I wanted to hold her forever.
Never let go.
I felt like crying, but I was so happy at the same time.
That one hug, put back all the shattered pieces of this broken heart of mine in just a couple of seconds.
She was so beautiful.
I don't know how long we stood there, with our arms around each other.
I don't think I wanted to know anything at that point honestly.
Her friends stared while me and her, were ridiculously close to each other.
And when she let go she said,
"Long time huh?"
We walked our way to the seats.
She sat one seat beside me.
There was this guy, wearing humongous glasses, whose existence I had no idea of, claiming to be her "best friend" seated right in between me and Rose.
Like WHY GOD WHY.
During mass, I couldn't think of anything.
Anything at all.
Just me amongst those children, sitting quietly in their seats, listening to the faint sound of the priest's cermon.
All I thought about was her.
Right there, a seat away from me.
"Is.....she thinking about me too?"
I really don't know why she hugged me.
After all that had happened.
While leaving church I couldn't say a proper "bye" to her either, because she was, again, busy with those friends of hers who were abnormally always around her.
I remember walking home,
smiling more than should, walking into my room, falling flat down onto my bed with my face buried into the pillow, aimlessly flapping my limbs against my bed out of excitement.
"She hugged me."
Life took on the bright colors again.
Eleventh grade was just so freeing.
School was easier, and definitely fun.
I was elected as the Assistant Sports Captain by the school council, which I was extremely happy about.
It was just like those good ol days where Friday mornings were impossible to resist.
But unlike those good ol days....
Rose never showed up for any other Friday at church, ever since the day she hugged me.
Was she busy? Sick or something?
I really hoped she was doing well.
She never came online much either, so texting wasn't really helping.
It was the 20th of May 2016.
The last Friday for Life Teen classes the following year before summer break.
I hoped that she'd atleast come for this one, but she didn't.
All the friends were present, but not her.
Overslept perhaps?
Went out maybe?
Or didn't wanna come?
I'd never know.
I was really sad I guess.
Mostly angry when I couldn't understand.
I really wanted to meet her, start anew maybe. But I never got the chance.
Apart from that,
I met the guy with humongous glasses, who sat between me and Rose, in school.
Apparently he had joined the same school as mine.
At one point he did ask me about my crush on Rose. I didn't say much. Just nodded.
How he knew? Well he was her "best-friend" afterall so probably just heard from her.
I myself had been occupied by school activities, sport events, skits and so much more that I too never got the chance to be online.
Also my board results had come out. I had passed with distinction, the highest of all grades. Parents didn't think I did good,
I sure hoped Rose would've been proud.
But where was she?