Meanwhile in Switzerland. I was sitting on the bench where Xavier and I first talked to each other. I was listening to my iPod, a piano piece by Beethoven “For Elise”. I always remember the days during our performing arts class. Always after class, Xavier has been playing piano since first grade. I was secretly watching him backstage while he plays so majestically. The way he plays the piano, I admired him. The school even coaches him to encourage him to join competitions to represent our school. In the end, he wins the bacon. he always wins and bring pride to our school. Not only in Piano, but also in badminton, soccer, basketball, tennis, academics and even a simple game of chess. he was multi-talented. Believe me or not, he doesn't even listens to the class and just sleeps. The teachers are confident and doesn't mind him even if he does that. In fact they even made him an example. The teachers always says 'Look at Mr. Fournier. Even if he always sleeps in class, he gets the highest mark.' If only I was that smart. I wanted to call him, to know what he;s doing and when whill he come back. I'm being to impatient. He told me to wait. I need to trust him. I also remember his brother, Austin. When I was in second grade, I saw the day Austin arrived at the helipad in a helicopter. As handsome as his brother but not that alike. He turned out to be a loner and always being bullied at like me. I pity him. Xavier is a responsible brother. he always protects him. Not long after, the bullying stops. Xavier was Mr. Popular. He always win the fareness contest among men in school. He always has friends at his back, following his every footstep. I was staring at the stars when I saw a shadow. At first I was startled, when I knew it was James, I almost throw at him my shoes.
“You’re here again?” he scolded me, “I told you to go back to the dorms at this time. You might catch a cold.”
“I’m always here.” I replied faintly as I recall the day I was crying because I was being bullied. That was also the day I met Xavier. At first when I saw him I thought of him a prince. He was reading a book so serious that made him look elegant, like a prince. I went through my bag and carefully took the handkerchief Xavier gave me. I sniffed it and I can imagine the scent he was wearing. I looked at James who was still looking at me with amazement.
“Look, I don’t want to disturb you in smelling that handkerchief.” He continued, “You can even sleep here if you want. Mrs. Rodriguez, your dorm head is now checking attendance. I am here because I heard it.”
“I think we should go?” I told him hypothetically
“Don’t we?” We hurried back to our dorms. We went our separate ways.
While I was walking in the snow-filled paths towards my dorm, I looked at the stars and remembered the day I was spying on Xavier, I imagine him sitting at the bench playing violin beside a lamp post decorated with ribbon and wreaths. The picture was perfect, I was really in love. I watched him as he plays the piano majestically, I was like floating on cloud nine. I don’t know if he remembers me, I was just passing by. I didn’t know he was there. He saw me and asked me if I can accompany him. I looked at his eyes and I noticed the sadness in his soul. I sat not close to him, keeping distance. I listened to him play while I opened my palms as I watch the snowflakes drop in my hands.
“Do you know it’s my birthday today?” He said softly.
“Happy Birthday… How was your day?” I asked him to have a conversation. It was a bit awkward but he answered.
“Nothing.” He said. “Supposedly, my parents are going to visit me. They didn’t come.”
“It’s okay.” I said to cheer him up, “Since it’s your birthday today, I’ll sing for you.”
“No it’s okay, don’t mind me.” He said. But I insisted. I sang a birthday song for him. At first he was so ashamed he bowed down. He stood up. He looked at me and said, “Thank you.” He walked the opposite way to our dorms. I looked at him as he walks; astonished as I was, he fell. I quickly approached him turned and looked at him. I slightly slapped his cheeks to see if he was awake. I felt right away that he was burning up. I called an ambulance. I was holding him and desperately shaking him to make him wake up. I was so worried. I wanted him to be okay. I looked at him and I remembered that I was called. My dorm head called for me. It was emergency. As the ambulance arrives I looked at him and said even if he don’t hear it. ‘Happy birthday, Xavier.’ The paramedics laid him in a stretcher. They wanted me to come but I saw James and called him to go instead of me.
