Saw Camden again my second month back]
Backstage at the campus singing competition.
Just finished my set when I spotted him.
Walking over with a bouquet.]
Face gaunt, much more mature than a year ago.]
“Beautiful performance.”
Thanks“]
“I’m sorry.”
I stayed quiet
His voice was hoarse, struggling. “Can we go back to how things were?”
“No.”
“Moon, I read the letter you gave me.”
me.”
I frowned. Couldn’t remember writing any letter
“Sophomore year, you-
He couldn’t finish.
Then I remembered.]
That year I was nearly hopeless, completely alone.[]
Wrote him an apology.]
Begged him to talk to me
He never even read it.
Back then I didn’t know it was just an accident, didn’t understand why he hated me.
Wanted to pretend nothing happened, stay by his side.
Got ignored, targeted instead.
I looked down. “Camden, you always asked why I acted so detached. Because I always felt like I’d die tomorrow. My life had no hope.”
“You hated that I wouldn’t talk, but anything I said made you angry.”
“Sophomore year I begged you not to ignore me. Freshman year I wanted you to stay away.”
“Because you were always so cruel. Not like the Camden I used to know.”
“Some things can’t be forgiven. We can never go back.”
His eyes reddened.[]
Didn’t shed a tear when his father died.]
Now his throat felt choked.]
Forced out an “okay.”
He wanted to leave the flowers.
But predictably, she shook her head.
As he turned to go, saw someone already waiting by the door.]
Thaddeus, holding white gardenias.
I took them.]
“Didn’t you have a competition tonight?“]
u.”
“Finished early. Got here just in time for you.”
0-
Five years after graduation. I’d paid off everything I owed the Moraleses
Thaddeus and I were officially together.
Still nervous visiting his family.]
Thaddeus squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry.“[]
First time was after middle school graduation–someone gave me a slip of paper with Vincent’s contact info]
Desperate, I went.]
“You’re just a kid asking for five million.
He jumped, white beard quivering
I was drenched in cold sweat, terrified he’d refuse, sobbing hysterically.
Thankfully he lent it.]
He kissed me.
Thunderous applause.
Camden left quietly]
Later he’d often look up at night, but never saw the moon.[]
So he missed it constantly.]
At thirty, he died at home from a sleeping pill overdose.
