Chapter Forty-Two

How long has she been standing there!?

She stood still and kept her silence. I didn't even notice the apartment door open. Our eyes were locked but all I saw in them were surprise. That alone told me that she had heard enough.

How could this happen? All that I have done in the past few days. The ignored calls and messages. Those hurtful words I said to her earlier. They all fell in vain. She now knows the very thing I tried so hard to conceal from her.

She was the first one to drop her gaze. And she didn't just drop them. She turned the other way and ran off.

"Claire!"

Her name left my lips with urgency. I wasn't certain what I was doing. I only know that I need to stop her from leaving. I ran in her direction chasing after her.

"Claire! Wait!" I yelled as I exited the apartment.

I immediately spotted her. She was already out of the gate. I saw her motorcycle which she was now about to hop on. I ran faster desperately trying to catch up to her. She was about to start the engine when I placed myself in front of her motorcycle.

"Claire! Please wait... I can explain."

She acted as if she didn't hear me. She started the engine. By the looks of it, she is planning to drive back to maneuver the motorcycle away. I planted my hands on her motorcycle's front hoping I had enough strength to prevent her from leaving.

"Wait! Claire! Please just listen to me fir-"

"What more do you want to say!?!!"

I only heard Claire raise her voice at me. And that just happened earlier today. But now, she was screaming at me. It was the first time I saw her lose her cool composure.

"You told me earlier that you don't want to see me! You said that I should leave you alone. But now, you're telling Ryan and Diane that you're in love with me!?!?"

I know I messed up. But hearing what my actions looked like from her perspective made me think I was in a much worse state.

"I heard a lot of b******* in my lifetime. But I have to say, yours is the biggest b******* I have ever heard! What games are you playing with me? Is this some sick revenge you're trying to pull? Don't tell me you're still not over with me stealing your girlfriend."

"I-I'm already over that. I just- I'm telling the truth. I do love you. I love you even though I know that I shouldn't-"

"Will you please stop with that b******* already?"

"It's the truth!" I said raising my voice. "I had a feeling that you would react like this. That is why I didn't want you to know in the first place."

"Then, good! Let's pretend that I didn't hear s*** so we can go back to being friends. Oh, wait! We can't because you f****** told me to leave you alone!!!"

I couldn't speak. I didn't know how to respond to that. Is there even a response to that?

"Now, let go! Or so help me, I will drive this motorcycle while dragging you along."

I know Claire only said that to threaten me. However, she isn't in her usual demeanor. She's really mad. Since there's nothing I can think of to say to her, I let the motorcycle go. I even stepped aside to let her pass.

Claire didn't waste any more time. She started the engine and drove off. I only stared at her retreating form. Even when she disappeared at the turn, I didn't move an inch from where I was standing. I only realized how cold it was outside when the wind cooled the tears that streamed down my face.

"Salvador, Justin Cyrus A., Bachelor of Science in Psychology!"

The moment I heard my name, I walked to the stage along with my mom and dad. Today was my graduation day. I was happy because finally, I had completed my studies. On the stage is my college department dean, the school director, and the guest speaker. They presented me with my diploma and shook my hand. They congratulated me and my parents on a job well done. Then, we all look in front to pose for the picture taking.

There is an official photographer responsible for the graduation pictures. But that didn't stop Ryan and Diane from taking out their phones and snap some photos. As they were capturing the once-in-a-lifetime moment, my eyes fell on the empty seat at the front. I didn't need to see the name posted on the seat to know who was supposed to sit there.

It turned out that the night Claire found out about my feelings for her was also her last night in the country. Her flight was on the following morning. She came to me that night to talk to me once again, make amends, and then say goodbye. However, it obviously didn't go according to plan. Instead of a heart at peace, she left with a pissed-off heart. Needless to say, I really screwed this up.

I had a smile on my face as I posed for the cameras. After the photographer gave the okay sign, we were ushered down the stage. My mom hugged me happily while my dad patted me on the back saying their congratulations. We didn't have enough time to talk since I had to go back to my seat.

The graduation program went on. However, my mind drifted back to Claire. I wanted to give her a call but now I can't. Her old number has been deactivated. And I was too embarrassed to ask Diane for her US number. To make it worse, she doesn't have personal social media profiles. Thus, it will be hard to contact her.

But then again, maybe this is for the best. Hopefully, when she returns, she can find it in her heart to forgive me. I would have gotten over these feelings for her. Then, we can start over as friends.

After giving out the diplomas, it was time to award the most outstanding students. We had lots of high honor students. But only a few made it as magna cum laude, the second-highest honor for college students. After their special awarding, I realized that no one got the highest honor which was the summa cum laude. It was difficult to earn that honor anyway. My friends used to say that only the most anti-social nerds can get that award.

After that, it was time for the director to come on stage to give his closing speech. He began his speech with the traditional salutations. This was given to the guest speaker and school management. Then, the professors, family and friends, and the graduates are mentioned next.

"Before I begin my speech, I would like to give recognition to the most outstanding student of this batch. Our summa cum laude of this year, Ms. Justine Claire Solistre. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She also had double majors in Marketing and Finance and minors in Economics."

What???

"She couldn't make it today because she has to go overseas immediately. Although that is the case, she sent us a pre-recorded video of her speech as this year's summa cum laude. Let us listen to her message."

After that, the widescreen display switched to a video. Soon enough, her face appeared. She had always looked beautiful. But she looked even more gorgeous with make-up and well-styled hair. The white background only made her beauty stand out.

She started by giving the traditional salutation. Then, she began to reminisce about her early college years. Then, she related this to the individual experiences of every graduating student. She followed it up with a few words of encouragement. Overall, I was extremely impressed with how well she delivered her speech. She even added humor to it that everyone found amusing.

Damn... I miss her.

I kept listening to her speech and tried to remember her words and her voice. She thanked everyone who supported her. She mentioned every teacher she learned from, her family including Diane. Then...

"To my friend... who called me an "evil snake" ..."

Claire deliberately paused for a moment as my eyes went wide. She's referring to me! What will she say? Nerves crept within me as I waited for her to continue.

"Thank you for everything. I will see you soon." She said with a beautiful smile.

I didn't know when she recorded this. Was it before our fight? Although that was uncertain, I still indulged myself with an idea. The idea that she still meant that even after everything that had happened. A single tear fell from my eyes as I smiled with hope. Whether it was false hope or not, I wasn't certain. All I know is that my heart is hoping that when the time comes, we'll be back to the way we were.

'I'll see you soon too.'