CHAPTER 1

Life is hitting me so hard, being a college student is difficult, all the stress and depression were all into you. I can't imagine how many times I've been here in this situation but as far as I can remember, for my family I will do my best to make them proud of me.

"Heather!"

And as I turn my head towards to that person who's calling me, I saw the man who always makes me smile, my world.

"Leo!"

He hugged me tight and kissed my forehead, I hugged him back and smiled. I can always tell his scent, everywhere I go, I can always tell that he's always beside me, to support and care for me. the one-----

*rrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnngggggggggg*

-

Oh, right, I dreamed about him again. Like how many times that I have to tell myself to just move on. My memories of him keeps haunting me as if I'm the one who's guilty for everything that happened in our relationship and how it ended.

Leo is the person whom I loved the most. He always love to paint, I'm amazed in every art piece that he showed to me. I remember all of his favorite colors when he paints. That's the thing that I like to him, he also have a genuine heart and he's always clever in making decisions. He has this kind-looking face, light skin, he's tall and have medium brown hair and eye color. I love every corner of his smile and always bragged how much he loves me.

*a year ago*

"Heather! I missed you! Here, I have something for you."

he hugged me and when he let me go, he handed me a piece of paper with my name on it.

"Leo, I love it!"

"Please, always keep that piece of paper in your wallet, it will always cheer you up when you're down, I doodled and customized it just for you, consider it as your strength and lucky charm."

He winked at me and we laughed together. I feel so comfortable when I'm around him and I always tell to myself that no one can replace this man for me.

"Hey, Leonard!"

I saw someone approaching Leo few meters away and waving his hand for Leo to notice him.

"Jared, hey man, nice seeing you here, by the way, this is my girlfriend, Heather. Heather, Jared, my friend who lives in overseas, he just arrived here couple of days ago"

"Nice to meet you Heather!"

He offer his hand to shake hands with me, I gave my hand and smiled.

"Nice to meet you too Jared."

Leo pulled Jared to offer him to sit. They're both happy to see each other and talking about a lot of things that happened to them.

"By the way Heather, how did you meet Leo?"

"I met him in an Art Contest where he participated, I was amazed in his artwork and I admired him for that and the way he speak was genuine."

Leo wrapped his arms around me and smiled.

"Stop that Heather, now you're making me flattered, I embarrassed."

"There's nothing to be embarrass about Leo, Heather is just telling the truth, you were born talented in that field so you should always be proud and be thankful to have such lovely lady like Heather."

I smiled and thankful I have Leo.

*****

That's bullshit! Why did I fell in love with that kind of guy who's not responsible for taking care of someone? A guy who's not fully ready to be in a relationship.

*****

I was waiting for Leo in front of the campus, I was standing here and calling for almost an hour and yet, he's still not picking up his phone. After I stopped calling him, after a couple of minutes, my phone vibrated. I checked to see if it was Leo.

^TEXT MESSAGE FROM +63926*******

Hey Heather, it's me, Jared. Leo told me he was sorry because he cannot make it there, he has an art/painting session with his collegues. I'm on my way to pick you up.

I closed my eyes for a moment to forget the sadness and the time he wasted for us to be together, it's been 6 months already and I can feel that I'm not his priority anymore, he always go to his art class, art session with his collegues, and the only time that he got for us was him going home and talk to me for few moments then rest. I feel like I'm in last of his priority list. I can feel that he no longer wants me to be part of his life. We always argue and I always cry. I always call him when his free time strikes but no answer or text coming from him. He's no longer the guy who I loved few months ago. He became self-centered and competitive.

"Heather.."

I opened my eyes to see Jared in front of me with a worry in his eyes

"I know you're not okay, but at least go home and get some rest, okay? I'm here to pick you up and don't think too much, stress is not good for you."

I nodded and get into his car and he drove me home. As I was staring in the ceiling, memories of Leo pops out into my mind and can't get rid of the reality that he no longer wanted my time. A few moments later, my phone rang and Leo is calling.

"Heather, I'm sorr----"

"No Leo, it's okay, I'm used to it."

"Heather! Why do we keep arguing about this? We argued several times already because of this, please make it stop."

"Why do I always suffer? Am I not that important to you? Why do I always feel that I'm not the priority anymore? I understand if you're keeping everything in balance but I can't recall a thing in my mind that all of your actions and schedules were balanced, you can't even afford to spend time with me in a longer period in just a day or two. You never did that ever since you prioritized your hobby."

"Heather, look, I don't know what to do anymore, I'm confused, I did everything for you, even if I'm tired of all of this I still love you, I still care for you."

"If you do, then why do I feel like this? If you do, why am I crying and begging for your time to be with you, beg to have time to be together? Why? Answer me."

He just kept silent. No more respond from him, again, he failed to explain himself to me.

"I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know what I want anymore Heather.."

"Leo....if that's the answer to all of the questions that my mind keep asking to me, let's break up and let go of each other. I love you but you leave me no choice."

"I'm so sorry Heather...."

I hung up and cried. My heart shattered into pieces, I cried and cried until I fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up from a break up is a text message from Jared.

^TEXT MESSAGE FROM JARED

Heather, good morning, I hope you're doing well today, I left breakfast in front of your door, go pick it up and eat well. I'll finish my work ASAP and I'll go pick you up from school. Take care.

------

I feel like time was so fast, it's already 5pm and Jared picked me up and drove me home.

"Heather, take care of yourself"

I nod and head inside the house. Every night I cried and it's been 2 weeks that I feel like in hell. I can't get over it. I can't believe that Leo gave up on me that easily. Jared always driving me on the way home. He always comfort me and here I am, still not fine after all he done for me. I just can't take my depression in our breakup.

I opened my drawer and took all the medicine that I have to restrain me from waking up the next morning. I really wish I'll never wake up from this bad dream....

------

I woke up in a dim light and all my surrounding were painted in white, I slowly turn my head from left to right and saw Jared sleeping in the chair, you can tell all the exhaustion he had been through by his looks. He opened his eyes to check me but he quickly stand from his chair and held my hand.

"Heather! Thank you God! You're awake!"

"Where am I?"

"You're at the hospital, you were overdosed when they brought you here, and I'm thankful that they brought here on time."

"Overdosed? Why would I do that?"

"You we-----"

The door opens and I see a tall guy holding fruits and flowers. I can see the sad look in his eyes and started walking slowly towards me. He cried and hugged me tight.

"I'm so sorry.."

I frowned and looked at him.

"Who are you?"

TO BE CONTINUED.