Hershey Kisses

Bittersweet Kiss

(A/N: From here on, there will be two endings. This one concludes the story, whereas the next one might give a sequel. Please vote which ending you love more and I'll decide to write another story of Hershey Kisses.)

Our drive to our destination was quiet. We didn't speak to each other along we arrived there. I could tell he felt uncomfortable accepting my request of going to that place, but what can I do. That was one of the first place I haven't visited in a long time.

"We're here." he parked the car along the driveway. I stepped out of the car on my own looking at the place. My old home. This was where I used to live before my parents were workaholics, before I met Rick, and before I found out it was Bryan's new home to this day. I grabbed my bag and walked around to the back door and unlocked it on my own. "Pia, what are you doing?" I ignored his concerns and stepped into the backyard. I can tell Bryan hasn't cleaned out the backyard as I walk down memory lane. That's where I scratched myself trying to feed the baby birds. That's where I chickened out going inside the house because of the stupid clown. That's where I played in the kiddie pool for the first time with my brother. Memories from my past were slowly coming back to me and I loved every one of them.

As I turned around the corner, I still see the same tree where I usually play with my dolls. As I placed my hand against the tree trunk, the past flowed back to me where I met Rick for the first time. If my parents hadn't forgotten me back at that time, Rick wouldn't had come to the rescue and kept me company until my grandma arrived. 

"Ah right... you told me about this tree." Bryan stood beside me staring at the tree. "This was where you'd go to when you felt pressured, right?"

"Yeah... I felt pressured at whatever I did." I replied. "From improving my grades to forcing myself to play an instrument. I felt most safe here not because of the tree...." I started digging near the roots of it and found what I was searching for. I pulled out a rusty tin box and searched for the lock I added the last time I came here. I put in the combination and unlocked the box to reveal what I was searching for. "When I was little, someone precious to me gave me a gift for protection. I didn't understood what that meant back then, but I think I do now." I took out the key Rick gave me with the letter and placed it inside the box. "This person not only showed me I was never alone, but also told me to remember him."

He can tell where I was going from here. "Rick was my first friend. And he was also my first crush. After seeing him again, I could barely recognize him as the same boy I knew back then. I mean clearly he became a player and a pervert, but that's how boys are." I picked up the same pendant Rick gave me a long time ago rubbing off a few dusts. "But you know... after that vigorous training of not falling in love, I began to slowly stop falling in love with my first crush." I stood up and wrapped my left arm around his right arm. "And then I met you three years later. I'll admit, I was harsh and clingy towards you; but, I suddenly found out why. I've fallen for you." I didn't look up to see his expression but I can hear his heart beat rapidly. "When I saw Julia embracing you and kissing you in the cheek, I was jealous. If it wasn't for her push, I wouldn't have had the courage to dress up for the first time and confess to you. I'm still healing from heartbreak and I don't know how long it'll be until I'm ready."

"Then don't rush." was all he says, "Take a couple of weeks, months, but not years. By that time, we'll be old and we'll stay single until we die." His corny joke made me crack up. That's what I love about him because he knows how to cheer me up even during an awkward moment. "But what I'm saying is, don't fully rush into getting back falling in love. You've recently got your heart crushed by that Hershey Prince of yours. Are you sure you fell for the right guy back then?"

"You shush." I slapped him. "I'm not ready to fall in love yet, but will you wait for me when I am?" I turned to him looking uncertain how he'll react to my question. He tilted his head toward me and smiled.