SECOND CHANCE ~ Chris Sturniolo

☆ 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙘𝙚 ☆

SENIOR YEAR 2021 HOMECOMING

Alone at a deserted table amidst the lively prom, I awaited patiently for his arrival, watching other couples dance joyfully around me. Despite my efforts to look my very best, excitement turned to disappointment as time passed without a word from him. With a defeated sigh, I decided to step outside for some fresh air, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness about the situation.

As I strolled out into the hallway, a familiar voice caught my attention. "It's not fair! How could you pick her over me!" A female voice yelled.

Curiosity pulled me towards the commotion, but what I saw shattered my heart, which 'till this day, I wish that I had never ever seen it unravel. Danielle Dawson --one of my closest friends-- was inches away from Chris's face, while he stood there unable to intervene. In my mind, I begged, wishing that he could have done something to prevent it.

Before he could defend himself, I watched as his words were cut off by pulling him into a kiss on the lips. My face turned pale, hoping this was all just a misunderstanding. However, nineteen year old me, didn't know any better as the overflown emotions in me drastically changed to anger.

With a trembling heart and tears in my eyes, I approached them abruptly, the sound of my heels clicking the ground grabbed their attention towards my silhouette. As I pull Danielle away from Chris and delivering a sharp slap across her face. My gaze lingered onto Chris, filled with a mix of anger and hurt. "I can't do this anymore," I choked out through sobs before storming away through the desolate hallways.

Hearing Chris scream my name from behind, echoing through the hall faintly. As I exited the school building, a hand softly grabbed my wrist with gentleness, feeling it not wanting to grasp it tightly. Drawing me to turn around and face him.

The expression on his face was filled with guilt as his sadden doe eyes were staring back into mine. The icy air lingering around us brushed against my exposed skin, sending a chill down my spine.

Chris had always known that I wasn't fond of feeling cold. Knowing that, he proceeded to try and warm me up by placing his blazer around my shoulders, sacrificing his own comfort for my sake. I slowly pushed him away from my body, still in disbelief from what I had just witnessed.

He looked down on me, still unable to find the words to speak. The silence between us was consumed by misunderstandings and our unspoken feelings.

This time he tried reassuring me by wiping the fallen tears using his fingers while weakly smiling through his own. He mouthed the words " I love you." Causing the ache in my heart to throb with agony. Inside, I was screaming that I loved him too, but my mouth refused to say it back.

He reached out to stroke my flushed cheek, however, I avoided it by shifting backwards. With a resigned sigh, his arm fell down in defeat, his face mirrored my misery, a silent plea for understanding. But as I turned to leave, I couldn't bear to look back, couldn't bear to relive the feeling of betrayal.

I could still feel his eyes laying on me, watching each step I took, further and further away from him. Wrapping his blazer around me tightly, his scent filled up my nostrils. It was almost like he was right beside me, but unfortunately that night was the last time I ever saw him again.
For now.

In the weeks that followed, grief became solace within the comfort of my now untidy bedroom, wrapping me in its suffocating embrace. I had given up on taking care of myself ever since, it wasn't until my other close friend, Hazel offered a glimmer of hope that I began to see a way out of the darkness. With the unconditional support of my family as well, I made the tough choice to start anew beyond the memories of Boston straightly after graduation, bidding farewell to those who once held a significant place in my heart, however Chris was nowhere to be found.