YELLOW

PART 6

"Try not to think about anything," Ginny said, a smile spreading across her face as her eyes scanned the park. I stood there, biting my lower lip and nodding in response. She had been trying her best for the past few weeks; things hadn't been easy for me.

We stood in the middle of the park, where a stargazing event was taking place. The area was filled with people, lanterns illuminating the surroundings with a warm glow. I glanced around at the three happy couples nearby, their laughter and joy contrasting sharply with my own feelings. Ginny pulled me closer, as if sensing that she needed to mend something that wasn't even broken.

"You should drink something. Here, have some Coke," Elora said as she wrapped her arms around me from one side, positioning me snugly between the two of them. "Ladies, there's enough of Marcus for everyone!" I declared confidently, earning a playful grimace from Ginny as she let go of me. "Gross, gross, gross!" she exclaimed, rolling her eyes as I started to giggle.

I opened the can Elora had offered and took a few sips, letting her finish the rest as I rested my lips gently against her forehead. My eyes wandered across the park until they landed on a girl in a yellow dress, a leather jacket casually draped over her shoulder in the distance. As she turned, I caught a glimpse of her profile, and my heart skipped a beat.

It was her.

I shook my head slightly, convinced I was hallucinating, but I wasn't. My gaze followed her as she walked away. "I'm gonna grab another can," I said, turning to follow Olivia, who was also heading to get drinks.

"Olivia?" I called out as she turned slowly. The warmth in her happy, radiant eyes had vanished, replaced by an icy coldness.

"Marcus. What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone flat.

"Stargazing with friends," I lied, trying to sound casual.

"Cool," she replied, grabbing her drinks. My eyes drifted to her hands, noticing the way she held them.

"You're with someone," I observed, unable to hide the hint of disappointment in my voice.

"No, not again, Marcus," she snapped, frustration lacing her words like a burden she no longer wanted to bear.

"Is it that guy?" I stammered, struggling to even pronounce his name.

"You know his name, and yes," she said, brushing past me as our eyes locked. "I'm happy, the happiest I've ever been. For your own sanity, you should focus on yourself and find your own happiness. Just forget the past."

I gasped, feeling my heart tighten. I pressed my lips together, staring deep into her eyes. "Do you love him?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, her expression softening as she whispered, "Very much."

I fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. I nodded slowly, trying to shake off the tension, and turned away, needing to escape the moment.

"Oh my gosh, Marcus, what is this?" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with surprise as she took in the rooftop setup. A cozy blanket was spread out, adorned with a microscope, snacks, and drinks, creating a perfect little oasis.

"This is my way of showing you how much I love you," I whispered against her lips, brushing them softly together and grinning like a fool.

"You're crazy," she replied, her fingertips playfully digging into my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Good kind of crazy?" I whispered back, pulling away gently but keeping her arm linked with mine as we made our way toward the microscope.

"Have a look," I encouraged, the microscope already adjusted to the coordinates I had set up earlier.

She leaned down, peering through the small lens, a smile spreading across her face. "What's that?" she whispered in awe.

I stood there, mesmerized by her delight, the way her eyes lit up with curiosity. "That's Olivia," I said softly, feeling a warmth in my chest as I watched her reaction.

"Marcus?" Ginny shook me gently as I stood there, frozen in place.

Oh no, not again—another trance. I felt like I was losing it. I pressed my hands against my temples, trying to steady myself. "I need to go," I said, my voice shaky, before bolting toward my car and jumping inside.

I knew it wasn't fair to dump Elora and Ginny like that, but I couldn't help it. The thought of seeing her with him was unbearable; it would only deepen the ache I felt inside. I drove away aimlessly, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and confusion.

After a while, I parked in an empty lot, slumping back against the seat and breathing heavily, trying to clear my mind.

My phone buzzed incessantly beside me.

Elora, Elora, Elora.
Ginny, Ginny, Ginny.

Each name felt like a reminder of the mess I was in, intensifying my sense of isolation.

I picked up my phone and stared at the screen, unable to bring myself to reply. An Instagram notification caught my eye: "Stargazing with him." I looked down at the picture of Olivia and her boyfriend, both beaming at the camera. Her profile was filled with images of them together, a stark reminder of what I had lost.

With a heavy heart, I set my phone down and stared blankly ahead, lost in my thoughts.

Then, I could almost hear her laughter in the distance. "Marcus! Stop! I don't look decent!" Olivia playfully covered the camera with her hand, her voice a mix of amusement and faux annoyance.

"No, you're wrong—you look beautiful," I whispered, trying to keep my tone light as she playfully lunged for my camera, both of us laughing like carefree kids.

Flashes of those moments filled my mind...

But then reality crashed back in. I remembered the text that had shattered everything: "You're right, we can't be friends. It's better to part ways."

"Marcus, I don't love you like that anymore. I love him."

The notifications flooded in—Instagram posts, stories, and captions filled with longing: "I miss him." Each one felt like a dagger, driving deeper into my already wounded heart.

I lay beside her in the tent on the rooftop, the soft strains of "The Little Mermaid" playing in the background. The tension between us was almost palpable, a delicate thread woven into the air. Her head rested gently on my chest, and we laughed like carefree children, our mouths sticky from the marshmallows we had devoured while chatting about life and dreams.

"Marcus..." she whispered, breaking the spell as she sat up, her expression turning serious.

"I miss you. I want you back. Ever since the pool party I threw for you on my balcony, it's always been you, Marcus." I sat up too, meeting her gaze, the intensity of her eyes holding me captive.

"Olivia, I—"

"If you don't want me anymore, just say it," she interrupted, her voice trembling. "I need to know so I can move on. But if you feel the same way, please... Marcus." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, a heartbreaking plea that tugged at my heart.

All I could think about that night was the potential for something miraculous.

I could feel her body pressing against mine, our breaths mingling in the stillness. Her heart raced in sync with mine, each beat a reminder of what we shared. My hands explored the curves and contours of her body, tracing the shadows that held so much unspoken desire.

The tent was filled with the intoxicating scent of our bodies coming together, the warmth of our breaths creating an intimate cocoon. In that moment, everything felt possible, as if the world outside had faded away, leaving just the two of us and the magic of that night.

Suddenly, the harsh reality set in as someone knocked on my car window, the bright light flashing relentlessly.

"Get out of the car, son!" a voice demanded.

Regret washed over me—I shouldn't have indulged in so much drinking and smoking. My senses felt dulled, and everything seemed to move in slow motion. The persistent banging on the glass continued, echoing in my mind, until I finally succumbed to darkness, my consciousness slipping away.