LIFE FOR MOST after high school would either go on a downward spiral or set out on a path that headed straight for college. Time waited for no one, after all, and the world would never stop spinning even if we weren't ready for the next chapter of our lives.

As summer came and went, time bled on and led us on a path toward the next portion of our lives. With high school come and gone, some of my friends ended up in the colleges of their dreams. Others went overseas, securing a spot in universities abroad so as to further pursue their dream courses. The people I've grown used to spending every day with soon became people that I would only meet once a week, a month, or maybe even every half a year.

That included the people that I held most dear once upon a time, especially during the final moments of high school― Jules, Xavier, and last but not least, Harr.

It was a black-tie event that I had to attend. And for once, I didn't mind dressing up to my best. I had on a shimmering gown, my neck and wrist draped with glittering albeit fake jewelry, smiling to all who walked past me. I had to be at my best, displaying only the brightest smile to all the guests today.

After all, I was the host.

Unlike the rest of my friends, I hadn't pursued further studies. I had applied for college and even overseas universities, but unfortunately, my grades were merely subpar. While Jules and Harr managed to find themselves wonderful slots in their dream colleges, I hadn't been so lucky. None of my applications came back accepted. Even Xavier, someone whom we've once jested about being a bad student, had managed to secure himself a spot overseas.

However, that didn't mean that my life was any less than any of theirs. For once, I felt like the main character of my own story. After all, my dreams had come true.

Standing in the middle of the art gallery, I watched as throngs of people walked through the marbled halls. They pointed at the art pieces on display, smiling, nodding, and whispering among themselves. Nevertheless, I wasn't too worried about what they might be discussing― the genuine smiles on their faces told me more than what I needed to know.

"Congratulations," the art director said as he walked over to me. His smile was the brightest of them all, two champagne flutes in his hands. He handed one over to me, which I took but didn't drink.

"It's all thanks to you, Mr. Graver," I replied. "I am truly grateful to have been given this chance."

"Art deserves to be seen by the world," Mr. Graver answered. He raised his flute, nodding. "And amazing artists deserve to be known by the world."

I merely smiled in return, with Mr. Graver not making further moves to keep the conversation going. We exchanged polite nods before he was gone, mingling with some of the patrons that have come to the art exhibition.

Even though I hadn't been able to get into the college of my dreams ― or any college, really ― I was fortunate enough to have been given the chance to showcase my artwork in a local gallery. It might be small and I hadn't raised my hopes at first, but ultimately, more people showed up than I had thought there would be. That was enough for a start; I knew that this was just the beginning of my journey.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I pulled my phone out of the purse I brought with me. I was unable to contain my disappointment when I was met with a blank screen, void of any notifications. If I said that I hadn't expected much, it would be a lie.

It had been a long time since that fortunate Christmas Day when Harr and I had officially become a couple. Since then, the days had more often been sweeter than anything, though conflict peppered some of the days in between. Those were common for every couple, understandably, but ever since he had moved states away for his college course, the number of times we had fought had increased.

Our last argument had just been days ago. It wasn't anything serious, come to think of it, but any sort of conflict with him would always leave a sour taste in my mouth and a pit in my stomach.

I had informed Harr of the art exhibition, hoping that he shared my excitement. Of course, he did, but it just wasn't quite the same. A relationship that was experienced through the glass of our phone screens would never feel the same as one where we could feel the warmth of each other's embrace.

It had been hours since he had checked in. I scrolled through our text history, swiping up and down the list of messages with a deepening frown on my face. The last message that I had sent had been hours ago, still left unread. Harr was a hardworking student, that was something I had always known. However, no matter how much I had prepped my mind for it, my heart would still ache whenever I realized that he hadn't replied due to his busy schedule.

Sighing, I turned around, shaking my head free of the intrusive thoughts that threatened to dim my mood. It was a night that would mark the start of something new. I shouldn't damper it with unhappy thoughts.

Right as I turned, however, I immediately collided with something. The champagne flute in my hand slipped, falling from my loosened grasp. However, a crash didn't follow. A warm hand clasped my waist gently, resting on the curve of my hips. Instantly, I was enveloped by a scent I knew I could recognize any and everywhere.

"Guess who?" a familiar voice said.

The hand that was at my hips traced up my back, dancing along the bare skin of my spine before resting at the back of my head, pressing my face gently against his broad chest. Goosebumps rose where he touched, my heartbeat quickening as I breathed in the comforting smell of his cologne.

I could feel beads of tears threatening to fall from my eyes. There wasn't a need to guess. His voice, his smell, his physique― those were things that I had memorized and carved into the crevices of my heart. I just hadn't thought that he would be here, not tonight, at least.

"I've missed you," I murmured against his chest, my words choked up as I desperately tried to keep my voice from trembling.

Where my forehead rested, I could feel his chest rumble slightly as he laughed. His hand gently stroked the back of my head, smoothening down my hair.

"Oh, come on now, don't cry," Harr said.

Slowly, his hand left the back of my head, moving under my chin. Gently, he lifted my chin up so that I now faced him, my eyes without a doubt red and watery. I was met with his handsome smile, lips curved beautifully and eyes filled with the warmth my frigid, cold heart missed so dearly in the last couple of months since I had last seen him in person.

"I've missed you too."

Four words. That was all it took when the dam in my eyes broke and the tears fell free. I could no longer help myself, sobbing uncontrollably in his arms as I wrapped mine around his waist. Throughout, I could feel his hand running up and down my back, his way of letting me know that he was here for me.

"When?" I asked, still sobbing. I hurriedly raised a hand to wipe at my eyes, not caring if the eyeliner I had put on just for tonight had smudged. "Why? How?"

"It's just for a few days. I can't stay for long," he admitted. "And I know how important today is for you. Of course I'll have to be here to support my best and only girl."

Through a mixture of snot and tears, I managed to weasel out a short bark of laughter. When I finally tore my face from his chest, I took in his appearance. As per the dress code, Harr had chosen a nice suit, formal as ever. He finally gelled his hair up despite always wearing it loose, the fire-red strands standing out amongst the sea of people wearing monochrome colors. He was handsome ― he always had been ― but dressed formally, he looked every bit as dapper as a celebrity.

I couldn't keep my eyes off him.

"Don't stare at me like that, Aiko," he said, his cheeks flushing slightly with a tint of pink.

Then, he leaned in, gently pressing his lips against mine. I automatically moved against him, my arms rising to hold him close. When he finally pulled himself back, his eyes were glazed over with desire. I spotted his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, his gaze moving from my lips back to my eyes. A touch of red tainted his lips, a color that was imprinted over due to my lipstick.

"You don't know what that expression could make a man feel." His voice was raspy, dripping with want. I was sure that my face matched his exactly.

A stroke of courage flared up from within me.

"What if I know exactly what I'm doing?" I asked, leaning in a bit closer.

The hand of his that had come to rest on my waist again gave my flesh a tight, short squeeze. My heart raced a little at his touch, temporarily forgetting where I was, what I was doing, and who else could be watching our exchange.

"You're a little late," I commented. Nodding toward the guests, I continued, "The exhibition is almost over. They're doing the final rounds now."

"No," Harr replied. "I've arrived just in time, actually?"

"For?"

The grin that spread across his lips could almost be described as diabolic. "You." His answer was sweet and simple. "All to myself."

It was getting late and I hadn't been lying. The art exhibition was almost over and everyone had all but left. Slowly but surely, the crowd had started to thin out, all saying their final goodbyes as they left the gallery.

Under the shimmer of the starry night sky, I left the art gallery, hand in hand with the man of my dreams. We swung our connected hands, laughing like a group of children as we headed straight for home.

I had found a small apartment for myself, out of my family's prying eyes, and that was where I led Harr towards. He hadn't told his family that he was back for a visit and would like to keep it that way, knowing that they would no doubt nag if they found out he was skipping a few days' worths of classes.

As we stepped through the doors of my small apartment, Harr kicked the door shut behind him. The electronic lock clicked in place as we kicked off our shoes.

However, before I had the luxury of time to switch on the lights and get some water, Harr had me pressed against the wall. One hand pressed against the cement, the other cupping my cheek, Harr leaned in close. His nose was less than an inch away from mine, his lips close enough to taste. Even without the light, I could see the shimmer of desire that danced within his irises.

They almost glowed with fervor.

"Now," he said, his voice barely above a murmur. "Where were we?"