One Thousand Paper Cranes

I finally decided to post one of my one shots in this account. I hope that you'll like it as much as you love my poems. Here's a shout out to one of my loyal readers cphoenix12321. 

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One Thousand Paper Cranes

They say that having a boy as a bestfriend-especially when you're a girl-mean that you are blessed and lucky. No more worries as to who your prom date will be, you don't have to be scared of bullies because someone's going to protect you. It also means you won't have to walk home alone because he's going to be there. Not only do you have a friend in him, but also a protector and a brother. But when you fall inlove with your bestfriend, everything just goes wrong.

I met Stephen when I was eight. He was two years older and had many friends while I was a loner since I was smaller than kids most of my age and I was a magnet for bullies. Stephen was one of those bullies who pushed kids off the swing and made children cry. But everything changed one winter day.

My father died on a wintry day. The snow covered the ground as they buried him, crushing the roses my mom threw at his pale white casket. My tears fell knowing that I would have no one to stand up for me or hold my hand when I cross the street or sing me to sleep. There was no father to protect me or wipe away my tears.

Suddenly I felt a hand touch my shoulder and when I looked up I saw Stephen standing there, a solemn look on his face as he wiped my tears with his handkerchief. I stared at him with bewilderment in my eyes that for a moment I forgot that I had just lost my father and never again will have one.

"It'll be ok Ginny. Your father loves you and he's always gonna be there for you," Stephen said and sat beside me, folding a piece of paper into paper cranes.

"No he won't," I stifled my tears and spoke in hushed whispers. "Mom said he won't be coming back. Now no one's going to protect me or walk me home."

Stephen took my hand and placed the finished crane in my open palms. "He's not gone Ginny, he's up there in the sky with the stars and he's looking after you. You won't be alone Ginny, I'll be here to protect you."

"Pinky swear?" I looked at him and when he linked his finger to my hand I believed.

"Always Ginny, no one will ever hurt you again."

Everything changed since then. Stephen became my protector, my ally, my friend. He would call me every night and sing until I fall asleep. I never walked home alone and he was always there for me. Whenever I felt sad I'd feel his arms enclosing me in his warm embrace, and when I cry he'd wipe my tears away. And every day, he would hand me a paper crane to remind me that his promise would remain unbroken forever. After ten years, I still believed in him until things started to change between us.

"Hey Ginny," Stephen walked towards me, a warm smile on his face. My heart skipped a beat every time I see him and a surge of happiness washed over me.

"Hello Stephen, I'm glad you're here. I haven't seen you around lately," I walked towards him, clutching my books in my chest and offered him a warm smile.

"I just got busy, you know how college is." Stephen wrapped his arms around me and as we walked outside, students kept glancing at us. "How have you been?"

"I'm fine, but it's not the same without you. I really miss walking home with you and we never got to talk a lot anymore. You must've met someone special that you forgot about me." I frowned at the thought that Stephen had eyes for another girl.

He smiled at me, "Is that jealousy I hear in your voice? Oh, Ginny. If only you know my eyes are only for you." He winked at me and stopped walking.