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He had always been there for her. First as a friend, then a lover, then a memory. He was never far from her thoughts. He crept in unbeknownst and never seemed to leave.

They had their rough patches, for sure. First when she was struggling to cope with anorexia. He was by her side, encouraging her and when a fight ensued they knew they were too worked up and calmed down. They never could stay angry at each other.

Second, when she broke up with him, her heart already broken at the prospect of hurting him because she loved him. He was he world, her anchor in this upside-down system, her everything. He was her sun, she only reflected what he brought her. She was a simple reflection, a by-product. It was then that she promised herself to do everything in her power to protect him, especially from her. She had to do at least one thing right.

The third rough patch was when they reached out for each other after the breakup. She needed him, he needed someone to blow of steam. So she sat and listen, took blow after blow when he was spitting venom because she knew deep down she deserved it.

Forth was when she decided to turn to other horizons. She met someone, had a new relationship but the ghost of her previous failings lurking in the shadows of her mind. It was doomed to fail again, one cannot love freely when their heart is in a cage. When the fights were too strong, the words too sharp or the night too lonely, he was her anchor that nevertheless kept her floating.

Fifth was evidence. The happy bubble of summer popped and they were back to reality. He left their hometown to study in a prestigious enclosed school at the other side of the Earth, she waited till the last minute to leave for her new metropolis. That time, he fled as a ghost, ready to go on new adventures. He left without saying goodbye, not knowing that his friend was now battling against the dark waters of her mind and derived far from the shore because it is what broken hearts do.

Karma is a bitch. Sixth is a comeback of the greatest irony. He fell in love with someone. She lived in the same city as her. She was prettier, funnier, and did not have all that history. He seemed happier, he did, but when he too fell into the pits of his mind, he had her. She was there to pick up the pieces, to assist him in his projects and when he needed someone, she was there too. She was there for him, she always would.

When the nights were too dark or her mind too lost, she would look up at the moon, piece of a past that will never become future. She was his, whether he knew it or not. But the thing was he did not.

He kept scrolling, till the bottom of the page, staring at the now blank page. He turned to her, took a deep inspiration and said :

-"You'll have to write more, no one can stand a cliff-hanger like this! But are you sure it's realistic?"

She shrugged his comment off, the room was too small, the air too heavy, the expectations too high. He did not notice. Their story. Unrealistic.

-"I mean, the girl seems really in love with that guy, why can't he see it? It is obvious! And she is being a coward. She should tell him... That would make an awesome denouement.

-The thing is, I don't know if I could write more. I'm at a dead end. It's a true story, and we're now. I don't know what to write because I don't want false hope. This story you claim unrealistic is my reality. The one I went through for the last three years."

He still did not get it. After everything they went through, she was never enough. Not enough a good person, always needing someone to keep her from herself. Not enough a good writer to make him understand. Not enough...

Beep-beep

The strident sound kept her from spiraling down any further.

-"I'm sorry, it's Lily, do you mind if I take it? I'm supposed to meet her for dinner after this, it's our six months anniversary today.

-Not at all, go-ahead

-Thanks, you're the best Evie, love you"

That was the thing. They loved each other but he was not IN love with her. But she was with him now. She could tell him the truth. This was her last chance. In the other room, she had her boxes packed. It was now or never. But the thing was, it was not the first time she told herself that. After four failed attempts on her part, where she chickened out before opening her mouth. Writing had been the key. She was not half-bad. She had been accepted to Cambridge, where she would study literature.

-'Sorry about that, it was an "emergency". Lily says hi by the way'

She had always been in good terms with Lily, and she really was a good person. They sometimes would go out only the two of them to "strengthen their girl bonds". Her words. She was one of the reasons why she never said anything. She liked the girl and she was a friend. But in this existence, it was her and her sun.

-"Evie, are you there? The Earth calls the moon? Roger?

-I love you

-I love you too but where does this sudden wave of affection come from?

-You don't understand. I'm in love with you. This story, it's our story. I tried to keep everything inside but I was turning crazy.

- ...

-Please, say something, anything!

-I love Lily, we're moving in together. I wanted to tell you today. That's why she called, tell me where the key was because she went to her mom's, but anyway that's not the point. I love her and I waited so long for you to say anything, I'm now ready to pass to the next chapter. Lily's chapter.

It was a blow. She did not see it coming. She did not want to see it coming. Her eyes were filling up with tears, but she was too prideful to let them fall.

-"I'm accepted at Cambridge. I'm leaving tomorrow. Now if you don't mind leaving I have some boxes I need to finish.

-Evie please, don't run.

-I am NOT RUNNING! I am finally taking my destiny in my own hands, away from hurtful distractions. I will be a great author someday and I'll live the life I wrote for myself. I'll...

-Please listen...

-DO NOT interrupt me! Now leave me alone and I never want to see you again. NEVER. Understood?"

She was painting, crying freely, packing her boxes, all at the same time. He was frozen still next to the computer.

-"I'm so sorry for all you went through, I never wanted this for you.

-LEAVE!" she screeched. "Leave, please" she added almost inaudibly.

He left, taking the pieces of her heart with him and never returned.