Love Of My Life

Chapter 17

As Juan and Fransisco sat together, engrossed in their game, the familiar chime of a video call interrupted the tranquility of the moment. Juan's face lit up as Scarlett's image appeared on the screen, her warm smile a welcome sight.

"How are you, Juan?" Scarlett's voice carried through the digital connection, her eyes sparkling with genuine affection.

Francisco, ever mindful of his friend's emotions, chimed in, "I'm here too. Are you coming back?"

Scarlett's expression softened at Fransisco's words, a hint of sadness flickering across her features. "I won't be coming back soon," she replied, her voice tinged with regret.

Francisco listened attentively as Scarlett explained the reason for her prolonged absence, his heart going out to his friend who undoubtedly missed her presence dearly. Despite his own longing for her return, he knew that Scarlett's dedication to her work was unwavering, and he respected her decision wholeheartedly.

As Scarlett revealed the news of her canceled engagement, a somber silence fell over the room, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. Fransisco exchanged a knowing glance with Juan, their shared understanding of Scarlett's determination to prioritize her career above all else.

"We'll wait for your return," Fransisco reassured Scarlett, his voice filled with unwavering support. "Take care of yourself, and don't worry about us."

With a final goodbye, Scarlett bid them farewell, her image fading from the screen as the call ended.

The atmosphere at the high school reunion was lively, with Moon, Mira, Jeremy, and their old classmate Samuel reminiscing about the good old days. Laughter filled the air as they joked around and mixed up some questionable concoctions, their camaraderie shining through despite the passage of time.

As the evening wore on, the group found themselves engaged in a lighthearted bet, with the loser forced to down one of their revolting creations. Moon, ever competitive, was determined to avoid being on the receiving end of such a fate, her determination evident in the playful banter exchanged among the friends.

Meanwhile, at the cafe, Fransisco's attention was drawn to a social media post revealing Moon's whereabouts. Sensing trouble brewing, F4 decided to follow him, their intuition telling them that they needed to intervene before things escalated out of control.

Fransisco arrived just in the nick of time to prevent Moon from drinking the concoction, his concern evident in the urgency of his actions. However, his efforts were met with resistance as Moon vehemently denied any association with him, their complicated relationship laid bare for all to see. Samuel, seizing the opportunity to make his move, boldly draped his arm around Moon, his intentions clear to everyone present. Fransisco's patience wore thin, his frustration boiling over as he watched another man encroach upon what he considered his territory.

In a fit of rage, Fransisco lashed out, throwing Samuel onto a nearby table with a forceful shove. The room fell into stunned silence as Samuel recoiled from the impact, blood trickling from a gash on his head. Panic ensued as someone called for an ambulance, the gravity of the situation sinking in as the reality of the violence unfolded before their eyes. Moon's voice rang out, sharp with anger as she unleashed her fury on Fransisco, her disappointment palpable in the air.As Moon entered the hospital to visit Samuel, she was greeted by his warm smile and introduced to his brother, Zion, who attended the same school as her. Despite the tension from the previous night's events, Moon put on a brave face, exchanging polite pleasantries with Samuel and Zion as she wished Samuel a speedy recovery. Meanwhile, back at school, F4 gathered together in an attempt to coach Fransisco on how to apologize to Moon properly. However, despite their best efforts, Fransisco's stubborn ego proved to be a formidable obstacle, his pride standing in the way of genuine remorse.

At the same time, Jeremy waited anxiously for Moon's arrival, hoping for an opportunity to mend fences and make amends for their recent fallout. However, as Moon walked past F4 without so much as a glance in their direction, it became clear that the wounds from the previous night had yet to heal. Francisco, caught off guard by Moon's apparent dismissal, struggled to find the right words to say as she walked past him without a second thought.

Moon stood in the library aisle, reaching for a book that seemed just out of her grasp. As frustration began to set in, a helping hand extended towards her, and she looked up to see Zion, Samuel's brother, offering his assistance. Gratefully accepting his help, Moon smiled in gratitude as Zion effortlessly retrieved the book for her. They wandered through the library together, engaging in animated discussion about their favorite books and authors. Eventually, hunger pangs led them to grab a bite to eat together, enjoying each other's company as they shared a meal. Unbeknownst to them, Fransisco had been observing their interaction from afar, his jealousy simmering beneath the surface. Unable to contain his resentment, he approached them with a sneer, questioning Zion's presence by Moon's side.

"Why are you with someone so pathetic?" Fransisco's words cut through the air like a knife, his disdain evident in every syllable. Zion bristled at the insult, his temper flaring as he shot back with a retort of his own.

Before long, their exchange escalated into a heated argument, with accusations flying back and forth between Francisco and Zion. Moon, caught in the middle, felt her frustration mounting with each passing moment, her anger simmering beneath the surface as she watched the two men clash. As the tension reached its breaking point, Zion, unable to bear the hostility any longer, abruptly excused himself and left, leaving Moon seething with indignation.

Fransisco's impassioned plea reverberated through the air, catching Moon off guard as she froze in her tracks. His words carried a weight she couldn't ignore, his vulnerability laying bare the depth of his feelings. Yet, despite his heartfelt confession, Moon couldn't shake the lingering doubts that clouded her mind.

"Moon! I like you, I don't know why. Even I'm surprised by how much I like you," Fransisco's voice rang out, filled with genuine emotion. "No matter where I go, you're the only person I see. I know I'm annoying. If you run away, I'll run after you. Even if you go to Mars, I'll go too."

Unable to bear the weight of his confession, Moon turned away, her steps faltering as she struggled to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. Fransisco's declaration lingered in the air, a silent plea for understanding and acceptance that echoed long after Moon had disappeared from sight. Meanwhile, in another part of the school, Brandon, Fredrick, and Juan exchanged concerned glances as they noticed Fransisco's absence. Juan couldn't help but remark on the sudden change in his friend's demeanor, noting how he hadn't even said a simple greeting. As Moon and Jeremy strolled through the school grounds, their conversation interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Zion. With a heavy heart, Moon and Zion set off together, their footsteps echoing through the deserted halls as they sought solace in each other's company, leaving behind the echoes of Fransisco's heartfelt confession in their wake.