Comfort Food

Comfort food?

Always in movies, after a guy breaks up with a girl, the girl goes have ice cream, or her best friend suggests the idea. In reality, this always happens to girls. Whenever a girl is upset, she will go for ice cream, or chocolate. But usually ice cream comes the first.

9 out of 10 girls will do that. Well... I'm the 1 out of 10 who don't go get ice cream when I am upset. There was one time I was sooooooooo down and really felt like crying, my friend called and comforted me, he asked me to go get some ice cream. And I was like... 'Why?' He told me that it would cheer me up. It's better to have something sweet inside my system when I'm upset. Ice cream or chocolate is like comfort food. Well, I told him maybe I would go get ice cream, but eventually I didn't. I don't know why I just didn't feel like to. I usually have ice cream when I am happy. Guess that's kinda weird huh? Whenever I'm happy, I will want to have ice cream. Like a couple days ago, I was hanging out with my friend and I felt happy then I told my friend "let's have ice cream.". But when I'm upset, I won't want to do anything at all. I will want to wander on the street until I am sure no one can tell that I'm upset just by looking at me then I will go home.

Well, to me, the only way that can brighten my mood is for someone to tell me that everything's gonna be okay. Well, even I know sometimes that's a lie, things are not gonna be okay. I don't care if the person has to lie to cheer me up, I still want it. I didn't get any ice cream last time, but my mood has been brightened up because my friend called me, he talked to me for quite a long time, and I really felt so much better after talking to him. But if I really have to choose, I will choose whatever food as long as it's cold and sweet to be my comfort food. I will not want anything salty and hot in my system, this will probably make things worse.

Comfort food usually works but a "comfort person" works better. XD

After I finish posting the U-Turn, I will probably write a short passage about random stuff every time I update my blog. Maybe a short story or something. Hope you guys enjoy it. ^.^

Here you go, Chapter 13.

Chapter 13

January 2009

The next morning, Serena was the first to wake up. Jasmine and Joanna had both stayed over night. Serena found her trek to the bathroom; she flicked the light on, and was frightened by the reflection in the mirror. Staring back at her was a pale face with tired eyes, dark circles beneath them. Serena looked like a zombie. That was exactly the way she looked last year. Her hair was in a total mess, in fact, everything about her was in a total mess. Broken up with the one she loved, and now knowing that Sam would stay away from her for real, everything she hoped for was all nothing but a dream. They would never come true and would be gone at the very moment you wake up. Serena looked at the reflection, she knew she did not want to go back to April; she wouldn’t have the strength to handle that again.

Serena reached into the bathtub and started the water, putting the stopper in when the water turned hot. Serena pulled her tee shirt over her head, dropping it to the floor. She sat down in the water and slowly lay back, hissing slightly as the hot water washed over her chest and shoulders. After taking a bath, Serena changed into clean clothes and tied her hair up; she then picked up the foundation, the eye shadow, the eyeliner and the mascara. After she was done, she once again looked at the reflection, this time, it didn’t scare the heck out of her, she was satisfied with how she looked. She really was going to leave the pieces far behind, once and for all.

Serena opened the door and that was when Jasmine and Joanna both woke up.

“Hey, you’re up, how’re you doing?” Jasmine said with a huge yawned.

“Never better.” Serena smiled.

“Are you sure?” Joanna asked, rubbing her eyes; she was not sure about the word awesome.

“Really, I’m pretty sure. I don’t plan to go back to April. I’m going to forget about everything, it will be hard but I know I got you two.” Serena said with a weak smile. She knew she had to forget about it.

“We’ll always be there for you.” Joanna said and Jasmine nodded in agreement.

“I’m okay, really. Maybe you two should head back and get some sleep. I still got some paper due tomorrow. I gotta finish them first.” Serena said and gathering Jasmine and Joanna’s belongings.

“Ok, sure. We’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t think so much.” Jasmine said and walked to the bathroom and quickly brushed her teeth and Jasmine did the same.

“Call us if you need anything.” Joanna said and they both left.

“You think Serena’s gonna be okay?” Jasmine asked Joanna on their way to Jasmine’s car.

“I don’t know. But I think we should give her some time, alone. She will be okay soon.” Joanna doubted.

“Yeah. Let’s hope she does.”

“Joanna, can I go punch Sam?” Jasmine asked all of a sudden.

Joanna turned to look at her with surprised, “What? NO!? It won’t do any good.” She reasoned.

“But I can’t stand there and watching him breaking Serena’s heart over and over!” Jasmine said angrily.

“I know, but all we can do is to reason with him, but not go punching him.”

“You will go talk to him right?” Jasmine asked Joanna.

“Yeah. I will.” Joanna said with a nodded.

“I don’t know if I can control myself from scolding Sam.” Jasmine whispered.

“Well, I won’t stop you from doing that.” Joanna looked at Jasmine and they both smiled.

After school, Joanna went to Sam’s dorm, she pressed the bell and the door opened at once.

“Joanna, I needa talk to you.” Sam said and he hurried invite Joanna in. After Sam shut the door, Joanna turned to him and shouted.

“Damn it, Sam! What did you do to Serena?” Joanna said angrily.

Sam looked at her and asked, “How do you know?”

“You think I don’t know?” Joanna asked furiously.

Sam bitted his lip and began, “Well, I talked to her, and asked her to forget about me.” Sam said with a calm tone.

“Serena called me and Jas last night, crying so badly. And you expect me to believe it’s that simple?” Joanna replied with a glare.

“I’m sorry.” Sam whispered.

“I can tell that she didn’t tell me every single thing that you guys talked about, so you better tell me now.” Joanna said, staring at Sam.

“I said I wouldn’t give her hope anymore, I wouldn’t break her heart again.” Sam said as he lowered his head.

“That’s it?” Joanna asked with doubt.

“Well, um… I told her that I’m with Nancy now.” Sam said reluctantly.

“Damn! No wonder she was that upset!” Joanna shouted at him and took a few deep breaths.

“So are you really with Nancy?” Joanna asked after calming herself down.

Sam did not say anything.

“You’re so screwed, Sam!” Joanna shot him a dead glare.

“Nancy loves me and I figured that in this way, even if I somehow can’t control myself and give Serena hope, she won’t take it seriously when she knows I’m with Nancy.”

Joanna stared at him and shouted, “Just because you can’t control yourself and you pin the pain on Serena? And being a two-timer as well? You are not trying to better this relationship, are you? You’re just making it worse!”

“Joanna, I’m not sure what’s the right thing to do.” Sam said, as he ran his finger through his hair.

“You better catch sure. You told her that you will stay out of her life, and then maybe you should to do it.”

Sam thought for a while, he really didn’t know what to do, he wanted to stay out of Serena’s life so that she could move on without getting hurt again because of him, but on the other hand, he wanted to get back with her, protect her from being hurt by whoever it was. Joanna waved her hand in front of Sam’s eyes when he didn’t answer. The movement caused Sam to snap out of his thought and he looked at Joanna.

Sam licked his lip and cleared his throat. “I will. I guess I have ended everything when I said I’m with Nancy. There is no return.” Sam said ultimately.

“Sam, why would you say that? You love her!” Joanna looked at Sam wide eye.

“I’m not such a good guy, what I do all this time, is killing her. I want her to be happy. Joanna, please help me to stay away from her.” Sam pleaded.

“No, I won’t! Serena’s my best friend, I won’t do that!” Joanna refused.

“I will lose control and subconsciously give her hope; I need someone who could stop me!” Sam told Joanna.

“I won’t help you to stay away from her, but I will talk to Serena and help her to move on.”

Sam nodded in agreement; he knew that the coming semester would be a torture to him for he would not see Serena anymore. He would go change the time table with the teacher so that Serena and he would never be in the same class. Sam did not want to think anymore, he felt so depressed.

“I don’t know how to help you guys anymore.” Joanna said with sadness.

“Help her move on. That’s what you can do and don’t tell anyone that I’m with Nancy.” Sam said with pleaded eyes.

Joanna nodded.

“How’s she holding up?”

Joanna sighed and began, “She shut herself out at first, then last night she called, Jas and I went over to stay with her till morning, but then when she woke up, I felt like something was not right, she was like a different person, she said she was fine, and she asked us to leave.”

Sam sighed loudly, he could not stand to see Serena driving herself into a rubbing room for him, but he did not know what else he could do. He really screwed everything up, big time.

“Maybe she thought it over, she is moving on.”

“Let’s just hope you are right.”

Just because....

Here you go. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

January 2009

Sam took the bracelet out, looking at it; he remembered how happy it was with Serena. He missed her so much. He wanted to give it back to her, but a thought came to his mind.

I can’t do anything to have Serena think that there is still hope anymore. Having that bracelet with her, she can never forget about me.

After getting into a fight with Nancy and Lax, Sam thought everything over. All the things that he did to Serena in the past were wrong, maybe getting into a relationship with her was a mistake already, he shouldn’t have let that happened at the first place.

Sam realized that he should not let his temptation got so many over on him, what he did to Serena on the train despite she knew or not, and the kiss they had in the hallway of the hotel, all these had to stop. Sam was going to end it once and for all; he could not hurt the person he loved, not anymore.

*

The bell had rung, finally after a day’s lesson; Serena could go back to her dorm and relax. She walked out of the classroom with books in her arms; she grabbed her bag from the locker and then went to the bus stop. She had been waiting there for twenty minutes; still the bus had not come yet. She gave up and started walking back to the dorm. Since it was just a 20 minutes walk so she would take it as exercising. Serena turned around as she heard the Volvo’s horn, and it pulled up in front of her.

“Serena?” Sam called with his body half lying out of the window.

Serena walked to the Volvo; she looked at Sam and smiled.

“Are you free tonight?” Sam asked, his eyes were pleading her to say yes.

Serena stared at him for a few seconds, for the moment she did not know what to say. Should she say yes, or should she say no? She looked at him in the eye and knowing he was waiting, finally she nodded.

“Can you meet me at King’s? I wanna talk to you.” Sam said with the sound of relieve.

Serena was surprised that Sam asked her out, “Uh…Ok, 7:30?” she asked, she wanted to say more than that, but her mouth could not make out another word.

“Great. See you later.” Sam said, turned back to the road and drove away. Serena was still standing there; it seemed like her mind had stopped functioning, she did not know what had happened just now.

Did Sam just ask me out? She thought to herself.

After a while, she was back to reality, she shook her head and entered the dorm.

*

Sam was sitting at the table round the corner, where Serena could see him; she took a deep breath then entered the restaurant. Sam waved at her as she entered. She walked to him, took off her jacket and sat down. The waiter approached them and settled the menu. Sam pushed it toward Serena. She picked it up and studied it but she put it down seconds later, “We’ll order later.” Serena said and half-smiled to the waiter.

The waiter nodded politely and walked away. Sam looked at Serena but he did not say anything. He knew she was not feeling easy meeting him, no matter what, it would not feel good, and everything was just not the same anymore. Serena stared at her hands, waiting for Sam to say something and when he did not; she raised her head and looked up at him.

“Let’s talk.” Serena said in a calm tone; her gaze meeting him.

Sam sighed and began, “Look Serena, I’m sorry for I’ve been hurting you all this time. You didn’t deserve that.”

Serena said with a shake of her head, “No, I didn’t. Can you stop saying how sorry you are, it’s useless. Sam, I still lo--” she was cut off by Sam.

“Well, I know I’m somehow torturing you by giving you false hope, but I won’t anymore.” Sam said and lowered his head.

Serena frowned; she was not sure what Sam was talking about. “What do you mean?” she whispered confusion laced in her voice.

“I’m not going to hurt you again. Tonight will be the last time of me doing so.” Sam told her.

Serena looked at him, unable to get what he meant.

“After tonight, I’m going to stay out of your life for real.” Serena’s mouth dropped open. She did not know what to say.

“Are you leaving?” Serena asked; she felt like the whole world had crushed down around her.

“No, I’m not, it’s just, I’ll find a way to not make you get hurt by seeing me all the time. Out of sight, out of mind, right?” Sam paused and looked at her, trying to study her expression.

“I understand it will be hard for both of us at first, but this is also good for us. I want you to forget about me and move on.” He reached across the table for her hand. Serena’s eyes flew to her hand. She wanted to move away but deep down she knew she wanted it this way. Her hand stayed in his.

“You do that because you want to move on as well, right?” Serena asked, trying to convince herself that Sam did that because he wanted to move on; he did that because of himself but not some others.

Sam frowned and answered, “I guess.”

Serena nodded and asked, “Does that mean you will be with Nancy?” she asked under her breath but still loud enough for Sam to hear.

Sam hesitated, obviously trying to find the right answer that would not hurt Serena too much, but there was none. He said deadpan with a nod, “Yes.”

Serena exhaled loudly; she turned away from Sam, unable to meet his eyes, tears threatening to spill over. She felt the warm of his hand, still holding her hand gently. But she could not stand it anymore, not after knowing Sam would be with Nancy, she moved away and subconsciously placed it on the no-bracelet waist. Sam moved back his hand. Serena swore that Sam had a disappointed look, but should he? After all, he was the one screwing everything up.

“Can I ask you one last thing?” Serena asked, trying keeping the tears at bay.

Sam licked his lips and replied, “Anything.” He would say yes of course, he wanted to do one last thing for her. Looking at Serena, tears were building up in her hazel eyes; Sam felt his heart was bleeding.

“Do you ever love me?” Serena whispered, trying to hide the sadness building up in her heart. She suddenly remembered the dream she had the other night, the scene was replaying in her mind, she remembered in that dream Sam told her that he was playing her, he was never serious with her. But she wished it really was just a dream, Sam did once love her.

“I...ah…” Sam started, with sorry in his eyes. Serena sighed and put a finger up, telling Sam to stop.

Serena whispered, “Never mind, I… got it.” A large drop of salt water rolled slowly down Serena’s cheek; she wiped it away at once hoping Sam didn’t see that.

For a long moment, they did not speak.

“Let me drive you home.” Sam offered and broke the silent.

Serena shook her head and stood up, “No thanks. I wanna be alone. Goodbye Sam.” Serena swallowed and turned to walk out of the restaurant, a river of tears making its way down her cheeks. Saying goodbye to Sam was a razor-sharp pierces. This goodbye; Serena knew that it was really goodbye. Everything was truly over. Serena paused at the front door for one last, wistful look at Sam before walking out into the night. Sam had his head down; his fingers ran through his hair. He tugged into his pocket for the bracelet, he wondered when he could put it on her waist again, he glanced up; but Serena was gone, long gone.

*

Serena did not know where she was going; tears went in hot, salty rivers down her face. She did not have the faintest idea how to rebuild her just crashed world. She knew after she walked out on Sam this time, everything came to an end.

She sat down on the bench and started to cry. She did not know what to do. Twice, Serena walked out on him, and twice she literally ended the relationship. She was if it was a mistake that she did not get back with Sam when he asked for forgiveness, and now she felt that she had turned down the chance back there.

Again.

That day they broke up.

Months of relationship vanished.

She was a pretty. Every man around her toppled over for her.

During these eight months, she only loved him.

Only him.

But again she could not accept the fact that he had once left her.

Broke her heart.

Now, Sam himself told her that he would not be with her anymore, he would be with Nancy. How was Serena going to deal with that? She wanted to have something to prove that what Sam and she had was real, they were not a dream, but the only thing that could tell her that was gone. The bracelet was gone. That’s just too much.

It’s not like Serena had not hurt by Sam before. Indeed she had. But why she felt even more painful this time?

Is it because Sam told me himself that he will be with Nancy? She asked herself.

Or is it because she knows that this time is truly the end of everything?

She was so confused.

Isn’t Nancy and Sam cousins? How can they be together? Serena wondered.

What the hell was going on!? She did not know. It seemed like she had been living in the world of dark all this time. She knew nothing.

School was never easy for Serena anymore. The third week in January was supposed to be happy for everyone. A whole new term, things were looking up. But somehow it was not happy for Serena. Being in the same class with Sam, Serena needed to pretend nothing had happened was so hard. The weeks of school, however were hellish.

Serena shut herself out from everyone. Jasmine and Joanna was confused by her actions. But no matter what, Serena just would not tell them what had happened. She always said she was busy with this and that and would run off the moment the bell rang. She never picked up the calls from Jasmine and Joanna. When they went to the dormitory to look for her, she would pretend she was not there and not answering the door. She did not know what she was doing was right or wrong. But right now, she did not want to deal with anything. She just wanted to be left alone, that’s all she needed right now. She went to school and attended the classes and when they were finished she would go straight back to the dorm.

After two weeks, she was exhausted; she was tired of running away from the friends who clearly were worrying sick about her. She knew she was selfish to do that. And she knew that it was time, she had to stop shutting herself out. It’s useless to keep doing that when it would not do any help. Besides, she knew Jasmine and Joanna deserved to know the truth. The moment she thought of what Sam told her in the restaurant, tears threatened to spill over. She picked up the phone and dialed.

*

“Joanna!” Serena sobbed through the phone.

“What’s wrong!?” Joanna asked in concerned when hearing Serena cried. Memory came back, Joanna remembered the last time Serena called her, crying, was because of what Sam had done to her.

“I’m sorry.” Serena started but was cut off by Joanna.

“What did he do this time!?” Joanna asked angrily, she couldn’t believe that this time was about Sam again, it was always Sam that made Serena cried like that.

“Can you come over, please?” Serena pleaded.

“Sure, do you want Jas? I can ask her to come as well.” Joanna asked as she walked out of the library to the bus stop.

“Yes, I want you both. I needa talk to you.” Serena sobbed.

“We’ll be here soon.” Joanna ended the phone and immediately dialed to Jasmine.

“Halo?” Jasmine said.

“Hey, something’s happened, I’m going to Serena’s, you think you can come as well?” Joanna said urgently.

“Sure. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.” Jasmine said as she rushed out of the convenient store and went straight to the parking lot. She searched her car keys in the bag and got into the car. Her Chevy roared to life and she stamped on the accelerator and on her way to Serena’s.

*

“S, Open up!” Jasmine knocked loudly at the door and as well as kept pressing the bell.

“Serena? It’s me!” Jasmine shouted. The door opened and Serena threw herself in both Jasmine and Joanna’s arms.

“Oh, I’m so glad you guys come.” Serena cried. Serena released the hug and they entered the room.

“Tell us what happened.” Joanna and Jasmine asked at the same time as they found a seat on the couch. Serena sat opposite them.

“Sam asked me out three weeks ago.” Serena started but was cut off right away by Joanna.

“What!? Three weeks? Is that the reason why you start acting weird?” Joanna raised her eyebrows.

Serena nodded.

Joanna shook her head; she wondered what Sam did to her.

“So, Sam asked you out, then what happened?” Jasmine asked. Serena then told Joanna and Jasmine about the talk Sam and she had in the restaurant.

“What the hell is wrong with him? Why he gotta do that?” Jasmine yelled, standing up.

“Sam’s such an idiot. He never knows what’s the right thing to do.” Joanna commented she was so angry with Sam for what he said to Serena. Sam should never have said that.

“I don’t know. I thought I might get a chance to be with him, at least as a friend, because he has been nice to me all this time. But now this? I don’t know what he is thinking!” Serena said, tears ran down her cheeks.

“I tried so hard to forget about him, but he keeps showing up. I know I can never let go of him, but at least as time goes by, the feeling wasn’t as intense as before and I live easier. But with what he has been doing, being so nice to me, all the feeling just come back and I know I don’t have the power to push them away ever again. I don’t have the strength. I wanted to tell him that I still love him so much and I really wanna get back with him at all cost, even if I might get hurt anytime soon. But I never got the chance.” Serena blinked in tears.

“S….” Jasmine moved forward toward Serena and pulled her into a hug.

“Serena, you will get through this, I know you can.” Jasmine comforted.

“It’s easier said than done.” Serena whispered through tears.

“Serena, remember what happened last year?” Joanna said. Serena raised her head and nodded.

“It scars for life. How can I forget?” Serena replied.

“You did get through all of that. It was much harder than this but still you did. You got us; there is no way we will let you go through this alone.” Joanna promised.

Jasmine pulled Serena backed, “We promised.” Jasmine smiled.

“Thank you, so much. I’m sorry for shutting myself out again.” Serena said as she wiped her tears off her face.

Joanna smiled, “Just don’t ever do that again.”

I want the car in "Back to the future"

11 more days to go...... 25/6 I will be free!! 2 more exams to go~!!! T_T I haven't updated for agesssssssss. round two months ago I promised myself........

1) I won't read novels

2) Buy/ Order novels

3) Write any scenes of my new story

Can you imagine what it's like??? A person who loves to read and write.... and you ask her not to do any of those at all? Gosh, that's so not okay!

But turned out I did all three. I did keep it for a little more than a month.... but still I broke it. I read three novels, wrote 10+ pages of my new story and I ordered 4 books...... HAHAHA

Anywayz... :P

Here you go Chapter 11

Chapter 11

January 2009

Every student had returned home. Serena went home and took a shower, had dinner with her family. She was waiting for her friends to call her and ask her out to the countdown, after all, today was the last day of December. Serena stared at her cell phone. She wondered if anyone would call her.

Anyone, who was Sam.

For some reasons, she wanted to hear Sam’s gentle voice, for a moment she had the sudden urge to call Sam. After what happened during the trip, Serena was so confused, why was Sam doing that? Just as she was thinking, her cell phone rang. Serena jumped and stared at the phone, but it was not the person she wanted.

“Hello?” Serena sighed, but deep down she knew Sam would never call her.

“Serena, honey! We’re going to the Pier to countdown, you coming?” Joanna asked, already getting in the Volvo and heading there.

“Sure, I’d love to. See you there.” Serena tried to sound happy. It’s not like she was upset, but she was feeling weird. Countdown, so there would be fireworks, this reminded her of one of the promises that Sam made.

“I’ll watch fireworks with my sweetie on the last day of December. I promise.”

Serena let out a long sighed.

Sam looked at Joanna, waiting patiently for an explanation.

“What?” Joanna asked and turned to look at him with annoyance.

“What?” Sam rolled his eyes, “Shouldn’t you be telling me what’s that all about?” he pulled over the car and had all his attention to her.

“Sam, I’m helping you guys. Besides, she doesn’t know you’re coming. No harm done.” Joanna raised her hands and smiled innocently.

“You don’t understand, she won’t want to see me. I’m sure the moment she sees me, she wants me to get out of her face!” Sam sighed, he knew that would happen, after everything he had done to her during the trip, confusing her, and now again ignoring her, who would want to see him again?

“You don’t know.”

“YOU don’t understand, Joanna!” Sam shouted at her, he wanted to tell her what he had done. He wanted to tell her that he kissed her again that was the one of many reasons why he thought Serena would not want to see him.

“I’m sorry.” Sam apologized immediately.

“Whatever,” Joanna sighed, she wasn’t going to argue with Sam, no matter what, she just want Serena to be happy, coming out to countdown would not hurt her, “Are you going or not?”

Sam nodded and pulled back onto the road.

Serena smiled when she was Jasmine at the entrance of the Pier. “Hey.” Jasmine greeted and breathed a kiss of her cheek and Serena did likewise.

“Where’s Joanna?” Serena asked, looking around. There were a lot of people at the Pier, everyone came for countdown, to say goodbye to 2008.

What a horrible year it is. Serena thought. It was supposed to be the happiest year; however, things went up and down like the Hollywood Tower in Disneyland. This was a hard year for Serena. She was glad it finally came to an end.

“I think she’s coming.” Jasmine told Serena, she was not sure if Joanna was or not. She called her a while ago, and Joanna told her that she was on the way. But it had been 20 minutes already. Just as they were wondering where was Joanna, she arrived.

“Hey guys!” Joanna smiled happily at Jasmine and Serena the moment she got off the Volvo.

Serena sighed.

Sam’s Volvo.

This was not going to be an easy night. Why couldn’t Sam just leave her alone!?

Sam shut the door and walked slowly toward Serena. “Hey.”

Both Joanna and Jasmine stared at Sam; they were surprised by what Sam had done.

“Did Sam just say hey to Serena?” Jasmine asked Joanna by means of eye contact.

“I don’t know, but I think he did.” Joanna nodded.

Serena looked up and stared at Sam’s azure eyes, how long had it been? A few days? She had not looked straight into his eyes since that night they kissed.

Wow, I love his eyes. Serena thought. She immediately snapped out of it and answered, “Hi.”

And here by Sam noticed she was no longer wearing the bracelet he gave her on her birthday, he saw her wearing it all the time, never had she once taken it off. But now the bracelet was not longer on her waist, it was gone. Sam doubted if she never wanted to have it back on ever again.

10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!

“Happy New Year Serena!” Joanna shouted through the noise.

“Happy new year to you too Joanna! Thank you!” Serena shouted back.

“Jasmine! Happy New year!” Serena said with a big hug. “You and Joanna are such good friends!” she said, a single tear fell and she quickly wiped it.

Serena looked up at the sky, the fireworks were beautiful. Everything seemed so good. She once wished to watch fireworks with Sam, and now she got her wish. However, even though they were at the same place, just a few feet from each other, watching the same fireworks, the bonding between them had broken; it would not be what it used to think it would be. Serena sighed, she wondered what it would be like in 2009, and she wished it would be a happy one. She’s done with everything; she’s so done with this unhappy relationship.

Sam stole glances at Serena, he saw the laughter on her face and he also saw the tears. He could feel the pain Serena felt, he knew it was painful. Happy New Year, sweetie. Sam said in his mind, he hoped one day, he would be able to tell Serena that. He hoped soon he could call her sweetie again.

*

On Friday afternoon, every student had to sit for a seminar about a career talk, and because Serena was the one in charge of the audio in the main hall, she had gone there earlier to have everything set up. After she had done her jobs, she walked back up to the classroom using the hall staircase. When Serena was walking up, she heard Sam’s voice and as long as with the other friends’. Serena was wondering if she should go back down so she would not be too lucky to run into Sam. But she didn’t go down which was a mistake. It was just so fortunately that Serena and Sam came across each other at the stairs. When Sam saw her, he immediately moved to the other side and let Serena pass.

Do you really gotta move that fast? Serena thought. Once again she reached for her waist, but was overwhelmed again by the fact that the bracelet was gone. She sighed.

Did he really needa avoid me like that? Why he gotta do these heartbreaking things right in my face and then sometimes be nice? Did he ever think of how hard it will be for me to deal with all those things? Serena kept muttered to herself.

Serena never understood what Sam was really thinking.

After Serena walked pass Sam, Sam sighed loudly.

“I’m sorry.” Sam said in his heart. He never wanted to do this; he never wanted to hurt Serena. Sometimes, he wished he would never see her anymore, because somehow his existence had Serena hurt.

*

After the career talk, Sam switched on his cell phone and saw the text message Sam. Meet me at Angela’s, 4:30 at 4:15, and he rushed to the parking lot to get his Volvo. He threw the books at the backseat; and walked to the driver’s side and slipped in. Just as he was about to turn the ignition, he swore he saw a rainbow like light. He moved to the passage seat and there he spotted it.

The bracelet.

Serena’s bracelet.

The star shaped charm that would give off rainbow light was lying on the floor. Sparkling like it always was.

Sam picked it up and had it in his palm. Now that he knew the reason why Serena hadn’t had it on with her anymore because she had lost it and not that she did not want to wear it. Sam smiled to himself and tugged the bracelet into his pocket. He started the car and moved off.

Since there was no place to park the car, he just double parked it along the street, and he just hoped that he would not get a ticket. He got off the car and went into the restaurant.

“May I help you, sir?” The waiter asked politely.

“No, thanks, my friend’s here.” Sam said, pointing at Nancy.

Sam walked toward her, “Sorry, I’m late, I just got the message.” he apologized as he sat down.

“Don’t worry about that.” Nancy said.

The waiter come, “May I have your order, sir?”

Sam thought for a second and answered, “Cappuccino, thanks.” Sam said as he handed the menu back to the waiter. The waiter walked away.

“So, ah, is there something you wanna talk about?”

“Yeah. Are you hiding something from me, or you’re not telling me something?” Nancy said directly.

“What do you mean?” Confused Sam asked.

“During the trip, on the train?” Nancy gave Sam some hint.

Sam frowned at her and said, “The train was so hot, I can’t fall asleep and the toilet stinks. Does that count?”

“Don’t play dumb with me; I know what you did with Serena on that night.”

“What did we do? We didn’t do anything. Besides, how do you know?” Sam asked, astonished.

Nancy rolled her eyes, “You think you can keep that little secret of yours from me? No way.”

Sam frowned and muttered under his breath, “Dammit, Lax!”

Nancy looked at Sam sadly, “You said you won’t break your promise but now you do.” she whispered.

“I didn’t! I won’t be back with Serena, it’s a done deal, remember?” Sam argued.

“Sam! You-”

Sam cut her off at once, “Nance, stop it! Let’s not talk about it. It’s not your business.” He said, feeling annoyed.

“Your business is my business!” Nancy replied.

“Who give you the right to mind my business? Who are you?” Sam said it, but immediately regretted, knowing that he had hurt Nancy’s feeling by asking who she was because she really was not anyone to him, they were not related.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. Just quit it, okay?” Sam said, shaking his head.

“Sam, I love you, don’t do this to me.” Nancy’s voice became watery.

“I’m not doing anything! I don’t want to let you know because I know it will upset you!”

“Sam, I don’t like you doing this. Why can’t you just stay the hell away from Serena?” Nancy said, a little bit louder.

“I am staying away from her! What else do you want!? Besides, you don’t get to tell me what I should do.” Sam stood up, hands on the table. He then grabbed his jacket and marched out of the restaurant without taking another look at Nancy.

*

Sam drove back to West High, when he saw Lax walked along the hallway, he walked toward him quickly. Sam swung Lax around, grabbed hold of his collar and pushed him to a corner, “LAX SMITH! When the hell will you learn to mind your own business?” Sam shouted at Lax.

“What are you talking about? Get off me!” Lax struggled but Sam didn’t let go.

“Why will you pretend to be asleep and watch what Serena and I were doing that night on the train?” Sam asked furiously.

“I didn’t pretend, you didn’t know I was awake!” Lax said calmly.

“Why would you tell Nance that we were sleeping in one bunk? What good does that do to you!?” Sam asked, pushing him harder against the wall.

Sam was so close to him that he had gone cross-eyed trying to keep him in view.

Lax said nothing.

“This is ridiculous! Why can’t you just mind your own business? Why do you needa cross the path!?”

Lax looked at Sam with doubt, “I’m your friend, that’s why!” Lax said.

“A real friend will not do anything like this to his best mate!” Sam shouted and shook his head in disgust.

“Sam! Nancy loves you and you know that! Why will you hurt her by being with Serena?” Lax shouted back.

“I’m NOT with Serena, and I’m not doing anything to hurt Nancy! I told her I don’t love her. She knew that!”

“It’s because of Serena, isn’t it? I was just clearing the way for Nancy! What’s wrong with that?” Lax said, matter-of-factly.

“And who makes you the one to do that for Nance? You are not helping, you’re just ruining everything! Nance never needs to know what happened on the train, because Serena and I can’t be together!” Sam explained, breathing heavily. If Sam was not at the school campus, he was so gonna punched Lax.

“Who knows!?” Lax stared at Sam.

“We won’t because I’ve made a promise to Nance, I’m not going back on my words, and clearly Serena knows that there is no way we will be together!”

The bell rung, students were running to different classroom to have lessons and so needed Sam and Lax. Sam let go and shoot him with a dead glare and added, “For the last time, mind your own business.” Then Sam walked away.