Outside, the sun continued to shine cheerily, as if nothing remarkable had taken place.

It was the time of day when the stars and the sun share the same sky. The sun's soft glow still gave the stars the opportunity to shine before the brighter one will take over the horizon. But for now, both of them continued to shine harmoniously together.

Maybe they started out on the wrong foot. She didn't realize until later how accustomed she'd become to his presence. Somewhere along the way of finding him the most exasperating person she'd ever met, he's become a good friend. Their banter, her hostility, and later, their tentative respect for one another, were all the things he cherished. But naturally he'd never tell her that.

She had known all along that they'd been a lie. While she honestly resist him at first, ultimately, she had failed. Failed him, Failed herself.

She wasn't his type back then. He wasn't used to people who were actually together and could do his job better than him.

It doesn't surprise her at all that he's grown into such an incredible person. He's always been that. Actually, it made her happy that she's finally attracted to men who are healthy for her.

Although, it's not fair to just care and care about someone and they don't do anything back. It's not that simple. And sometimes, the people that you love forget to love you back.

People can be attracted to a lot of people, it doesn't matter, you just don't act on it. It's amazing how your feelings for someone comepletely shift in less a day's time.

It was wrong to go after her for the reasons that he did but he can't apologize for that. He was glad that he did. She would hate him for the trick but what he left her was real.

He had been the one constant thing in her pathetic existence. But he scared her. He embodied everything she had run from her whole life. It would have been easy to throw herself in his arms and have him take away her pain, to let him be the strong one. But she'd chosen to close herself off instead.

She didn't owe him any reciprocation for any feelings he may have. She saw his patience. He was good to her. Her mind started to wander. What if there will come a day when he will look at her and smile that gentle slow smile? The one that made her feel like melting into a wet puddle right at his feet. The very same smile that made her feel so safe and secure. She can make it happen. But what she can do and choose to do are completely different.

There are so many things that he wanted to tell her but nothing comes out. Feeling like he was loosing her every second that passes by, he does the only thing he could think of to make her stay.

His words floated weakly in a pillow of air. Those simple words had a rainstorm of emotions running through him.

Was any of this real?
Was she real?
Was she alive in the weak winter moonlight?

Forget the reality of the situation. For two brief seconds, they were free.

He felt like she fit perfectly in his arms, like she was where she was supposed to be. He sighed, because he knew, that somehow, taking the good guy track was going to set him up for heartbreak. They had to end it before they hurt each other more. No use in holding on. For what? So that she'll feel more devasted when he leaves?

He knew he can't stay. And he didn't want to leave.

That night was all they had. He stayed a bit longer.

She woke up between dawn and light. She was alone. But she never really minded the solitude. She was alone for a long time before him. What's the difference this time?

It was difficult to imagine him not being there. But he would be, he was just that way.

If anything, today would be more difficult than yesterday. Today she would watch him carry on as though nothing had happened. She'd be forced to sit there and see him behave as though nothing had changed between them. And she wasn't sure she could handle that.

His face was a mask. There was a hint of sadness reflected in his eyes. The usual twinkle that resides in them is gone. All that is left is pain.

She sat and stared at the wall, waiting, never speaking, never moving. Just waiting.

Tears fell unbidden down his cheeks as he stood there watching from the shadows of forever.