Chapter 9

Time flew by, bringing the summer closer, which was the summer when Deirdre graduated from school and she threw a party to celebrate the start of a new life. She invited all of her classmates and friends, who flooded the house and the garden while the music played loud making everybody dance. The queen of the night stood by the pool talking to her classmates when she saw her dear friend coming to her.

''Andy!'', she said running to him. ''Thank you so much for being here''.

''I wouldn't miss it'', he replied offering her a box wrapped in a shiny paper and tied up with a red ribbon.

''What's this? You bought me a present?'', she asked with a surprised look and opened it right away revealing a green sweater.

''In winter, when it's cold, you'll be wearing it and will remind you of the friend you left back home'', he joked but Deirdre's eyes were full of tears.

''I don't need a gift to remind me of you, Andy'', she said holding him in a tight embrace. ''I want you to know that. You are a true friend to me''.

''I know''.

''Besides, we won't part for long, right?'', she said wiping her tears. ''I'll be back for Christmas''.

''I know it. You're the one who started crying like you will never see me again!'', Andy said laughing and held her by the waist. ''Shall we dance?''

''Yeah'', she agreed and they began dancing happily. ''You know who else is here?'', she asked him after a while.

''Who?''

''Katherine'', she answered and Andy's feet were glued to the ground.

''Katherine? Where… Where is she?'', he asked and his friend showed him towards the direction where the girl was sitting. ''Would you mind if I asked her to dance?''

''Not at all. I would even wish you good luck'', she said encouraging him with a pat. As he walked towards Katherine, Deirdre heard a voice behind her back. She turned around slowly and saw a dear face that meant so much to her, though she had never expressed any of these feelings. ''Paul! What a nice surprise!''

''I came with Andy and thought I should say hello. Congratulations, Miss Deirdre. I wish you the best''.

''Thank you, Paul'', she said touching the hand he extended to her. As she stood across the boy she loved, she realized she did not have much time left. With the first autumn rain, she would leave and wouldn't be able to see him everyday. Whatever she intented to do, she should do it quickly, because the time was running out. ''I'm glad you are here tonight''.

''You're my brother's best friend. So, I came along''.

''I know'', Deirdre said with a shadow of disappointment in her eyes. ''But you are invited at my party too and you should enjoy yourself. Can I get you a drink?''

''Better not. I'm driving''.

''Right'', she agreed uncomfortably. She was ready to speak to Paul but it looked like he was not ready to hear her.

''I think I should go look for my brother'', he said after a few moments of silence but Deirdre couldn't let him go.

''Don't! Andy…'', she said seeing her friend dancing with Katherine. ''He doesn't even remember you are here''. Paul laughed nodding his head. Indeed, his presence would be very annoying. ''How about we dance too?'', Deirdre suggested not being able to believe she actually said those words. Paul agreed. He held her by her hand and waist, she touched his shoulder with her fingers and they began to sway at the slow music. While she danced in the arms of her first love, Deirdre couldn't feel the grass beneath her feet. She felt like they were dancing upon a cloud and despite they were at a party, Deirdre imagined they were all alone. She and the boy she loved. ''You know… In a few months I'm leaving for college''.

''Congratulations'', Paul said with a smile.

''I won't be here anymore''.

''Well, that's life. Children leave home, when they grow up''.

''Yes, I am a grown-up now!'', she said aloud and then lowered her eyes. ''But this doesn't mean I am not sad to leave''.

''Who said that? Of course you'll miss your family. There's nothing wrong with it. But with time, you will change your mind and you won't think so much about what you left behind. After all, there is no reason to worry. You'll be back for the holidays''.

''Yes… But… It's a long time''.

''Aren't you happy? You are starting a new life soon. As much as this frightens you right now, you'll see how much you will love it eventually. But tonight especially you shouldn't be in such a bad mood. Why are you having these thoughts?''

''Because…'', she started but then stopped. She let go of his hand and lowered her face, her eyes fixed on the fingers she squeezed together in anxiety. ''You will be here and I… I will be gone''. Paul just looked at her.

''So what?'', he asked but the young woman opened and closed her lips without speaking. Paul had never seen her so upset. ''Miss Deirdre…'', he said and she looked at him with eyes that showed all the tension she was hiding in her heart. ''Why are you telling me all this?''

''Paul… I… I… All this time… I'm in love with you'', she admitted and felt a huge weight was lifted off her chest. Paul, though, looked at her in a way which suggested that this weight was now his to carry.

''Deirdre… You just turned eighteen. You don't… You don't understand the meaning of those words''.

''You're wrong'', she said full of confidence. ''I know how I feel. This past year… Everytime I saw you… I could hear my heartbeat. Do you understand? When I was near you… When we talked… I wanted to tell you but at the last moment I lost my courage. But now… Maybe I won't have another chance. I love you, Paul. I want you to know. You should know. Because… I don't want this to end''.

''It can't be'', said Paul trying to recover. ''Do you have any idea what will happen, if your parents hear what you've just said?''

''I don't care what my parents will say. I only care about what you'll say''.

''What I'll say? Deirdre… This can't go on''.

''But why?'', she complained.

''Because it's wrong'', he snapped. ''I'm sorry. I know that it hurts you but…''. He didn't have time to finish his sentence. All of a sudden, Deirdre fell in his arms and kissed him. For a few seconds he stood there frozen not being able to believe what was happening. It was wrong. He should push her away. He should explain to her that they had no future together. He should end this kiss and never go near her again. He should… But instead of him convincing her, she convinced him and all those feelings led them both to a road with no return.