Lost Passage: Claire

Months had passed since I moved into my brother's apartment. What brought me here was something I caused myself. It was sad during my first week here since I won't be able to see my friends like I used to. I will surely miss them but it's the price I pay for being selfish.

I had a new beginning at a different university. New faces, new acquaintances, and new chances to redeem myself. I was at my lowest point in life when I got here but little by little as I began to accept that I was wrong, I started to feel happy. What happened between me and Luke opened my eyes that I can't always get what I want. He made me learned that lesson the hard way and it sucks!

My brother didn't bother asking me what really happened but I know by the way he checked on me, he cares for me a lot. When I learned about his obsession with Kris and saw how it affected him so much, I remembered myself being obsessed with Luke. It's funny to think about how we both ended up miserably. But as his sibling, I didn't stop reminding him that the mistakes we did teach us the biggest life lesson. Life doesn't end when a chapter has been closed. Try to lift the pages since there are more blank pages where you can write your own story in different colors. A happy ending maybe?

Eventually, my brother was able to recover from the depths of his despair. He landed a job that kept him busy and not so long ago, he met Demy. On the other hand, I was focusing on my studies. From time to time I open my social media account to check on my friends. That's when I learned that Kris and Luke we're officially together. To my surprise, I didn't feel any resentment. I am happy for both of them.

I know they will be great together. So that leads me to the question of why Kris was in our doorway with a suitcase. At first, it's puzzling why he suddenly showed himself up in here but I certain about something. I'm happy to see him. Someone l know from the world I left behind.

That night, he told me what happened and I thought it's selfish and stupid at the same time. I reminded him of how he taught me to face the consequences and I really hope he would listen. On the second day, I wished him good luck on the audition, and when I found out that he got in, made me happy for him. I kept my promise to Kris not to tell my brother his whereabouts but we still got busted. I never heard my brother so mature in giving advice and that made me proud.

My brother told me this morning that Kris will go back to their home tonight and I'm glad that he didn't make it long. I just got home when I received a call from Kris. He asked me to bring his stuff and meet him at the front of the jewelry store near our apartment building. It's the least I could for him right now. I went to my brother's room to get his suitcase and his guitar. I don't know what got into me but I found myself opening the guitar case. When I saw the guitar, it looked the same as the one that Mike and Jessie bought from a music shop. I happened to pass by them at the local music instrument shop when I tried to look for a gift for Luke. I was a bit suspicious back then since neither one of them can play the guitar. So when they left the shop I asked the staff about the guitar and I was told that it was pawned before and those two guys paid it back. Now, it made a lot of sense. Luke probably asked them to get this guitar for Kris, to make him happy.

I still got my gift for him. I remember I planned to give it to him after he agreed to be my homecoming date. But it didn't happen.

I put Kris's stuff in the living room and went to my room. I was still in my uniform so I changed my clothes first. Before I went out of my room, I looked over to the shelf, and seeing the harmonica made me smile. It's a great memento of who I was and what I am now. Everything will be alright as long as I look forward and keep on going.

I was at the front of the shop waiting for Kris to come out. When he got what he came in for, he stepped out of the shop to see me. He got his stuff and his gift for Luke but something was missing and I thought of flowers. I read once online that blue hyacinths are better suited for saying sorry and I thought it would mean a lot for Luke if Kris will give him such a beautiful flower.

I was waiting for the florist to wrapped the flowers when I heard a commotion from outside the shop. I paid for the flowers and went out to see what's going on. I saw a few people getting around a guy who was beating another guy on the pavement. Why aren't they trying to stop the fight? I walked closer and closer. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Kris being beaten to a pulp by this random guy. I dropped the flowers and ran over to them. I pulled the guy by the hair to stop him.

"Hey! What are you doing to my friend! Stop it!" I cried out as I pulled harder and the guy yelped telling me to let go. I managed to get him off Kris who was squirming in pain.

He swung his arm and it sent me down the pavement. I didn't mind the pain that he dealt with me. I just want to help Kris. The guy stood up and cursed at me. He looked drunk and he got his eyes pinned on me now. I looked over to Kris who was still down. I thought of calling the police so I pulled my phone out of my pocket but before I knew it, the guy snatched the phone off my hand and smashed it on the ground.

I heard the guy laughed like a lunatic. I watched him closely, the moment he turned around, I immediately stood up and ran over to Kris. I was a few steps away from him when the guy grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him. His face was a few inches away from mine. I was scared. But something in the way he stared at me changed. Then all of a sudden, flashing lights of red and blue beamed through us. The police came at the right time. The guy got arrested and he didn't take his eyes off of me until he got in the police car. The ambulance came after a short while and they gently picked up Kris who was badly hurt.

We got in the ambulance and Kris was still conscious trembling in pain. I asked the rescuer if I can borrow his phone. I called my brother to let him know what happened. The door closed and the ambulance began to move. I looked out the window and from the distance, I saw the flowers that I got for Kris.

I'm sorry...

I held Kris's hand and I began to cry.

"He's going to fine... Don't worry..." The rescuer said as he comforted me.

It's my fault...

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