It was a normal Saturday morning and as always I and Adrian met at the basketball court. Adrian kept on making me laugh by cracking jokes and teasing me a little. The day was going well , until Adrian went quiet all of a sudden as we sat on the roof top of a building near the court. I looked at him and observed as the sun's setting rays enhanced his features.
He looked at me and smiled and I smiled back.
"Imagine how life would be if you had someone romantic in it... Someone like me. " He smirked.
I shrugged at what he said and cackled as I looked straight ahead to the city beneath us.
" I don't think I'd want that.. you know, to be in a romantic relationship with anyone. I'm satisfied with the way my life is." I reasoned.
I watched as his eyes fixed on mine and as his mouth opened and closed. It is was like he was scared of saying something.
" You're only saying that because of the things you've been through and not because you don't want to. I can see it in your eyes Amelia, that you're scared of giving people a chance. I mean look at it, you only have me as your friend. Not even one at your school" He finally said.
" I'm content with just you as my friend. I receive enough care from you". I shrugged.
" You deserve a different kind of care with someone who will cherish you, spoil you, and fill the void. With time, you'll have to get out of your comfort zone and give others a chance. Explore life and gain experiences and use them to get stronger." He said that was so much warmth in his eyes.
I felt uneasy by his words? I suddenly felt nervous.
" Why are you telling me this so suddenly?" I asked with anticipation.
He sighed and looked at the setting sun ahead.
" I'll be leaving the city next week."
I felt my heart drop to my stomach and my eyes widened in shock. My jaw dropped but no words came out. I just stared at his side profile in shock and disbelief.
"What?" After what felt like forever I finally asked. Hoping that he'd say what I heard was wrong or that he was joking and just messing with me. But no. He looked at me with sad eyes and pulled me into a hug. I didn't move my hands.
Sensing my discomfort, he further explained, "Amelia, I'm sorry but our family is moving out of the city and there's nothing I could do about it."
My eyes swelled up with tears and my eyelids couldn't hold them any longer and so I closed my eyes and let the tears fall down my cheeks to my chin. I cried silently into his arms and he tried his best to soothe me.
---
He didn't tell me where he was leaving to but all he said was that the place was very far and that we'll meet one day... Maybe.
---
It was 5AM on a Friday and I was woken up by the sound of my phone ringing. I forced my eyes to open up and picked up the phone that was on my bedside table. Placing it on my ear I answered. The voice at the other end of the call answered,
"Hello, is this Amelia?"
"Yes, I am" I answered despite my drowsiness cause what would be so urgent to call me at 5 in the morning.
" This is Adrian's Mom."
My eyes shot open and my drowsiness was immediately gone. I wondered why she called and allowed her to continue speaking.
" You might be wondering how I know you when we've never met before but my son Adrian always talks about you and how you're such a great friend to him. I wanted you to know that we're leaving in an hour."
Wait what! Today's Friday. He said he was leaving on a Saturday.
" Ma'am, today's Friday though, isn't he supposed to be leaving tomorrow?"
She explained to me that Adrian didn't want me to know but she went against his request and decided to inform me.
"I know my son, he's scared of saying goodbye."
She told me which bus station they were at and I immediately got out of bed , freshened up and sprinted to the bus station.
When I got there, I saw him seated in the bus next to the window. I walked near him and he looked outside the window and he looked surprised when he saw me. He immediately opened the window.
"Amelia!"
"Save it. You couldn't even tell me the truth and say goodbye to me properly."
I was so hurt by the fact that he was willing to leave without seeing me one last time.
"I'm sorry I did that Amelia. I just didn't want to see your hurt face as I leave."
Before I could reply I heard the bus door closing and the engine was on signalling that they were about to start moving.
My heart raced and tears built up again.
"Will I ever see you again?" I asked.
The bus started moving and I walked alongside it.
"I'm sure one day we will. "
The bus increased its speed and I started running.
He took something out of his pocket and I saw a red box in his hands and he stuck out his arm out to give it to me, I hurriedly grabbed hold of the box and the speed of the bus increased again and I failed to catch up. Soon I stopped running and I watched as Adrian waved at me and he got further and further away from me.
I stood there with the box in my hands long after the bus disappeared.
I sat on a bench nearby and let the rest of the tears fall. I opened the box and I found a cute heart necklace in it. I cried even more and all the memories of the days we spent came flooding my mind.
Adrian was a shifting current in my life, playful and persistent, teaching me about friendship and stirring a curiosity for life I hadn't known I could feel.
That day, something shifted inside me. My heart, which had only known simple joy, now wanted to be noticed, to be treasured. And that longing... It nudged me toward decisions I wasn't yet ready to fully understand.
I put on the necklace and as always I loved the gift. I smiled sadly.
" Oh Adrian."
Oh, how I wonder if I will ever find a friendship as pure as the one I had with you?