Mari was laying on her bed, sobbing uncontrollably while hugging her pillows. It's been too weeks yet ever since that day, all she could think about was Cloud and his girlfriend. She skipped all her classes and she was bombarded with texts... Yet none of them were from Cloud. All was hopeless, she's been eating nothing but instant noodles all day every day. She was depressed and she felt lost in life... Her mind was filled with sad thoughts... Thoughts about the past she had with Cloud, the present with all her problems and the unfortunate future waiting for her... Yet they all stopped when someone ringed the doorbell.
She didn't bother to get up and instead covered herself with a blanket. She didn't want to see anyone. She didn't want anyone to see her. Yet she was curious... Who wanted to see her? It couldn't have been Jax... He's so wild and unpredictable. It couldn't have been Kingsley... He doesn't even care that much about her so... It has to be Ernst, I mean... He's been a really good friend to her and he definitely cares for her.
So, she finally gets up. she slowly walks over to the door, she was about to open the door until she suddenly heard someone pleading softly from the other side.
???: "Please... Please open the door..."
She hesitated, she could tell that he had a pained voice when he said those words... She was scared of who it could be yet she opened it.
The second she unlocked it, the door swung open and she gets hugged out of nowhere. It was a soft embrace, it was a familiar embrace. It was everything she needed. A hug from her most loved one... Cloud.
None of them dared to utter a word, the room was filled with complete silence as they were enjoying each other's presence knowing full well they'll get separated once more... And maybe it'll be more depressing than last time.
This is what she had wanted this entire time... Cloud, for Cloud to be with her. Even if it was for a little bit of time... At least they spent time together... Yet she knew, she knew that Cloud had someone else... And her mind wondered... Why? Why did Cloud come back to her even when he found someone else?
Cloud: "Mari... I'm... Sorry."
His voice was soft, his voice was weak. He lost hope too. Everything felt out of reach. They both felt intense dread and they knew they couldn't ever escape this situation they found themselves in.
All they could do was pray... Pray for the slim chance that maybe, just maybe they'll get a sudden stroke of luck and their life will go back to as it was before.
Mari: "C-Cloud... Why?... Why do you still come to me after I saw you with that girl?"
Mari was on the verge of breaking down. Why? Why does Cloud still care about her when he's already found someone new?
Cloud: "Because... I don't have a choice. I don't... I can't get out of this mess. I just... Wanted to see you one last time before... I probably get pulled into another life forever."
Cloud was holding back tears. He didn't want her to see him cry, he didn't want her to see him being weak. After all, he never forgot about what she said when they were younger so he held back his feelings. He held back the urge to break down and tell her all his problems. He didn't want to burden her with his problems.
Mari: "Please... Cloud... W-We can... Still be friends!... We... We-..."
Right after Mari said this, she broke. She hugged Cloud tightly and sobbed on his shirt. Silence filled the room, occasionally being broken by Mari's soft whimpers. Cloud was in deep thought... He couldn't leave the girl because he was indebted to her... As long as he listened to her, she would slowly pay off the debts.
How could they ever get out of this situation will all these problems?... Mari with a picture of her half naked on Jax's phone... Cloud being indebted to the girl and not being able to leave her.. It was all too much to handle.
Cloud: "I'm sorry Mari... We just got unlucky with our lives... We could've made better choices but... Sometimes life doesn't always go the way you expect it to. Sometimes some things are just right out of your reach... Sometimes... We have to let go of some people."
Cloud's grip was loosening, he didn't want to break down, he didn't want to cry in front of Mari but... He did. He sobbed, he tried his best to hide it but Mari noticed... Mari noticed and hugged him even tighter.
They enjoyed this moment together, this moment of weakness, of vulnerability... All because they trusted and loved each other, enough to show them their most vulnerable sides.
Cloud softly pats her head and gives her a faint and weak smile. He was slowly running out of time.
Cloud: "I'm sorry Mari... I need... To go..."
Cloud tried to walk away but Mari hugged him tight. Mari... Couldn't let go... She didn't want him to leave... She didn't want him to disappear for... Possibly forever. Yet Cloud... Cloud had to leave... Even if he didn't want to... Even if he wanted to stay and comfort Mari... He couldn't.
Cloud: "Please... Mari... I really need to go... I'm... Running out of time."
Mari didn't let go, her grip got even tighter... She was practically begging for him not to leave... And Cloud didn't know if he could resist... He... He finally gives in and hugs her back. He's waited for this for so long yet... He knows that this is only temporary... And he'll have to leave... So he decides to enjoy the moment for now.
It was two souls who had spent their entire lives together until suddenly they were taken away from each other... They had no choice but to learn how to live without their other half yet... All they could think about is when they would be whole again. And when they became whole.. it was like a dream... It was so lovely yet it was only temporary.
Cloud: "Mari... I really... Really need to go..."
Mari: "N-No!... I can't... I won't let you go..."
Cloud's heart ached hearing her cries. Hearing her desperation for him to stay... He has been torn into half, the half that wants to stay with Mari and protect her... And the half that knows that being with her will bring her suffering.
Cloud: "I promise... I'll come back okay?... I'll meet you at the school tomorrow... H-Hopefully... A-And... Do you remember the matching necklaces, rings, and bracelets I bought?... I still have them... But I just... Can't wear them... I'm sorry..."
Mari: "As... As long as you still have them... B-But you better not break your promise!... C-Come to school tomorrow... Okay?..."
Cloud: "Yeah... I will... Try."
Mari's grip loosens... She slowly and slowly let's go of him... And eventually, she let's go without... Letting go. Her heart aches... Her heart aches for Cloud... For Cloud to stay... Yet she knows... He can't stay.
And so... Mari watches Cloud walk away... Once again, just like last time... Except this time... Maybe... Just maybe he won't come back... Just maybe... This'll be the last time he'll ever leave her again.
