Letter

Dear Atticus,

How have you been? I noticed last year that you guys aren't on good terms. I want to ask you that time why but I didn't because I know I shouldn't intrude in your relationship. I just hope that it'll not happen again. Or if cannot be avoided and the person who's at fault is my sister, I hope you'll have longer patience for her.

I know that the moment you read this, I am no longer breathing or maybe I am already ten feet below the ground lying peacefully. But still, I want you to know that I am always gonna be grateful that you came onto her life. I will always gonna be happy that you became part of her life.

You're the only person I see where she can find her real value. You're the only person whom I can trust about her. You're the only person whom I could imagine she can see her whole life with. You're the only person whom I know that can't afford to lose her.

So please, take good care of my big sister. I love her more than you do.

I know she rarely thinks about herself, and I hope you can do that for her instead.

I am sorry if this is too much to ask.

Thank you, big bro!

                                                                                                                                                                                        Love,  

                                                                                                                                                                  Nathan

I wiped my tears after reading it, trying to stop them from falling but they didn't. I didn't expect a kid can write a letter like that. I return the letter to Atticus before it could get wet with my tears. After he gets the letter he folded it quickly and put it back inside his pocket before wrapping his arms around me.

"I miss him," he suddenly said in the middle of our hug.

"Me too," I answered him shortly.

"May I know what's the reason behind your sudden breakup decision before?" He asked hoarsely.

I swallowed hard. "I don't think we should still talk about it. What we must think by now is that we already get back together."

I felt him shooking his head, causing me to loosen up from our embrace. I took a deep breath as I rose my gaze at him.

"Is it about my mom? My parents? Did they tell something on you?" He asked fastly.

I immediately shook my head. Yes, his parents still don't know about us. And I won't be surprised if ever I'll be called by his parents to see me and tell me to avoid their son. But that isn't the reason behind my decision before.

"Then why?" He asked huskily.

I looked away after I saw how his eyes scream in pain. I didn't know it was bothering him after all this time. I didn't know that he was still wondering why about it.

"Back then, A group of girls hates me for having a relationship with you," I answered him honestly.

"Who are they? Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.

"Because I don't see any reason to tell you about it. Besides, they only hate me. You are not included in their hatred-"

He cuts me off. "But you were my girlfriend that time! You should have told me back then because I am the reason why they hate you, baby." He whispered the last word.

"I'm sorry." The only words I said.

"Is it that girl from your class who used you so you'll be the one to answer and do her homework?"

My eyes dilated. "What? No!" I answered immediately.

"Then tell me! Please."

"There's no need-"

I wasn't able to finish my sentence when my phone suddenly rang for a call. I took it out of my bag and saw Olivia's name flashed on the screen. I swiped the green button and listen to the line.

"Oli, what's wrong?" I asked nervously.

"Nothing." She immediately answered which made me breathe in relief. "I just want to know what time are you gonna be home so I can cook dinner before you came home."

"You're giving me a heart attack," I informed her. "Hmm... maybe around six-thirty PM."

"Okay. And do you have extra money there?"

"Yup, I have. Why?"

"Can you drop on a bookstore on your way later? There's a book that our teacher required us to buy. I wasn't able to buy one on my way home because I don't have enough money." She explains.

"Sure. Just text me the title of the book and the author, I might forget it if you'll just gonna say it."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye, Oli."

Our call ended after that. I checked the time of my phone and saw it was already five-thirty P.M. I caressed Nathan's tombstone for the last time before standing up. I was the first one who stood up so I offered my hand for Atti to help him from standing.

"Goodbye, for now, my love. I'll come back here some other time to visit you again." I said to Nathan's tombstone.

As I told Oli on our call earlier, I asked Atticus to drive me into the nearest bookstore. I brought the book she asked me to but it took me a bit longer inside the bookstore because the line at the counter was long.

"I'm sorry. The line was too long." I explained to him after I get inside his car and buckled my seatbelt.

He chuckled. "Tss. It's okay."

He then started to run the car. His phone ring for a call in the middle of the way so I busied myself looking outside through the window. But no matter how hard I try to not be distracted and eavesdrop on their conversation I can still hear it.

"Dinner?!" The annoyance in his voice was evident. "Mom, we already talked about this before, right?... Yes, until now, my mind hasn't changed... Do not force me, please!... Bye, mom, I am driving right now." He listened for the other line for a bit before ending the call.

When we got in front of my house, I looked at him to ask him if he's okay. But before I could open my mouth to ask him about it, he spoke already.

"I'm fine." He gave me an assuring smile.

"Text me if you're not," I said to him before opening the door of his car.

I was about to close the door when he suddenly called me.

"Baby,"

I opened his door and peek. "Hmm?"

"No matter what happened, I will never leave you."