The next day after their trip to the mall, Rico felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He realized he was falling for Clau, and that thought lingered in his mind all night. When he woke up that Sunday morning, he decided to text her.
“Hey, Clau! Do you want to hang out today? Maybe at the park?”
A few moments later, his phone buzzed with her reply. “Yes! I’d love that!”
With a smile, Rico got ready and made his way to Clau’s house. When he arrived, he found her waiting outside, her eyes sparkling with joy.
“Hey, Rico!” she greeted, her smile brightening his day. “I’m so excited to go to the park!”
“Me too! Let’s go!” he replied, feeling his heart race as they walked together.
---
As they strolled to the park, Clau chatted animatedly about her week. Rico listened closely, enjoying every moment they shared. Since his parents had separated, Clau had become his world. She was the one person he could talk to about everything.
“Rico, do you remember that time we got lost in the mall?” Clau asked, laughing.
“How could I forget? You were so sure that the food court was the way out!” he chuckled.
“I just wanted food! But that was fun,” she said, her laughter filling the air.
When they reached the park, the lively atmosphere greeted them. Children were playing, couples were walking, and families were having picnics. The sun shone brightly, making it a perfect day to relax.
“Wow, it’s so lively here!” Clau exclaimed, her eyes scanning the scene.
“Yeah, it’s nice to see everyone having fun,” Rico agreed. They found a spot under a big tree and sat down on the grass.
“Thanks for bringing me here. I really needed this,” Clau said, leaning back and closing her eyes for a moment.
“Me too. It feels good to get away from everything,” Rico replied, feeling calm.
---
After a few moments of silence, Clau turned to Rico, her expression serious. “You know, my birthday is coming up soon. I’ll be 18 on July 20,” she said, excitement creeping into her voice.
“Wow, that’s a big deal! Are you excited?” Rico asked, genuinely interested.
“Yes! It feels like a milestone, you know? I want to make it special,” Clau said, her eyes lighting up. “And I want you to be my last dance partner.”
Rico felt his heart skip a beat. “Really? You want me to dance with you?” he asked, surprised.
“Of course! I wouldn’t want anyone else,” she said, a soft smile spreading across her face.
“I’d love to! It sounds perfect,” he replied, feeling warmth in his chest. But as Clau continued talking, he noticed something deeper within himself.
As the conversation flowed, Clau said, “You know, aside from my dad, you’re the only guy who’s really close to my heart.”
At that moment, Rico’s heart ached with a mix of joy and fear. He realized he was falling for her. He cared about her more than just a friend, and that thought scared him. He didn’t want to lose her.
---
Suddenly, he felt tears welling up in his eyes. He didn’t even realize he was crying until Clau noticed. “Rico, why are you crying?” she asked, concern in her voice.
YOU ARE READING
10:45
FanfictionClaudine Barretto is heartbroken after the loss of her boyfriend, Rico Yan, who died peacefully in his sleep. Every night at 10:45, she can travel back in time to be with him again. In these moments, they share love and laughter, but Claudine must a...
