Seven Words

It took seven words to bring them together and seven words to tear them apart.

Alana couldn't hold back the tears. The sky turned gray. The world around her became dark. The atmosphere wasn't helping either. The clouds began to cry just as much as her. She felt silly, recalling the time she had her first heartbreak.

It was around seven years ago back in high school. She was an anxious teenager. He looked no different, but had far more confidence than she could ever have. She always thought she was out of his league, because who would ever grow fond of a girl like her. In fact, nothing would have ever happened between them if it wasn't for those seven words that began it all, "Take the risk or lose the chance." And for some reason, for the first time in her life, Alana spontaneously decided that she would rather take the risk.

One thing eventually led to another. Infatuation turned to love. Something she thought was nearly impossible became possible. It was all so unexpected and it was all so fast. In the snap of a finger, he became hers and she became his. It felt to her that they were soulmates as their hands intertwined felt absolutely right. She couldn't ask for anything else in the entire world. But apparently, to her surprise, things became too fast until their once beautiful and heavenly relationship became a dark toxic one.

Fights seemed endless. Their anger was relentless. As every day continued to pass, she was not sure if she could still recognize the man she had fallen in love with, but that did not stop her from giving him everything yet sadly, all that she gave was not enough for his insatiable toxic persona.

One thing eventually led to another. Love turned to anger. Possibilities turned to regrets. It was all so unexpected and it was all so fast. In the snap of a finger, they both felt like they wanted to end the relationship as they stood on the verge of all negativities that had spruced up from their paper hearts. Alana wanted to continue fighting for it, but he had other plans. That was when she realized maybe they did not have anything to fight for anymore after all.

"It's not working. Let's just break up." Those were the seven words that had ended their relationship. Seven words she had thought she'd never hear coming from the same mouth he used to promise to love her for the rest of his life. But what did she expect? Besides the fact that promises were made to be broken, they were both too young and clueless in love to even know what they were doing or saying. With a heavy heart, Alana agreed, breaking down in front of him just as much as she was at the moment.
She smiled as all the memories stopped flashing quickly into her shell-shaped mind. She took a deep breath as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

"And cut! Alana that was wonderful! The scene -- so emotional!" Director Paul clapped his hands relentlessly, proud of his star actress. Alana laughed in return wiping the tears she had cried out.

"I seriously do not know how you are able to act like that. It feels so genuine. What do you think about when you cry?"

Alana shrugged. "It's an actress' secret," she playfully replied in return.

Director Paul shook his head, his smile reaching ear to ear. He could never be more grateful for having her as the lead role in his latest romance film yet to be released internationally.

It's been seven years since the breakup and since she graduated high school. After taking up the course she wanted for four years at a local state university, she made her way to New York for a fresh start and to pursue her dream of acting. It wasn't easy that was for sure, but thankfully, after a rollercoaster ride of emotions, she was able to become one of the best actresses the world has to offer.

"Ms. Alana," Gina, Alana's most trusted personal assistant, came rushing through the crowd of film staff, "someone wants to speak to you."

Alana smiled widely, completely clueless of what she was about to encounter. "Sure! Who is it?"

"I'll go get him." Gina rushed through the busy set. It was truly a crazy sight to see for an ordinary Joe, but for her it was just another day to be done with.

"Alana?"

Or perhaps it really wasn't.

Suddenly the world became still. The people around her disappeared except for one.
 
"Erving?"

Erving, the infamous boy who had broken her heart in high school scratched his head, nervousness evident in the hazel eyes she was once head over heels for. He looked uncomfortable. Probably even confused as to why he was here in the first place.

"Hey love! Who is that?" Lewis, her boyfriend, walked towards them as he put an arm around Alana.

"Love, this is Erving. He was just a friend in high school," Alana said as Erving looked at their smiles and the way they looked into each other's eyes, remembering that that was how he used to look at her and vice versa.

"It's not working. Let's just break up," Erving recalled telling her one dark evening.

It was seven words that brought them together, seven words that tore them apart, seven words that got her to become a better person, and seven words to make him regret.

It was funny how only seven words could change your whole life.