Eleven

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I gaze at him in the mornings I wake up before he did.

     He said he does not like sleeping. He said he does not want to miss anything. I think I might not want to anymore either.

     I like looking at him like this. He can't see me.

     Tristan makes this world warm. He's funny when he tries but I tell him he's not. He's stubborn but he tells me he can't even beat me at it.

     He stirred in his sleep. I tried to seem busy by looking at my feet.

     "Good morning, miss," he greeted.

     I smiled to myself. "Hey."

     "You look happy today."

     You make me happy, I wanted to say. Will that be too forward? "I guess I found my niche."

     "Celeste," he started. He was already sitting beside me on a bench in the playground.

     How did he know my name? I creased my brows in confusion. "Your sister came back last night when you were sleeping. I heard her say your name."

     "What was she doing here?"

     "She comes here when she misses you," he replied. He closed in on me. "Celeste. I like your name."

     "Tristan..." I managed to say when he embraced me.

     Is it possible to stay like this forever?

     "Everything will remind me of you," he whispered to my ear.

     I did not know what to say. I gazed away from him.

     "I'm sorry," he started again. "I'm sorry..." There was no way to hide his sobs. Nevertheless, he tried. "I'm sorry I lied. I'm sorry because I like you."

     I didn't say anything but my tears pooled in my eyes. Like rain, it poured.

     While the snow settled, I fell. "I can't go on anymore."

     He clasped his hands tightly on his mouth. His sobs couldn't be stifled anymore.

     My feet were planted on the ground and I didn't know how to walk away.

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