Fire

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 -

Ready, set, go.

End of the journey

Saoirse was packed and ready. David kept there, pacing into her room.

"Saoirse, you can't shut me down like this. It's been ages! You can shut all your friends, all your friends down, but not me, I'm your brother! And now you are graduating, for chrissakes!"

"Watch me," she thought, with a grimace, carrying the bags towards the door.

Which, when she opened, there were John, Ann and Treves outside, waiting under the sun, like they had been doings for months.

"What are you all doing here? Don't you have better to do? Can't you take a hint, for fuck's sake?" she spat.

"Saoirse, you may blame us, but you must know we wish you no harm," said Ann.

"But I wish you harm. I want you all to go to hell."

"Saoirse!" cried David. "The only reason you managed to avoid us for all this time was because we were very patient."

Saoirse scoffed and took her suitcase.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make you happy, Saoirse," said John, miserable.

"Me too. And David, I'm moving out. Don't look for me. Even if I ever become famous, because I know I will. My first novel will be published soon, just so you know. I don't want to see you again. I mean, any of you. Especially you." she pointed at Ann, who went pale.

Running down the stairs, she left.

"Ann, what did you do?" asked John, trying to hold back tears.

"I... I think I was the one who convinced her to-"

"Oh." said Treves.

"We'll see each other again." affirmed John.

"What have you been reading to come up with such a cheesy line, mate?" asked Treves.

"Let's go to class. There are still three of us who hasn't graduated." pouted Ann.

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Ten years later

Saoirse had written many successful novels. But her novel "The Scent of the Jasmines" had been her most acclaimed best-seller after ten years of career. On the autograph session, with a line of fans forming fast, she met many known faces.

Ann was the first.

Saoirse gritted her teeth.

"What are you doing here?"

And she saw Ann was married. What a huge diamond.

Good for her.

Then Treves showed up and David.

"Hey!" Saoirse, rose from her chair behind her desk. "You're not welcome here. I bet you haven't even read the book."

"I tried," said David. "Too melodramatic for my taste."

Then, a very deformed man entered the bookshop holding a book. People gasped.

"I read it five times. It's about an infatuated high-schooler who keeps sending Shakespearean letters to the Maths teacher."

Saoirse flushed. People were way too shocked.

"You're not even in line! What the hell are you guys even doing here?" she asked, with a beam on her voice she was trying to suppress.

Nobody on the bookshop was complaining because they sensed a show.

"I came to deliver you a last letter," said John.

He gave it to her. It read.

'Will you marry me?'

Saoirse couldn't deny she was moved, by her expression.

She gave the letter back to him.

"No."

"Come on, Saoirse. It's been ten years!" John protested.

"Do you think certain things just disappear?"

"Saoirse, be rational! I was trying to do the best for both of you. Imagine that child's life if it had been like me! There was no way to know! We made a mistake. I'm sorry, Saoirse, but there are things I won't be able to give you."

Nice. If the press watched any of those social media videos that were being filmed there, and realized what John had blurted about, her career would probably be over. Saoirse seemed to be considering. Thinking, hard.

Should she forgive him?

Well. He hadn't given up... After all this time.

"Okay, yes," she said.

"Yes, what?" he asked, hopeful.

"Are you stupid? Yes!"

"Oh, Saoirse! I wish I could kneel!" he showed her a little black box.

"Is this... A... diamond? Oh my God!"

"I had to write so many books to purchase it. But I thought your favorite gem was a red garnet."

Saoirse stared at him with a frown.

"How did you know? I never told you!"

"Saoirse, my love, I know you, you are my soul--"

"I told him," David cut him off.

She laughed and opened the small box. The ring was a beautiful luminescent red. Her throat was thick.

He slid it through her finger.

"A perfect fit." John admired.

"I told him the size too."

"David! Behave!" ordered Saoirse, mockingly.

John contemplated her. Still the same strong, determined emerald eyes, long wavy fiery hair and freckled face. His Saoirse.

"I love you Saoirse. I should have told that before. If you give me the chance, I'll remind you about that every minute of your life. Of our lives."

While tears were flowing down Saoirse's cheeks, most of her fans were leaving, shocked and disgusted.

"John... Um... Your writing style is way too dark," she blurted.

"So you've been keeping up."

"Always."

There was an appalling silence.

John came closer, carressed her hair and kissed her.

Derogatory comments exploded, pictures for instagram and whatever social media were taken with cell phones and more offended people left the store.

But Saoirse and John were used to it.

"After that, we celebrate with lunch in Chinatown," decided Ann, while the lovers kissed.

Saoirse interrupted to ask.

"Since when you are the boss?"

Treves and David laughed.

"Oh. I thought it would be a suitable place. It used to be your favorite. Where do you propose?"asked David.

"Chinatown it is," replied Saoirse.

And she resumed kissing her fiancé.

The bookshop was deserted now except for the five friends.