Branches by:

ConfuseDAngel and Jolocke

A Short Story

It was fall or maybe it was, just in my perspective as I stood under the big tree in our locality. It was not so long ago that a lot of things happened both in my life and that of others, especially of my friends. Yeah time really goes on fast…and swift like that of a leaf being blown by the wind. Today, I guess is another brand new day for me…

The world of teenagers is unrivaled compared amongst others. It is a world where persons are seeking out their purpose in life. In this world, love also blooms but is it real love or just a result of a confused soul.

This is a story about a boy, a girl and how their world affected their lives and how it changed them.

"Fel! C'mon," Shouted Ben, a 16 year old 3st year high student.

Following behind him was Felicity his best or rather Special Someone. Their relationship started out as childhood friends then Ben asked her, she answered the question and now they are on their 2nd month.

"Hey! Wait up! you should be more like a gentleman to your girlfriend!" Felicity is a dreamy girl and has a bad habit of comparing herself to other persons, we could say that she's proud somehow but deep inside she's just unsure of herself and her decisions in life.

Ben is somewhat a jolly fellow but serious when it comes to delicate matters. He really loves Felicity and had given his heart to her. She's the only woman to him.

"So what are going to do this afternoon?" Ben asked holding her hand as they entered the campus.

"Hmmm, nothing I guess except, you are going to treat me to McDonalds and we'll stroll around the park, enjoy the sunset and go home…. well that's about it," She replied with a smile leaving Ben with a shocked face.

"You already planned it out…I guess but remember not to forget about your school work," Ben placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I should be saying that to you…well see ya, the bell had already rang," "Hmp! Just what are you trying to tell me? I'm a genius, remember that!" He shouted as he watched her ran to her class.

This is Ben and Felicity's everyday routine, it was fine and both were happy until…

"Get the hell outa ma way, kid!" a menacing voice new to Ben's ears; Ben hastily replied as though reflex," Pardon me, are you new here? Coz no one here has that kind of attitude…"

The new guy replied with confidence, "Whaddya mean by attitude? … Never mind… I'm new here, the name's Richard Fleming. I came from the U.S. to study here."

"Why'd you study here? Did your folks choose to move here?" said Ben. "Nah, what a dumb question! Would my folks and I live here? Besides I'm a drop out; my folks told me to study here."

"Rich …", but Richard butted in "Whoah! Look at the time, luv to chat but can't". As Ben and Richard walked their separate ways, Ben mumbled something, "What a jerk! What a lame excuse!"

Dismissal. Ben and Fel held hands together as they crossed the street but Fel dropped her science book at the sidewalk, she rushed to the side walk to get it but… the last sounds she ever heard was the honks of a ten-wheeler truck and the voice of Ben shouting to move… the last things she saw were the headlights of the truck and unexpectedly shadow running towards her. Silence followed thereafter.

Fel opened her eyes, and she saw the deep and gray eyes and at his neck the necklace of a lion. Their eyes met; an arrow, is it a direct hit from cupid. But Ben shoved him, and asked if Fel was all right; she made no reply. She asked the hand of her rescuer to stand her up, but their eyes still held together. Ben stood Felicity up. Felicity replied she was fine but regardless of the concern of Ben, she walked towards the shadow she last saw, she asked his name. It was Richard.

Ben pulled Felicity; he insisted that they should go to the clinic to check if anything has happened to her, she approved. Richard was left, stunned, was it love? An echo of Ben's voice left in Richard's head, "Felicity".

The next day, Felicity didn't have the same aura as she did when she met Ben. There was something wrong. "What's wrong Fel, are you alright? Oh I get it you're still traumatized by the accident… don't worry I'm here. I'm ashamed of myself, I wasn't in time for me to rescue you", Ben almost cried. Fel with a sweet voice, "No, it's alright, I'm fine, by the way do you know that guy who saved me?" Ben replied that it was Richard, the drop out from the States and the troublemaker; "did I mention a rude classmate?" "Oh, I think he's nice."

Then time flew. Days felt like hours, hours felt like minutes. Felicity has been avoiding Ben. She didn't show up in his birthday, forgot about their weekly anniversary, basically she forgot about Ben. Ben noticed this. He confronted Felicity. "Why have you been avoiding me Fel? What's wrong? Did I do something?" "None, it's just that it's not working, the last two months we were together was fun but now, I forgot all about that. I didn't find the spark in you; you didn't have it. I'm sorry. But I think this is it. I'm sorry Ben, can we be just friends?" Silence. Ben bowed his head. Without any reply, he ran away from her, so fast that the wind was carrying him. But lady luck was not on his side; he bumped a glass of the administration office. He was out cold.

He opened his eyes, he saw himself on a bed, the clinic bed. He has scar on his face, and his knuckles were bandaged. He lowered his head thinking of Felicity. But something broke the barrier, a soft and calm voice, but it was not Felicity, "Hi I'm Maggie."

Maggie was not as beautiful or as elegant as Fel but there was something with Maggie that made Ben felt comfortable. "How are you feeling, you sure put up a show at the office, what happened?" "Uhhh…..ha-ha I know it's funny but I…," Even though he only met her a few seconds ago the words from his mouth just kept flowing and told her everything that had happened.

"…and that's about it," Ben sorrowfully looked down at his knuckles as tears were forming in his eyes but something made it stop. Soft hands suddenly wrapped around his damaged knuckles followed by a soft whisper. "Please don't cry…you should not, I understand you…don't worry, I will help you..,"

His eyes entwined with hers while the rays of the setting sun slipping through the windows of the room touched their faces. Ben knew he found a true friend.

After that he and Maggie saw each other every dismissal. Maggie's magic made his sorrow dissipate and replace with happiness. Her smile made him feel light and clearheaded. She comforted him every now and then. They would stroll around the park and visit places which he and Fel also visited when they were on and that made him remember her. He didn't deny that she was still inside his heart but he tried to let her go.

While Ben was struggling with his heart, Maggie knew she was in love with him. That is why she helped him in the first place, but she is scared that he wouldn't let her inside his heart.

Even though she made him laughed and happy, she noticed that his actions didn't show a deep interest with her but she didn't mind that and insisted to go on and maybe that someday she'll tell him that she loves him very much.

But the day she feared had come. It was just a normal day, when Ben decided to take a break and sat on a bench at the park. Silence blew over them for a moment then Ben looked at Maggie smiling. Maggie smiled also "What's wrong?" "Maggie…you gave me hope, gave me a new hope to go on, you made me laugh and made me smile but please understand that I cannot give what you seek. I can only have you as a friend because that is all I can give you, but I want us to be friends is that alright? I hope nothing changes between the both of us,"

Tears didn't fell from Maggie's eyes nor did she make any sad reactions but instead an innocent smile formed from her face. "…I understand, I knew that my love would not enter yours and that you still love her, but I am happy that I made the person whom I love to smile, to laugh and to never give up but always keep in mind that I will always be here when you need me and if there any chance, I will always be waiting…,"

"Maggie…Thank you..," Ben cannot explain the happiness he felt and hugged her in return. "I will always remember all of the things you've shown me…,"

While the two were expressing their true feelings, Felicity who was coincidentally passing by, saw them both. For the first time after their break-up, Fel saw him again, and this made her remember all of the things which they shared together. This made her think about whether it was really love that made her break Ben and go to Richard's care. Warm beats passed through Felicity's heart as she watched Ben and Maggie. She knew also that she still have feelings for him, having enough of what she saw, she decided to leave them alone and go back to the car, where she left Richard.

"What took ya so long?" Richard asked. "Just strolled a bit, here you go, coke right?" Fel asked as she sat beside the driver's seat. "Felicity, do ya really love me?" Felicity was surprised at what she heard. She answered awkwardly "Yes, why do you ask…," Richard's eyes suddenly turned into something which Fel haven't seen before and without warning Richard kissed Felicity but she resisted and a slap came to Richard's face.

"You Maniac! What do you think you are doing?" Fel furiously shouted.

"You said you loved then why hesitate, I have done this in the U.S before…," Richard didn't hold back and insisted on his malicious action, he took hold of Fel's hands and took advantage of the situation.

Felicity knew she was in trouble and screamed for help. The car wasn't very far away from the bench where Maggie and Ben were so they heard the voice, Ben immediately was familiar with the voice and they ran to the direction where it came from.

"That voice it's gotta be…,"

Ben was right, it was Felicity and she was about to be raped by Richard. "Oh my god, Felicity!," Maggie didn't believe at what she saw. Without hesitation Ben ran to the driver's seat, he tried to open the door but it was locked so he punched the window that surprised Richard. Upon opening the door, Ben immediately pulled Richard away from Felicity and pushed him outside.

"What's the big deal man, we're having a good time you see!," Richard shouted as he attacked Ben. Ben evaded the punch and countered him with a straight one on the jaw.

"That was nice…," Richard was built and took Ben's punch lightly and he punched Ben directly at the stomach.

Felicity was outside of the car already and shouted to stop it but the two continued on. Maggie was scared and couldn't move.

Ben took a punch from Richard on the left cheek but he quickly grabbed his shirt and punched him in return towards the car's driver's seat. Richard fell backwards and knew that hit was a good one, having falling to floor of the seat he saw his .45 caliber pistol underneath, which he haven't used since he came here, his parents never knew he purchased an illegal firearm.

He took it, loaded it and immediately pointed it out to Ben, who was surprised at what he saw. "He-he, never thought that I would be using this again, I guess the old me still lives,"

"Don't do this Richard!" Ben pleaded.

"Richard! Stop it!" Felicity cried but no avail as Richard's eyes darkened and with the pull of the trigger, a gunshot was heard in the area.

Ben wasn't expecting it and was ready to take the shot but someone shielded him from it. Her soft body collided with him. She was bleeding on her left stomach but still she afforded to smile for him.

"Maggie! You shouldn't have…..you shouldn't have….," Tears fell down to her face as Ben held her tight. "Don't cry…..you shouldn't…I happy I helped…you..," A rush of anger came to Ben's fists and furiously attacked the unguarded Richard. With a punch on the stomach plus a finishing blow on the face, Richard was knocked-out. Ben quickly took hold of the gun and pointed it at him. He was about to pull the trigger but luckily Fel stopped him and disarmed Ben.

They rushed Maggie to the nearest hospital while Richard was taken to the police.

"Please let her live…please god!" Ben punched the wall of the hospital as they waited outside the emergency room.

Felicity was ashamed of herself and didn't know what to do, so she stood up and comforted Ben. "It's all my fault…she shouldn't have..," But Ben silenced her by hugging her tightly. "Not…it's not….it's mine…let us just pray ok," Ben smiled.

After 30 minutes finally the doctor came out of the hospital and immediately the two asked her condition. The doctor uttered the words that made Fel cry on Ben's shoulders.

"Could we see her doc?" Ben said sorrowfully.

"Sure, I'm really sorry we did..," Before the doctor could finish Ben interrupted immediately an said silently "Yes, I know, you did what you could…it's alright,"

Upon entering the room they saw Maggie staring at the ceiling and then looked at them with the smile still there on her face.

"Maggie…I'm so sorry…I should've…," Ben cried as he held her hands. "Hush…don't speak…another…. word….. i.t's alright, I… did it be..cause I l..oved you.., I… did it for the both of you….so please…. don't cry,"

Despite what Maggie said the two still wept along her side. "He…he…I know you were…still….on…Ben's…heart…and that…that..I..couldn't match…your..love for him….and now….it's time for you both….to..be…united…again," Maggie was slowly losing her strength but still she gathered all of her remaining energies and got a hold of each of their hands and slowly, gently placed them together as she rested hers on top of theirs.

"Remember Ben I'll always love you…..Fel take care of Ben...believe in each other…..good…b..," With that her eyes closed and her movements stopped, her heart stopped, her pulse but not her presence.

Months came to pass and the year has finally ended. Ben and Fel got back together. Richard was sent back to the states and was tried and punished there for homicide while Maggie's remains were cremated. Together with Maggie's parents, Fel and Ben scattered her ashes on the park soil.

-END

*Note: Sorry if it's kinda fast paced –ConfuseDAngel