The Pristine Gardens

The gardens. It's like a sanctuary. A sea of green sweeps the ground for as far as the eye can see. Blossoming flowers add color, like a sunset paints a picture in the sky. This is the favorite place for Laura. It's a private getaway in the middle of a hectic life. Everything comes to a standstll and everything goes serene.

~

         Laura just sat there. She laid back in the grass, just looking up at the starlit sky. She reflected upon what she had just witnessed. It all happened so fast...

         He stood there triumphantly. He was, after all the star player. Laura was a spectator, as she had always been for him. She came to all his games, cheered, and was always there for moral support. Laura went to go congratulate him, but got beat to the punch. His girlfriend got to him first and landed a kiss upon his lips. Laura stood there, dead in her tracks. This wasn't the first time something like this happened. Laura ... really liked him [More specifically Derek, possibly the most handsome, gentlest human male ever], but she never acted upon it. She could never compete with her [More to the point, Sarah , the upper class rich girl with connections aanndd looks]. So that leaves Laura to be left out to dry as a strong friend with un-reciprocated feelings. She tries not to get jealous, but everytime something like that happens ... Laura dies a little.

         Soon, flocks of people started to crowd Derek and the lucky lady. That's when Laura couldn't take it. The aforementioned kiss coupled with crowds pushed Laura over the edge. She sulked into the background, and as she turned to open the doors her eyes connected with his. Those blue-ish grey eyes ... They lost the sparkle appeal they used to have.

         As Laura stepped outside into the crisp, Autumn night she immediately took off. She ran as fast as she could to the Pristine Gardens. Her shoulder length hair flowed with each step she took. The moon and streelamps illuminated her black hair, and accentuated a hint of brown. Her white blouse and skirt fluttered with each passing click of her wedges against the pavement.

         And this is about where you were brought in. Laura entered the archway to the gardens. It was deserted [But that was to be expected ... It was what, 10pm ?]. She took a spot on the ground and laid back. The stars illuminated sky like miniature night lights, all strategically placed. Laura laid there for quite some time. The same images popped into her head. The kiss, the crowd, and finally the sparkle-less eyes. She tried her hardest not to cry. But finally a tear got past. And another. And then another. But then she heard something. She quickly wiped the tears from her face and turned to see who it was.
         
         "I knew I'd find you here," he said, his voice as confident as always.

         "Derek ?" Laura asked barely above a whisper.

         It was Derek. He just stood there. The streetlights lit up his face. His hair auburn hair shifted with each passing breeze. His blue-ish grey eyes, while they may have lost that sparkle, still glistened in the moonlight. He wore his track jacket with the team logo on the back as well as "Derek #9 - Captain" embellished on the sleeve. His black shorts fluttered in the wind. He looked different though. He seemed a little taken back and cautious. He took a seat next to Laura near the flower beds.

         " Laura ... Why did you run out earlier ? " Derek questioned.
         
         She didn't answer. Instead she looked away and fought hard to keep the tears in.

         Derek light caressed her cheek, "Laura ... Please ..."

         The dam had burst. She turned to Derek, flung her arms around him and cried into his shoulder.

         "It's because I love you Derek. I love you so much. But deep down I know I can't be with you. You have your perfect match. I can't compete with that, and I don't have a shot in Hell of being able to. All those times I see you with her I die a little, because I know she's with you and I'm not. She's able to make you happy, something I could never make you. Deep down I want you to be happy Derek. Which is why I'm always there for you, even if it kills me."
         
         And that's when everything came to a standstill. The only sound heard was the soft sobs of Laura which gradually tapered off. It was then that she realized that Derek had been holding her the whole time. She looked up at him. The moon lit up his face. His soft eyes held something she never saw before.
         
         " Laura ... " Derek started as he stroked her hair gently, " I'm sorry. This whole time you'd always acted okay around Sarah. I never realized it was tearing you apart inside. But Laura, what are you talking about ? You do make me happy, and I do love you. You're always there for me, and... I don't know what I'd do without you. Don't think for a moment that you're not important, because you are. I love you with my whole heart, and even though we might not have a relationship like what I have with Sarah, it doesn't matter. She might be temporary, but you are forever Laura."

         " Derek ... " Laura said as she began to sob again, " Thanks ... "

         She started to cry into his shoulder again. He held her tightly. They just lay there holding each other in the Pristine Gardens under the starlit sky.

         The bond of a friendship has finally been realized.