Thirty

*

Crystal sighed as she got down from.the bed and checked for her books. Her first week was gone just because she had fainted and she wanted to make up for the lost time. Flipping through the pages of her book, she seemed so engrossed in reading that she did not even hear the door open.

"Here are the books"

"Thanks for your help"

"No problem"

"Can you leave now? I'm reading"

"Oh!....okay, see you later then" Laura said as she turned and made her way out of the room, leaving her Alone.

She opened the notes Laura gave to her and started to update hers. Soon her roommates came back and asked usual, everyone was on their own.

And Crystal didn't care.

It was 8pm when Justin came into the room with a sad expression.

"Sunshine" He sat close to her as he smiled at her.

"You are here" Crystal whispered as she smiled, not hesitating to snuggle into his comfort.

"How are you feeling?"

"I am okay. How...how are you feeling?"

"I am okay as long as you are. I want to take you out, will you come with me?

"Really?"

"Yes"

"O...okay"

"Thanks baby. You want to change?"

"Am i good this way?"

"Its your choice dear"

"Let's go Justin" She said as she got up, holding Justin's hand. Justin led her away from her dorm....her hostel.

He took her to the far end of the school building and she was happy when she could see the stars closer than before.

"Are you cold?" Justin asked when he noticed she was wearing a handless gown.

"Here sunshine" He said as he pulled his jacket and helping her to put it on. He smiled at her as he stood beside her looking up at the stars with her.

"They...they are beautiful"

"But not as beautiful as you Crystal"

They stared at the stars more longer. They gazed for an hour but it felt to them like some minutes. They were situated down on the ground, Justin cuddling Crystal in his arms.

"No matter what will happen, know I will always love you" Justin said as he removed a hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

"You....you said that to me before. Are you....you want to h...hurt me again"

"No baby, i won't even dare to hurt you....ever"

"Then...why are you sounding like you're...you're leaving"

"Crystal...."

"You're leaving me"

"Crystal please....i hate when you sound like this"

"I thought you said you cared for me?"

"I do....much more than you know sunshine. I love you and you know that"

"No you don't" Crystal got up and hugged herself, tears trickling down her face.

He was leaving....again.

"Please don't cry" He said as he tries to clean her tears but she pushed him away.

"You won't understand me. I am doing this for you....for us"

"You're hurting me the more"

"I'm sorry"

"Does...does that mean i wont see you tomorrow?"

"Crystal...."

"Please don't go" She whispered as she looked into his blue eyes. Her eyes shine with unshed tears as she reached out to his face and held it with her two hands.

"I...i can't be without you"

"I can't too. It hurt when i couldn't see you for two years. I will come back for you. I promise I will. I just want to protect you...i can't lose you because i'm selfish"

"But why"

"When the time comes, you will understand. But no matter what, i always love you....i always do and always will"

"C...can't there be another way?"

"If there was another way, i wouldn't be leaving. Just promise me you would take care of yourself"

"I...."

"Promise me?"

"I promise"

And then, Justin leaned in and kissed her.

In that moment of the kiss, they were in each others protective cocoon.

In his kiss is the promise of years and the sweetness of waiting for real love.

In his kiss.....

She felt she was home.

In that moment of the kiss their chemistry becomes an ever-bright flame. His kiss made her feel safe and contented, it was so steeped in a passion that ignites.

She knew very well it was her first kiss and he had been her first. Justin pulled away and kissed her forehead, assuring her that all was fine....

That all will be fine.

He left her room her room and tucked her in her bed before leaving her hostel. Tears were still on her eyes when she went to sleep and in the early morning, when she had rushed out to his dorm to check on him

He wasn't there.

He was.....gone.

He left her again...just when she needed him.