Heimez POV
The night was too quiet, too still. The only sound I could hear was the soft trickle of the river as I walked toward him. Felix stood there, near the water, holding a small white flower in his hand. He looked so... calm. But I knew him better than that. His shoulders were tense, his fingers fidgeting with the flower’s stem. He was nervous.
I slowed down as I got closer, my heart pounding harder with every step. Why did I even come? I could’ve just ignored him, pretended like I never got his message. But here I was, walking toward the boy who broke my heart, the boy I once loved more than anything.
When I was close enough, he turned around like he somehow felt I was there. His face lit up, and for a second, I saw that smile. The same stupid smile that used to make me feel like I was the most important person in the world. He opened his arms slightly, like he was expecting me to run to him. Like nothing had changed.
I stopped a few feet away and crossed my arms, glaring at him. “You’re late.”
His smile faltered, but he didn’t lose it entirely. “I didn’t think you’d come,” he said softly. His voice was calm, but his eyes were searching mine, looking for something.
“Well, I’m here,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “So, what do you want?”
Felix dropped his arms, his expression turning serious. “I just wanted to talk. That’s all.”
“To talk?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Talk about what? About how you couldn’t keep it together? About how you ruined everything?”
He flinched at my words but didn’t look away. “I know I messed up, Heimez. I know I hurt you. But I never stopped caring about you. I still care. That’s why I’m here.”
I laughed, but it wasn’t the kind of laugh you give when something’s funny. It was bitter, sharp, and it hurt even coming out of my mouth. “You still care? Really? Then where were you when I was crying myself to sleep, wondering what I did wrong? Where was your ‘care’ then?”
He took a step closer, and I immediately stepped back. “Heimez, please,” he said, his voice breaking a little. “I didn’t come here to fight. I came to say goodbye.”
Goodbye. The word hit me like a punch in the gut. “Goodbye?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded. “I’m leaving. I’m moving away. For good.”
I stared at him, trying to process what he’d just said. For a moment, all the anger I felt seemed to disappear, replaced by confusion. “So, what? You expect me to feel sorry for you? To forgive you and wave you off like nothing happened?”
Felix shook his head. “No. I don’t expect anything from you. I just... I couldn’t leave without seeing you one last time. Without telling you how much you meant to me.”
I looked away, biting the inside of my cheek to stop the tears that were threatening to fall. “Don’t do this, Felix. Don’t make me feel like the bad guy.”
“You’re not,” he said quickly, his voice firm. “You never were. I was. I hurt you, and I don’t blame you for walking away. But I need you to know that I didn’t mean to. That night... I was drunk, yes, but that doesn’t excuse what I did. I should’ve been better. For you. For us.”
I glanced at the bench near the river and saw two large bags sitting there. “What’s that?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
“My stuff,” he said. “I’m leaving because I need to start over. Somewhere far from here, where I won’t keep hurting you just by being around.”
I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I wanted to stay angry. I wanted to hold onto the bitterness because it was easier than feeling this... this pain. But seeing him like this, so raw and broken, made it impossible.
“Before I go,” he said, his voice quieter now, “I need to ask you something.”
I didn’t say anything, just nodded, even though my throat felt tight.
“Trix is a good person,” he said, his eyes locked on mine. “Don’t let her go, okay? She’s the kind of person who makes you better, the way you made me better once. Promise me you’ll take care of her.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I just nodded again, even though every part of me was screaming that I didn’t want him to go.
Felix smiled, though his eyes were watery. “Thank you,” he said softly. He took a step closer, hesitating before asking, “Can I... can I give you one last kiss?”
My heart stopped. For a second, I wanted to say no, to push him away. But instead, I found myself nodding.
He reached out, gently holding my face in his hands. His touch was soft, almost hesitant, like he was afraid I might break. And then he kissed me. It wasn’t like the kisses we used to share, full of passion and promises of forever. This one was different. It was bittersweet, like a goodbye in itself.
When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine for a moment, his hands still on my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “For everything.”
I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t.
Felix stepped back, letting his hands fall to his sides. “Trixy’s probably worried about you. You should go back to her.”
And just like that, he picked up his bags and started walking away. I watched him until he disappeared into the darkness, his figure swallowed by the night.
For a long time, I just stood there, staring at the spot where he’d been. The flower he’d been holding was lying on the ground, its petals glowing faintly in the moonlight.
I picked it up, holding it tightly in my hand as the tears finally came.