The One That Got Away . . .

by: Frailheart17
Breathe in. Breathe out.

I take my last glimpse of him as he walks to an airport attendant. He hands his boarding pass to him.

Am I too late? Is he still coming back?

You said a couple of days in another foreign country is just as quick as a second. But even just a single day without you is like a dagger that stabbed me.

Why do you have to be the one that got away?

PART ONE

Flashback ..

Little by little, I can't take it in anymore, tears started to form at the corners of my eyes. It seemed that these tears can't accept the fact that he'll leave.

Why now?

"Hey." that's him. He patted my head and pulled me into an embrace, an embrace I've yearned for every single day, "You're becoming teary-eyed, you know. And I hate it."

I gently punched his chest and buried my head onto his chest, feeling his warmth, holding on to him as if I don't want to let him go.

And that is a confession I have to make.

I'm his. He's mine. 'Cause he's my boyfriend.

"It's because of you! You're leaving! And you just told me about it a while ago?" I yelled at him, a bit.

Who would be happy if you just had known about your boyfriend's departure at a last minute?

Then I slowly drifted from our embrace, quite awkward to notice the grave stares of the people in the background.

"I didn't know about it either," he chuckled, "I was told by my parents since I got a business to handle at UK. You know how much they control my life--"

And it would always be like that. The same reason he's forced into something which he doesn't want to do after all. Why does he have to nod at his every parent's decision if instead, he can just go for his dream?

"Grow up, will you?" I bluntly burst, "We've been best friends for like since kindergarten. You always hide behind your mother's skirt! You pee on your pants even in your sleep! You even courted me through a paper airplane! But Lance," Lance is his name, "We're 23 now! You must learn how to say no and attain what you really want--"

"Enough." he sternly interrupted as he fixed his grip on his luggage handle, "Do we have to bring this up again, don't we?"

His gentle and calm dark hazel eyes earlier are now replaced with an intent glare.

"Sorry," I bowed as I almost uttered those words in a whisper.

In the end, he would always win. My heart would always be won by him.

*FLIGHT 348 at GATE 8, I REPEAT FLIGHT 346 at GATE 8. PLEASE COME TO GATE 8 IMMEDIATELY AND HAND YOUR BOARDING PASSES FOR YOUR FLIGHT. THANK YOU!*

That's his flight.

I guess, time wanted to separate us quickly. I let out a frown.

"Anne," he neared me and cupped my face which sent cold shivers to my

spine. The next thing I knew, he kissed me on the forehead, "I'll be back soon. You'll wait for me, okay?" I gave a small nod and hugged him once more. Hugged him before he completely swifts out of my arms in one quick second. I wish he won't go. That is an another reason why I won't let him depart.

---

The following days that passed weren't good for me. Every single day, I grab my phone and wait for the beep telling that he just texted me or the ringtone that would just make my heart leap in joy and glance at the caller's id with his name on it. But not even a text message, I got none.

I even rarely eat food and go out. I don't talk to other friends or even go to theme parks. My life now is completely filled with boredom and I don't know, emptiness?

Here I am, locking myself in my room wherein I look like a retard, daydreaming about he and I, our future together, soliloquizing and drowning myself with emotional music.

Until a single beep on my phone just awakened me from my sentimental senses.

From: +069******** Hey anne.

Some random stranger just texted me. How the heck does this person got my number and knew my name?

With that, I started to wonder of ridiculous things. Am I being followed by some hired assassin? Or worst! I could be hunted down by a GANG! Is there a hidden security camera somewhere here keeping track of my actions?

Okay, I'm weird. Is this what I get for being left by my boyfriend? Thinking about these insane stuff is the outcome of his saddening departure.

To: +069******* who r u?

I replied nonchantly although we're doing it through text messages. Maybe he/she is just an angel sent from above. Who knows?

Not waiting for a single minute, my phone beeped again.

From: +069******* I'm Lance's couz, Mark. I'm in UK, too. You gotta know something 'bout your boyfriend.

My heart started to bounce inside me as I read his text message. Oh thank you Lord! He is an angel sent from above, isn't he?

To: +069********* thank goodness. i thought u r just a stalker. what about my boyfriend? has he eaten already?

I was rolling back and forth on my bed, seeming like a child in her playland. I

can't stop wiggling my feet as I stare at my cellphone, waiting for the beep.

Yet a few minutes have lapsed before I waited for that beep.

*totooot!*

"Finally!" I gasped in excitement and clicked on the Inbox.

From: +069******* Sorry to say this but your boyfriend's with an another girl right now.

Staring at the phone. Staring. Still staring. Sinking in...

As much as I wanted to text his couz and bombard him with lots of questions, I can't.

Balance inquiry 0.00

I hold onto my chest as I read his message once more.

Sorry to say this but your boyfriend's with an another girl right now.

I just laughed it off. Of course, he's good-looking, handsome and all. Who wouldn't be attracted to him? Thousands of British girls may flirt and seduce him yet I am the one whose holding his heart right now. Yeah. Serve them right. Too late for them.

---

I woke up with outstretched arms only to find myself in the mirror with a smile. Who wouldn't be happy today?

It's our monthsary.

So I decided to talk to him online on a computer and much better if I see him through a webcam. Oh God knows how much I wanted to run to UK and hug him so tight. I definitely miss his scent, his smiles, his eyes, his back hugs and him, of course!

From: +069*******

Hey anne, I just wanted to remind you that your boyfriend just dated the same girl he met the other day.

He's absolutely joking, right?

Tell me that I am the only girl who Lance loves. Why don't you call me Lance and tell that you just met your cousin and planned to go to a family gathering or something!

To: +069******* how could u be so sure? R u even in UK or ur just telling me lies?!

Little by little, I was slowly pulling myself together, not to break down into tears. I seriously don't want to believe what he's saying! It could be a prank message or something! Yet..

*totoooot!*

From: +069****** No doubt 'bout it. I'll even send you a picture of them together if you want.

Is he insane? He even wants me to see a photo of them together? Oh God. No. He's gotta be kidding me. Tell me, this cousin of his' is just fooling me around.

To: +069******** i don't believe u. don't ever text me again.

I threw my phone on the bed and lied down beside it.

Why do things happen so fast? Will I still greet him on our 11th monthsary?

---

I signed in MSN, hoping that he would remember that this 14th day marks our 11th monthsary, hoping that he would go online and send me hugs and kisses through emoticons, hoping, and hoping...

I typed my status as, 'waiting...' Then I IMed him even though he's still offline.

HeyItsAnne says: Hey! Are you going online? I badly want to talk to you right now. I missed you so much! :(

For a moment, realization hit me. Could it be...

"No.." I shook off my thoughts. Maybe his cousin just got nothing to do and waste his precious time playing around with me.

For about 5 hours, I still remained online with my waiting status. There's still a bit of hope left inside of me waiting for his message, saying that It's our monthsary, I love you.

I was still on my chair, staring on the screen, waiting for the message box to pop out. Yet 'till now, I received none.

This is definitely... disappointing me.

Until I dozed off.

---

*totoooot!*

I was brought back to reality from a deep slumber. It made me all fidgety in my chair and grabbed my phone on the desk. Is it him?

From: +069******** How are you feeling now?

With that, my heart slumped down. Why would he text me again if he doesn't notice that I am not replying to him earlier? He's making this day more annoying and worst.

I stared back at the computer screen.

To my surprise, a message box just appeared.

Lance101 says: Hey, I'm online now. What's up? Yeah, missed you too.

What did he just say? Why do I get the feeling that he just sent it because he should. Not because he wanted?

Why didn't he even greet me on our 11th monthsary?

HeyIt'sAnne is typing...

'I miss you more! It's our monthsary today? Don't you remember?' 'I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!' 'Is it true that you're meeting another girl? :('

My hands were trembling as if not wanting to type anything. I don't even know what to say to him right now. I felt... confused. And every second that passes, my heart just beats so abnormally.

HeyIt'sAnne says: ASDFGHJKLZXCVBNM.

"Oh God! I did not just type that! Silly Anne! Dumb dumb dumb!" I pinched my cheeks softly. He's still online. Will he reply?

Lance101 says: Huh?

This conversation is just so awkward. And it leads to nowhere.

Today is our monthsary. And it seems like he completely forgot 'bout it.

*totoooot!*

From: +069******** Happy monthsary, from your boyfriend.

What is this? Lance... Why are you making me feel so confused? What do you want me to feel right now? Happiness? Sadness? What's with you in UK right now? Why don't you tell me?

From: +069******** He seemed to forgot 'bout it. I just sent one to cheer you up.

Now I feel like bursting into a flood of tears. Lance's couz helped me a bit. Yet he isn't Lance still. Only Lance can bring me back to that giddy feeling.

Only one thing is on my mind right now and that is to ask him straightly.

HeyItsAnne says: Tell me, we aren't over yet.

PART TWO

Lance101 signed off

And with that, streams of tears continuously rolled down my face. I hid myself under the covers of my blanket on my bed, not bothering to receive any text message or IM from the MSN.

I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know what to feel anymore.

*totoooot!*

But the temptation to read another text message is just killing me. Here I am, still wishing and waiting that it came from him.

To: +069******* If you feel like crying a flood of tears, don't. He's not worth the pain.

This Lance's couz kept on cheering me up. It's not effective though because of this silly pride of mine saying that Lance could be pressured in a business right now. That's why he isn't able to send me even a single message.

I closed my swollen eyes and drifted myself into sleep...

---

*toktok!*

"A visitor?" I neared the door and check the guest through a peephole.

Who's this guy?

I gently opened the door and asked, "Excuse me?"

Tall, fair complexion and handsome. Three words that are enough to define him. He's like this magnet that attracts girls... including me. Not.

"Anne," he laid his hand on the door and pushes it to be opened wide, "I'm Mark."

And with that, my eyes popped out of their sockets.

This tall, fair complexion and handsome guy magnet is..

Mark? Lance's cousin?

"What are you here for? I thought you're in UK?" I asked out of the blue.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Just came back yesterday."

"Hm?" I raised a brow.

For a moment, our eyes are glued onto each others'. It's like time froze us at this point. And I can't help but feel awkward with his stare.

My feet even felt like it's stuck on the ground. I can't move and I don't know why.

"Why are you here?" I uttered under my breath, still not moving.

He walked past me and pulled my hand. Why do I felt sudden nervousness? He closed the door and pushed me gently to lean onto it.

"I'll make you forget Lance."

---

"Tell me 'bout it." he stared at me. Those brown hazel orbs of his seemed to attract me more. 'No'. I still have my eyes for Lance and no one else.

Or maybe not?

I blinked twice and thought if I had to tell Mark about everything that happened these past few days. By the only thought of it makes me want to cry hard. Yet I didn't want to look like a crybaby. Not now. Enough of being like that.

"You know that the other day was our monthsary, right?"

He gave a single nod.

"Well, he..." I can't seem to look straight at him and play with my fingers, "Uhm--"

"Hey." he held my hand.

And it made me stop from playing with my fingers. Why did my heart suddenly skipped a beat?

"If you can't tell it yet, I won't let you." then he unclasped his hand on mine.

"No, you're right. After he had gone to UK, we didn't have a single long conversation at all. Actually, we did. But-- yeah, it seemed like he just talked to a mere stranger." I glanced time to time to Mark then at the floor.

He paused for a moment, as if thinking, "Do you believe me now?"

"What? Oh." I bowed my head, "I'm sorry if I have mistaken you--"

He held my chin up and stared at my very own eyes.

"Like I said, I'll make you forget Lance."

---

He pulled my hand and we ran across the road. Where's this guy taking me?

"Seriously! Where are you bringing me?" I asked while panting, "Okay. Why don't we ride a taxi or something?"

"This is much better," for a moment, he stared our holding hands. I kinda feel awkward again and shook my hand off.

Oh heart, why do you beat so fast?

"Mark, where are we--" I gasped as I stared at the place in total bewilderment.

I blinked thrice and couldn't believe that this guy magnet just brought me to a theme park.

"Why here?" I asked while facing him?

"First step, enjoy and have some fun." he stared at me and held my hand, "So come on. Let's not waste our time!" we walked and walked...

First step, enjoy and have some fun.

I've been thinking of doing that after a couple of days mourning to our dead love story of Lance. I wonder what's he doing right now? I brushed the thoughts off. Mark's right. I definitely need to take a break right now.

"Hey," I pulled him to a stop so we both stared once more into each other, "Thanks."

Instead of hearing a single word from him, the least unexpected he just did is that he pulled me over to him and messed up my hair.

"Hey! Not my hair, please!" I abruptly pulled out and fixed my hair.

Until his one hand tucked my hair behind my ear.

"You're beautiful."

I was stunned by his action. My heart, actually.

And worse, I didn't hear what he just said. Just because of the crowd running here and there.

---

We rode tbe Ghoster Coaster. This ride is definitely making me want to throw up. I firmly gripped my hold onto the metal bar. But it seems that my hand just slipped on it.

"Oh God.. This ride will be the death of me.." I whispered to myself. When we go around a loop, my heart just keep on falling and I think it's buried now on the ground.

"I-I can't take it m-much longer..." I kept on holding onto the metal bar but as usual, my hands just fall down.

"Anne." I then faced Mark who feels so calm. Tell me, is he immune to these kind of rides?

"Yes?"

The next thing I knew, my hands that just slipped were entwined on his. He

then squeezed my hand so tight making me feel like my veins are gonna pop out.

But no, it's more than that.

My pulse seemed to beat faster. Faster than this roller coaster ride.

---

"Mark..." I called him before he leaves with his convertible. His gaze turned on me that caused my heart to beat so erratically. His magnet turns me on again.

Why am I even thinking of that?

"Yeah?"

"I just wanted to say... thank you for this day." he was walking towards me while I still go on with my words that are now lost inside of me, "Thank you because---"

"No." He pulled me over and held my shoulders. Then I felt his chin on top of

my head.

Butterflies!

He's totally giving me lots of butterflies!

"Thank YOU, Anne." And I felt that he kind of kissed my head.

My brain just got lost in thinking, his actions make me completely dazed all over.

He's too sweet.

---

As soon as I woke up, I can't help but feel all giddy, still can't move on from yesterday. Mark's antics is quite alluring. I just wanted to feel what I felt before. The joy of being with someone you like.

Not from Lance's.

But from Mark's.

I signed on MSN and to my surprise, the most unexpected person just IMed me just when I don't need him right now.

Lance101 says: I'll be coming home, tomorrow. Let's meet at the airport. I'll explain everything, Anne.

With that, my heart seemed to race so fast. Unknown to this weird feeling, why do I feel like throwing words of fury to Lance right now? Was it because he wasn't there when I needed him the most? Was it because he didn't greet me on our monthsary? Was it because I was exchanged for some random British girl?

Somehow, I felt ease. Is it because that Mark guards me right now?

Yet the pain still lingers inside me.

HeyItsAnne says: Let's meet then.

PART THREE

"Step two... keep calm and just go on with the flow." he muttered as he grabbed nachos from the paper plate.

Step two... keep calm and just go on with the flow.

I could cope with that, I guess.

"Are those tips for real? Or you just made it up?" I let out a chuckle after a sip on my lemonade.

"Believe me, it's efficient." he then sat on the sofa beside me.

For a moment, an awkward silence covered us. Until he breaks it and starts playing with my hair. He does it all the time and I let him do it. It makes my heart jump for no reason at all.

"So Anne, I don't want to sound rude, but have you completely forgotten 'bout him?" he then looked at afar and stopped playing with my hair.

I giggled softly at his cute antic. This guy... he never fails to amuse me.

"I just did." I turned to him and watched him as his eyes just roamed... everywhere.

"Really?" Now he's the one being fidgety and naughty.

"Mm-hmmm." I said with a small smile.

*totoooot!*

Our little conversation was interrupted by a beep on my phone. He then looked at me while I was the one now, looking somewhere else.

From: Lance I'm here at the airport. Where are you?

Did I almost forgot? I had to meet up with my... ex boyfriend. Well, we kind of broke up after that dreadful monthsary, right? So what's the point of still being his girlfriend?

After all, I finally met who's the rightful one.

"Who just texted?" Mark scooted beside me to glance on my phone but I moved it farther from him. He didn't even know that his cousin's coming back?

"My secret admirer." I joked.

His expression just fell. Oh how I just love seeing that silly face expression of his. Is he jealous or what?

"Oh really?" he then reached over me to snatch my phone but of course, I won't let him.

I stuck out my tongue, "He says that.. we'll go out for a dinner date." I grinned at him, still amused with the look on his face.

"Well, tell him you're not going." he still makes a way of grabbing my phone but he just couldn't. I laughed at him.

"And why not?" I let out a small smile.

"You're meeting up with Lance today."

My expression just changed. I thought he didn't know yet he does. Well, of course. He's his cousin. He has known it before I knew.

"Well, you know, Mark? I'm just kidding." we positioned ourselves properly on our seats.

"I'll definitely hear an explanation from him later."

---

"Where is he?"

We're looking everywhere in the Arrivals' Area of the airport. But there's no form of a 'Lance' here.

We roamed around the Arrivals' Area. And I had this feeling that I don't know... What could happen when I talk to Lance?

Mark must've caught my quite dizzy movements so he turned me around to face him and locked his gaze on my eyes.

My eyes seemed to be attracted to those so I automatically looked at him.

"Listen to whatever he says." he softly mumbled.

Just like a good girl, I nodded at him.

"But.." he suddenly diverted his gaze on other places, "If he talked to you and it went well, will you..."

I raised a brow, waiting for his next words.

"Will you still..." he said just like a small boy running out of words, "Will you get back together?" he finally said after scratching his head.

I chuckled. He's too cute for that.

"Hey," I moved his head to face me and cupped his face, "You got me now, okay?"

With that, he just smiled so cute.

"I trust you." he said after a deep sigh and went to the washroom for a break.

While waiting for him, I am also waiting for the guy who needs to explain every single detail right now.

"He says he'd want us to meet now, but where is he?" I grumpily asked.

"Here he is."

That voice.

That voice that I once wanted to hear. That voice that always made my day. That voice that I always wanted to keep as a ringtone. It's that voice.

And he's back.

I turned around only to find out that there he is... with those eyes filled with.. emptiness?

"Lance." I tapped my foot as I called him in a not-so-cold tone.

"Let's talk."

We then walked and sat on the benches. This conservation has to be of sense. I mean, he has to explicate what just happened between us and not miss one.

"Anne..." he leaned over and held my hand, "I've been waiting for this moment for so long..."

"What moment?" I questioned, feeling bothered with the hold of his hand on mine.

He must've noticed the serious look on my face and freed my hand.

"I'm a jerk, Anne. I didn't return calls. I didn't send messages. I didn't call you. I didn't IMed you. I am a lousy boyfriend..." he bowed his head.

"--Well, you were." I said, "What more about it, Lance? What else do you want me to know?"

He looked somewhere else and began to speak, "The truth is.. I got sick of our relationship. I don't know... it's just like the same old routine. But I never regretted spending those 10 months with you. I just got tired of it everyday--"

"Tired of being with me?" I sounded bitter just because his words still offended me.

"It's my fault. You don't deserve a man like me, Anne. You're better with someone else... You're way too much perfect for me. And I can't just match you with that. You told me that I should grow up like a real man. And I just can't deal with it.. I still act like a 10-year old boy. And you're right all along," he then chuckled a bit, "But if there is only another chance that I can prove to you that---"

"No, Lance.. no. You were right." I faced him, "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't been happier right now."

"Anne---"

I cut him off, "Thank you for breaking my heart. Now I know, what's more that I truly deserve."

"Is there no other way to bring us back?" he softly asked.

I smiled at him, not the bitter one, "Yes, as friends, we can still rebuild our friendship just like before... like kindergarten."

"More than that?"

"Not anymore... Lance, you were the one that got away, not me."

He then laughed. Did he realized it only now? "Is there... someone?"

"Someone?"

"Someone," he paused for a second, "Someone that caught you while you were slowly straying away from me?" he almost stuttered as he said that, "I might as well know who's the new guy behind all of this?"

"That would be me."

Before I could answer, to our surprise, we turned around to see Mark who was just behind us all along. Did he listen to every single word I just said?

"Couz?" Lance then asked, still disbelieving.

"Good thing, you're back." Mark then neared us and shook hands with his cousin.

"Hey man," Lance spoke, "So.. are you together now?"

Are we together now?

I mean. I really don't know the answer to the question because he didn't court me officially.. not yet. But being with Mark is like breathing. I just can't miss a day without him.

Mark was the first one to answer, "It's like that." I slowly nodded in response.

Lance then laughed, "Thanks for guarding Anne for the times I wasn't with her. You deserve her. Congratulations, man." he slightly punched Mark's shoulder.

---

I am here at the balcony, hugging myself against the cold breeze that brushes my skin and entangles my hair. Now my hair's out of place.

"It's so cold here..." I softly uttered.

Until I felt two warm hands that enveloped my fragile body.

He put a jacket on me and whispered something on my ear that sent cold shivers on my spine, "Third step, please just let me love you."

Third step, please just let me love you.

I giggled at his soft whispering voice on my ear. Seriously, where did he get those pieces of advice? I punched him gently on his side as he interlaced his fingers on mine. We laid our hands on the railing.

"Tell me..." I closed my eyes, feeling the cold winds passing through us, "Will you be the other one who will go away?"

His eyebrows knitted, "Why'd you say that?"

"Because... you're cousins with Lance, maybe it runs in your blood to leave someone behind." I joked that made him laugh.

"You're ridiculous." he then stretched an arm and pulled me closer to him. I leaned my head on his shoulder.

Could this be eternal happiness? This feeling. This moment.

"Then what do you think of being with me?"

"Girl, you make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream." he then whispered as he kissed my hair.

... inspired by Katy Perry .. the end