Friend(One Shot)

"There isn't any friends who you could count on, they only see you if you're worthy enough to be useful for them."

In fact, I was driven mad. Not because I have no friends but I was unlucky to have a friend.

If it wasn't for the fact that I have known that I'll die early. I would live my life to the fullest.

I have a terminal illness, an incurable heart disease. But despite my life at stake, I did not despair, but only worked harder than anyone else.

The reason? I want to make a name for myself before I die.

I always marked a perfect score at any test in my high school, joined olympics, and became the school's student council president. I became the subject of discussion, wherever I go, I was admired by my senior students and my peers..

Yet.. I was not satisfied.

I did not have friends after all.

Not until I met her, that lonesome figure which is really similar to mine. She was like a doll, she never spoke a single word since high school started.

She was beautiful, yet untouchable. Her eyes was deep that anyone who looks at her will be entranced. I didn't even saw her smile, but she's already good enough to be called the school's madonna. Her name was Rachel.

Rachel was a peculiar figure, but she was the one who spoke to me for the first time.

"Aren't you lonely?" Her voice was crisp, not having a conversation was already hard for her.

I was mindlessly gazing at her face, she was like a little angel.

I replied, "I am used to it." despite the awkward situation we're going through. Everyone was looking at us as if we were celebrity.

There were murmurs and gossip from my classmates, but did not paid heed on mind.

I smiled at her and added,

"Is it the same for you?"

She only nodded and came back to her seat, she grabs her bag and took a book.

I find it amusing though that we're exactly the same, I love books but her the title of her book...

It was truly unusual.

How To Have a Friend by Mark Williams.

I gasped, I couldn't help but feel sympathy towards her. I made up my mind and took closer at her and grabbed her hands.

"Rachel, let's have a lunch outside." I forced her against her will as she was totally surprised by my hilarious effort.

"W-why are you doing this?" Rachel was confused as well as scared by this reckless high school boy.

"I want to be your first very friend, Rachel.." I said while holding her hands as if we were some couple.

The students who were passing by stared at us, looking confused and at the same time shocked.

"Hey, isn't that.. President Klein?" (Student A)

"Where?" (Student B)

"He was holding hands with a girl, other than that.. She's beautiful." (Student A)

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We were at the cafeteria, the whole surroundings were noisy as they enjoyed their lunch.

"Here, I'll give you a free lunch." I bought an omelette and gave it to her. She was shy at first but gradually she accepted it.

"Rachel, what were you doing since high school started?" I questioned her, her innocent gaze made me nervous. I am not used to talk to beautiful girl such as her.

Seeing Rachel who silent up until now was started speaking, her voice was soothing. It was like a jolt of surprise that she was actually cute when she speaks.

'Damn it, don't fall for her voice you idiot!' I muttered silently while calmly listening to her.

"I can't, I'm not good at communicating.." Just like a cat that was good at observing, Rachel was like that. She was neither cold towards her peers, but her casual attitude made them think she was out of their reach.

Eventually, she became lonely because of the misunderstanding from her classmate.

She said that she never wanted to be lonely, she wanted friends but her appearance made her the center of envy. That's why she was called the Untouchable. Blessed with superior appearance was a curse for her.

"I was very happy Klein that you said you'll be my friend." She smiled happily. I couldn't help but almost hugged her but I stopped that urge.

'Calm down self, you're making me feel idiotic.' She was really too cute.

"I'm very happy too Rachel, you're my first friend too." Rachel who was very sensitive with the word first, blushed. Her cheeks were red that I noticed.

"U-um.. did I made a mistake?" (Klein)

"No, I just.. haa. forget about it." (Rachel)

That day, I made a friend.

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Days passed, Rachel became talkative, she always come to my seat and talk about every topics.

I couldn't help but feel grateful for her improvement.

Months passed, and she became the most genuine person I've knew.

"Hey Klein, why are you studying so hard? You nerd?" Rachel was laughing and casually peeks at my book.

"Nah, I just wanted to make a name for myself." I honestly said while looking at her. She was really curious why I worked harder than anyone else..

But I couldn't share my secret. Not even her, it would only hurt her more.

"Hooh, you're really a smart person Klein, truly enviable." She put her hands on my shoulders as she flirtatiously took a cute pose.

"Uh, Rachel?" I was surprised, my brain did not function properly as it was etched deeply on my mind.

Her flirtatious figure was astonishing it made me feel like I'm having a boner.

'Damn it, too cute!" I avoided her eyes as she teased me.

"Klein, you were serious just now so I did that to make you surprised." She laughed so hard at my dumb gesture that I scratched my head.

"Y-you were too cute..Why would you do that?!" I rebutted, she can make any person fall for her. But..I can't.

I knew I was going to die.

But I never expected that my casual words would make Rachel silent.

Her head was drooping, her ears and cheeks were red from blushing.

'Don't compliment me, Klein..I'm not really that cute.' Her voice was very inaudible I couldn't her properly.

Who knew that my feelings was starting to grow.

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It was the end of semester, but for Rachel and myself, it was moments filled with laughter and joy.

Rachel have become friends with her classmates, she was now actively beginning to join in the group. It was such a sudden change that even I was very happy and delighted that she made new friends.

But for some reason, Rachel with her new friends was convincing her to join at their karaoke, she would occasionally gaze at me and I would nod in agreement.

We've already became best friends to the point that we could understand each other.

I welcomed it as part of her growth, also I did not want to spoil her as his best friend. She should make friends more so she could be happy.

That day, everything have changed. Rachel have been accompanying her new friends. Weeks passed, Rachel never comes to my seat. I only saw her laughing with her group of friends.

Rachel in particular, was very joyful that she can now communicate properly, thanks to Klein his best friend. But for some reason, she felt like she wanted more than just bestfriends. She would think about this everyday that she couldn't properly talk to Klein.

She was starting to feel weird that she had such a feeling, but she knows she fell in love with Klein. She started avoiding Klein so she could calm her heart down.

Her thoughts jumbled as she wondered how many times she thought of Klein..

Weeks had passed, Rachel made up her mind. She would talk to Klein and tell her feelings to him. That way, she'll be able to talk with him again.

When Rachel was near, I sat down and smiled at her but for an unknown reason, my heart was beating wildly.

'Oh no.' I struggled standing up. My medication would only last for month.

'Where's my medicine?' the tablet that I've been consuming for years was lost in my pocket.

'Shit.This is very bad.' my breathing was ragged.

Rachel was looking at Klein.

She reached out to Klein and worriedly said, "Klein, what's wrong?" his breathing was ragged.

"No, it's nothing." I ignored Rachel and ran towards the infirmary as my vision went dark.

"I can't die like this..." My whole surroundings went blurry, my heart was beating too fast that it felt like exploding.

'Mr Klein, you should drink this tablet 2x a day. This is I personally prescribe for you since your condition is very unique. For a doctor, this was such a shocking discovery but for you, it's a death sentence. Take care of your heart, Klein.' memories have surfaced when I was told that I had a terminal illness. Everyone including the doctors were dismayed that they couldn't find a cure for my disease. I despise myself that I would die like a grass. I can't keep doing this, but I will die to become a known flower.

I was sure that I wrote a diary about it.

That diary was to become a flower, that flower that would bloom at night but dies at morning, A Cereus Bloom.

It resembles myself, even in at my darkness, I will still bloom till I die tomorrow.

This person, Rachel.. I can't just leave her..

-------

It was midnight, the lights were still on.. There was a warm feeling in my whole body...It was as if I was feeling refreshed by the smell of roses that was lingering in my nose.

That person was hugging Klein..

Rachel, her frail body was leaning towards me as if she wouldn't let me go.

I can also see her tears staining the blanket that I got covered.

She's worrying too much. I gently touch her hair with my pale hands.

It went for a while, that I know I should stop.

'Rachel...I'm sorry.'

I knew she already woke up, she was trembling the moment I touched her.

"Klein.. I heard it from the doctor..." Rachel was crying, her eyes were red as she cried for how many times.

"Hic... Klein...." She couldn't contain herself as she hugged him.

"Klein, why would you hurt me so much...You should have said it since we first met." Rachel wanted to speak about his life, why he's fighting so hard. Why he put so much hard work than anyone else. Rachel knew the harsh truth that...

Klein was going to die.

"Klein!! Why?! Why?! You can't just leave me! I liked you so much that I couldn't just leave you alone.... Hic.." Rachel broke down and never took off her hands of his body.

"This was a fateful day, Rachel. I knew that your feelings for me were genuine but I can't accept it...I know you're going to find a new partner since I'm only a wilted flower. I was destined to be alone. I loved you, but my death is certain. My love for you will end as I die. For love is temporary." Klein caressed her cheek, Rachel was even more sad as he heard his words.

Five hundred ninety five million of heartbeats, 17 years of age. I will never forget that girl who made a confession.

-------

Klein died at the age of 17. His memories with Rachel made his life fulfilled.

Her love did reach out to Klein, and made a promise herself that she wouldn't marry in her life, she only loves Klein.

Rachel finished her studies and went abroad. She saved up money to become sufficiently independent. There were many men who would wanted to make a move on her, but she wasn't fazed. She only knew that Klein was still in her heart.

She was now 35 years , unmarried. She was always that beautiful girl in the past, but her wrinkled eyebrows couldn't change the fact that she had aged.

"Klein, I really missed that smile of yours.." She sobbed while she saw one of his picture of highschool.

"Till death do us part.."

Rachel died at 90, Rachel Moore bearing Klein's last name.

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