Someone, Somewhere

Lorenzo and Noe threaded their way to the rooftop of their school building, with only the melody of their heavy breathing and the rustling leaves harmonising their journey. Noe was a self-proclaimed goody two-shoes, he had always been responsible, a steadfast pillar or reliability whose feet were always rooted on the ground— he had been called names too, the people pleaser, teacher's pet, and whatnot?

Whereas, there was just something about Lorenzo— with an air of magnetism simmering beneath the surface, Lorenzo had always captivated people from all walks of life. There was an irresistible quality to him that could put people in a trance with ease, and Noe was no exception…

"Lorenzo… are we sure about this? If the professor finds out, we are done for real," Noe faltered, his voice warbling, "Let's not do anything that will get us into trouble, alright?"

"Keep quiet," Lorenzo held Noe's hand, a firm grip that conveyed his determination, "You're missing out a lot in life," he plunged across the rusting metal bars that stood as a barrier to the 'danger zone', as they called it but who cares.

Lorenzo ascended two more levels, bringing himself closer to the edge of the rooftop. He sealed a seat, with his feet dangling outside, and beckoned Noe, "Come on, I've got you. Take a step up, Noe. I'll support you."

"No, I'm...I'm scared," Noe's eyes fidgeted, trying to back away. His steps took him backwards but were halted by Lorenzo's stronger arms. "I told you to stay by my side, you idiot."

"Lorenzo…"

Lorenzo was really not having any of it, "Sit. Beside. Me."

With a knot lodged in his chest, Noe's fingers curled onto the cotton of Lorenzo's shirt, joined the ravenette on the rooftop— after all Lorenzo's contempt was what Noe dreaded more than the heights or the professor.

Noe lifted himself up and then sat down, his feet suspended in the air. As he settled beside his best friend, the fear that had gripped him only moments ago simply faded away, leaving no trace…as if it was never really there.

"So?"

The thrill of the moment couldn't be contained within Noe, "This...this is so much fun!" he exclaimed, giddy with excitement. Noe realised how irrationally his fear had held him back, now feeling ridiculous for letting it always get the better– no, best of him. "I feel incredibly happy right now; this feeling is different from anything I've ever felt before. Lorenzo, have never felt like this before…" Noe trailed off, pulped in reverie of the sensation.

"Like what?," Lorenzo jested, his eyes flickering with a gleam of mischief.

Noe chuckled before continuing, "Like this. Like I could spend my entire life right here with you, and I wouldn't regret anything."

Lorenzo's expression exuded an awareness of the moment's significance, the atypical Lorenzo— he pulled Noe close, unfolding him in his warmth and unrivalled tenderness. "I know what you mean, Noe. Sometimes it's like the whole world is muted, and all that remains is just you and me. It's like nothing else matters beyond us."

Noe gravitated into Lorenzo's arms, and his fingers tingled at the exhilarating sensation of their skin touching. "I feel the same, Lorenzo. This feeling, this emotion, it's irreplaceable, it's all that I could ever want."

"Lorenzo, I've never felt like this before," Noe whispered, staring with unrestrained fascination into Lorenzo's eyes, he could sense his heart pumping with the sheer thrill of being together, then again, that was the whole point.

They continued to relish the perfection of that instant, time seemingly slowed to a crawl, and the sun setting behind them painted the sky in a mesmerising masterpiece of pink and orange. Feeling alive and in love, they leaned in for their first kiss— they may never return to this moment again, only revisit; until suddenly Noe slipped and tumbled off the edge of the roof. Lorenzo's world crashed as he beheld Noe's fall, his screams piercing through the still atmosphere.

Suddenly, he heard it— a faraway voice whispering a melancholic adieu.

"Goodbye…"

Lorenzo jolted awake in his bedroom; his skin was moistened with sweat, soaked with the memories of the time spent with Noe hovering over him, a constant reminder of the void left by the person he ever dared to love. He longed to be in his arms once more, to feel the warmth and comfort that he had never found elsewhere.

Tears danced down his face, and he tightly clutched a pillow that would never quite replace the soft caresses of Noe's embrace. The reality of his irreplaceable loss weighed down on him- he would carry the pangs of longing and regret indelibly etched in his heart, forever remembering the perfect love that was irreparably broken by their cruel stars.

Closing off his thoughts, Lorenzo jolts by loud banging on the door, "I know you're up!! Get the hell out of your little stupid cave now! I have something important to tell you," the voice grew more insistent, surpassing the bangs.

Lorenzo's heated voice pierced through the thick tension, "I can hear you all the better if you just stop yelling unnecessarily. If you are trying to scare me with your ferocity or anything, sorry to break it to you but it is not working," he swiftly cast aside the comforter that hugged him, revealing himself as a formidable figure.

"Open the door, you piece of trash!"

Lorenzo stands his ground, unmoved by the verbal assault, "If you are going to just hurl insults, I see no reason to engage in any kind of conversation with you. You can carry on, I will just go on with my own business, then," he responds calmly, crossing his arms on the chest.

"Open the door if you don't want me to break it down," the other person alarms.

Lorenzo remains unfazed however. "If you're not willing to have a civilised conversation, I see no reason to entertain your threats. There's no need for aggression when something can be resolved calmly," he retorts, unbolting the door knob to reveal his father on the other side. "Yes?"

His father produces a passport-sized photograph and holds it up for Lorenzo to take a look. "Look at this. And no, I won't listen to any objections. She's your fiancée and that's that. Do you understand? If not, then you need to come to terms with it," he said, poking Lorenzo's temple.

A humourless chuckle escapes Lorenzo's lips. "Now you gotta be kidding me," he mutters incredulously. "I distinctly recall my therapist advising me to take time and maybe, in due course, fall in love again to relieve the trauma of the past. But, unfortunately, I have no recollection of her mentioning anything about forcing me into marriage or allowing someone else to dictate the 'right person' for me. So, you have your answer. Please don't waste any more of my time. I have better things to attend to," he responds firmly, dismissing his father's proposal.

"You do remember that you are talking to your dad, right?"

"Will do, from the day onwards when you will realise that you are talking to your son, too," Lorenzo's smirk dwindles to a nothingness, "Anyway, forget about it. I have to go attend something really important. It's the reopening of my friend's wedding hall. Gotta check on him."

"Lorenzo…you will regret this!"

Lorenzo shoots an empathetic stare towards his dad, "If I do, I will do it oh so gladly."

***

Theo alights from the car, accompanied by his custodian, Zoey. A subtle cough indicates his trepidation when Theo awaits the other to crop up— which happens soon after. Zoey approaches Theo, combing a tinge of sadness with a hint of pride on his lips, uttering with a melancholic smile, "Theo, please know that I am proud of you."

Theo hangs his head with regret and addresses Zoey with a hint of sorrow, "Zoey...I am sorry for what happened yes–."

Zoey delicately places his finger on Theo's lips, stating, "I said that I am proud of you."

Theo forces a brittle smile and gestures towards the impressive towering glass edifice, "Then, I shall proceed inside. You will come here to pick me up, right?"

With Zoey's confirmation, Theo proceeds towards the structure, absorbing the surreal ambiance that now manifests as his reality— his heart is beating too fast, maybe, maybe this is the day he can meet…who he has been waiting for all along…

He places a hand on his chest, his eyes delighted, "I feel like…I will meet you today. Whoever you are, wherever you are, I know you are waiting for me…"