The other day, he did not fetch me to go to school, and he's absent. The most disappointing part was…
"Huh? He did not tell you?"
"He's going to England to live with his mom!"
As soon as Katie and Hammy told me about it, I was very, very shocked.
Why did he not tell me about it?
I'm his best friend and his secret girlfriend. I should have known about him leaving, right?
I suddenly recalled what he told me last night.
"Buns, see you… someday." - he said.
I was so used to having him by my side ever since we were kids, that I didn't expect him to leave me without properly saying goodbye.
Everyone knew except me. Even my parents knew about it, and they didn't tell me because they assumed that I knew.
I struggled during the days that Johann wasn't beside me. It's a good thing that Katie and Hammy were there for me.
I thought that there wouldn't be any problem, but when December came, Katie and Hammy suddenly stopped hanging around me.
It was when I talked separately to each one of them that I learned that the reason why Katie and her ex-boyfriend broke up was because the guy already started a relationship with Hammy. The guy belonged to a different school, that was why they didn't know. Apparently, the guy had already confessed his sins during Christmas eve and vowed never to mess with them ever again.
When classes resumed in January, I was always alone because Hammy and Katie felt awkward talking to each other. I was always on my own in the library, and I spent time reading books during my free time.
One afternoon, an unexpected person suddenly approached me.
"Hi, Zurich?" he said with a smile. "Mind if I sit beside you?"
I was stoned at first when I saw who he was. But when I finally had the courage to answer, I replied to him, "Sure, Justin."
Justin King.
I had always liked him.
When he sat beside me, I couldn't read the books properly. I couldn't concentrate on the letters in front of me, because I always glance at my side.
Justin was sitting beside me, and I couldn't believe it. It felt like a dream. The guy whom I had always admired from afar was very near me.
When Justin noticed that I kept on looking at him, he asked me, "Zurich, do you have a boyfriend?"
I didn't know what to answer at that moment.
'I had a boyfriend and a best friend named Johann, but he suddenly left for England without telling me.' - was the answer that I had in my mind. But then again, I assessed the situation.
'Is Johann still my boyfriend?'
He left me without a proper goodbye or a clean breakup, so...
"I… I don't have a boyfriend," I lied to him. "I… I never had any."
Justin just smiled at my answer, "So you still haven't felt heartbroken ever since… It's better to be single..."
In my mind were a lot of questions. Why was Justin saying these things?
He continued talking, "It's good that you haven't felt being hurt by someone you cared for…"
With concern, I asked him, "Are you okay?"
"It's easy to say that I am okay, but it's hard to act like I am okay. Do you know what I mean?" Justin replied, furrowing his eyebrows, "We broke up yesterday… Odessa and I."
"What…" I was dumbfounded. I knew that I wished for Justin to be my boyfriend, and I should be happy to know that they've broken up.
But I felt sad because he showed such a sad expression. His eyes even looked tired, and it seemed like he cried all night. I didn't want to see him in that pitiful state.
They seemed inseparable and looked okay, so what could have happened?
It made me wonder how deep their love really was.
"Justin, if… If you want to talk about something, I am here to listen," I told him, and I meant it. I didn't say it to flirt and to have a chance with him, but I intended to sincerely listen to all his troubles.
Justin sighed and closed the book that he was reading, "How about grabbing some snacks with me?"
It was the first time that Justin asked me something like that. Deep inside, I was overjoyed, but I was not showing my true emotions, "Sure, is it your treat?"
"I have to pay for your snacks so you can listen to my story? You're a clever one, aren't you?" Justin said, and then he messed with my hair.
I followed him to the cafeteria, and he bought me a ham sandwich and a soda. He talked about what happened.
"You see... Odessa confessed to me that she fell in love with another person," Justin told me, "And that person is our classmate."
"What the heck? Who?" I was intrigued when I heard about it.
Justin shook his head. "I'd rather not say it. You will know it soon enough because they will show their affection for each other now that we've broken up."
"They're the worst…" I uttered, "Who's that stupid classmate? Should I kick their butts?" and he messed my hair again.
He laughed, "I should be the angriest one," then bit the corner of his sandwich, "You're fun to be with, Zurich. Why haven't I talked to you, before?"
"It's because all you see is Odessa."
Justin sighed, realizing that what I said was true, "Ahh… You're right," Justin said, "From now on, we're friends, okay?"
He extended his arms and smiled at me.
"Sure," and we shook hands. "I'll treat you to some snacks next time, then."
My super crush, Justin King, became my close friend, and at that time, I was contented just by being with him almost every day.
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