Story in a Chapter

"I fake a smile so he won't see"

Ten months. It's almost been ten months since I met this guy from my Chemistry class. He was someone I usually find myself talking to, and even sharing my thoughts and personal matters to. I can say he's different and that he's becoming more of a special friend to me.

I could even recall the time when we agreed to talk about each other's heartbreak experiences. It turns out that he got dumped by his former girlfriend because she has found another who turns out to be, as what he claims, fifty times better than him.

I could still remember his eyes that flashed real pain and sorrow as he shared that heartbreak story of his. It's safe for me to say that he hasn't gotten over that relationship yet. He might have, but not completely.

Things got interesting when we agreed to forget each other's past and let life take over and bring us to where we really belong. Starting that day, not even a single information of our own past relationships were brought up in our day-to-day conversations. We focused on what we have right now, and on what life has to offer us in the future.

We started teasing and making fun of each other. Sharing jokes is what we do while strolling around the university campus during the vacant periods we share. Eating on the same table during lunch periods in the relaxing cafeteria near our building. We would often walk each other home after classes.

He was my coach when PE class would tackle topics on different sports. I was his mentor everytime his Music classes would talk about instruments. We were basically each other's support as we face different matters in life.

It was the thirtieth day of June. My vacant periods were all occupied by my tasks to buy a nice set of basketball jersey, and an average pack of KitKats-- his favorite chocolate candy bars.

As our last class ended, I immediately stood up and rushed to our usual meeting place, which was the first tree you will see as you exit the school to the right.

Usually, I would see him leaning against the tree as he plays Stack on his phone. But this time was a lot more different. It was something I have never ever expected to happen.

He was actually talking amusingly to a girl, about a few inches taller than me. She had a perfectly straight blonde hair and she has the ideal figure of a woman-- she was beautiful.

They were talking and laughing as if no one's around. Should I worry? I mean she may be just a friend who he walked past to and she greeted him a happy birthday and they were have a little chitchat.

"Oh, there you are!" he excitedly greeted as his gaze met my figure that has just exited the school's front door.

"Hello," I greeted back, as I walked toward him but with complete hesitation. As nervousness was trying to consume me, I realized I was starting to tighten my grip on the balloon I was holding.

"Are you forgetting something?" he said jokingly as his eyes focused on what I was holding on both of my hands. My left was holding my present for him, while my right was grasping his red and blue birthday balloons.

"Of course not, silly," I said, trying to shake off the bad thoughts, "Happy Birthday, you fool!"

Through crazy nicknames was how we addressed one another. He often calls me ugly duckling, tiny pebble, cry baby, and a lot more names that do not make any sense. I would also call him heartless heartthrob, silly fool, or donut puncher.

"And of course, a birthday comes together with a present and balloons," I stated as I handed to him his present and the balloons.

"Thanks, little bud," he said as he flashed a million dollar smile. He patted my head, which is something he usually does.

After that, I glanced at the girl he was talking to a while ago. She was just smiling and nothing more.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude," he spoke, "This is Stacy, and she's my-"

No.

She was his ex- girlfriend. She was the girl who left him hanging as he loved her with all his heart. She was the one who I guess he hasn't completely gotten over yet.

No doubt that he would have a hard time forgetting what the past they shared. She was physically the ideal woman.

"And she surprised me just now and we're going on a dinner date to celebrate my birthday," he continued telling the story as his eyes fill with happiness.

As I heard those words from him, a big wave of heavy feeling filled my heart. It was something I haven't felt for a long time.

I was wondering what happened. Around five months ago, he was the guy who I spent the rest of the afternoon with by the river as we threw rocks into the water. Together with the rocks were our aching memories of each of our past relationship. But now, he is the guy who is trying to retrieve all the rocks he threw. He is the guy who has just broken our deal on setting aside our painful pasts to give way to the future ahead us.

But for him to be happy is all I want to happen, and I can say that he's happy with what he is facing right now.

"That's nice!" I expressed cheerfully, "You know, I better get going. You two still have a long night to go."

"Oh, okay then. I'm sorry I can't walk you home today. Maybe some other time, candy creeper," he responded.

I couldn't quite read his expression. Was he happy that I was leaving te two of them alone? Or was he bothered by the thought of it?

"Don't be sorry! It's your special day, and you have to spend it with someone special," I convinced him.

His response was a smile which indicates that I was right. Right after that, I waved the two of them goodbye and turned my back against them to the direction I will be walking to.

As I began walking, the thoughts began to flow. This aching feeling inside me-- why wouldn't it go away?

Wasn't I special enough?

Were our nights together alone not enough to create a special place in his life?

Didn't he ever feel the same way as I did?

After all those hugs and memories we shared, am I just another friend to him?

The way he looked at and talked to Stacy-- it's as if she never caused him any burden in his life at all. It's as if she never hurt him, and as if she never replaced him with someone 'better'.

It was as if I never happened.

But then again, I can't decide for him. To be happy for him, is all I can do. As a special friend, my responsibility is to support him in his decisions even though if they cause me heart aches.

After all, that's what true friends are for.

Author's Note:
So after I published this, I was looking for a video to put on this chapter. And it turns out I got Taylor Swift's Teardrops on my Guitar. As I watched the video, I can't help but notice the resemblance between my story and the story in the video! So if anyone would ever wonder if this story was inspired by the said music video, I have to say no, meaning everything was purely coincidental.

I hope you guys enjoyed this story❤️