“ Friends are the ones who stand beside you during the storm, drenched and shivering, yet unwavering. They are treasures, rare and invaluable, and they should never be taken for granted. Cherish them while you can. ”
---
Two months later.
“So… he asked you out?” Cecile settled herself on the soft grass beside Bernie, whose face had turned an impressive shade of pink.
“Yeah… last night.” Bernie’s voice wavered between shyness and excitement, and Cecile couldn’t help but notice how unusual it was to see her best friend like this. Bernie, the ever-cautious, no-nonsense girl who avoided romance like the plague, now looked like someone who had just stepped out of a fairy tale.
“Oh, wow. And…?” Cecile prompted, her curiosity piqued.
“Well, he said we could get married as soon as we graduate and even move in together,” Bernie confessed, her lips curling into a smile so genuine it almost startled Cecile.
Cecile’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Do you really want that?”
Bernie nodded, her blush deepening. “Yeah…”
Cecile studied her friend’s face for a moment. That smile—it wasn’t just a smile; it was a declaration, a testament to how she truly felt. Cecile found herself smiling, too. “Well, if you’re happy, then I’m happy for you,” she said sincerely.
“Did he tell you his story?” Cecile asked after a brief pause, her curiosity growing.
Bernie nodded again and leaned in, lowering her voice as though sharing a secret. “Michael’s been through a lot, Cec. Like… a lot.”
She went on to recount Michael Jordan’s life story, each detail painting a picture of resilience and quiet strength. He had been raised by his uncle and aunt in Oregon after his mother, a college student at the time, had abandoned him. His childhood had been marked by tragedy, loss, and a sense of displacement, yet somehow, he had grown into a man who wore his struggles like a badge of honor.
“Does he know his parents? Are they still alive?” Cecile asked, her voice soft with concern.
Bernie hesitated before answering. “His mom… she gave birth to him when she was just a college student. Later, she met a man she wanted to marry, but he didn’t want to raise a child that wasn’t his. He… convinced her that Michael was a burden. So she left him behind to start a new life with that man.”
Cecile’s stomach churned. “She abandoned her own child? For a man? That’s disgusting!” The thought was appalling, almost incomprehensible to her.
Bernie sighed heavily. “It’s heartbreaking, but yeah. That’s what happened.”
As Bernie continued, Cecile learned more about Michael’s high school years—years filled with relentless bullying. His darker skin and delicate, almost ethereal features made him a target. “He told me he used to lock himself in the bathroom just to escape,” Bernie said, her voice trembling slightly.
“Did it ever stop?” Cecile asked, a note of hope in her voice.
“It did,” Bernie replied, her expression softening. “When he finally stood up to them, everything changed. He found his confidence, and they left him alone after that.”
Cecile tilted her head, watching Bernie closely. “You must be really special for him to trust you with all this.”
Bernie’s smile returned, lighting up her face. “He says I make him feel safe.”
“Well, I guess that explains why you said yes.” Cecile grinned, nudging her friend playfully.
“Exactly.” Bernie laughed, the sound filled with a joy Cecile hadn’t heard in a long time.
“You’ll never change,” Cecile teased.
“Why should I?” Bernie shot back, her grin widening.
Cecile shook her head, unable to suppress her own smile. “I’m happy for you, Bernie. Really, I am.”
“Of course you are! That’s what best friends do!”
Their laughter was interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Hey, ladies!”
Cecile didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“Hi,” she said as Michael approached, holding a bouquet of vibrant red tulips.
“Mrs. Osteen,” Michael greeted Cecile with a polite nod, his smile as dazzling as ever.
“Hello, Mr. Jordan.”
Turning to Bernie, he extended the flowers. “These are for you.”
Bernie’s face lit up. “Aww… thank you!” She took the bouquet, her fingers lingering on the petals as though savoring the moment.
Michael glanced at Cecile, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “With your permission, can I steal your best friend for a date? I promise to return her in one piece.”
Cecile smirked, unable to resist the chance to tease them both. “Sure. She’s all yours. Do with her as you see fit.”
Bernie shot her a look that promised retribution, but Cecile just grinned, relishing the playful exchange.
As they walked away toward Michael’s Porsche, Cecile couldn’t help but chuckle to herself. Bernie had mentioned his job at a car dealership, which explained his access to such luxurious vehicles. “Lucky her,” Cecile thought.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts.
“What are you up to?” Joel’s message appeared on her screen.
“Nothing much… Bernie just left with her boyfriend, so I’m all alone here,” she typed back.
“Wanna come over to the studio?”
Cecile hesitated. She had been meaning to visit Joel’s studio for weeks but kept finding excuses not to.
“Sure,” she replied after a moment, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.
“I’ll send you the address.”
Minutes later, the address appeared on her phone. Cecile stared at it, then quickly texted Bernie for advice.
“You should go. It’ll be fun!” Bernie replied almost immediately.
“You think so?”
“Of course. I know you’re still adjusting to being married, but Joel wants you in his world, Cec. Just like you’ve let him into yours.”
“Okay… what should I wear?”
“Go as you are. You look perfect.”
Cecile glanced down at her outfit: a flowing dress paired with leggings and low-heeled slippers. Her half-up bun framed her face, and her silver handbag hung casually on her shoulder.
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her keys and headed to her car.
“Baby steps,” she whispered to herself as she drove toward Joel’s studio, her heart pounding in anticipation.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Cecile felt a spark of excitement for what lay ahead.
---
A/N: What do you think, guys?