Forever and Always

ra i s on

There was this girl, back in junior high. Her name was Nora-Lee; Korean-American. I wasn't really the friendly type back then, nor was I now, people kept approaching me, but not her. Some of my fake-friends told me it was because she was different.

She was different, and people didn't want to be her friend.

Because of that same reason I approached her first. She always had her head down, with hair super straight and a unique face. Her glowing green eyes shone right through me, like it was telling me that she was super happy somebody talked to her.

And that was the day I gained my real friend, Nora-Lee.

Gradually, I left my fake friends. Nora-Lee was the very first person to give me a nickname; hence I was called Grey. We stuck close to each other, played games, and we were really close she even confessed.

"I think I'm in love with my dentist's son."

I was shock, "What makes you say that?"

She mumbled and smiled, "I don't know. I just am,"

That time I knew that it was a smile of a girl in love. But I truthfully hated the reason, who was this guy?

But she was always keen on capturing his heart; she talked about him day and night. She told me stories of how their day went, how he never looked at her as a girl, because she always had short hair. She would always asked her mother why people called her ugly and different.

She was actually not, she was unique in a way.

So she never backed down, she never stood still, and she never stopped giving him reasons to love her back.

I supported her, but I was still displeased. And gradually I realized that I have fallen in love with her. But it was too late to say anything to her, we were already deep inside our friendship. I just, didn't want to lose her.

She was a goddess, and there would come a time where that lucky guy would realize.

Then time stood still, I was never prepared from the beginning. To see the girl I've come to love got reeled in by another lucky guy. And reality hurts, I knew she would never love me back.

He confessed. Trea.

Toby's twin and a childhood friend of mine.

"Congrats, Nora. I hope he's worthy of you."

"Thanks, Grey. You too, will find happiness."

That was my very first heartbreak, and I knew I would have trouble finding other girls. She was the first.

Oh but I knew Trea was a good person, and he would definitely take care of her. And I learned my lesson, that someday it would be too late. So I also confessed.

First I told Nora, and maybe things went a little awkward, but she listened to my whole story. "It's probably greed, Nora. And you never knew because I was very good at hiding things."

She stayed silent, I knew she was nervous, but wasn't that supposed to be my job?

Oddly, I was at ease. To finally able to let go. I smiled at her and promise that I would never treat her differently even after this.

"I just didn't want to lose you, the you I've been friends with for years."

Nora smiled at that, she hugged me and said, "You're not going to lose me, Grey. I'm not going away, I am still me whenever I'm with you. I will always be that girl who stayed with you. But you have to let go, let go of the me that you suddenly took an interest in. But hold on to the me who you talked to, who you listened to, who you always protect. The me who was always your friend."

That too, was my first time crying in front of a girl. But I understood, I understood it perfectly.

"Yeah. Thanks, Nora."

I also told Trea that I was also in love with her, he listened peacefully and accepted my old self. I threatened him to forever protect her, even when she told him to go away.

That was also the first time Trea got punched in the gut, he definitely deserved that. With a cough he smiled,

"I seriously deserve that, G. All good?"

I smiled at his retort.

"All good."

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