ELIZA

7

For the next four days, they were inseparable. One night at Alina's, the next at Eliza's, where they would stay until it was time to part. On the last day, in Eliza's room, Eliza picked up her guitar and plucked at the strings.

"Do you play?" she asked.

"Only a little." Alina said shyly.

"Play something for me." Eliza requested. She had a way of getting to know Alina by sharing her things.

"All right. I only know this one song right now." Alina said as she picked up the guitar.

The intro to "Officially Missing You", by Tamia, started in Alina's hands, shaking. She made a few mistakes but pressed on.

"Ooooo, can't nobody do it like you..." Alina sang, feeling the pang of Eliza's imminent leaving her. Justine left, and she knew she would lose Eliza, too.

As the song came to a close, Alina took one last breath and looked into Eliza's eyes. Eliza, grateful for the music, looked back intently. They kissed, and the tears ran down Alina's face.

"I guess this is it." Alina said, through the tears.

"No, I won't let it." Eliza said.

"What do you mean? You should go to Argentina and enjoy yourself to the fullest." Alina retorted.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Eliza prayed.

Shocked, Alina was speechless. She had never done long distance before, but she knew that Eliza was special. She knew that she loved her already, even though she did not quite know her yet. So, she accepted, and the next day Eliza flew off to Colorado before going to Argentina in January.

As Alina boarded the bus to New York, she felt her phone buzz. It was a text from Katrina:

I went to a party last night, and Justine was there. She's not over you.