Dear Ophelia

Chapter Three

"I'm no photographer but I could picture us together."

THE START OF HIGH SCHOOL

"Vo! W-wait up!" Ophelia yelled.

The boy stopped with an annoyed groan
Ever since they found out that they were to be married, she's been clinging on to him.

"What the fuck do you want?" He swore. Profanities came out more often when she was around.

She blushed. "I-I was in town the other day and this reminded me of you." She handed over a gift bag. "I hope you like it!"

Ivo looked at her suspiciously as if he didn't believe her. Inside the paper bag was a camera.

"Y-you said that you liked taking photos, but the camera was a bit old, so I got you a new one. D-do you like it?"

He loved it. He absolutely loved it. However his father's voice came floating into his head. "Don't let anyone close to you. Least of all a woman."

"No. I don't." He gritted out. He pushed the bag back into her hands.

Her bright smile fell. Ivo so desperately wanted to pick it back up and tell her the truth. But he knew what happened when you get vulnerable. He didn't want what happened to his mother and father happen to him. It was better to push her away now so no one got hurt. Maybe if she hated him enough, she'll tell her father that she wants to call off the engagement. Her dad would do anything for his only child.

"O-oh. Well, your birthday is coming up. Is there anything you want?"

"For you to go away." He said bluntly.

Tears started to well up in her eyes. Lia's mouth made a small 'o' shape and she nodded. She kept her head bowed and walked away.

Ivo was tearing himself up inside. He hoped this would get easier.

...

"Happy 16th birthday, Ivo!"

He gave a small grin to everyone and blew out his candle. "I wish that I can finally be free of all this." He whispered, begging whatever God there is to make it come true.

True to her promise, Ivo barely saw Ophelia at his party. He knew that she was there, he saw her dipping in and out of conversations and purposely avoiding him.

The thought made him slightly sad but at least it saved them both the heart ache.

"Bro! Nice party!" One of his many 'friends' came up to him. Ivo pulled on his signature smirk.

"Just wait till the weekend, my parents aren't home." He laughed.

"Can't wait!"

Ivo suffered through another three hours of meaningless mingling with relatives he barely knew. At the end of it he was exhausted, he couldn't help but feel even worse when he remembered he was hosting another party during the weekend.

At least not all was lost. He got a new typewriter and a ton of birthday money.

...

"Let's play truth or shot!"

"That's not even a game."

"Come on! It'll be fun!"

The lights were low and the music in the next room could still be heard.

A group of people had gathered in the second living room and Ivo was practically forced to join.

Scanning the circle of people, he noticed that didn't know most of them. Or maybe he did but he didn't care enough to remember them.

"I will spin the bottle, and whoever it lands on will have to do tell a truth or take a shot." The girl in the middle yelled. "Either way, the truth will be out tonight!"