Some People

20/21

I sat outside, feeling the cold night air against my flushed cheeks. I couldn't stay inside that crowded room. I needed... space. To be by myself. To think.

About her.

To remember.

To cherish.

I guess ever since the first time I met Eliza Kang-Le Rose, I knew there'd be no forgetting her.

Someone sat down next to me.

It was a boy. He had curly hair, and although it was dark I was pretty sure it was ginger. He had a striped polo matched with a grey blazer, and the moon reflected in his rectangular glasses.

He gave me a small smile. "Sorry if I'm interrupting something, but you looked a little lonely out here. Is it okay if I join you?"

I shrugged but nodded at the same time, shifting slightly to the left to make room for him, meanwhile subtly wiping my face.

"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself; I'm Anthony."

"Archibald."

"Ah... the one in the Eulogy? She was your best friend, wasn't she?"

I nodded, lacing my hands tightly together.

"I'm sorry."

We were both silent, but I could tell that there was more he wanted to say.

"You know," Anthony began, his tone gentle. "I never met Eliza. My dad went to school with Kevin, though, and went to his and Meili's wedding. He always said, despite everything that happened to this family, they were always, always the nicest most beautiful people you would ever meet,"

I nodded. Once, twice, I kept going. And before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face and all my anguish came flooding out once more. I couldn't believe I was crying in front of a stranger. It was probably the last thing Anthony wanted, nobody would want to deal with a random crying dude.

But I felt his arm go around my shoulders and I leaned into him, gasping for air through my sobs.

His steady hand rubbing my arm kept me grounded, and I was thankful for him.

We stayed silent for a long time. I could hear the party continuing on inside, but I didn't want to move from Anthony's firm grasp.

I don't know how long we stayed there, but what Anthony tells me is that I fell asleep. When it was time to leave, he carried me to Mum's car, but not before slipping a piece of paper with his phone number on it into my jean pocket. Smooth, Ant, smooth.