I made you promise not to get mad at me…But, then you said that you returned my feelings…And then. I just couldn't think straight."

"I hate you." I felt absolutely awful and he needed to know that.

He just stared at me with his soft brown eyes. That statement was a bit harsh, I admit. But then, I just felt so crushed, so disappointed. It was a miracle that tears did not flow down my cheeks.

"It's strange." He said. "Having to hear two completely contradictory statements from your mouth in one week."

I did not respond and we elapsed into silence. As the seconds ticked by, my anger subsided and nervousness filled in it's place.

Why was he so quiet? Why wasn't he saying anything? I wanted him to say something…anything.

The silence stretched on endlessly.

"I am sorry." He whispered.

Once again, I said nothing…The confusion I was immersed in wouldn't permit me to make a logical decision. This was the first time it happened to me.

"I guess it can't be helped then." he muttered, standing up.

What…what did he mean by that? Wait, was he leaving? I raised my head and saw that he was. I stared at his back as he was disappearing through the door.

"Wait…" I called out. "Wait…please wait." I repeated seeing that he wasn't stopping.

And before I could think things through I stumbled onto my feet and ran towards the door. Dan turned around to see me just in time and as if reflex he shut the door to my face.

I stood there in front of the faded brown door, utterly perplexed. "Dan?" I called.

"I'm sorry…" I heard his voice resonating from the other side of the door. "I'm sorry…Seriously, Runo…You think I like the idea of leaving this place?" he muttered. "This apartment, everyone here have become my second family…DO you honestly think that I want to leave?"

His voice, it seemed so hurt… He seemed so crushed.

"Then don't." I answered. I tried to push the door open, but failed. Dan was older, hence stronger than me. "Don't leave then."

"It's not that simple." He answered. "I've got to get into the university in my home city."

"Yeah, I guess they have better facilities there than over here." I stated.

"Yeah…That's what my Mom claims… Shoot, why now? Why now, when everything worked out so perfectly?"

That's when I realized that I'd been hard on him. I got angry at him and willed him to get on his knees and apologize. But then, it was hurting him as well…I felt bad…I didn't want him to suffer. I really really liked him, after all.

"I'm sorry… I swear I wasn't trying to toy with your heart."

"I know…" I muttered in an understanding voice. "I understand that…Better late than never. Hey?"

He said nothing.

"Open the door, Dan." I said gently.

"Runo…"

"I want to see you face to face."

The door slowly slid open and he was standing there, his face trained to the ground.

"Don't worry." I said "It's not your fault…it took me a while to accept that." I managed to smile convincingly. My façade had long attained perfection, so managing a smile amidst despair was something I was used to. "I was cold to you…I'm sorry." And right then I thought I'd add a little bonus to cheer him up. "Don't worry. You'll always be my very first crush."

He stared at me as if I were a ghost. Seconds after meeting my gaze he broke eye contact. "You…you always surprise me…You keep oscillating from one emotion to another. It's hard to keep track of it."

"I know…" I smiled. "But you like that about me, right?"

He couldn't help but chuckle when faced with that question. "Of course."

I froze at his straightforward answer. But then, I soon calmed down. "You won't forget us when you leave, will you?"

"No…I won't."

"You swear?"

He nodded at me… A soft smile played upon his lips. "I'm glad that I met you Runo…It's refreshing to meet someone as enigmatic and unpredictable as you."

Why did Dan possess this unique ability to totally catch me off guard like this? "Uh…well. Granted, I am enigmatic."

"Do you hate me?" he asked.

I felt no trouble in gazing right into his eyes now. I shook my head from side to side. "Of course not. When I said that, I was totally grouchy. And you know I say silly things when I'm grouchy."

He chuckled. "Thank you."

"What're you thanking me for?"

He said nothing. And, unfortunately that question of mine remains unanswered to this day.

Then came the farewell party and then the day for him to leave.

"It's time for me to go Runo…I've see you-" he left his sentence incomplete as he saw the tears that streamed down my cheeks.

"Hey, Runo…Don't cry."

No matter how hard I tried I couldn't shut down the salty water that emerged from my eyes.

Dan slowly extended his hand and laid it on my hair. "Hey Runo, you mustn't cry, not over someone like me."

"…Dan…"

"Aw come on Runo…Tom-boys don't cry."

I managed a smile and wiped away my tears. "Take care." I muttered.

He nodded to me. "You too…"

One more tear found it's way down my cheek.

"Tears don't suit you…The Runo whom I adore always has a smile/frown on her face…You should keep it that way. Although, that frown scares me at times."

"Idiot." I muttered smiling at him.

He smiled back at me. He raised his hand in a fleeting wave as he descended the steps of the apartment.

I realized that this was it. This would be the final few moments of my first love. Love was bitter-sweet. The both of us had agreed that keeping a long distance relationship just wouldn't work out. We knew it…

And so I ran to Julie's house and to her balcony because it faced the gate.

She and I watched as Dan got into the car. He then stuck his head out of the window and waved in our direction, smiling all the while. I felt as if his gaze was fixated on me and mine was on his.

The car purred out the gate. "There he goes." Muttered Julie.

"Yeah…Wonder if we'll ever see him again." I muttered.

"What's Facebook for?" answered Julie with a grin. "We'll chat and stuff… And there is something else."

"What?"

"Tell you later."

About two week after that Julie came into my house. "You know something Runo… We could take your life and turn it into a movie."

"Movie?" I asked her in confusion.

"I mean about you and Dan."

I gulped. "What do you mean?"

"Well, when he realized his feelings I told him to keep a sort of diary and record in it things that happened."

"So?"

"When he was leaving he told me that it would be best if he gave it to me."

"Why you though?"

"Cause he knew that, in the end I'd give it to you." she answered just as enthusiastically as ever."I actually considered to make it a story….You know, one of those internet tales that needn't be true."

I stared at her in disbelief. "No way, Ju…No way… I won't let you! will NOT!"

She giggled at me. "Anyways I abandoned that idea because; you know how my English gets. It might turn our more 'flirty' and 'fluffy' than it actually was."

"Let's change the topic Julie…its embarrassing!" I cried out.

"No way." She said looking at me with her mischievous grin still flashing on her face.
"And I read the whole diary thing."

"What! could you?"

"Oh don't worry Runo…it's not a personal diary or anything. It only has occurrences mentioned in it. No personal opinions or alterations…You know, it's like what you guys talked about that day while walking to school and little stuff like that." She giggled. "I think it's so charming of him…That guy's a total sweetheart."

I face-palmed. "Why oh why did that idiot think of giving you the book?"

"Here." She said, placing the book in my hand. "Take it…And turn it into a story."

"…"

"You can do it. I've read your English essays Runo. It's reasonable."

"Reasonable? What kind of compliment is that?" I fumed up, partially from the embarrassment that flooded my veins.

"Calm down Runo…Anyways…Think about what I said." She said winking.

After she left I scanned the book. Just as she said, it had occurrences jotted down in Dan's incomprehensible handwriting… It was half-amusing to read about the things that we bickered about. They all seemed so childish and pointless now.

We kept in contact through Facebook, Dan and I. We chatted and stuff like that. We also sent messages talking about school life. We had taken a unanimous decision to move on. And slowly the messages became less and less frequent and now it's nothing but a fleeting 'Hi' here and there.

It all happened quite unexpectedly. One day, one depressing day when I had particularly nothing to do, my eyes just happened to fall on this book…

And then, guess what happened? That's right; I typed this story out and then posted it under my penname crystal-mist. I wonder what 'Dan' will think if he got wind of this situation.

Fin.

Yeah, so that's that.

I had a bit of a battle in my mind whether to reveal my true identity. *nervous laugh*

This is the last chapter after all. Anyway, review and tell me what you think.

Let me say this one more time. "Life is unfair".

Take care guys.