A Star

 

Lightning flashed, blinding Ian for a few seconds, then the deafening roar of thunder came. ‘Where are you Kirsten?’ Paul thought as he ran, splashing through puddles, uncaring of his wet clothes. It’s been more than thirty minutes since he last talked to her mother, learning that she hasn’t come home from her date with Ron.

 

He immediately knew something was wrong. He tried not to get frightened. He tried to stay out of it like he planned, but he couldn’t. She’s still his best friend... “My best friend...” Paul remindingly whispered. He stopped to take a breath and take a look through the dark curtain of raindrops.

 

Ironically, he was in the place where Kirsten and himself first met. Memories flooded through his mind like the way the water gushed out through the gutter five steps away. A lightning flashed again. Paul blinked... He saw a figure, he just wasn’t sure....

 

“Kirsten!” shouted Paul at the top of his voice. His feet automatically started running through the familiar, yet slippery, ground. The figure didn’t move or gave any sign that it heard him. Paul shouted again, but when he was finally able to distinguish who the person was, he stopped.

 

She was holding herself tightly... Neither feeling the rain or her wet clothes... Or even the hot salty tears that joined the raindrops on her cheeks. She just felt numb. Why me? She asked for the hundredth time... Why on our anniversary, of all days? She asked again. She heard someone call her. She ignored it. It might be for someone else.

 

There was that call again...She feels cold. Looking down, she found her dress wet, her knees were shaking from numbness and chill. She couldn’t keep herself from falling. And after of what seemed like days of fighting, she gave up and fell down.

 

Paul saw Kirsten fall down. He wanted to run to her and pick her up, but it wasn’t right. It’s over. At long last, it’s over... He walked up to her reaching out his hand...

 

Kirsten looked u from her lap and saw a hand. She knew who it was, she always had. “Paul...” She whispered through the clatter of rain.

 

 “Kirsten, get up. You’re ruining you’re dress.” Was the reply she got. A lopsided smile appeared on her face, a smile nonetheless, Paul thought. Her hand reached out to grab his. Wet but firm, he held her and hoisted her up. She looked into his brown eyes then she started to cry. Paul held her, giving as much comfort to her as he would’ve to a little sister.

 

~*~

 

Months have passed since then. Paul was behind Kirsten through and through. Ron tried to make it up with Kirsten, again, but she saw through her pain and her misguided feeling.

 

It was graduation night already, excitements in the air, and suppressed gaiety could be felt. Yet anyone could see the tension between the two best friends, facing each other, afraid to give the traditional hug.

 

 “Why didn’t you tell me sooner, Paul?” Kirsten asked. “I thought...”

 

 “I’m sorry Kirsten...” He sighed. He couldn’t do anything but that.

 

Kirsten looked at Paul then she smiled. After all those times that he had tried to cheer her up, this was how she repays him? What kind of a friend was she that she would think so selfishly? “Hey, we can write to each other...”

 

Paul’s face began to light up again, “What if we try to see each other after we graduate?”

 

 “Yeah, that’ll be great!”

 

 “Yeah. But where?”

 

Kirsten knew where. “Our place.”

 

Paul looked troubled “Are you sure?”

 

 “Yes.”

 

“Okay... Uhh... Hug?”

 

“Hug.” and Kirsten gave him a last hug... He’ll be going away tomorrow Kirsten. WHY do you feel sad?

 

~*~

 

A loud honk was heard outside Kirsten’s house, and Kirsten ran outside. Paul’s car was packed with friends who are going to the same university that day. He got out of the car and Kirsten found herself memorizing every detail about Paul. She ran outside, why is she running?

 

“Well, this is it Kirsten...Wish me luck?”

 

“I wish you all the luck in the world, dear Ian.” She teased.

 

Silence...

 

A honk was heard...

 

“Coming!” Paul shouted. Kirsten laughed. His voice had gotten lower. Paul’s face became serious. “Don’t forget me.”

 

Kirsten hugged him. “I’ll never.” and she held him more tightly. “Don’t forget to write first.”

 

He let go of her. “Kirsten, if you want to see me, or talk to me... Look at the biggest star that can be seen at our tree...I’ll look at the same one.”

 

Kirsten felt her eyes grow wet, trying to make the situation lighter, she smiled falteringly as she said, “Don’t forget, our agreement at the park.”

 

“8:00 so we can see the star much better.” He started walking away.

 

Why do I feel as if I’m loosing a part of myself? Kirsten, what is it? Her tears started going down her cheeks as Paul came nearer to the car. A swell came up to her throat, “Paul!”

 

He turned.

 

She ran to him. What has gotten into you Kirsten? She asked herself. She reached him and his puzzled look. She smiled through her tears, reached up then pulled him down to kiss him.

 

His friends howled. But she didn’t care. She feels great! As if a veil had come loose in her mind and she knew.

 

Finally, she stopped and let go of him. She smiled, “That was nice.” she teased. The jesting didn’t stop. She turned from him but a grinning Paul stopped her hand,

 

“I have been meaning to do this since we were ten.”

 

“What…?” Kirsten started, but she found Paul kissing her. More cheers from the car. He finally let go of her. They smiled at each other.

 

“Remember the star...”

 

Kirsten nodded. “Remember the park...”

 

He got into the car and didn’t stop waiving until he was out of the street, leaving Kirsten on her lawn with a satisfied smile on her mouth and her long dress fluttering with the wind.

 

 “Kirsten, breakfast!” Called her mom.

 

“Coming mom!” Came the reply. “I just want to savor the moment.” She whispered.

 

~*~

 

Four years later, Paul walked into the park to their tree. It was dark, the moon and the stars are clouded...

 

“Kirsten...” He whispered...

 

No one...

 

He looked at the watch. He’s on time, but where is she? He sat under the tree, tired from a whole day of driving and leaned against the trunk.... Falling asleep.

 

Crack!

 

Paul sat up straight, but before he could react, something jumped on his lap. He was about to tackle the person back incase it was a robber, but he stopped when he heard the bell like laughter.

 

The clouds left the moon and he saw her with that big smile of hers.

 

 “So, how’re you?” Kirsten asked as she got up from his lap.

 

“Frightened, thank you.” He replied.

 

They smiled at each other, knowing all too well the meaning of the night’s event. Paul looked up and saw their star. “Look.”

 

Kirsten looked up and saw the star.

 

She entwined her hand around his, and leaned on him. He placed his chin on her head and hugged her with his other hand.