When the Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7) - COMPLETED

15: Cloudburst

Trigger Warning: This chapter contains sensitive content that may be distressing to some readers. Please proceed with caution. If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to skip this chapter or the book entirely.

I FELL TO MY KNEES AS I WAS dizzy and losing strength. My breathing was heavy. My tears kept pouring. I bowed my head and hugged myself when the strong wind suddenly blew. I shivered even harder because I was already drenched.

A few minutes passed before I saw someone standing in front of me. The first thing I noticed was her feet. I slowly looked up, but I couldn't clearly see her face through the heavy rain. I couldn't open my eyes properly.

I flinched when the waves suddenly crashed onto both of us. The ocean grew even harsher. I looked at her hand. She was handing me a bottle of beer.

"M-My arm is getting numb," she said. Her voice shook just like her hands, as if she was trying to hide it.

"Are you cold?"

"No. Just take it," she answered with a monotone. "Do you want to get sick?"

I took the beer from her and drank immediately. She sat beside me. I could hear her heavy breathing. She was trembling too.

"What's the reason why you wanna die?"

"Her," I replied shortly.

"Hmm..." she murmured. "Why?"

"She's my first love..." I sighed. "I didn't know love could be like this. As happy as it makes you, it can hurt the same way." I drank again before speaking. "It's so painful. My chest hurts." I exhaled sharply and emptied the bottle.

"That's scary..." She paused for a moment. "But it must be nice... to be in love and to be loved."

I looked down and broke into tears. My mind kept betraying me, because once again, our memories came flooding back. My heart ached. I missed her.

I fucking missed Eli and the way we used to be.

I remembered the first time I saw her... how she hugged me when she was scared, when she cried, when she said she liked me. I remembered how happy my family was because of her... and in just one moment, all of it disappeared.

"You really loved her that much, huh?"

I slowly nodded. "Yes. I can't even get mad at her even though I have every right to." I looked at her and saw that she was lying on the sand, hugging herself. "Are you sure you're not cold?"

"No..." She cleared her throat. "What if you're really not meant for each other?"

"I'd rather be single for the rest of my life," I admitted.

She scoffed. "Is that how it really is?"

I lay down on the sand too and closed my eyes as the rain continued to pour. "How what?"

"When you love someone with everything you have, you'll never look for anyone else?"

I thought about it. "For me, yes. No one could ever surpass her because she was already the best. Maybe if someone else comes along, I won't be able to love her the same way."

"You're right... It's better if you stay single forever." She clicked her tongue. "I-I wish my Dad did the same thing." She whispered it, but I could feel the pain in her voice.

"Ren!"

I looked toward the direction of the voice. My family wasn't here, so it couldn't be them. I glanced at the girl beside me, and she immediately stood up.

"Rain! What are you doing out here? Aren't you scared of the rai—"

She ran toward the man calling her.