Fireworks, and her.

One straight path cutting through, and I lost her.

They have a loud presence, but they disappear without a second thought. Different palettes of colors smudged on the sky hypnotize me as booms seem to ricochet off the buildings around me. The darkness makes them even prettier. Powerful, constant bursts of flowery pattern that feel so close but so far. They enchant me, leaving me with this wistful feeling, words that I regret overflowing from my mind to my mouth. Just like when I was with her.

My eyes flee as the deep booms take a breath that lasts forever, and the emptiness of silence gradually falls upon the crowd. Faint flickers of soft but piercing sheens are emitted from the streetlights, lining a path down the road between the cold, mellow buildings. Gray and dull on the outside and covered in perfect, impeccable rows of weathered windows, the skyscrapers seemed to ache with exhaustion with each breeze that passed through. Buildings should have more splashes of color once in a while, instead of being artificial and ordinary. But, I'm one to talk. Maybe being direct was too much, I should've shown personality through my confession. I shouldn't have sacrificed us; we should've stayed friends, because when she left, it felt like needles stabbing me in the gut.

My mind travels, wandering down hypotheticals I may regret thinking. Wondering everything- what she's doing now, where she is, and wishing for the full story I've missed out on. I never stopped looking for the unfinished puzzle pieces that were lost once she disappeared from my life.

My phone no longer buzzes each morning with calls from her. My journal entries about this crush of mine seem so delusional; I almost don't want to read my entries because of how ridiculous they seem. But when she held my hand in one and touched my cheek with the other, I couldn't stop myself. When she gave me that look, that aura between us, wasn't that too real to deny? I was too late to stop the words coming out of my mouth.

My heart was racing, and a wave of nervousness washed over me.

"What?" Her crystal clear and unrecognizably cold tone unsettled me.

Did she not hear me or is she just in shock? She has a mix of expressions I never thought I'd see. Confused, shocked, and surprised in one package. Maybe even a hint of disappointment, so I carefully opened my mouth.

Her phone started buzzing at the worst moment. "I'm really sorry but I need to take this." She pulled it out of her pant pocket. "This is urgent, I'll talk to you later, okay? You know I'd never leave like this if the situation wasn't serious...." She trailed off as I nodded, embarrassed.

After they exchanged some words, her shoulders hunched over and she ran, catching a taxi, despite her knee injury. Her face flashed worry and sadness as she talked to some other person, slamming the lemon-colored door shut. I could follow her as a concerned 'friend', but what's stopping me?

I put my feelings aside, mentally preparing to brace for any awkwardness or coflict we might face. Even her closest friends don't mess with her personal affairs like this. I feel like I'm taking a jump that could make or break everything between us.

I stepped into her business building, following her through the halls. Her winter coat wrapped around her in a hurry and the ends of her scarf trailing a little bit behind, she ran down twists and turns. Suddenly she abruptly stopped, facing a burly man adorned with accessories. I stopped 5 paces behind, silently peering around a corner. He was visibly angry, scolding her as she apologized. His eyes glazed over as he spotted me, pointing and pushing us out of the building. She was already in trouble, but I was the spark that set her boss of. I'm the reason why she got fired. Regret is a daunting thing. But even when your intentions were good, why does it twist and turn, revealing only your worst parts?

Looking down the closed-off road filled with more of this crowd, and up above is a clearing in the sky between the buildings. Quiet and peace in such a busy and chaotic place. A voice, piercing through the brisk breeze, through the silence surrounding us. One I would recognize anywhere, leaning from behind to whisper in my ear. Saying that she found a new job and isn't upset. And saying that she has an answer for me.

Am I so delusional that I've started imagining things? What an interesting feeling. I gingerly lift my coffee to my parched lips. It's cold from the breeze, which makes me feel colder than I already am. Then that same someone lightly taps on my shoulder. But I've always felt, that this person is real. The warm bitterness seems to melt on my tongue.

"It all happens in an instant"

But for me, it happened in slow motion. The smell of her perfume that I instantly recognized, before I saw her face. The fast turn to look, her eyes gleaming with light even in the darkness. Hearing the fireworks set off once more, shooting temporary flames into the sky. My feet falling flat and the crisp winter breeze sweeping me off my feet as her hands lightly wrap around my back.

I'm about to burst- no, I already am, and my nervous fidgets in my pockets aren't helping. My hands slightly grip her coat, making new creases as she comes closer. Her eyes, talking with a million words and no sound. My heart blooming like a lit candle in the middle of winter, warm but cold simultaneously. The beat of the fireworks making my soul feel every touch. An embrace of change. The cheering of the crowd surprised by more fireworks, echoing down the streets. Her whispers tickling my ear, saying unforgettable words that would change us for the better once more.

After searching, I found her. I never wanted to let her go. The colors shone through the sky, creating waves of imperfectly perfect lines across the view. The whistle of the fireworks closing the show, making a grand exit. And finally, her. Nobody else, nothing else will ever matter as much as her. Only her.

One straight line cutting through, and I found her.