Chapter 5, Lovers Until the End
Tommy Santos
As we hit the road, I think about Twin Peaks, it’s a beautiful spot to watch the sun set. Especially that today’s sky is clear as glass, no clouds in sight. Driving closer and closer to the peaks, I’m sent memories of an old field trip back in like, I don’t know 5th or 6th grade? Whatever grade it was, I remember really enjoying the trip. Especially being able to hang out with Flann and the old friend group from back in the day. And now, taking probably the next closest person besides my family here is a very special yet slightly nerve-wracking moment. We arrive at the parking lot, on the top of the peaks. I exit the car door and head towards the passengers side where Bex is at.
“Well dear, here we are!” I say, holding my hand out for her.
“Ah nice!” Bex replies, getting excited.
We walk towards the balcony area, overlooking the city and the Bay. It’s truly a very beautiful site, a very good spot to eat lunch at as well. Around us, there’s a few tourists, some as a group or family and others just on their own. Some are speaking English, while others speak a foreign language neither me nor Bex understand. Anyhow, we continue to look out at the view; inspecting every building that looks as small as Lego bricks.
“Man… this view is nice, right hon?” She replies.
“Yeah, I agree Becky…” I answer back.
We both sit in awe and silence for about a minute or so, collecting each and every sound we hear. Though this silence is broken as I hear Bex’s words.
“Oh hey! I also got you something,” She says, “You know… As a gift!”
It takes me a few seconds to step out of my muse, I hear her ruffle through her hangbag.
“Yeah, what is Bex?” I ask.
“I feel like it’ll fit perfectly with your collection.” She replies, with a warm little smile across her freckle dotted face.
I see her hold out the cd, there it is! Everything Will Be Alright in the End! I’ve been looking for this album for ages!
“Aw, thanks Bex!” I say as I begin to blush.
I begin to give her a big hug, we continue to do so for the next few seconds. As we return back to our normal stances, I open the little bag to see what it contains. It’s a little computer pin! I give a small grin as I look up to Bex.
“I bought it in Treasure Island,” She says, “I kinda almost forgot to give it to you, just now I did!”
I observe the cd, they’re pretty rare due to the fact that EWBAITE didn’t really take off commercially unlike its critical reception. We watch the sunset, soon the nice blend of pinks, yellows, and purples start to turn into an inky black. I turn to Bex, and I ask her a question.
“Hey Bex, you think we should return to the dorm?” I ask.
“Yeah, I think we should.” Bex replies.
We walk towards the car, most of the tourists we saw earlier already left; leaving just the two of us. Overall, this day was a success! Well, it’s just going to be a day where we hang out and relax for the next few hours until we return to our respective dorms to sleep.
Several minutes later
We arrive at the parking garage, it was a bit relaxing as there isn’t really much traffic on a Friday night here. I see Bex exit the car first, while I still sit and ponder about the whole day so far. I hear her open the door, I turn to look at her.
“Hey Tommy, so who’s dorm are we gonna hang out at?” She asks.
“Well mine, we can place EWBAITE with the rest of the albums!” I reply, showing excitement.
“Ah nice! That’s the spirit hon!” She exclaims back.
We both head towards the elevator, arriving at my dorm door. I open it with my keycard, and I let Bex enter the room first. As I walk in, I see her collapse on the couch which we channel surfed on like a week or so ago.
“Well sleepyhead, aren’t you going to look in awe at my CD collection?” I say in a joking manner.
“Uh yeah… Just a second.” Bex replies.
I enter my room, awaiting for Bex to enter to show off my collection of albums I own. I sit on the office chair, spinning in circles for a bit right as Bex enters.
“Well I see you’re having fun here.” She replies, slightly chuckling.
“Yeah… But hey! I can show you my discs now!.” I say.
Close to my bed are some book shelves, reaching to about a foot or so short of the ceiling. In the middle of the range shelf are where I store those albums and a standard radio plus cd player combo. I add Everything Will Be Alright in the End, completing my collection of Weezer albums.
“So Bex, just the standard collection I’ve shown you in photos. The entire North American Weezer collection, plus a few Japanese singles here and there.”
“Aw, that’s nice hon.” She replies, sitting on my bed.
“I also added a few more non-Weezer stuff to the collection. I added Business as Usual by Men at Work, both the international yellow and original white version. Just some old burnt cds with salsa on them my dad used to play, I should really get around to playing them.”
“Yeah… that’s nice…” I hear Bex reply, but in an awkward tone; which takes me by surprise.
“Uh Bex? Is everything alright?” I ask.
“Well, it’s about, it’s about something I need to mention.” she says.
She removes the band aid from across her nose bridge, revealing a scar. We stare at each other, I get a bit of deja vu from when we first met several months ago. It remains like this for a few seconds, until Bex starts to speak.
“So… About 15 years ago, I was playing baseball with some of my old friends… And um, well I slipped on my face causing this stupid scar… I don’t know, I hide it with this band aid… I just feel like, uh, really ugly with this thing stuck over my nose bridge. I… I just don’t know…”
I hear Bex slowly start to tear up, about to cry. I sit down on the office chair, and I move in front of her. I slightly nudge her head a little, tilting it in order to have eye contact with.
“Bex, I want you to know something.” I say, she gives a slight nod after a sniffle.
“Scar, or no scar; you’ll still be the most wonderful girl I’ve ever known. Without you, I probably wouldn’t have at least tamed a bit of my diffidence by doing stuff like going to family parties and hanging out with friends. If I were to tell myself a couple of months ago that I would meet a person like you, I would have just laughed it out. Just like how you help me with my problems, I’ll help you with yours.”
Bex’s expression changes from one of grief and shyness to a warm grin with a blush. I was wondering of giving her a kiss, though as she starts to lean towards me; I also do so. And boom, this moment I never thought would happen. We hold this kiss for around 10 or so seconds, it feels like the greatest moment of my life. Really, this date will go on to be a day we’ll remember for the rest forever. We are truly lovers until the end of time.