[JC POV]
Lance was still crying after Chris left. He was standing near the aisle. I got out of the car and went to him.
"He's gone," he cried.
I gave him a soft hug and lead him to the car. He was not himself; it might be better for him to bid him goodbye but he's still sad. I just want to make him happy. I brought him to a nearby cafe.
I bought his favorite pink milk to cheer him up. He sipped a bit and gave me a weak smile. It hurts to see him like that. Time flew slowly, Lance was looking at the view of the sunset behind me. I stood and held his hand. He looked at me confused.
"Let's look at the sunset," I said.
He stood and we went near the balcony railings which show the view of Manila Bay. The skies are purple color in tint, dark blue of sorts which transitioned into an orange-red gradient. It was beautiful but I don't know why it makes me so sad. I remembered the time when Lance and I camped together.
~~~
We were walking towards our tent when he saw the beautiful sunset. He paused for a bit and was mesmerized by its beauty. He was looking at it as a child. His mouth was open in awe. It touched my heart to be with a person like him. He brought out his phone and tried to take a picture of it.
I don't know what came to me when I went near his back and held his hands steady as he takes the picture. He didn't object for a second.
"Thanks." That's the only word he told me.
I long for his warmth, his smile. He gives me comfort and joy knowing that I can keep him safe.
~~~
Now, he was looking sadly at the sunset. I don't know when he can look at it again with wonder. He is sad.
His hands were in the railings.
I slowly placed my hand on his to comfort him. He again looked at me with a weak and sad smile.
I started to speak.
"You loved him, don't you?" I said.
"I don't know," his response was barely audible.
"I saw you kiss him," I said.
I didn't know why I said those words, but Lance didn't reply to me.
We went back to the car.
"Did he say why he had to leave?" I asked.
"His, dad..." he replied.
"But if you two love each other, he should have fought for you," I said.
He didn't answer.
"I took you to Chris because I want you to be fine. I want you to be happy... you can move on, Chris is a fool, he didn't even fight for your love, If I were him, I would have told the entire world already."
Lance started crying again.
"Lance, just forget him. He left you, that's not your fault. He didn't even wait for you... he's not the one for you, so find someone who will love you and who you'll love back..."
"He said that I love someone," he shouted. "I'm in love with someone."
I don't know what to say. He was sobbing.
"I have been hurt from that love, I tried to accept it! Looking at someone which makes you feel happy and taken care of... but you really can't be together… you don't know it because you never experience loving someone who doesn't love you back." He continued to say while crying.
It's the first time I saw Lance say his feelings like this. We have been best friends for so long, but I never saw him expressing himself. Was he trying to hide it all?
I always saw him as a boy, an innocent child. I didn't know he was in love with someone all these years. He kept on crying.
"You know, if you love someone, you should just tell them," I said. "It might be the only way to make you two happy, don't let it be too late again."
He started sobbing heavily, then, after a few seconds he said something which changed everything.
"I was in love with… you, I am... I know it's wrong but... you're the only person I saw back then," he cried.
The stoplight turned red. We were silent for a moment.
"Lance... I'm sorry," I told him gently, being careful of the next words I'll speak. "It's just that... you're like a brother to me. I see you as a friend... you're my best friend, I don't want to change that."
I wanted him to know how much this friendship means to me. I don't want to lose a friend again. I don't want to lose our friendship. I will always choose to be him forever than lose him.
Then everything happened so fast. He did not shed a tear or cry. He stopped and calmed down.
He opened the door and alighted the car. He ran towards the streets. I lost sight of him in the busy streets. There were people running to and from the mall buildings around.
I paused for a moment.
Everything happened so fast, I was in shock.
The world revolved around me while I stopped moving.
I tried to follow him and find him. I parked the car and ran in the direction he left. I looked everywhere but I can't find him. I felt like I lost my direction. I felt blind, like all those years. He was keeping his feelings and hurting. I cannot lose him, but now the day came that I might lose him forever. I didn't expect it to be now. The friendship I treasured the most, the boy I protected the most, I lost him.
I don't know what to do next. Lance hates me. My best friend hates me, but more than that... I never realized in the world that...
…he loved me.
~~~ END OF BOOK 1~~~