It was summer when I first met Drew. He was everything that I want in a boy, charming and shy. He is always on her mother's side everytime we meet in the convenient store, school or the best public swimming pool on our area. I really want to talk to him and know him better but it seems like he shuts himself on his invisible shell. It so hard to pass through his defenses but I persevered. One day my mom decided to cooked lasagna. I asked her if I can bring some to Drew. My mom with a knowing smile of course agreed. I wore my best pink dress and a ribbon for my hair. I pressed the doorbell and hoping that Drew will open the door. I guess Jesus loves me so much that he listened to my prayers. Drew did open the door. I smiled at him and extended the small box with lasagna. With my cheerful voice I said, " Hi, Drew. I am you neighbor Melissa. It is so nice to meet you". Drew didn't respond but just stared on my face. It was very awkward and my smile faltered. "Is Mrs. Smith home?" I asked. Still no response. That was the longest 5 minutes of my life. Then he surprised me when he said, "Do you want to play with me?". I nodded immediately and went with him inside his house. It felt like I was the luckiest girl in town. Drew and I played until evening. I only knew that it so late in the evening when my mom fetch me for dinner. Drew's mom insisted that we eat dinner with them but my Dad who is always away because of his job just came home and he wanted to spend time with me. My mom refused and I bid goodbye to Drew. I swear that I saw a flicker of sadness on his big gray eyes. He looked like he don't want me to go. I got my pen and wrote my cellphone number on her open palm. Well, kids nowadays have cellphones. I told him to call me if he felt lonely or alone. He smiled a little bit and wave goodbye. That was the saddest goodbye I had experienced. I cannot forget the sadness on Drew's eyes. It made me wonder if her mother is treating him badly like the movies I saw on TV . I am curious and I really want to know. I tossed and turn on my bed and at exactly 3:00AM I fell asleep. My head is pounding when I woke up at 6:00AM. I slept very late last night. My mom served me my breakfast a cereal, fruits and milk. I am famished and I ate like there's no tomorrow. A siren slashed through the silence. I stood and peered through our window. I saw someone being laid to the stretcher and he look bruised and beaten. My heart start to pound and I ran to the stairs. I asked the nursed who was injured, she said that it is the little boy living near our flat. I requested if I can see him the nurse refused my request and said that the boy looked really bad. I started to cry. I knew in my heart that it was Drew. I wept and wept. I regretted the fact that I ignored his silent plea for me not to leave him. My mother embraced me but the coldness that I felt can't be appeased by a warm embrace. " Mom, I need to see Drew, please". I begged. My mom with a brimming tears on her eyes said, "Yes" We visited Drew on St. Mary's hospital. There are a lot of awful looking tubes attached to his body. His breathing seems shallow. "Mom, is Drew going to die?" My mom sat on her haunches and looked at me straight on the eyes, " Melissa, our lives is not our own. We have a maker who decides when will our lives or we go on living. Everything on this world is not permanent". I don't understand what my mom is trying to tell me all I grasp is that Drew is going to die. I don't want him to die. I just played with him and talked to him. I really liked Drew. Deep in heart the fear of losing him pierced through my soul. We just met but for some unexplainable reasons I felt like I knew him my whole life. Lord, please spare Drew's life and I promised you that I will protect him in my whole life. Nobody can hurt him. I silently prayed. A police officer came and asked my Mom few question. He asked if she noticed any disturbing noises beside our unit. At night we don't hear any sound coming from Drew's unit. It was so silent that it feels like nobody's home. The officer informed us that Drew is in foster care and Mrs. Smith is not her real mother. According to the doctor's test results, Drew is now suffering with 3 cracked ribs. His body is beaten to a pulp. Mrs. Smith's boyfriend also added serious injuries to Drew's young body. That horrible information was carved to my brain. What animals are they to hurt a young boy. They are evil. The worst part was Mrs. Smith and her boyfriend was not accused. They even have the chance to get Drew again on their care. I was angry and I want to rebel. But reality struck. What can a 1 year old girl do to change the verdict from the law or question their decision. On that moment I wished I am already older. I wished I can defend Drew all the time. I vowed to myself that no other young boy's life will be squandered by any typed of abuse. I stayed in the hospital until Drew recovered his injuries and he can already move and talk. When he saw me his eyes shines like silver. He was very happy. We never talked about what happened. I don't want to open any wound's on his heart. I just made sure that every single second and minute that he spends with me will all be good memories. I never saw Mrs. Smith visits the hospital so I thought everything is okay but darkness has its way if devouring us. The child's welfare personnel said that Mrs. Smith will transfer to a new place to start a new life and Drew is coming with them. I cannot stomach the injustice and cruelty of that decision. Don't they see how Drew suffered? I panicked and held Drew's hand. I don't want to let go. His expression was void and their was no emotions but I knew that he is afraid. "Melissa, thank you for all the things that you have done for me. You are my light when I thought all I can see is darkness. Thank you for filling my heart with your goodness. Please don't forget me". I replied, " No Drew don't say that. It sounds like you are saying goodbye to me forever. Please don't. You have to fight.". Drew shook his head, " I am done fighting. I lost the fight so many times". "You can't give up on me. I will not let you go." "Melissa, there are things in life that are not meant to be". "NO..no..no..I don't want you to stop fighting. I am with you." For the first time I saw Drew's tears. He was like pouring all his emotions on his tears. I hugged him tightly as I could. While I was hugging him the door opened and the person that I wanted not to see on my lifetime walked inside and smiled weakly. It was her, the person who caused Drew so much pain. "Drew, I am sorry about what happened. I promised you that it will not happen again. I broke up with Micheal so he will not harm you and me". Drew was silent and didn't talked. "You will be discharge today. We will stay on our unit for 2 days and then we will transfer to another place to start a new life". I can't take the aggravation and shouted, "You should not drag Drew to your ugly existence. You will hurt him again". Mrs. Smith smile was tight. She ran outside the door looking as if she is the victim. I turned to Drew and saw him crying again, "What's wrong Drew?"."Please don't let them take me". With those words my spirit is lifted and I become more bold. I will gather more evidence about event that transpired last Monday. "Drew, I will save you". I ran from the hospital and went to Mrs. Smith's apartment. But unfortunately, the rooms are clean and there's no hint of blood. It is trespassing but I don't care. All I want is to save Drew. I looked around and made sure I searched everything. But no luck. I went home and searched on the internet on what I can do. The net suggested CCTV cameras. I looked on Ebay if there is a cheap camera on sale. I saw $50. I am happy and it so happens that I have just enough money saved on my bank. At age of sixteen I already knew how to save money. At the click of the mouse I bought the camera. After 30 minutes the camera arrived on my doorstep. I paid the package and read the instructions on the camera. I stealthily went to Mrs. Smith home and installed the small camera in the lampshade on the living room. She smiled triumphantly and said to myself, "It's showtime". After 3 days Drew was discharged from the hospital together with Mrs. Smith. I prayed that something will happen this evening so that I can record that on tape. I went with Drew and helped him settled down on his small bed. He looked bothered and scared. I pat his hand reassuringly. Mrs. Smith cooked gruel for Drew. I stayed on his side until 9:00PM. I asked Drew if he will be okay if I will go back to my unit now and sleep. He said that, "He will be alright". I embraced him and went outside. I just took a hasty bath, brushed my teeth and wore my pajamas and stayed outside Drew's unit. I brought my thick blanket with me. I wrapped it around my body and I guard Drew by staying outside their door. I was sleepy when I heard the door creaked open. I opened my eyes and saw Drew. He signaled me not to talk and drag me silently to the narrow hallway. When we are already far away on his unit he stared on my face and said, "Thank you for guarding me. I am really happy that I met you. Melissa, I decided to ran away. I can't let them beat me again and ruin my life. I want something good to happen to my life. I promised you that I will be back and make you my wife". I am speechless. My heart started to beat so fast. "Where are you going Drew? Where will you live? How will you survive?". "Don't worry about me. I am big enough to survive. Wait for me, Melissa. I will be back for you that I promise. I know you won't believe it but I love you". He pressed his lips to mine and it felt like heaven. The tears fell my eyes and the realization hit me. Is this goodbye? Will I see Drew again?.. Like a smoke Drew disappeared from my very eyes. I never bid a proper goodbye. I looked the dark hallway with longing. I wonder if Drew will ever find his way back to my arms?What will happen to Drew and Melissa's love story? Watch for the second part of this book on February 14. You don't want to miss it...
