2.2 THE BRIDGE: Bridge Restored

I cannot believe it had been three months already ever since that day...

As I passed Magnolia in the hallway, I could not help but envy her all throughout that time. I knew she was wondering why I had to stay away from her, and perhaps Marvin had already told her the reason why.

Her eyes looked so sad as I passed, and though I knew she had other friends now, I could not help but miss her as well.

"Why don't you just talk to her?" Micah once told me. She had been one of my closest friends since elementary and the only person I tell my secrets too aside from Marvin.

"What will I say?" I sighed in frustration. "It was not as if I wanted this to happen."

"I don't get you. I understand you liked-"

"Correction, love."

"Right," and she rolled her eyes. "Listen, Rose. We have been friends this long and I'll tell you straight, you're being dumb."

"What?"

"You heard me. You're dumb. I know it might be hard for you to accept everything but are you really willing to throw away everything you and Marvin had as friends just because he doesn't love you back?"

"But-"

"And Magnolia has nothing to do with this. She just happened to be someone your best friend loves. It's not her fault to be admired and loved by your best friend. Of course, we can't blame her for liking him, too. Who wouldn't?"

"You liked him, too?"

"As a friend, dummy!" and she smacked my head.

"Ouch! Geez!" as I rubbed my head.

"I'm just saying, be a friend to both. Don't waste your time sulking and hating them all your life just because he didn't love you back or see you the way you wanted him to."

"God, Micah! When did you grow a brain?"

She gave me a sullen glance and I laughed.

But she was right. It was not their fault that they actually fell in love with each other, and my feelings for Marvin should not hinder us to be friends again.

"I don't want to lose my best friend..." those were the last words he spoke to me three months ago.

I suddenly felt guilty for not even giving Marvin a chance to be just my friend. All the things that we did together since we were kids, I surely missed them but my pride kept me away from being his friend again...

I was hurt and yet I knew deep inside, our friendship was much more important than my damn feelings. But could I really endure not to feel jealous and envy every time I see them together? Could I really set aside how I felt for Marvin in order for all three of us be friends again? How could I do that?

That night, I thought long and hard on what I should do. I guess my feelings for Marvin would always be special and maybe even when we grew old, he would still have that place in my heart. But then I realized, I'm only sixteen. There would be more guys out there who would be willing to love me just the way I am and perhaps I would love them too.

For me, the love I have for him was real... the hurt was real but didn't mom ever tell me that true love comes when we least expect it? Perhaps my true love actually was out there.

Maybe it was not Marvin at all... for love should be mutual and unrequited love was not one I wanted to grow old and died with.

So, I got up from my bed and started to write a letter. It was funny how things turned out. The "bridge" writing to "point A." I smiled. This was probably my destiny... to bridge people together because if I haven't introduced them, perhaps they would never meet and Marvin would forever crush on any girl that he did not deserve.

I shook my head as the memory of Christa came into my mind. I remember that awful kiss.

Ugh!

After gulping the sudden bile that almost came out of my mouth, I started writing the letter.

'Dear Marvin,

I know it must be hard for us not to speak to each other for so long and I wanted you to know that I have truly missed you. I missed the times we go biking in summer and play at the ball field. I missed the times we go to Cookies and Cream Coffee Shop after school to buy my favorite large chocolate chip cookie and bubble milk tea. But what I missed the most, was our talks at the mini-bridge...

In short, I missed my best friend and I wanted you to know that I do love you. Perhaps it would not change in time but our friendship was much more important for me than my feelings for you.

Now, I'm restoring the bridge again, hoping the damage was not that bad, and I hope you help me rebuild it too, along with Magnolia. Three are better than one,right?

Love,

Rose."

I leaned my head back onto the chair as I marvelled at what I wrote. I could not believe I could write a letter like that. I sounded mature, and I laughed at myself. I was finally growing..

The next day, Saturday, I walked over the mini-bridge and waited for Marvin. I have texted him earlier that day and told him to come and meet me here at nine o' clock in the morning.

I waited for like an hour, constantly looking at my phone. I was starting to get nervous. What if he does not come? What would happen? What should I do?

Could it be that... the bridge was totally damaged? That no matter how much we tried to repair it, there would always be a crack of some sort?

My heart raced rapidly inside my chest as I started to panic. This was not right, and I suddenly felt stupid for even thinking that we would be able to rebuild our friendship. That-

"Rose," a familiar voice called and I turned my head towards it. There stood Marvin, hands on his pocket, as he gave a simple smile to me.

I stared at him as I noticed how handsome he looked in an unbuttoned checkered blue polo shirt, where his white t-shirt was showing, and blue jeans. He looked like the typical boy-next-door and once again I could not help but admire him.

I smiled nervously as I took the letter out of my pocket. It was amazing how we could still stand in front of each other without feeling shy.

I handed out the letter to him as his eyebrows crossed.

"Don't worry it's not a love letter... well almost," and a smile formed in his lips. "Just something I wanted to say."

He took the letter and read it as I waited anxiously. After he finished reading, he looked at me.

"So..." I started. My hands all sweaty, waiting, when he smiled and linked his arm around my neck. It was one of those things that we did as friends, and I knew, our friendship was finally restored.

I smiled as I looked up to him.

"You know, Rose, I have always wanted to have a sister," and I pushed him. "What?"

"You already friend-zoned me and now you want me to be your sister?" and I crossed my arms.

He chuckled. "I did not mean it that way."

"I'm okay just being your best friend. Call me your sister again and I'm gonna punch your face."

He laughed as he lifted his hands in surrender.

"Fine. Come here you!" and he embraced me tightly as I did the same. "I missed you, too, Rose. Sorry if it took me so long to come when you sent me a message. I dropped off Magnolia-"

"Let's go to her house," I suggested as I pulled away from him.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure. I miss her, too, you know and remember I met her first before you. I have to get more rights than you do."

"Is that so?"

"Bet you still can't beat me to the bus stop."

"Is that a challenge?"

"You bet!" and I ran ahead of him.

"Rose, you cheater!" and he ran after me laughing.