When You Left.

When Is Getting Chilly.

"Can we exchange presents now?" Matthew asked.

It was already December. They had their rough weeks of finals exams and now they decided to have a Christmas party at Alex and Pietyr's apartment. They played some boardgames and ate all the snacks. The clock on the wall marked 8pm, so it was too early to exchange presents, but they were out of ideas.

"How about we see a movie? We got Netflix installed." Alex suggested. They all agreed to watch a movie but now they couldn't decide which one to see. In the end, they decided to watch Home Alone. They popped their popcorn and got some warm blankets; they were ready for the movie.

"I guess I'll be a famous chef and work in a restaurant in New York." Adalicia said. After the movie, they exchanged their gifts and now they were talking about the future they want after they graduate.

"AND she'll be married to me." Matthew finished.

"We'll see about that Matt." Adalicia shrug it. "How about you Alex, what do you expect after graduation?"

"Well I want to make a specialty in large animals, and then work at a hospital."

"AND she'll marry Pietyr." Matthew once again finished, making them all laugh.

"Yeah, I'll marry Pietyr and have a bunch of kids." Matthew open his eyes and mouthed a 'I'm sorry for you' to Pietyr, but he only laughs at it. Pietyr did not mind the number of children, as long as it's with Alex he was fine with it.

"Well, me and Pietyr, thanks for asking- are going to be working together at a very risky job."

"Street art." Pietyr finished.

"Street art?! Do you want to be homeless much?" Adalicia snaped, regretting it afterwards. "I mean, it is a very risky move, not knowing if someone will buy or not."

"But as long as they do what they love I'll support it."

"Alex don't lie to them, you know they'll need another job to really earn money."

"Mi amor, I know you are looking out for us. We know it's not easy, but we have hope that we'll be at the top and earn lots of money. Right Bud?" Pietyr nods and they both fists bumped. Alex's phone rang, so she excused herself and went to answer it.

"I mean, we'll have jobs while we make it to the top. We know it's going to take a lot of time, but we'll get there eventually."

"I don't know... I don't want to be the one who pays for everything when we get our own apartment."

"Baby girl, chill. We got this." Alex returned with tears in her eyes, she had her phone pressed to her heart and sat down brutally to the grown. They all ran to her and Pietyr took her in his arms. "Alex what's wrong!? What happened?!" They all asked at once. She couldn't speak the impact she had was strong and couldn't breathe from all the crying.

"Alex, you have to tell us."

"M-my my dad." Was all she could say, they imagined he got to sick, or had an accident. After she cried a little more she told them. "My dad died." She began to cry again. Pietyr hugged her firmly. They all stood with eyes open, they couldn't believe what she just said.

"What? How did that happen sweetie?" Adalicia asked, caressing her hair.

"He was killed in one of his mission in the military." She said a little more calmly after a while of crying.

"Oh honey, I'm very sorry for your lost."

"Yeah, my sincere condolence. To you and your family."

"Thanks guys, but I'm going to call it a night. I'm going to bed, I feel tired after all that crying." Alex tried to smile but failed miserably. After she went to her room Matthew and Adalicia said their good-byes and went to her apartment. Pietyr tried to calm himself and find some words to make her feel better and enter her room. She was curled up with her yellow pillow. He heard some sniffles while he laid down next to her. One tear fell down her eyes. He dried the tear away and took her in. She laid her head into his chest and began to cry again.

"It's just that... I didn't have the chance to say goodbye."

"No one knows when's the last time is you get to see that person specially the ones that are in the military. I just know that your dad loved you and he knew at all time that you loved him too." She hugged him closer, he began so caress her smooth arms. "Think of him as a hero and remember all the good times you had with him. It's no one's fault that this happened, okay?" She nods in agreement.

"Mom told me that I have to leave tomorrow. It's his funeral in the military base back at Italy." She said quietly.

"I know." They stayed together in silence, until Pietyr spoke again. "I love you, and I will be here for you." She got up and gave him a sad smiled.

She kissed him.

A kiss that felt like it was the last time she was going to be able to do so.
"I love you too."