I went through a lot just for a month of happiness.
Chapter 1: Just A Month
She sat silently in that seat for two hours, her gaze fixed on her feet as they traversed the ground beneath her. Eventually, she glanced up briefly, her eyes heavy with profound emotions. At just 18 years old, she bore the weight of profound loneliness. The longing for the warmth and affection of a family, for parents she had never known, reflected in her eyes as she valiantly suppressed her agony, discomfort, and sorrow.
Suddenly, a young child called out, "Kiea?" in an attempt to capture her attention.
Forcing a smile onto her face, she called back, "Hello, Wil."
Wil noticed the forced smile and sensed that something was amiss. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her, as she was the only person who truly glimpsed her innocent self.
Without even glancing in his direction, Kiea replied, "I'm fine," fully aware that Wil wouldn't agree with her and wouldn't be deceived by her false facade.
"That's not true," Wil thought to himself, yearning for Kiea to drop her pretense and not wanting to witness her struggle with it any longer.
Wil questioned her again, and this time she glanced at him and said, "Are you sad?" Wil gently touched her shoulder and said, "You're sad. "I know it's sad to be alone and just be in here; I don't know how much that hurts, but you know you have me," he said.
He's trying his hardest to make her feel better, but she's just having a bad day.
She said with a mournful expression, "No, I don't. You'll just leave after a month, and then I'll be alone here. "You keep vanishing and reappearing,"
Wil comforted her, "At the very least, I'll come back for you. She smiled at him now and said, "Don't worry, after the school year is through, I'll ask my mother to move me to one of the schools here so we can be together for a long time.
They both sound older than 25, but they understand that talking about mature subjects does not impose an age barrier. "Thank you, Wil, even though your mother does not want to see you talking to me, you still stayed by my side." "I'm sorry I got a bit emotional, it's okay for me if you go back and forth between this town and the place you live in," the woman said, knowing that his mother wouldn't approve of his request.
He said, "Kiea," despite not understanding why his mother doesn't like Kiea as a friend.
In this town, Kiea is the sweetest girl he has ever encountered.
She lied yet again, and he knows it: "No, I'm OK, I'm fine." Her voice carries the sorrow she is feeling at the moment.
He sounded anxious when he continued, "Kiea, please."
KIEA'S (P.O.V)
I mustered another forced smile, wondering how cruel I was to deceive him with this facade. "Please, Wil, let me be. Just allow me to pretend, if only for today, that I'm okay, that I'm fine," I pleaded. "I assure you, I'm okay. I'm fine, alright?"
He could only nod, his voice void of emotion as he replied, "Yeah, you're fine. You're the happiest person I've seen today. You truly are okay, and I understand. Uh-huh, you're good." Unbeknownst to him, his words fell upon me like an emotionless echo, like a blank sheet of paper devoid of feeling.
For the first time in my life, it brought tears to my eyes. Wil stood frozen, uncertain of what to do, but he quickly closed the distance between us and embraced me.
Years have passed, but the pain remains fresh. Why is it that no one likes me? Couples come here seeking children, yet no one ever chooses me. I am constantly looked down upon. "Richie shattered my chance at having a family, at experiencing the happiness of being someone's daughter. She was my closest friend, why did she do it? It still hurts, even after all these years," I lamented.
As I cried, I longed for him to offer solace. He gently caressed my back and whispered, "I'm here, Kiea. I will always choose you over anything or anyone, and I will continue to choose you."
"You can't stay for me, no," I sobbed, not wanting him to leave, but unable to stop him. Deep down, I knew I shouldn't have tried. "Now that you're leaving and won't be coming back, Wil, I'll pretend, just for today. I will pretend that I'm okay, that I'm fine for your sake."
"What? What are you saying?" he questioned, perplexed. "That's not true. I'll be returning," I murmured, my voice heavy with sorrow as I closed my eyes. Wil was taken aback by my revelation, realizing that his mother might not have informed him yet.
I gathered my strength, holding back the tears, and explained, "No, Wil. Your mother and I spoke this morning. She told me that you'll be heading to Canada, where you'll continue your studies and complete your junior high and college education." Resting my head on his shoulder, I added, "She wanted me to talk to you one last time today because you're leaving tomorrow morning. I wanted you to know that I cherished every moment we spent together."
I hold my pain inside because I don't want Wil to see me hurting any more than I already am. "Five more minutes, please, five more minutes before I push you away from me, from here." After five minutes, we had not spoken.
Without looking at him, I yelled, "It's enough; I want you to go Wil, go now," and when he didn't respond, I shoved him. I yelled at him, thinking he'd get the hint and leave, "Please, I beg you. Go now" Even though it was the cruelest thing I had ever done to him, I would keep doing it in order to secure his future. Even when I yelled, he didn't move.
Desperation filled his actions as he firmly grasped my cheeks and implored, "Look at me, Kiea. Look into my eyes." His voice lowered to a whisper, tinged with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "Look at me, Kiea, and tell me to leave." Though it pained him to admit, he needed to hear it. He begged me to meet his gaze.
I knew my words had wounded Wil deeply, and a sense of remorse washed over me. In an attempt to regain composure, I took a moment to collect myself, the weight of his tone lingering in the air. "Would you leave if I were to look at you?" I questioned, conveying the depth of my emotions.
A groan escaped him, his voice strained as he replied, "I will. Just... just look at me and say it, for God's sake."
With a slow, steady gaze, my eyes brimming with anguish, I fixed my gaze upon him. Wil longed to cradle my face, but he understood my reluctance. Instead, he held my gaze intently, his fist clenched tightly, tears welling up in his eyes, yet refusing to spill.
"I will always remember the depth in your eyes, Kiea," he uttered, a mixture of sadness and resolve lacing his words. And with those bittersweet words, he turned his back on me, his steps carrying him away.
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