Black Roses

Chapter Three: Goodbyes

I sat on the cold floor of the shower, hugging my knees to my chest. The hot water pouring down on me and creating steam in the bathroom. There was a knock at the door.

"Eve how long do you plan on being in there? I need to get ready for work!" Val said.

"Sorry, one minute." I replied, not realizing how long I had been in there. I stood up and turned off the shower. I wrapped myself in a turquoise towel and stood in front of the clouded mirror. Wiping away the steam with my hands, I studied my face. I couldn't even remember the last time I looked in a mirror. My maroon hair sat just on top of my shoulders and my eyes were still puffy from crying.

I opened the bathroom door and headed to my room to get dressed, "All yours," I said to Val.

I knew I didn't want to be in this apartment any longer. So after getting dressed and putting on a little makeup, I got into my car and started driving, and I had no idea where I was going.

*flashback*

"Stooooooppppp," I said as I covered my face with my hands.

He chuckled a little. "Babe c'mon please." He said giving me a cheeky smile, as the camera flash went off again and again.

I stood up and walked across the yard, "Nope," I said, folding my arms and pretending to be five.

He got up too and walked over to me, planting a kiss on my forehead and wrapping his arms around me. He was so much taller than me, he was able to rest his chin on top of my head.

"I know somewhere we can go." He smiled, and dragged me to his car.

*present*

I pulled my car up to the curb of an old abandoned factory. I snuck around to the opposite side of the building and walked up the 4 flights of fire escapes until I reached the roof. It was just around 7:30, and the sun would be going down fairly soon. I sat on the edge of the building and swung my feet over the edge.

*flashback*

"Where are we going!?" I asked him for the tenth time.

"You'll find out," he looked over at me with a smirk. "We're almost there."

He pulled over onto the curb of an old abandoned factory.

"Follow me," he said as we got out of the car.

He led me to the opposite side of the building and began to climb the fire escape. I just stared at him in confusion.

"Babe, please just come up. Trust me, you'll love it." He said reaching out his hand.

I took his hand as he led me up what seemed to be a million stairs until we reached the roof. The sun was setting and he quickly pulled me over to the edge, and we sat down. He swung his feet over the side of the building, as I just hesitantly looked down.

"It's fine Eve, trust me." He said rubbing my back.

I then hung my feet over the edge as he put his arms around me. He was right, I loved it up here. It was quiet, peaceful, and the sunset was beyond incredible.

"How'd you find this place?" I asked him.

"I don't really know. I was just driving around one day, had a lot on my mind. I passed by this place and it seemed like a good place to think so I just climbed up and it's been my spot ever since." He explained.

"So you come up here often?"

"Yeah, almost 3 times a week." He said. "The sunset is always in perfect view from up here, that's one reason why I like it so much."

I just nodded my head, and then leaned it against his chest. We sat in silence for a long time, just watching the sun fall below the horizon.

"Can I ask you something?" I said quietly.

"Of course, anything."

"How come whenever you take me anywhere, it's always to watch the sunset?" I asked with a little laugh.

"Well... they are my favorite thing like, ever. And for one thing they are better than sunrises. You know, more color and such. But also, I feel like it's life's way of saying 'sometimes good things happen in goodbyes'. And, I don't know I just feel like they have a meaning." He explained. "That sounded kinda dumb." He laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.

"No, I liked it." I said with a smile.

*present*

Sitting on the edge of the roof alone and watching the sunset made my eyes fill with tears. All I could think of was him and that moment. That day was honestly the best day I had with him, it made me understand him better.

And now it was gone.

He was gone.

And our goodbye, was certainly not a good thing.