good bye

I found myself lying in a hospital bed, enduring intense pain. I could hear someone sobbing nearby—it was Olivia, seated on my left. Justin and Amal stood by my right side.

Justin tried to reassure me, "You'll be alright. Your four legs and three hands are gone."

Surprised and alarmed, I asked, "What?!"

Chuckling, Justin quickly clarified, "Just kidding, mate.

Amal chimed in, "Some bruises on your head and leg. Your hand is broken, but that's about it."

Despite everything that had happened, my attention remained focused on Olivia. She had been there for me through it all.

Curiously, I inquired, "Where is Mom?"

Justin responded, "She went to take care of the hospital bills.

Concerned, I asked, "Is she angry?"

Amal replied, "She was a little scared and somewhat angry too."

Interrupting the conversation, Justin added, "Hey, your mother knows that you were hiding a girl in her house, but she didn't say anything because she trusts me and believes in us."

Perplexed, I asked, "How?"

Justin explained, "She called me to ask what was happening, and I told her everything and a little more to convince her."

In disbelief, I exclaimed, "Then I have to apologize to her. And what on earth did you tell her to convince her!?"

Justin grinned mischievously, "Well, I made up a story about how you and Faint were inseparable, deeply in love, and how you had protected her from countless guys. I even advised you to hand her over to the cops, acting like a concerned big brother..."

Shaking my head, I interrupted him, "Oh my goodness, you goof! You started everything in the first place! Even a child would have realized that it was all a made-up tale."

After a few days passed (December 4th), I found myself back home with a cast on my hand, while my leg had healed.

Summoning up the courage, I confided in my mom, sharing the entire story. I was apprehensive about her reaction and whether she would believe my ghostly encounters. However, to my relief, she simply said, "I have always believed in you, my son."

Later that day, I received a call from Tom. He revealed something astonishing, exclaiming, "Hey, Steve! That girl you mentioned, Faint? She's not Faint at all. I can hardly believe it myself. She's actually someone who died in a road accident—a ghost. I'll send you the newspaper clippings. Is she still with you?"

Confused, I replied, "Wait, who are you talking about? It was Olivia with me at the party. I think you're just imagining things."

Tom persisted, "No way, is that so?"

Growing impatient, I ended the call and turned to Justin, expressing my thoughts, "Tom might believe that Faint was an illusion, but I think she was an illusion for all of us."

Justin nodded understandingly, "Regardless of what she was, she was here with us for some time. She loved you, and we all shared memories with her that make her a part of us."

As I looked at the picture Tom had sent, a smile crept across my face. I confided in Justin, "Let's keep all of this a secret."

He affirmed, "Our secret, always.

Suddenly, I realized there was one final thing I needed to do.

Curious, Justin asked, "What's that?"

With determination, I replied, "I have to tell Olivia everything."

Surprised, Justin suggested, "Then go ahead and tell her. She lives in the next house."

Shaking my head, I responded, "Not now. December 10th is her birthday. We'll give her the best birthday she's ever had."

December 10th arrived, a chilly day where I eagerly awaited the clock to strike 7 o'clock. Dressed for the occasion, I called Justin.

He confirmed, "We're already here. We'll bring her to the shore."

I instructed him, "Bring her to the small bridge instead." The bridge, located in town, connected to a stream flowing into the river.

With a rose in hand, I walked along the bridge as snowflakes began to fall. There was no one else in sight except for Olivia. I approached her and explained, "It wasn't me who sent you the message; it was Faint."

Handing her the rose, I poured out my feelings, "Olivia, I love you deeply."

She responded, "I am not Faint, and my eyes aren't like an ocean."

Drawing closer, I embraced her and gazed into her eyes, saying, "I saw the ocean in her eyes, but I see myself in yours."

Moved to tears, and we shared a passionate kiss while a cold wind blew from the river, the moon smiling behind us. The sky wept snowflakes, and the moon shone brightly as the stars remained hidden.

Though it wasn't my first kiss, it was undeniably one of the best. We celebrated Olivia's birthday at my mother's café, where she is the owner.

We cut the cake, and I shared the entire story with Olivia. As we were lost in the moment, I noticed someone talking to my mother. Their face was obscured, but their voice sounded familiar. However, they soon left, concealing their identity.

Days later, I mustered the courage to ask my mother about the encounter at the café. She revealed, "It was Faint. She confessed everything, apologizing to me. She cried throughout, expressing her happiness for you and Olivia."

Curious, I inquired, "What did you say to her?"

With a warm smile, my mother replied, "I told her, 'I know you were at home. Every day, I would make breakfast for you too. I knew you'd make it through, and I didn't need an apology. You're like a daughter to me.'"

A few days later, Olivia called me and said, "I'm going somewhere. Are you coming?"

I eagerly responded, "Yes."

She drove us to Tyler Maquen's house, located a bit far from town with no neighbouring houses in sight. Confused, I asked her, "Why did you bring me here?

She explained, "He treated Faint like a servant, never allowing her to leave. He even claimed she was mentally ill. After hearing this, I realized she's just like your sister to you."

Unsure of my feelings, I admitted, "Calling her my sister feels strange."

Olivia pondered, "Then how do you feel about her?"

Admitting my uncertainty, I replied, "I don't know."

Taking matters into my own hands, I walked up to Tyler's door and called him out. As he opened the door, I swiftly punched him in the face, declaring, "This is for Faint, you despicable piece of shit."

Blood trickled from his nose as Olivia and I hurriedly retreated to the car and drove away. While heading back, I caught a glimpse of a girl peering through the window of Tyler's house. I saw her face through the car's side mirror—it was Eliza Grayson, and I call her faint.

---

THE END

That day, Faint visited us in our dreams. In Tom's dream, she expressed gratitude for not remembering her at the party. In Amal's dream, she thanked him for treating her like a friend. In Justin's dream, she appreciated his friendship as well. In Olivia's dream, Faint apologized for everything she had done. In my dream, she thanked me for my actions, apologized for her own, and confessed her love, albeit in a brotherly way.

In my mother's dream, Faint conveyed her appreciation for being like a mother to her, apologizing for the trouble she caused and promising to be a good daughter.

After bidding farewell, Faint vanished into the night, transformed into fireflies.

The following morning, Amal called me and said, "Hey, Steve, she's gone."

Curious, I inquired, "Who?"

He replied, "Lilly, my girlfriend. She left me and went with Jayden."

Offering support, I advised, "Oh, man, don't be sad. Let her go. Someone is waiting for you. Go find her, but remember to look for the living."

And so, our romantic tale concludes, filled with love, friendship, forgiveness, and the bittersweet memories of Faint.