Live Another Day

Avery

I wake up by the sound of my alarm. I look around and I don't see him. I grab my phone and walk to the bathroom. after getting freshen up, I prepare myself for the very first class at the college I've been yearning since a child to study at. 

I wear a white cargo pants, black tank, grey zip-up hoodie. I put on my sneakers. 

Phew!

I grab my bag and head towards my class. 

Hey, Avery! How's your first morning, huh?" Sheryl asks as she take her books out of her locker. I notice a guy's picture along with her at a park somewhere. She shuts her locker off before I could look more at it. I turn towards her but before I could ask anything about the picture, she gives me an awkward laugh. 

It surely wasn't Jose's picture I can tell that.

"Well, I went to the principal last night. He failed to give us any vacant room. I was so very disappointed. And, talking about my roommate! He's such an arrogant weirdo!" I say rolling my eyes.

Another familiar voice steps in from behind as I close my locker.

It's Jose.

"Hey girls, What tea do we have for today in the morning?" he asks while standing beside me.

Sheryl frowns. "Well Avery's roommate is a guy! And he's such an arrogant one. But as there's no vacant room right now so they can't even change you know."

My phone rings. 

It's mom.

I step aside.

- Hi, mom. 

- How you doing, sweetie?

-I'm doing great! I just attended my history class. How are you guys?

- We are fine, Ave. I was just getting ready to attend a party at Mrs. Perkins house.

-That's really great! Hope you enjoy, mom. For now I need to go. Love you!

- Love you too! Take care!

 I reach back to Jose and Sheryl. I also notice Shawn as well.

Jose turns to me and asks, "How was the class, Avery?"

"Ah! So you're name is Avery." Shawn says.

I'm a bit surprised right now. "You know him?" I ask Jose.

"Well of course. He's my best buddy. How can I not?"

I look at Shawn and catch him looking at me like a weirdo.

"But how do you guys know each other?", Sheryl asks.

"We're roommates". 

Wow! Now we even synchronize as well!

"That's so cool! My new friend and best buddy are roommates now!" Jose expresses!

I just remembered I called him a arrogant dude a while ago infront of his friends.

Jose leaves early today—it's his mother's birthday. He stuffs his things into his bag in a rush, excitement flickering in his eyes. "See you tomorrow, guys" he says, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.

"Enjoy," I call after him, watching as he disappears down the hall.

It's Thursday, which means anyone who wants to visit home is allowed to go. The only rule is that they have to be back by the next evening. 

The rest of us head back to our dorms. The air outside is crisp, carrying the last whispers of daylight. The corridor hums with quiet chatter, but my mind is already elsewhere—I know exactly what I want to do tonight.

A movie.

Back in my room, I sink onto my bed and open my laptop. And then begins the hardest part: choosing what to watch. You know how it goes—you scroll endlessly, reading summaries, watching trailers, debating between genres, only to circle back to the first few options. It's like some kind of black hole that sucks you in. Minutes turn into an hour, maybe more.

But then I see it. A Walk to Remember.

A familiar ache stirs inside me. I've watched this movie before. I know every scene, every line that will make my chest tighten. And yet, something about it calls to me. Maybe it's the nostalgia, or maybe I just need the kind of comfort only a movie like this can bring.

I don't think twice. I click play.

A soft ache tugs at my chest. I've seen this before, but something about it calls to me. Maybe it's the nostalgia, or maybe I just want to feel something tonight. Without hesitation, I press play.

The screen flickers to life. The soft strum of the opening song fills the air, and just like that, I'm back in their world.

I watch as Landon Carter, the rebellious high school senior, gets caught after a reckless prank and is forced to do community service. That's where he meets Jamie Sullivan—the quiet girl who always carries a Bible, the one everyone ignores. The girl who will change his life in ways he never expects.

I smile when Jamie gives him her list of dreams.

I hold my breath when Landon builds a telescope for her, so she can see a comet up close.

And when Jamie whispers, You have to promise you won't fall in love with me, my chest tightens, because I know. I know exactly where this story is heading, and yet, I can't look away.

The movie moves forward, and I sink deeper into its magic. I watch Landon struggle with his feelings, watch him slowly become a different person—softer, more open, more hers.

Then the moment comes. The scene that always breaks me.

Jamie, in her soft voice, tells Landon she has leukemia. She's dying.

I feel my throat tighten, the way it always does. I see the heartbreak on Landon's face, the way his whole world shifts in an instant.

And then, the wedding.

Jamie, in her white dress, walking down the aisle, fragile but glowing. Landon, standing there, looking at her like she's the only thing in the universe that matters.

I blink back tears.

Even though I know how it ends, it still hits me like the first time.

And there goes the famous quote from this movie which is my favorite.

Our love is like the wind. You can't see it but you can feel it.

Outside, the wind hums against the window. The dorm is quiet now, the night settling in. But inside my little room, it's just me, my laptop, and a love story that still makes my heart ache—again and again. 

A soft melody drifts through the air, cutting through the silence of my dimly lit room. At first, I think it's coming from the movie, maybe some lingering song from the soundtrack. But no—this is different. Raw. Real.

I pause A Walk to Remember and sit up, listening. The voice is familiar, deep and smooth, carrying through the night. Curiosity tugs at me, so I get up and walk to the window.

Outside, the college backyard glows with the flicker of a campfire. And right there, sitting with his guitar, is Shawn.

His fingers move effortlessly over the strings, his voice blending with the crackling fire and quiet hum of conversations around him. A bunch of students are gathered—some sitting on logs, some swaying to the music. Others are at a table, eating and laughing, while a few toss a frisbee under the dim glow of the streetlamp. It's like a small, secret party happening right under my nose.

I glance at the time. It's not too late. Maybe I could use some fresh air, a break from my own thoughts. Without overthinking it, I grab a hoodie, slip on my shoes, and head downstairs.

The moment I step outside, the warmth of the fire wraps around me, mixing with the scent of grilled food and the crisp night air. The music is clearer now, each note settling deep in my chest.

Shawn plays like he was born for it. His fingers dance across the strings so effortlessly, like the guitar is just an extension of him. He's lost in the song, eyes half-closed, head tilted slightly as he sings.

I slow my steps, just watching. The way the firelight flickers across his face. The way his foot taps lightly against the ground, keeping time. The way everyone else seems just as drawn in as I am.

I don't know how long I stand there, but eventually, he lifts his gaze—and for a second, our eyes meet. A small, knowing smile tugs at his lips. It's subtle, almost like a quiet invitation.

And just like that, I feel it. The night, the music, the warmth of the fire. It wraps around me like a quiet kind of magic.

I exhale, letting the night settle around me. The music, the fire, the laughter in the background—it all feels like something I didn't know I needed.

And so, I step forward.

I take out my phone and capture his magical voice on my phone.

Hold me close, don't fade away,

Love will guide us through the grey.

Every heartbeat calls your name,

Through the fire, through the rain,

Stay with me and live another day.

"Such a nice melody it is!"

"Really!?", he asks, curious.

I nod.

"It's a song that I wrote."

I just find him more attractive now. "So what's the name of it?"

"Live Another Day!" he says.