Phoebe decided to go out to the school garden and appreciated all of it before it's gone.
She sat on the swing, not caring if her dress get dirty...
"Bye School... You may not know it, but I will miss you." She whispered.
"I'll miss you too..." A voice said from behind.
Phoebe almost jumped out of the swing...
"Oh! Joshua! You scared the hell out of me..." Joshua laughed at her reaction.
"How come after all these years, you haven't still recognized me?" Josh asked.
"What?" Phoebe looked confused.
"Alright... I'll give you a clue." Joshua said as he inhaled air to make his stomach expand like he just swallowed a watermelon.
Well, it's not that effective since the man has developed six pack abs due to non-stop working out through the years...
Then, he widely opened his mouth...
"Hey!!! What are you geeks up to?! I'll tell on you!!!" His voice deep and childish at the same time as he mimic an old dialogue.
"Oh my Gosh! J-josh? Is that you? You lost weight. And... It looked good on you." Phoebe said.
"Yep. But I'm so not your middleschool bully anymore." Josh said laughing a bit.
Phoebe was about to go down the swing but Josh stopped her...
"No, don't go down, I'll give you a push..." Josh said smiling to her.
And he did.
He pushed Phoebe gently on the swing as they talk.
"Why are you alone? Don't you have a date?" Phoebe asked.
"Hey, I should be asking a beautiful woman like you the same question, but to answer your question... I went to the ball alone because she kinda, ditched me..." Phoebe laughed.
"I like seeing you laugh. It's been a while. I also wanted to say sorry..." Josh said.
"Why?" Phoebe asked.
"I blamed myself for what happened to your leg. If I wasn't such a bad kid... You wouldn't end up in that well anyway." Josh explained.
"It's not your fault... I was never mad at you." Phoebe said.
"Phoebe?" Josh called. She turned her head.
"Yes Josh-..." Phoebe was cut off.
She was shocked as he kissed her.
Phoebe kissed him back.
Neither one of them knows that someone accidentally saw them...
When their lips parted...
Josh spoke...
"I have to go Phoebe. I have to go to a job interview tomorrow. I applied for a job in advance. Don't ask sweetheart. I need it badly." Josh said smiling as Phoebe nodded.
With that, Josh left.
Phoebe decided to sneak into the building.
To the classroom that she and Zoriah shared memories together.
"And I thought school took so long to finish..." Phoebe said to herself.
"Time flies when you're having fun..." A familiar figure stood at the door.
"Zack?" She asked.
"Why did you kiss him?" He asked.
"You saw-?" She was cut off when Zack harshly pinned her to the wall and kissed her roughly.
Her crutch fell on the floor.
Phoebe used all of her strength and pushed him away...
"Why?! You liked me from the beginning right?!" Zack asked.
"What? T-this can't happen between us Zack. Zoriah loves you so much. She needs you." Phoebe's eyes began to water.
Zack's expression softened in front of the crying woman.
"You're right... I'm sorry..." Zack whispered and picked up Phoebe's crutch and gave it to her.
Then, Phoebe picked up her pace and she went to the door to get away from the man...
He chased her to the University building's entrance.
"Phoebe... W-will I see you again?" Zack asked her.
Phoebe just smiled to him, she turned her back and closed the glass doors.
Two years after...
Life happened and they have lived it how the paths has lead them...
Separate lives.
"Once again, thank you for calling Parker and Welsing Customer Service, have great day. Bye." Phoebe's closing spiel made it.
It's O'clock.
"And Log-out guys! Good job, our sales went higher this week." Their team leader announced as the floor was filled with applause.
"Looks like someone's going home early." Her teammate teased.
"She's in a hurry. Do you have a date?" Her other teammate Grace asked wriggling her thick jungle brows on her.
Phoebe just laughed a bit and shook her head at the comment.
"Caught you red-handed girl." The other teammate commented laughing.
Phoebe blushed.
"Geez, my last customer's really mad. Said he ain't dying yet so why sell him insurance... Phoebs... How many insurance deals did you close today?" The other teammate asked as they're on the lockers getting their stuff.
"Eleven." Phoebe casually answered.
"Wow, our team leader's right, you are good." One exclaimed.
"Is your boyfriend gonna fetch you?" Phoebe nodded.
"Yes, he's downstairs." She said.
"Is he still going overseas to for his dream?" Grace asked.
"Well, it's job offer as an animator. It's his first love but because of me... He's still thinking about it." Phoebe sighed.
"Why don't you go with him?" Grace said.
"Nah... It's not that easy. He was only sponsored. Me? Where will I get the money to go with him? And besides, he already let me fulfilled my dream. I have worked as a part-time science teacher, even though that I'm not getting a lot from the job while he's earning hard. He said, he's doing that for our future. That's the reason I have applied for this job, I think I'll earn a little more here." Phoebe explained.
"Future? Maybe he's planning to propose to you." Grace commented.
"I'm thankful if he does but I still won't get my hopes up. Marriage is such a big step." Phoebe said.
"Well, if you say so... See yah Phoebs! Ciao!" Grace said as they part ways.
Just then, Josh decided to take her out on a restaurant like their usual...
Later, Phoebe spoke...
"Are you going to Zoriah and Zack's wedding?" She asked Josh.
"Nope. I have to work that day..." Her boyfriend answered.
"Well, if you're not going, then I'm not going too." Said Phoebe.
"Too clingy... I'm living for it though." Josh laughed a bit.
"Uhm... Josh?" Phoebe called out.
"Yes?" He said.
"I know how you thought hard about the job offer you got and-..." Phoebe was cut off.
"I will decline it." Josh immediately said, blocking his girlfriend's words.
"I'm grateful that after all these years, you have been with me... Josh. We both know that declining it, is not really what you want. Thank you for always being there and taking care of me. You've let me do whatever I want, now it's your turn. I will never hold you off and take you away from your first love." She addressed seriously.
Her eyes shed tears as she was speaking.
"W-well, if that's how you look af it but... Phoebs... I'll be back for you. I will marry you Phoebs..." Josh said.
His eyes are getting dewy as well.
"D-don't make promises you're yet not certain that you can keep. I know you'll be happier fulfilling your dream there, even without me. Do not hesitate and go for it. I'll be okay." Phoebe said smiling to Josh...
Josh stood up and went across the table go reach his girlfriend, and hugged Phoebe...
"Thank you..." He whispered to the woman.
Years later, after Phoebe's leg operation and therapy.
She fully recovered.
Then, she went hiking with her new hope.
She's with her mom and dad as well...
When she got to the top along with the other climbers, she walked away a little from them to take in and appreciate how beautiful and peaceful it is.
She so was consumed by the beauty and her thoughts...
I wonder how and what are they doing right now?
Zoriah, Josh and...
Zack.
'Should I still let him know?'
Nah, I'll pass.
They guy's married to my bestfriend Zoriah and I'm sure that they're both very happy now.
I owe it to Josh that I'm here in this beautiful place by myself, now I know I'm not alone.
I have my family...
They're my first and last love.
It's okay to have it that way.
She looked at her parents taking pictures and selfies with the breath-taking background.
Someday, I'll live in a place like this. Serene and free...
'Freedom.'
It doesn't always mean that you need to be out there.
Like the frogs trapped in the well that doesn't need to be saved if it doesn't really want to...
It also doesn't always relate to love.
Sometimes, being able to reflect, focus on one's self and realizing own worth, away from the prying eyes, is the greatest freedom of all.
And when it comes to loving someone freely...
You don't need to always let them know that you love them, 'cause if you really do, they will feel too.
Eventually.
"You seemed pre-occupied. Mind if I join you in your thoughts?" A familiar man's voice said beside her.
She turned her head with tears in her eyes...
Her lips parted and spoke...
"Josh?" She asked smiling.
The man nodded.
"You're one and only... I'll never leave you again. I'll take care of you forever if I have to..." Josh said smiling back and she hugged him tightly.
~END