Star-crossed Lovers

Star-crossed Lovers

She liked him. She liked him a lot. The way he looked, the way he walked, and the way he held himself when he made a speech. He was a perfect student and a perfect friend. He had dashing looks and a slender athletic body. He excelled in everything he did and put his mind into and when he failed, he picked himself right back up and continued moving on, correcting his mistakes.

He. Was. Perfect.

He liked her. He liked her a lot. The way she looked, the way she walked, and the way she held her self when she passed him in the halls. She was almost the perfect student but more than a perfect friend. She was of average looks and had a slender body, but it was almost frail. She tried to excel in everything she did but when she put her mind to it, she failed. She couldn't pick her self back up and continue moving on, correcting her mistakes.

She. Was. Almost. Perfect.

Finally, it was their last year together at the school. Neither of them too happy about it.

On his birthday, she had the courage to give him chocolate. He already had a mound of it behind him on the desk and she knew he would. He was the most perfect and popular boy in school. All the girls wanted to be his girlfriend....they all wanted to wish him a happy birthday. They all wanted him.

She approached him and softly said, “ I know... you have a lot of girls that already gave you chocolate but, I just wanted to give you one. You inspired me to try, try again. I know we've never spoke before but, here you go.” She handed him a little white box with a brown bow. “It's white and dark chocolate, please accept my gift.” she bowed slightly, her shiny brown hair falling into her face and over her glasses.

He wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't because she gave him chocolate and he didn't know how to refuse her or accept it from her. It was because she spoke to him for the first time this whole time they've been in the same school. He had always wondered what her voice sounded like. He had heard her talking to the girls but...it wasn't the same as when she spoke to him just now. He smiled and gently took the box, unwrapping it and taking out the small piece of chocolate. It wasn't much but it was just enough for one savory bite.

“I'll gladly accept it...and it'll be the first I eat?” but before he could even fully get that out she had looked up and smiled, “ I'm glad you'll accept it “ and slowly walked out, not hearing the last bit of his kind sentence. She had it engraved in her head that he was just being nice. He pitied her. Had nothing for her.

He tried to stop her but she had rounded the corner already. He sighed and looked at the little piece of chocolate and put it in his mouth, enjoying it's delicate taste. He smiled to himself and picked up the box, it was cute. Looks like she made it out of card stock. With a confused look he tilted his head, there was writing in it. He carefully broke the seems of the box and unfolded it. She had folded the paper, then made it into a box. She was crafty and creative. That made him smile.

The little piece of paper had some words written on it, he carefully opened it and saw some scribble that he assumed was her writing. He would have thought that she had beautiful writing, he guessed he was wrong. Suddenly as he read these lyrics, his heart sank into his stomach. He shook his head and couldn't believe it.

“...Why do stars
Fall down from the sky?
Every time you walk by
Just like me
They long to be
Close to you

On the day that you were born
The angels got together and decided
To create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair
Of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue

That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me
They long to be
Close to you “

Those words were written but he wondered if they were meant to be read.

She quickly ran down the hall all frazzled and sank against the wall, sliding down and taking her glasses off. Her eyes watered and her nose became runny. Why did she go through with it? Why? She held back all those years...why did she choose now? Now that she'll never see him after the graduation ceremony. She huffed after a moment of recollection and regrouping her strength and slowly standing. She picked up her bag that was at her side and began the long and lonely walk home.

Once she made it home she sat her bag down carefully, slid off her shoes and loosened her neck tie. She walked to the kitchen and opened a little cabinet. Her mother came in and patted her on the head and went on to finish dinner. She pulled out three medicine bottles and took out pills from each. She carried them in her hand carefully and walked to the already set table. Her mom had put some stew in a bowl and gently set it in front of her. She smiled and gratefully took the spoon and took a bite. She smiled even though she's had this same thing for the past few nights. She slid the pills in her mouth and swallowed them with a spoon full of broth.

“Did you give that boy the chocolate you made him?” Her mother asked from across the small table.

She just simply nodded and took another bite from the warm bowl.

“What did he say dear?” she took a bite after that, looking intently at her daughter.

“He accepted it.” short and simple. She grabbed her glass of water and sipped it, put it back, and finished off her bowl.

“That's good dear...” she smiled at her daughter and watched her stand up and go to her room, all alone in that room. Her mother shook her head and looked to her soup, gently putting the spoon in it, and taking a bite.

He slowly walked down the hall, holding this little white creased paper in his hand and his bag full of chocolate in his other hand. With a frown he wasn't sure what to do. Once he made it home he pinned it up on his board and avoided talking to his parents, going another night without eating a proper dinner. He sighed and quickly got out of his uniform, throwing it in the hamper.

He kept turning his head over to the letter, wondering what he should do about it. Should he confront her? School ends in just a couple of weeks....he should wait till the end of the year. He nodded and figured, that way she couldn't get teased...she couldn't get hurt and they could be...happily ever after. He knew how brutal the girls at school could be. That's why he never dated any one. He feared for the girl of his choice's life.

He smiled to himself and laid on his bed, staring a the ceiling. Before he knew it...he was fast asleep.



The last few weeks of class had finally come and gone. The excitement built up over the past few days of no homework and free dress days. He was constantly plagued with the letter, having memorized every word it said. Having wondered if she thought about him...having been tortured day by day knowing he can't say anything until tomorrow. He was excited. He even went down to dinner with his family.

He had a plan. It. Was. Perfect.

The last few weeks of class had finally come and gone. The excitement was slowly draining over the past few days of no homework and missing school days. She was constantly plagued with his smile, having memorized it over the years. Having wondered if he thought of her....having been tortured day by day knowing she can't confess anything to him. Ever. She was depressed. She even went up to her room and ate no dinner with her only family.

She had no plan. It. Was. Flawed.

She came early that day and dropped a note in a locker. Had a quick chat with the teachers and started to walk out of the school.

He came late that day and found a note in his locker. He had no time to read over and started to feel his heart float. Maybe, she confessed.

The ceremony came quickly as the day trudged on. Their names were called and they got their diplomas. Now was the time for goodbyes and thank yous. During the ceremony he wasn't paying attention. He didn't even notice they didn't call her name. His mind...was focused. He wanted to find her. He wanted to confess.

Once he was all done with his farewells and thank yous he found a secluded place to open his letter. The paper was crumbled and written on simple lined paper. There were tear stains in the lines and the writing, he could tell, was an attempt at being super neat.

The letter read:

I'm so sorry. I should...I shouldn't have given you the chocolate. I hope you didn't open the white box...read those lyrics. Though now I suppose you will go do that. I hope you don't think I'm some sort of stalker...for knowing all about you. I knew how you liked that chocolate, I knew the exact recipe. I knew how you like brown...like my hair. I knew how you looked at me...was meant to be for more than friendly glances and I knew where you lived. I knew what your situation was like...and I knew I wanted to help you.

The reason you are reading this letter is because I'm on a flight right now. I got my diploma earlier. I would really like to keep in touch with you but I don't think my heart could bear the distance. I just wanted to say this in person...but I was much to scared.

I think I love you.

And that was all she said. Her writing got sloppier as she grew more desperate to spit out what she wanted to say. He couldn't believe what he just read. It was true. She was gone and there was no way of telling her how he felt. He felt the same.

That day under the sakura trees he looked to the sky.

That day above the city streets she looked to the ground.

He liked her. He loved her a lot. He loved the way she looked. He loved the way she was. He never got the chance to say that and never found a girl like her again. But he always kept those letters dear to his heart. He hoped one day he could find her and tell her how he felt.

In some ways he never got over her. In many ways he wished he could find her. But in any way, he could not.

She liked him. She loved him a lot. She loved the way he looked. She loved the way he was. She was happy that she got to tell him, even if it was in a letter. She always kept his picture dear to her heart. She hoped that one day he would find her and tell her how he felt.

In some ways she was happy that she got away from that situation. In many ways she wished it could have worked out. But in any way. It could not.

They. Were. Perfect. Together.