The Love Chronicles: Tales of My Friends' Hearts

Chapter 6: Gabby and Jee

POV: Shiro

It was a lively atmosphere at Gabby's house as the five of us gathered to celebrate the end of our first year of high school. Just a few minutes ago, Meir had been sharing stories about his first love, and now the conversation had turned to Gabby.

"Hey Gabby," I said, turning to my friend. "Before you and Jee became the great couple you are now, what exactly happened at the start of our first year? I remember you two broke up for a while, right?"

Gabby let out a small sigh, a wistful look crossing his face. "Ah, that. Well, it's kind of a long story, but I guess you guys deserve to know." He paused, taking a sip of his drink before continuing.

As Gabby continued his story, I could see the memories playing out in his mind. "In the beginning of our first year, Jee and I were actually doing pretty well," he said. "She would always wait for me in my room after classes, and there were times when I'd wait for her too."

Meir chimed in, a mischievous grin on his face. "Yeah, and Clar and I would sometimes tag along with you two. I remember commenting on how you two were always so inseparable."

Gabby nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "That's right. That's actually how Jee and Clar first met - through us. Every day after classes were dismissed, the four of us would go out and have fun together."

I could picture it so vividly - the four of them, Gabby and Jee, Meir and Clar, laughing and enjoying each other's company, unaware of the challenges that lay ahead. It must have been a simpler, carefree time.

"It's funny how things can change so quickly, isn't it?" Gabby said, his expression turning a bit wistful. "One minute, everything was perfect, and the next, it all started falling apart."

"But you and Jee found your way back to each other in the end. That's what matters most."

Gabby nodded, his eyes brightening with a renewed sense of hope. "You're right. And I wouldn't trade what we have now for anything. It's been a long, tough road, but we're stronger because of it."

As the celebration continued, Gabby's story took a more somber turn. "Fast forward to Meir's birthday," he said, "we were all planning to go eat at Greenwich after classes were dismissed. We were all waiting for each other, ready to go together to the mall and celebrate."

Meir nodded, a pensive look on his face. "Yeah, I remember that. Everyone was there except for Jee. She had gone home first because she was angry at Gabby."

Gabby sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That's right. I had forgotten to go wait for her after class, and by the time I remembered and got to her room, she was already gone. Another batch of students was there, and Jee had left."

I could see the regret and guilt etched on Gabby's face as he recounted the events. "So you, Meir, and the rest just went on to Greenwich without her?" I asked, my heart sinking a little.

Gabby nodded. "Yeah, we did. I couldn't even message her because I didn't have a phone back then." He paused, his expression darkening. "When I got home, Jee and I got into a huge argument, and we didn't speak to each other for a while."

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Gabby's words hanging in the air. I couldn't imagine how difficult that must have been for him and Jee.

"And that's when you got sick, right?" Meir said softly.

Gabby nodded, a rueful smile on his lips. "Yeah, that's right. I was so caught up in my own thoughts, in my own guilt, that I wasn't taking care of myself. When Jee realized I was sick, she reached out to me, and that's when I admitted that I hadn't been thinking straight."