The trips were dreamed of taking,

The tacks left on the map

What happened to that? What happened to that?

When all you had was nothing,

And all we did was laugh

What happened? What happened to that?

Boom, gone

Yeah, we move on

Even if we try to forget,

Love will remember you and love will remember me

I know it inside my heart

Forever will, forever be ours

Even if we try to forget, love will remember

Break down the walls, let heaven in

Somewhere in forever, we'll dance again

We used to be inseparable, I used to think that I was irreplaceable

We lit the whole world up, before we blew it up

I still don't know just how we screwed it up

Forever

Forever

Forever,

—

Eddy was one day away from his graduation. He was going to graduate with honours too. A beautiful 98% on his report card. Proud smiles on his parents' face, atleast he thought. He hadn't met them in ages. His sister was most definitely proud of him. Mary got 97.5%, and Soo-Lin and Rob both got a beautiful 97%. They were all happy and partying.

Except Eddy.

Eddy was alone, once again. Refusing to accept any calls, not replying to any messages. Mary, Soo-lin and Rob, all of them pleaded him to join the huge party almost everyone from their badge was attending. But Eddy refused. Oh, how much he hated saying no those lovely puppy eyes of Mary's.

Eddy was covered up in his blankets. Phone turned to silent. There was no light-switch that was on. Only street-lights illuminated him room. It was all too familiar. Maybe because of the setup or maybe because of the fact Eddy was alone. Or maybe because he was crying.

Why was he crying?

Eddy himself didn't know. No part of him knew why exactly he was crying. Was it because he was going to turn 20 in half a month? Was it because he was going to become a teacher? And not a soloist. Was it because he was missing his violin? Or was it because he was missing Brett?

Or was it all of them at the same time?

Eddy looked at his feet. No socks this time. Brett had already turned 21, and he didn't wish. So there was no way that he was he going to wait for a wish this year. Not that he cared much.

Or was that line just for show?

If he didn't care much, why was he craving for his warmth right now? He always told himself Brett didn't mean much now, but what is how it really was? It was just his brain telling him so.

But was his heart complying?

Eddy hated questioning himself. It reminded him of the nights where he used to sit in the bathroom with a sharp blade. Never too confident to put it against his skin. He was too precious for himself. On second thought, he valued his life. It reminded him of the nights when he used to stare at his blank lockscreen, just watching the digits on the bar that stated the time change. Waiting for a text, until he fell asleep. It reminded him of the times when he used to stare at his reflection in the mirror, drowned in self-pity, crying till his eyes swelled up, red. It reminded him of when he used starve himself. It felt good to him.

'Why are you crying, Eddy?' His mind asked him. 'There is no reason.' Eddy shook his head, not able to answer himself. 'Go out, party tonight. You have to meet them tomorrow. You can't look miserable in front of them. Freshen up, live the time of your life. Go kiss your girlfriend, have a nice night with her.' Eddy smiled as Mary's face popped up in his mind. 'No good in sitting here for no reason.' Eddy nodded.

Meeting 'them'.

His parents. For the first time in, what? Three? Four? Five years? He didn't know himself.

He got out of his clumsy bed and changed into better clothes. Fit for partying. And sent a text to Mary,

You:

Hey, boo. Surprise.

The reply came in almost a minute. As if she was staring at her screen, she was actually. She was getting bored without her teddy bear. Weird nickname.

<3:

Babe! What?

You:

Wait for sometime. 15-20 mins maybe?

<3:

OHHYOUCOMINGHERE?!

You:

Maybe yes, maybe no.

<3:

YESSSS I NKEW IT! you mis me alredy huh?

You:

No coming for the drinks.

<3:

Heh, so you defintely coming... Asksksjak I'll order yours. Come quick!! Drive safe tho babe.

So Mary sure had some drinks. Her spellings were showing that. Eddy smiled as he got into the cab he booked.

The music was loud at the club. Like it should be. Mary was right by the door, giggling like she was 5. "Hey Boo." Eddy said hugging Mary, "Hiya! Come quick. Rob's happy that you came." Eddy slowly slipped his hand underneath the black tank top she was wearing. Mary blushed as she pulled out of the hug. Almost sober. She slowly started interlacing their fingers together as they walked in.

The whole club was almost filled with their college members. "Yo Eddy!!' Rob shouted, and almost shoved a drink into his hand. "My mate! You deserve one! You topped our group and the class!" A few known faces came to say hello, mostly flirting with Mary. Mary sweetly smiled at them, and raised the interlocking fingers of hers and Eddy's to show to everyone who came by with a smug smirk on their face.

Eddy was not drunk, but not sober either. Mary was a little tipsy but still had her senses right. Her words slurred the slightest, almost unnoticeable. Soo-Lin was dancing with Rob. Eddy and Mary never usually danced, just sat together grooving a little bit. Suddenly kissing and then back to just staring at each other in pure adoration.

Mary not dancing was her personality. But Eddy had just stopped. He loved dancing with Brett, when they used to party together. But after that, he stopped. Never ever danced. It was not as if he never knew the song, he did. But he never danced to it. Mary too, never insisted. Sure Soo-Lin and Rob asked a couple of times but they knew better than to force Eddy.

The party ended somewhere at around 2. But Eddy and the gang left at around 11. They partied hard, partied nice. They got into their cab, which Eddy booked, and left for their respective homes. Mary went to Eddy's apartment which was the last destination.

Eddy was almost sober. Mary was just a little bit over the edge. Her vision was a bit unclear but not hazy, yet. "I love sitting on your lap," Mary giggled. Eddy looked behind to see Mary leaning against his wall. "Hmm, really?" Mary nodded,"Yes." Eddy walked into his bedroom, smiling ear to ear. He took out a hoodie, way too big for Mary and a pair of sweatpants. He walked upto Mary and out of the blue, lifted her up. "Oi! I'll fall. I'm heavy!" Mary screeched. "You weigh like a feather." Eddy said simply before plopping her on his soft bed. "Here, change into these and then we can go to sleep, okay?" He handed his clothes to her. Mary took a long sniff, and nodded in approval. "Mm, nice. They smell like you."

Eddy turned to leave the room when suddenly Mary pulled him, "Where you goi-" she couldn't complete before Eddy lost his balance and fell right on top of Mary. "Ouch." Eddy said, without really meaning it. He didn't get hurt. Mary howled in pain. "My chest!" Eddy gently pulled Mary up. "So sorry boo. Where you hurt?" Mary pointed frantically at her chest. "Here!!"

Eddy smiled before slowly taking her top off. Slower, he got on his knees and knelt beside the bed. He kissed right where she said it hurt. "Better?" And then handed over the hoodie. No, he was not in the mood to do anything else. Mary was intoxicated, if you forgot. And he was not going to take advantage. Mary slipped the hoodie on but before she unlatched the bra. The little devil. Eddy turned around, he was a gentleman after all.

"Heh, acting as if you've never seen me li-" Mary got shut up by the hoodie. It got stuck, somehow. She pulled it down forcefully and laughed. "Don't how I can get a goddamn hoodie stuck on my body." Eddy turned around to see that Mary was now definitely looking very small. How do the kids say it nowadays? Smol. She had worn the sweatpants too. Her hands and legs were hidden in the long clothes. Eddy smiled before he left to change, himself.

Mary didn't brush her teeth. But Eddy did. When he returned, Mary was our like a light. Eddy chuckled. "What did I do to deserve you, baby?" He said softly. A voice in his head spoke, 'Suffered.'

Eddy's face broke into a bigger smile. Oh he did.

So much.