Bobby sat on the edge of his bed, the room bathed in the soft glow of his desk lamp. His diary lay open before him, its pages waiting to absorb the weight of his emotions. The pen trembled in his hand as he began to write.
Dear Diary,
Today was the day I saw Liam again. Not the Liam who laughs with his friends or the Liam who plays tennis. No, today I saw the Liam who was vulnerable, broken, and hurting.
It happened during lunch. I was sitting alone, lost in my thoughts, when I heard the whispers. "Liam collapsed," they said. My heart clenched, and I ran to the courtyard. There he was, lying on the ground, surrounded by worried faces.
His eyes met mine, and in that moment, time stood still. I remembered our middle school days—the tennis matches, the secret glances, the unspoken feelings. But now, Liam was gasping for breath, and I couldn't do anything.
The paramedics arrived, but it was too late. Liam's hand slipped from mine, and I watched as they carried him away. His face was pale, and his eyes held a mix of fear and resignation.
Back in my room, I replayed the scene over and over. Why hadn't I told him? Why hadn't I said, "I care about you" or "I've always cared about you"?
The tears came then, hot and unstoppable. I clutched my pillow, imagining Liam's smile, his laughter, and the way he used to call me "Bobby Bear."
And then, the memories flooded back—the dance, the stolen glances, the ache of unrequited love. I had pushed those feelings aside when CJ came into my life. CJ, who was charming and confident, who made me feel wanted.
But now, as I sat here, my heart shattered, I realized that Liam had always been the one. And I had let him slip away.
The door creaked open, and there was Elena, my sister, her eyes filled with concern. "Bobby," she whispered, sitting beside me. "I heard about Liam. Are you okay?"
I shook my head. "No, Elena. I'm not okay. I watched him die, and I never told him how I felt."
She wrapped her arms around me, and we cried together. "Sometimes," she said softly, "we don't get second chances. But you can honor Liam's memory by living your truth, Bobby."
And so, I picked up my pen again.
Dear Liam,
You were my first crush, my first love. I wish I had been brave enough to tell you. Maybe in another universe, we danced at that middle school prom, and I whispered, "I'm gay, and I've always loved you."
But in this reality, you're gone, and I'm left with echoes of the past. I promise to be true to myself, to live without regrets. Maybe one day, when the stars align, we'll meet again.
Until then, I'll keep writing in this diary, pouring my heart out to you.
Forever yours,
Bobby
The ink blurred as Bobby closed the diary. He knew he couldn't change the past, but perhaps, in these words, he'd find solace. Liam's memory would live on, etched in the pages of his heart.
