LOVE SONG

“Mother, Yuri, I’ll be back in an hour!” Simon Kowan called, climbing into the red Fiat.
The car pulled out of the Kowan’s driveway in Sacramento, California. Yuri did not need to guess where her brother was going. He was going on a date with his beautiful girlfriend Jenni. She stared wistfully at the fading car and wished she had Simon. People often said that Yuri did not resemble her family members and they were not wrong. After all, she was an adopted child. Yuri had beautiful black hair and a slim body fit for a fifteen year old while Simon’s handsome features and slick blonde hair resembled his father, who passed away years ago. Mrs. Susan Kowan, as most people called her, is a kind widow who was not beautiful for a woman of forty eight. But her kind face had no wrinkles and her blonde hair showed no specks of grey.

Yuri had a crush on Simon for three years now, and she loved him far more than a brother. His blue eyes could catch any girl’s heart, but Yuri knew in her own heart that she loved Simon more than anyone else in the world, even Mrs. Kowan. Yuri spent the hour reading and waiting for Simon as she always did. The clock ticked noisily and one could hear the sounds of Mrs. Kowan’s knitting and her chair rocking throughout the house.
Late into the night, the sound of keys at the door was heard and the door creaked open. A boy by the name of Simon of age eighteen stepped into the house quietly as a mouse and went up to his sister. She had fallen asleep waiting for him on the couch with her book across her lap. He went up and put her head on his shoulder silently. The sleeping girl stirred but fell back into her slumber. Simon stroked Yuri’s head gently for a while then kissed her cheek. The moment of silence was broken by the loud chiming of the grandfather’s clock, indicating that it was midnight.
“Yuri, I know how you feel towards me.”
Simon whispered into the night and to his sleeping sister. His voice was soothing like a lullaby.
“I am sorry I am unable to love you back more but I will always love you, almost as much as I love Jenni. You are a beautiful and gentle girl, like the night breeze that lures me to sleep each night. I have to go for a while now. Sleep well.”
Simon slowly lifted Yuri’s face up to his and gently placed his lips over hers. It was a short kiss but a true one. Seconds later the boy left again. Yuri opened her eyes and gazed at the empty driveway, trying to recall the kiss that she only half remembered, before falling asleep again.
The quiet dawn in the house of the Kowans was once again disturbed by the shrill ringing of the phone. Yuri rose from the couch and picked up the phone that rang at two o’clock. A male voice spoke.
“Miss Kowan, this is Officer Jyo from the Sacramento Police Department. I think you’d better come down to South Street. There has been an accident involving your brother.”
Then he hanged up. Yuri was still for a moment, before she threw down the receiver and screamed.
“Mother!”
Two ladies, one young and one old arrived at South Street minutes later. Police cars were everywhere and there was an ambulance. A small crowd was huddled around two bodies.
Yuri and Susan Kowan rushed and pushed through the crowd to where the three officers were examining the two bodies. One was a stranger whose head was heavily bandaged and stains of blood were visible through the bandage. The other was Simon. The boy’s head was bleeding heavily and blood stained his body which was full of cuts and bruises. Two more officers came with a stretcher and lifted the stranger onto it.

“To the emergency room immediately. There might still be hope.” An officer said.
“What about my brother? He needs to go to the hospital, too!” Yuri screamed with her voice shake uncontrollably as she stared at the bloody heap that was her brother.
“He needs to go! Somebody, bring a stretcher!” Yuri was shrieking, tears streaming down her face as she wrung her hands desperately.
“Miss Kowan, I’m sorry. There is no need for Simon to go to a hospital.”
The officer said, trying to soothe the frantic girl.
“Why not? That person went too! There’s still hope!” Yuri cried, shaking her head.
“Simon Kowan is dead.”
Yuri froze. Susan Kowan fainted but Yuri didn't. Before she knew what she was doing, she grabbed the officer’s shirt.
“You’re lying. Simon said he was only going out for a little while. He’s coming back!”
Yuri cried shrilly. At that moment, all she wanted was for her brother to come back. She thought she was going crazy.
“I’m sorry, but he is dead.”
The officer replied, looking sombre. He loosened himself from Yuri’s grip and walked away. Yuri knelt in front of Simon. She stroked his soft blonde hair as he did to her earlier, staining her hands with blood from his hair. Her tears spilled and she hugged Simon tightly. The crowd slowly parted leaving behind Yuri and the dead Simon.
An officer came over and patted Yuri’s shoulder gently.
“Miss Kowan, we have to take your brother.”
The officer waved his hand and two other policemen gently pulled Yuri off Simon. Yuri didn’t know why she didn’t object. She didn’t argue as well when Simon was lifted onto a stretcher and covered in a white cloth. The sirens of the ambulance and police cars softened as they slowly drove away. Yuri felt a fresh wave of tears in her eyes and she stood there staring at the disappearing vehicles.
Simon Kowan died on December 14th.

“Yuri, have you packed all your things?”
Susan Kowan called from downstairs.
“Your plane to England leaves at six!”
Yuri stuffed the rest of her clothes into her suitcase and snapped the suitcase shut.
“Almost done, Mother!” the sixteen years old called back.
She hesitated as she looked at a picture of her and Simon. Her brother would have been nineteen if he hadn’t died. He had his arm around Yuri in the picture and they were both smiling happily.

It has been almost a year since the death of her brother. Yuri never really got over the tragic incident but much to her surprise, life soon became normal again for all others, but never for Yuri. A part of her had died and she knew it was her heart. The young girl decided to attend a music orchestra school in England. After Simon’s death, they never shut down the small beach house Yuri’s brother owned, but nobody ever went there again. However, everything inside was still working.

Yuri buried her thoughts and quickly placed the picture into her suitcase. She grabbed the suitcase and heaved it downstairs where her mother was waiting for her.
“Come on, hurry up, dear.”
Mrs. Kowan beckoned, climbing into the driver’s seat of their Fiat. The mother and daughter bided each other goodbye at the airport. Susan Kowan kissed Yuri on the cheek and told her to be careful.
Hours and hours later, the American Airlines flight landed at the London airport. Yuri got off the airplane along with the other passengers. The airport security staff stood still like statues at every entrance. The airport wasn’t crowded. The girl’s eyes darted around for some sign of what she was looking for - a person or people who represented the Carson Music School.
Just then Yuri heard her name.
“Miss Yuri Kowan!”
She spun around. A boy dressed in a blue uniform gestured towards her. He ran over and took her suitcase and escorted her to a small group of people who were dressed similarly to him. The boy was red-haired and freckled. His British accent was strong and he seemed very polite.
“Miss Yuri, this is our president, Mr. Aaron Spiel. I’m Randy.” The red-head introduced.
Yuri nodded and shook hands with Mr. Spiel.
“Welcome, Miss Kowan. We are honoured to have you attend our music school.” Mr. Spiel said warmly.
“Thank you for coming all this way.”

They escorted Yuri to a van and rode to the school. England was beautiful in an eerie way. Everything in London was so formal and exquisite. Yuri thought the architecture was unique and brilliant. They arrived at a white marble building and went inside. Pictures and portraits of the orchestra and extraordinary musicians were hung all over the wall.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Yuri saw a lock of slick blonde hair disappear at a corner of the hallway. The girl’s breath got caught in her chest as Simon’s silvery blonde hair flashed across her mind. She dropped her suitcase and ran to the hall where she had seen the boy. But just then, the doors opened and a crowd of students holding violins came out. Yuri searched frantically for the boy but he was gone.
“Yuri, is anything wrong?” the voice of Randy brought her back to her senses.
“Oh, nothing.”
Yuri hesitated, and then asked. “Is there a boy named Simon Kowan in the orchestra?”
Randy looked at her, puzzled.
“No, Yuri. Do you know someone of that name?” he asked.
Yuri’s looked at Randy and shook her head.

Later, Yuri was brought to a dormitory where there were two beds. Randy brought Yuri to her bed, which was on the far right.
“Yuri, I understand if you’re tired, but in an hour time, there will be a welcome ceremony for you. You can come if you wish.”
Randy set down her suitcase and walked out. The girl peered around the dormitory and hung her clothes up in a closet that she shared with the other girl. She had just set down her picture of her and Simon when the door opened and a girl entered. The girl glanced at Yuri, walked up to her and held out her hand. Her blonde curls were dangling from an expensive butterfly hairpin.
“Hello, I’m Emily Radley. You share a room with me.”
The girl said abruptly in a superior tone. Yuri held out her own hand and shook Emily’s.
“I’m Yuri Kowan.”
“Oh, so you’re the girl from America? Are you going to the ceremony? I wouldn’t miss all the attention for the world if I were you.”
Emily sat onto her own bed and popped a candy into her mouth.
“I play the viola, what about you?”
“I play the harp.” Yuri explained.
She did not feel like engaging in a conversation with anyone right now, especially Emily. Emily seemed to read her thoughts and she hopped off her bed.
“Well, I’m leaving.”
The girl slammed the door behind her.

An hour later Yuri stepped up onto the stage and was introduced to the orchestra of one hundred and seventy people. Yuri scanned the big orchestra with interest. It was certainly a good orchestra. Suddenly, Yuri spotted the blonde hair again. Once again, Yuri felt her heart hammer against her chest. The boy’s hair was slicked back and his head was down as he studied the keys for the grand piano. Yuri dropped the microphone with a loud clang and all heads turned to her. Emily and her huge group of friends smirked and giggled. The boy looked up and Yuri gasped with shock. The boy was Simon. His looked at her with his sapphire blue eyes, except ten times colder. He also had the same pale skin and beautiful blonde hair.

“Simon!”
Yuri whispered with a voice hoarse with shock. The boy stepped up to her.
“What do you want, Kowan?” he asked icily.
“Oh, this is Thomas Vacur, our pianist.”
Randy explained, looking rather embarrassed at Thomas’s rude attitude.
“He’s rather inhospitable toward strangers.”
However, Yuri didn't hear him. All she saw was her handsome brother standing alive in front of her. Tears filled her eyes and even Thomas seemed surprise as the teardrops slid down Yuri’s white face and dropped onto her harp.
“You’re not dead.” Yuri whispered.
“You are very much mistaken Kowan. I never died. And my name is not Simon, its Thomas, T-H-O-M-A-S, in case you can’t hear or spell.”
The boy turned on his heels and went back to the piano.
Why is Simon being so mean and cold? Yuri thought. He doesn’t love me, he hates me. Why did he glare at me like that like he never knew me? Clapping her hands over her mouth, Yuri sped out of the auditorium.

“What did you call Thomas, Yuri Kowan?”
Emily demanded, rounding on Yuri forcefully. Yuri was staring wistfully at the picture of her and Simon. Emily snatched the picture out of Yuri’s hands.
“How did you know Thomas?” she snapped, staring at the picture in disbelief and disgust.
“That’s my brother Simon when he was still alive.” Yuri said, reaching out to take her picture back.
“Please give it to me.”
Emily smirked and held the picture out of reach.
“You really like him, don’t you?” she asked.
Yuri looked away but didn’t answer. To Yuri’s horror, Emily dropped the picture. The glass frame crashed to the floor and shattered. The picture lay in the pieces of broken glass.
“No!” Yuri cried, bending down to pick up the picture.
The girl felt her heart shatter the moment the glass broke. Tears streamed down Yuri’s face as she held the picture to her chest.
“Why did you have to do that?” Yuri cried, glaring at Emily with tear-filled eyes.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. It just slipped out of my hands.”
Emily said sarcastically. She moved her face closer to Yuri’s.
“But I’m warning you, Yuri Kowan, I like Thomas so stay away. He’s mine.”
She stepped over the glass and stamped out, leaving Yuri and her shattered frame and heart behind.
Neither Yuri nor Emily mentioned anything about the picture incident. Yuri performed spectacularly for the next few days and their orchestra concert was a great success.
Thomas walked over to his dormitory after an exhausting day of performance. His fingers were numb from playing. He reached his dormitory and found his dorm mate, Willis Patan sitting on the floor with three cups upside down in front of him.
“Want me to foretell your future for you, Vacur?” Willis asked, wrinkling his forehead.
“No thanks, Patan. I’ve outgrown fortune-telling.” Thomas said coldly.
“Come on Vacur. Try it.” Willis nagged, pulling on Thomas’s sleeve.
The boy swung free and rolled his eyes, sitting down across Willis.
“Pick one.” Willis instructed, mixing the three cups up.
Thomas gave an impatient sigh and picked the middle one. Willis carefully opened the cup and took out a piece of paper.
“Oh, this is a love spirit. It says the girl of your life is getting close to you now. You will find on her a card that says the same thing as I said to you.”
Willis said, with a look of awe on his face. Thomas rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“It’s just a bunch of crap as usual.” He muttered and climbed into bed.
Yuri walked back to her dormitory after a day of music class. Suddenly, a shoulder knocked into hers and immense pain shot through her shoulder bones. It was Thomas. For a moment their eyes met. Yuri stared deep into Thomas’s blue eyes and saw something. She wasn’t sure what it was but it looked like a streak of sunlight through all the ice. She stared at him for a long while and he stared back. Yuri couldn’t believe that anyone could look so alike in this world. The girl thought of Simon’s handsome face, his wonderful blue eyes and that he would be standing here right next to her joking and laughing like old times if he hadn’t died in that horrible accident. If it weren’t for that other stupid driver, Simon would still be here. A single tear rolled down her cheek and she let it trickle down her chin.
“Why do you always cry whenever you see me, Kowan?” Thomas asked as he narrowed his eyes so they looked like slits.
“You remind me of someone,” Yuri said vaguely, looking as if she’s in a trance.
“Someone that meant the world to me. Someone who would be here today if that car accident hadn’t occurred one year ago.”
Yuri turned on her heels and sped down the hall toward her dormitory. She hated facing Thomas. She didn’t look back to see Thomas staring after her for a long time. Somehow he remembered so clearly the way she looked at him. The way her tears rolled down her cheeks when she looked into her eyes. He slowly felt his heart crack.
‘Why would he care?’ Yuri thought.
‘Why would he care that she cried. Unless he is really Simon?’
Before Yuri could think about how was that possible, something on the ground caught her eye. It was a card that was lying face down. Curiously, Yuri picked it up.
“The boy of your life is getting closer.” Yuri read the card out loud.
The girl smiled wanly. She didn’t believe in fortune telling, but she stuffed the card into her pocket and went off to her dormitory.

An hour later Yuri stepped up onto the stage and was introduced to the orchestra of one hundred and seventy people. Yuri scanned the big orchestra with interest. It was certainly a good orchestra. Suddenly, Yuri spotted the blonde hair again. Once again, Yuri felt her heart hammer against her chest. The boy’s hair was slicked back and his head was down as he studied the keys for the grand piano. Yuri dropped the microphone with a loud clang and all heads turned to her. Emily and her huge group of friends smirked and giggled. The boy looked up and Yuri gasped with shock. The boy was Simon. His looked at her with his sapphire blue eyes, except ten times colder. He also had the same pale skin and beautiful blonde hair.

“Simon!”
Yuri whispered with a voice hoarse with shock. The boy stepped up to her.
“What do you want, Kowan?” he asked icily.
“Oh, this is Thomas Vacur, our pianist.”
Randy explained, looking rather embarrassed at Thomas’s rude attitude.
“He’s rather inhospitable toward strangers.”
However, Yuri didn't hear him. All she saw was her handsome brother standing alive in front of her. Tears filled her eyes and even Thomas seemed surprise as the teardrops slid down Yuri’s white face and dropped onto her harp.

“You’re not dead.” Yuri whispered.
“You are very much mistaken Kowan. I never died. And my name is not Simon, its Thomas, T-H-O-M-A-S, in case you can’t hear or spell.”
The boy turned on his heels and went back to the piano.
Why is Simon being so mean and cold? Yuri thought. He doesn’t love me, he hates me. Why did he glare at me like that like he never knew me? Clapping her hands over her mouth, Yuri sped out of the auditorium.

“What did you call Thomas, Yuri Kowan?”
Emily demanded, rounding on Yuri forcefully. Yuri was staring wistfully at the picture of her and Simon. Emily snatched the picture out of Yuri’s hands.
“How did you know Thomas?” she snapped, staring at the picture in disbelief and disgust.
“That’s my brother Simon when he was still alive.” Yuri said, reaching out to take her picture back.
“Please give it to me.”
Emily smirked and held the picture out of reach.
“You really like him, don’t you?” she asked.
Yuri looked away but didn’t answer. To Yuri’s horror, Emily dropped the picture. The glass frame crashed to the floor and shattered. The picture lay in the pieces of broken glass.
“No!” Yuri cried, bending down to pick up the picture.
The girl felt her heart shatter the moment the glass broke. Tears streamed down Yuri’s face as she held the picture to her chest.
“Why did you have to do that?” Yuri cried, glaring at Emily with tear-filled eyes.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. It just slipped out of my hands.”
Emily said sarcastically. She moved her face closer to Yuri’s.
“But I’m warning you, Yuri Kowan, I like Thomas so stay away. He’s mine.”
She stepped over the glass and stamped out, leaving Yuri and her shattered frame and heart behind.
Neither Yuri nor Emily mentioned anything about the picture incident. Yuri performed spectacularly for the next few days and their orchestra concert was a great success.
Thomas walked over to his dormitory after an exhausting day of performance. His fingers were numb from playing. He reached his dormitory and found his dorm mate, Willis Patan sitting on the floor with three cups upside down in front of him.
“Want me to foretell your future for you, Vacur?” Willis asked, wrinkling his forehead.
“No thanks, Patan. I’ve outgrown fortune-telling.” Thomas said coldly.
“Come on Vacur. Try it.” Willis nagged, pulling on Thomas’s sleeve.
The boy swung free and rolled his eyes, sitting down across Willis.
“Pick one.” Willis instructed, mixing the three cups up.
Thomas gave an impatient sigh and picked the middle one. Willis carefully opened the cup and took out a piece of paper.
“Oh, this is a love spirit. It says the girl of your life is getting close to you now. You will find on her a card that says the same thing as I said to you.”
Willis said, with a look of awe on his face. Thomas rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“It’s just a bunch of crap as usual.” He muttered and climbed into bed.

Yuri walked back to her dormitory after a day of music class. Suddenly, a shoulder knocked into hers and immense pain shot through her shoulder bones. It was Thomas. For a moment their eyes met. Yuri stared deep into Thomas’s blue eyes and saw something. She wasn’t sure what it was but it looked like a streak of sunlight through all the ice. She stared at him for a long while and he stared back. Yuri couldn’t believe that anyone could look so alike in this world. The girl thought of Simon’s handsome face, his wonderful blue eyes and that he would be standing here right next to her joking and laughing like old times if he hadn’t died in that horrible accident. If it weren’t for that other stupid driver, Simon would still be here. A single tear rolled down her cheek and she let it trickle down her chin.
“Why do you always cry whenever you see me, Kowan?” Thomas asked as he narrowed his eyes so they looked like slits.
“You remind me of someone,” Yuri said vaguely, looking as if she’s in a trance.
“Someone that meant the world to me. Someone who would be here today if that car accident hadn’t occurred one year ago.”
Yuri turned on her heels and sped down the hall toward her dormitory. She hated facing Thomas. She didn’t look back to see Thomas staring after her for a long time. Somehow he remembered so clearly the way she looked at him. The way her tears rolled down her cheeks when she looked into her eyes. He slowly felt his heart crack.
‘Why would he care?’ Yuri thought.
‘Why would he care that she cried. Unless he is really Simon?’
Before Yuri could think about how was that possible, something on the ground caught her eye. It was a card that was lying face down. Curiously, Yuri picked it up.
“The boy of your life is getting closer.” Yuri read the card out loud.
The girl smiled wanly. She didn’t believe in fortune telling, but she stuffed the card into her pocket and went off to her dormitory.

Emily Radley sat in music class with her beady eyes focused on Thomas. How she loved his icy glare and his silvery blonde hair. The time ticked by slowly as Emily spent thirty minutes staring at the side of Thomas’s face. She noticed him glancing towards Yuri several times and her eyes narrowed into a sneer.
‘He never even looked at me.’ Emily thought angrily, her glint filled with jealousy.
What’s so great about that Yuri girl anyway? Emily had always been known as the Princess of Beauty to all her schoolmates and her wealthy background was most admirable. Most boys wanted to have Emily as their girlfriend. And yet, Emily thought glumly, the only boy she loved never even showed the slightest interest towards her. But somehow, Emily Radley was going to get what she wanted, even if her father’s money couldn’t buy it.

Emily took out her most expensive quill and slid it into Yuri’s schoolbag carefully and slowly. The girl glanced around to make sure no one was watching before she burst into a fit of fake tears. All heads turned to her.
“Miss Radley, what’s wrong?” the teacher, Ms. Spinner asked.
“My quill! My most expensive and precious quill is gone! It was a gift from my grandma, before she died!” Emily sobbed, pretending to look devastated.
Everyone began to look around for her pen.
“Everyone turn your bags inside out.” The teacher ordered.
Everyone did so obediently. Emily saw with grim satisfaction that Yuri looked dumbstruck when the quill fell out of her backpack.
“Yuri Kowan, how dare you!” Emily cried, pointing a menacing finger at Yuri.
“You are a thief!”
Everyone threw loathing looks at Yuri and the teacher scolded her.
“Miss Kowan, you must understand that thievery is strictly forbidden and will not be tolerated at this school. I will have to report this. Do you have anything to say?”
Yuri looked at Emily in disbelief but did not say anything. Emily sneered at her.
“No, this is unacceptable, Ms. Spinner. I will take the punishment.” Yuri said after a moment.
Thomas stared at Yuri in astonishment. He saw Emily frame Yuri.
‘Why hadn’t she denied it?’ He thought, bewildered.
Long after class was over, Thomas watched Yuri wash the blackboard and scrub the tables. He stood waiting until she was done, then stepped up to her.
“Want to go for a walk?” he asked quietly.
Yuri looked up in surprise.
Yuri and Thomas walked along the sandy beach in silence. They both stared at their feet and the sand and were careful to avoid each other’s eyes. Finally, Thomas broke the silence.
“Why didn’t you deny it and speak the truth? Look at your hands, they are blistering and red from all that work and yet, why did you not tell the truth to avoid such pain?” he asked, finally finding his voice.
It was his first time taking a walk with a girl and he never knew it would be so awkward. For a moment, Yuri didn’t reply, as if thinking of an answer.
“Emily Radley is not someone you would want to mess with. She is stubborn as a rock and wouldn’t give up until she gets her way. If I don't give up, she will think of more ways to accuse me.” Yuri replied earnestly.
“You know, she seems very attracted to you.” Yuri added as an afterthought, or perhaps to change the subject.
Thomas’s face darkened instantly.
“That’s none of your business.” He said shortly.
“I’ve known Emily for a long time and she is not quite my type.”
Yuri fell silent.
“It’s getting cold, let’s go back inside.”
Thomas suggested after another moment of silence. Yuri nodded and they started to walk back to the school.
That night Yuri dreamt of Simon again. She dreamt that he had come back to life and they were reunited. Her heart was filled with happiness. They were to be wedded. On the happiest day of Yuri’s life, just when it was the moment for Simon to give Yuri her ring, Emily came up and stabbed her in the back. She felt intense pain and saw Simon fading away - Yuri woke up screaming and sobbing. It was then that she realized she was still in her dormitory and that Simon was dead. It was close to midnight and to Yuri’s enormous relief, Emily had not yet returned. Her thoughts drifted to Simon and her heart sank.
‘Why did she have to think about him?’ She thought desperately.
All she wanted was Simon’s life back.

Just then the dormitory door opened and the figure of a boy came in. Yuri sat up with her eyes slightly unfocused. As her vision slowly cleared, she gasped. It was Simon.
“Yuri, are you alright?” Simon said.
“I heard you screaming.”
Yuri threw her arms around Simon’s neck.
“Simon, why did you have to leave me like that? You really… Really scare me when the police officer said you died in that crash!” Yuri murmured, hugging him close to her.
Her tears were mingled with sweat from her dream and she held him tightly.
Thomas was totally surprised. Yuri clung onto his neck and broke down completely. He didn’t know why he didn’t shove her off and snap at her to come back to reality, but he didn’t. He just let her hug him and weep.
“How could you leave me like that? Do you know how much I missed you? I thought about you every night, Simon. I love you so much.” Yuri wept and her voice was shattering.
Thomas didn’t speak.
“Simon, please don’t leave me again…” Yuri gasped.
Then, to Thomas’s astonishment, she pressed her soft lips on his and kissed him softly.
‘She is in so much pain and suffering.’ Thomas thought sadly.
She must’ve loved Simon with all of her heart. Tears slid rapidly down Yuri’s face from her half opened eyes. Just then, Yuri gasped in surprise and stopped kissing Thomas.
“I… I’m so sorry, Thomas.” She apologized hastily.
Thomas continued to stare at Yuri.
“It’s alright.” He said, beginning to blush.
“I’d better go now.” he said awkwardly.
Yuri blushed and nodded. She draped a robe around her shoulders and escorted Thomas downstairs.
“Could you tell me who Simon is?” Thomas asked.
Yuri looked at him and shook her head sadly.
“I’m afraid not, Thomas,” she said quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
Thomas’s smile faded.
“You know, it’s better if you stopped living in the shadow of that dead boy!” he said stiffly and his lips pursed in a thin line.
Yuri turned to Thomas in disbelief.
“How I live my life is my business, not yours!” she snapped.
“Use your brains, if you have any.” Thomas shot back.
“What good is it to live your life thinking Simon will be back, when he will never?”
The girl felt a fresh wave of tears flow down her face.
“And what would you know about love, Thomas Vacur?” she snapped coldly.
“I bet a block of ice like you have never loved anyone in your life! How would you know how I loved Simon?”
Thomas didn’t answer. Yuri stared furiously at him for a moment, and then stormed back to her dormitory. She slammed her door shut. Emily had not yet returned. Yuri was glad. She was getting sick of the girl’s taunting. Yuri stood fuming for a long time as hot tears sting her eyes bitterly.

Thomas stood still in the hallway downstairs. Yuri’s words hurt him more than he could have ever imagined. He never thought any words could affect him so deeply. But she was right. He didn’t know anything about love until he met Yuri, until today. And he never did love anyone in his life. He didn’t know how to love. His father had been in a gang. He had lost money so he began taking money from Mrs. Vacur’s side of the family. He killed Mrs. Vacur’s parents and was later assassinated by the gang leader. Mrs. Vacur sent Thomas under the protection of a friend before jumping into a lake and died. Thomas lived for twelve years being tortured and enslaved by the couple whom he thought were his parents. Then the couple lost everything to a robbery and sold him to Mrs. Vacur’s aunt, an elderly woman who was too old to care for him. On her deathbed, she revealed the truth Thomas had never known. The old lady gave Thomas her small fortune and he attended the orchestra. Aaron Spiel, upon hearing Thomas’s tragic life, took no money from him. He never did love. He did carry a little thankfulness for his mother’s aunt, who had told him the truth. He had spent his eighteen years of life in misery. Nobody could understand the pain and misery he went through. Now he lived with Aaron Spiel and Mr. Spiel’s son and for the past two years, he had lived like a human.

Emily watched silently behind the door. Her mouth formed an angry sneer of jealousy and she exhaled deeply. Her devious eyes were shining with malice towards Yuri.
It was the next day and Yuri was finished with classes. The day was stormy and grey with thunder rumbling in a distance. She was putting her books into her locker when she spotted Emily speeding toward her.
“Yuri, I don’t know who did it! Come!” Emily gasped, panting slightly.
Yuri turned curiously and went after Emily. Emily led Yuri to their dormitory. Yuri opened the door and gasped. Her drawers were flung open and all her photos with Simon were torn up and scattered over the floor. Tears stung her eyes as she bended down to pick the ripped pieces of her photos. Her heart hurt like crazy and she slid onto the floor. Slowly, she felt her breath got caught in her throat. She couldn’t breathe.

Emily sneered behind Yuri’s back and quickly dropped a quill down onto the floor. Then she gasped.
“Look!” Emily cried as she bended down to pick up the pen again as Yuri turned around.
“What is that?” she asked wearily.
“This pen, it’s… It’s…“ Emily stammered.
“Whose is it, Emily? Whose is it?” Yuri demanded, grabbing the pen.
“It’s Thomas’s!” Emily said slowly, studying Yuri’s face.
Yuri’s eyes widened in horror and anger and then she ran out of the room. Emily’s lips curled into a sneer.
Yuri burst through Thomas’s door to find him studying. His dorm mate Willis was sprawled over his fortune cards. They both looked up in alarm.
“Thomas Vacur!” Yuri shrieked, tears flooding down her cheeks.
“How dare you do that!”
“What are you talking about, Yuri?” Thomas asked, looking at her, puzzled.
“Don’t deny it! Yesterday we fought and today I find my room wrecked and Simon’s pictures torn up!” she screamed.
“I knew something like that would happen.” Willis said.
“Shut up Willis. Your room wrecked?” asked a concerned Thomas.
“But who…”
“And guess what I found?” Yuri went on.
“This!” she threw the quill down onto the floor.
Thomas stared at it.
“That is not mine!” he cried, enraged.
“Yuri, this is treacherous!”
The girl covered her ears.
“You know what’s treacherous? It is how I ever see anything good in a horrid person like you!” she snapped, before bolting out the door, leaving Thomas staring after her.
Yuri cried and cried that night. She didn’t return to her dormitory because she knew Emily would be smirking. Hence, Yuri spent the night walking around the area. She was not exactly angry, just heartbroken. She had trusted Thomas with her heart and also secretly loved him. Despite that, he did something beyond horrid, and now the shadow of Simon weighed down on her even more. How could she have been so gullible and naive?
Just then, Yuri felt the same pain strike her as it did when she found her wrecked photos. Her legs suddenly felt weak and they buckled beneath her. Her energy drained out of her slowly and she fell down.
A loud honk threw Yuri out of her pain. She suddenly realized she was kneeling in the middle of the street and a car was roaring down the road.
‘Maybe this is how Simon died’ she thought.
A loud honk and a blinding flash of light. Maybe that’s it. The car horn honked again but Yuri didn’t have the strength to move. White light blinded her and she knew nothing. Her fortune card fell out of her pocket and was crushed by the wheels of the car.
Thomas ran down the dark street searching frantically for Yuri. He had never felt so worried in his life. His platinum blonde hair flew behind him and he breathed heavily but didn’t stop. Far away, he heard a honk but a car was nowhere in sight. A horrible feeling struck his head and he began to run and shouting Yuri’s name at the same time. However, there was no response.
Far ahead on the road lit by the dim street lights, Thomas saw what seemed like a large obstacle in the middle of the street. He ran closer and saw it was Yuri. There was little blood but there was blood at the corner of her mouth. Thomas was horrified. He picked up her body and began to run again, ignoring the cramp on his side. He ran faster than he ever had in his life, even though he was carrying Yuri. He felt a prickling tear at the corner of his eye but it didn’t fall.
Ambulance sirens screeched as it sped down the road. Yuri was inside the ambulance on a stretcher and Thomas, Aaron Spiel and Emily Radley were beside her.
The three waited impatiently outside the emergency room. Thomas paced back and forth with a furrowed brow while Aaron Spiel peered anxiously at the door. Emily sat still as stone and looked deep in thoughts.
‘Yuri was now in the emergency room and it was all something that started out with her. If she hadn’t wrecked Simon’s photos out of her jealousy, Yuri wouldn’t have left and got hit by the car. Damn it.’ Emily thought.
‘She just had to get hit, didn’t she? But she probably knew about Emily anyway. Yuri just wanted Thomas to like her more, that’s why she got hit on purpose. And plus, who told her to stay outside in the middle of the night anyway.’ Emily thought.
‘Yes, that was it. Nothing on earth happens when it’s not supposed to. Life isn’t that on target.’ Emily got angrier as she thought about it.
‘That little witch! She won’t get Thomas! Not while Emily Radley is around.’
Three hours later, the doctor came out to meet them.
“Miss Kowan is in no danger,” the doctor replied. Thomas sighed with relief.
“There is no need to contact her mother. She just has a sprained ankle, a slightly twisted back and a few bruises. Yuri has been transferred to a regular ward. You may visit her.”

Dawn slowly arises and Thomas was nodding off towards the wall. Yuri was still unconscious and he had been with her ever since. Emily and Mr. Spiel had left later during the night. Yuri began to stir, causing Thomas to wake up with a start. Yuri’s eyes slowly fluttered open. She blinked and saw Thomas peering at her with concern written across every syllable of his handsome face.

“Oh, hi.” Yuri said stiffly, sitting up.
Thomas helped her awkwardly.
“What are you doing here?”
“I want to talk, Yuri.” Thomas said earnestly.
They walked along the pretty hedges of the hospital garden.
“So…” They said in unison.
“You first.” Yuri said.
“No, you’re a girl.” Thomas replied politely.
“Have you been with me the whole time?” Yuri asked.
Thomas nodded and she sighed.
“You didn’t have to.”
“Still think I wrecked your photos?” Thomas asked quietly.
The girl didn’t reply for a long time.
“I guess not. I was so stunned the moment Emily told me it was your quill. And it hurt so much. I guess I blew up at you.” She said.
“It’s still true; you can’t live in a shadow forever.” The boy began cautiously.
“And what would you know?” Yuri said coldly.
“I don’t, but it doesn’t seem right.” Thomas said defiantly.
“And why do you even care?” Yuri snapped, flaring up.
“Because I care about you!” Thomas blurted out, stunned at his own daringness.
Before he knew what he was doing, he threw his arms around Yuri.
“I… I love you.”
Yuri stood still in Thomas’s embrace, stunned. Thomas loves her? Of all the girls who liked him, he loved her? He was just like Simon. So sincere. So serious. Tears stung her eyes. Not tears of anger or sadness, but somehow tears of surprise and joy. Her arms lingered uncertainly around his waist. She thought she would never love again, but now, she realized she was in love with Thomas. And she only just realizes that now. Yuri tightened her arms around Thomas and so did he, more confidently this time. They hugged for a long time, each admiring the other’s daringness. They were both stung by happiness and relieved that they have confessed their feelings for each other.
Finally they broke apart. Yuri confessed she was tired and her twisted back was beginning to hurt and so they returned to the ward. Thomas sat by Yuri with her in his arms.

“Thomas, do you know which my favourite poem is?” Yuri whispered, her voice tired but happy.
“Tell me.” Thomas said soothingly.
“My mother read it to me when I was little. My father had died, so she chanted this poem often. It’s called” Love.”
“Love is a legend, love is a story.
Love is a feeling, an experience, and a memory.
It’s something I can’t see,
It’s something just for two.
Yet I feel so special,
When I’m with you.
Through storm and fire,
I feel the strong desire.
Down cliffs and rivers,
So we can be together,
Up mountains and hills,
Just me and you forever.”
Yuri stopped and leaned on Thomas’s shoulder.
“That’s lovely.” Thomas said.
“I feel the same way towards you.” He smiled.
Minutes passed and Yuri slowly fell asleep. Thomas laid her down and gently kissed her on the forehead. He then left.

“Miss Yuri, you can leave today.” Dr. Brown informed her.
“Feeling better?”
“I’m fully recovered due to your careful treatment. Thank you.” Yuri said, packing up her books.
“You know, Mr. Vacur is a fine young man.” Dr. Brown said suddenly.
Yuri looked up in surprise.
“Yes indeed he is.”
“Do you really think he can replace Mr. Simon’s place in your heart?” the doctor stopped cleaning and looked down at his hands.
“He will never be Simon, you know. My wife died, and though I’ve met some fine young women, they will never replace her. Are you really loving him or just using him as a mere shadow of Simon? If you’re just using him, you will hurt him more than you can imagine.”
Yuri looked down too. Now that Dr. Brown mentioned it, she wasn’t sure anymore if she wanted Thomas. She didn’t want to hurt him and use him merely because he looks like Simon. She can’t pretend he is Simon because he’s not. That would be too unfair for him. Yuri suddenly realized she was still standing in the ward. She quickly bid the doctor goodbye and left.
Yuri reached her dormitory thirty minutes later. Emily stood there, glaring at her.
“Emily, what…”
Emily slapped Yuri across the face.
“You filthy little hag, how dare you get involved with Thomas?” the girl snapped, her face in a frightful glare.
“I told you to stay away. He’s mine. You just like him because he looks like that wretched brother of yours, Simon! You have to break up! You’re hurting Thomas rather than loving him!” she glared at Yuri, hate blazing in her blue eyes.
Yuri stared intently at Emily, tears in her eyes. They weren’t tears from the stinging pain but from the fact that Emily was right.
“I can give him real love! How can you just come in and break us apart? We were a fine couple before you came in! You’re so unfair to me and to him!” Emily glowered at Yuri and then stormed out of the room.
“Students, as you all know,” Mr. Spiel’s voice came through the loudspeaker.
“The annual music ball is to be held in one week. The gym will not be available due to decorating works. Please prepare.”
Thomas looked eagerly at Yuri. He had gone to the last ball with Emily but this year, he was looking forward to a real nice and romantic time with Yuri. However, she wasn’t looking his way. Was she avoiding his eyes?
After class, Thomas managed to catch up with Yuri.
“Yuri, let’s go to the ball together.” He said, taking her hand.
“It’ll be great.”
She didn’t reply.
“Thomas, I… I don't think I’m going to the ball.” Yuri stammered, to Thomas’s surprise.
“I’m a little ill this week. I think I’m going to rest for a bit.” Yuri shook free of Thomas and walked away with her head bowed.
A few minutes later Emily came up to Thomas to his dismay.
“Thomas,” she said sweetly.
“Since Yuri’s not going to the ball, are you willing to go again with me?” she batted her eyebrows furiously at him in a cute way.
Thomas stared after Yuri who was well out of sight already. He then looked back at Emily who was looking anxiously at him. He nodded. Emily’s beautiful face broke into a smile.
“It will be a success.”
She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before leaving.

“Yuri, please tell me what’s wrong.” Thomas begged.
“I told you, I’m ill.” Yuri replied.
“I can tell you’re avoiding me.”
Yuri bit her lip then turned to him.
“Thomas, I don’t want to hurt you OK? I don’t know if I really love you or I’m just seeing Simon through you.” She blurted out.
Thomas looked astounded.
“But I thought…”
“Yes, you thought I love you! I don’t know if it’s real love, Thomas! Just, please, go with Emily!” Yuri began to tremble uncontrollably.
She got up and ran all the way to the dormitory, well out of Thomas’s sight.

“Yuri, you have to go to the ball.” Emily pleaded with a purr in her voice.
“Go with Randy. He asked you. That way you won’t hurt Thomas and you will get to have fun also.”
Emily reached into her suitcase and pulled out a beautiful red satin dress. She quickly matched it against Yuri’s body.
“We’re about the same size. Here, this is a dress of mine. It fits you perfectly. You can have it.”
Yuri looked at Emily, surprised at her sudden kindness.
“No, this is too beautiful and exquisite…” she began, but Emily shoved the dress into Yuri’s arms.
“You simply must go, Yuri. I’ll wait for you at the ball.” Emily said hastily and left before Yuri could refuse.
The night of the ball was cheerful and wonderful. Yuri finally gave in to Emily’s endless nagging and decided to go to the ball dressed in the red satin dress. Emily and her crowd of friends were to meet their dates in the gym but Randy waited for Yuri.
Thomas and Emily stood chatting. Thomas wore a long and handsome black suit with a tie while Emily also wore a red satin dress. The gym was crowded with people among which half of them were Emily’s snobby and popular friends. Thomas’s mind kept drifting to Yuri and he went for the door twice with every intention to visit her but he was stopped by Emily.

Just then, Thomas’s eyes caught a flash of red on a person that just entered the gym. It was Yuri and Randy and she was wearing exactly what Emily was wearing. Thomas was so shocked that he dropped his cookie. Emily noticed and suddenly put a hand to her head to pretend she was upset.
“I feel so ashamed, Thomas. Yuri told me she didn’t like that dress and it was ugly and a waste of money. In spite of that, she went and bought the exact same one for the ball. I think I’ll go back to my dormitory before she sees me.”
She sped away before Thomas could stop her. He stared at Yuri in stunned silence. He had a look of disbelief and disgust on his face. She had lied to him and she had lied to Emily. She told him she wasn’t coming and yet she turns up with Randy. What kind of rotten heart does she have?
Two days have passed since the ball and Thomas refuses to speak a single word to Yuri. He stayed with Emily who was beyond happy. She had finally won Yuri Kowan.
Yuri began to feel the horrible pain more often and sometimes she felt weak and tired. She decided to ignore it but the pains and weakness were recurring more often so she went for a check up with Dr. Brown. Yuri waited patiently outside the examination room while Dr. Brown concluded the results. He came out two hours later with his face looked sombre. The conclusion paper shook in his trembling hands.

“Yuri, the results showed that you have leukaemia.” The doctor said.
For a moment, Yuri was sure she had misunderstood him.
“I… I’m sorry, Dr. Brown?”
“You have been diagnosed with leukaemia, a cancer that affects your blood.”
Yuri looked carefully at the doctor to make sure he wasn’t joking.
“M-Maybe you should do the results over again…”
“Yuri, I did it three times already. There is no mistake.” The doctor said gravely.
“I’m afraid the only way to cure leukaemia is through bone marrow transplant operation. However, it is difficult to get a suitable donor and the price is unreasonably high… I suppose you can always try medication...”
“I’ll take that, then.” Yuri said quietly.
The medicine bottle shook in Yuri’s hand as she stumbled back to the school. Leukaemia? How could it be this serious? She never imagined it was that bad. What will she do now? Certainly she couldn’t afford the operation. But what else is there to do? Maybe, just maybe, Yuri thought, the medicine will cure me. I’ll just have to wait and pray.
Thomas glanced uneasily around him. He had a feeling someone had been following him ever since he had left Emily. They had gone to a music class together before she went off shopping.
A dark shadow flickered past again. Thomas spun around quickly but there was nobody in sight. Damn it, he thought. He escaped again. He moves really quickly. He was just about to turn back when the culprit lunged out at him. Thomas yelled in surprise but ducked just in time. The shadow fell a few feet before him but got up quickly in a flash. It was Randy. Randy pulled out a gun and pointed it at Thomas.
“Randy…”
Yuri returned from the hospital with her ears pounding slightly.
“You will not live for long,” Dr. Brown’s words rung in her ears.
“If you don’t do the operation, there is a chance that you will die shortly. Even with the operation, it can only extend your life span and not fully cure it.”
Yuri was immersed in her thoughts when a deadly voice reached her ears.
“I am son of the gang leader, your filthy father’s master.”
It was Randy’s voice! Yuri quickly ducked behind a building to listen to the conversation.
“My father?” Thomas’s said in a surprised voice.
“Your father, Marcus Vacur, was a filthy piece of crap. He stole money from my father when he was broke. He deserved to be killed. Now that my father is dead, the gang is dismissed, and I’m the only one who remains loyal to my father.” Randy held out the gun.
Yuri clapped her hand over her mouth in horror. She reached quietly into her purse and pulled out her cell phone. She glanced uneasily at them to see what Randy was doing. She dialled 911 and gave them the address. The police said they would be there shortly.
She turned her attention back to Randy but Thomas was talking now.
“I never knew my father and I don’t have one either.” He said coolly, glowering at Randy.
“For years I have followed you to try and kill you. I have killed three of the disloyal gang members already. Now, I need to get rid of you.”
Yuri gasped. She heard sirens, but Randy did not seem to notice. Yuri ran to the police cars. Officers leapt out and they ran to Randy and Thomas.
Halfway there, Yuri heard a blast. There was no doubt Randy had pulled the trigger. There was a muffled yell and Yuri’s heart stopped.'

“Yuri,” Dr. Brown informed Yuri who was waiting outside the emergency room anxiously.
“The situation is grim. Thomas was shot severely in the stomach and a whole part of his liver is ruined. The only way to help him is for someone to transfer part of their liver to him. But…”
“I’ll do it.” Yuri said instantly. Dr. Brown sighed.
“I was afraid you would say that. But you have to understand that you have leukaemia and if you transfer your liver or part of it to Thomas, it will shorten your life span.”
“Please, Dr. Brown… Please, I have to help him!” Yuri begged. The doctor sighed.
“Well, alright. I see you truly love him.”
“Please don’t tell him I did it.” Yuri said. The doctor looked astonished.
“But why would you not want him to know of your love for him?” he asked.
Yuri looked away.
“I have hurt him enough. I don't want him to know that I sacrificed part of me. He’ll regret and feel bad for the rest of his life. Just say that you cured him, please.”
The doctor sighed for the third time.
“Well alright since you insist. Please come to the operation room.”

The next day, Yuri’s operation to transfer part of her liver to Thomas was successfully completed. Thomas was still unconscious but Yuri was awake and getting ready to leave.
“Thank you, Dr. Brown. Please don’t tell Thomas. Take good care of him.” She said.
Just then the door opened and Thomas entered. His face was pale and tired. Yuri gasped and hid herself quickly in the closet in the doctor’s office.
“Thomas, what are you doing away from your bed?” she heard Dr. Brown ask.
“I’m alright, Doctor. Thank you. I expect I will be able to leave in a few days?” Thomas asked.
Yuri thought his voice sounded hoarser and more strained then usual.
Suddenly Yuri felt pain rapidly streaming through her bones and muscles. Her whole body felt immensely weak and rubbery. Her vision was blacking out. Yuri fell with a loud thud as she couldn’t control herself. Thomas turned as he was heading out for the door. Yuri was saved by some quick thinking from Dr. Brown.
“Oh, damn it. It must be the books in my closet again. And I just restacked them!” he said exasperatedly.
Thomas smiled wanly and left. Yuri began to cry. She wanted Thomas to know she loved him, but she didn’t want to hurt him anymore. The doctor helped her out and let Yuri cry.

“Hi mother. How are you?” Yuri said into the phone.
It was night back at the dormitory and she was calling her mother.
“I’m fine Yuri dear.” Susan Kowan’s voice replied.
“And you?”
“I’m…“ Yuri considered telling her mother about her situation, but decided against it.
“I’m alright, mother. Can I ask you if you could ever forget father?” she asked quietly.
“No Yuri, I will not forget your father ever.” Mrs. Kowan answered.
“I will not, and I cannot. Because once someone is deep in your heart, you will never be able to forget him.”
Yuri felt tears roll down her cheek.
“Thanks, Mother.” She whispered.
“I’ll talk to Thomas then.” She added vaguely before she knew what she was doing.
“Thomas who?” Susan Kowan suddenly demanded.
“Thomas Vacur.”
“Him?” cried Mrs. Kowan to Yuri’s great surprise.
“You have to break up. You cannot be with him.”
“Why? Do you know him, mother?”
“N-No. Well yes, Yuri. I’ll fax an article to you right now and then you’ll understand.”
They chatted for a while longer before Yuri hung up. She watched the fax machine as an article was printed out. She read it, and gasped.

December 28th, 2001
Mr. Leon Spiel came to Sacramento for some meetings he had to attend in the name of his father, Mr. Aaron Spiel. It was then that he lost his young life. Late in the night of December 14th, his car collided with that of Simon Kowan’s and he was sent directly to the hospital. Simon Kowan was killed instantly after the crash. Leon had received a severe bump in the head and a variety of cuts but was in no big danger. He was sent back to London, England two days later, where he lived with his father and adopted stepbrother, Thomas Vacur. However, four days later, it was said he developed a tumour from a bump in his head and he died a week later.
Yuri looked up, stunned. So it was Thomas’s brother who had killed Simon. Leon had killed Simon. Thomas was as good as the murderer of her brother.
Thomas bumped headlong into Yuri after music class the next day. She looked up at him firmly.
“Yuri, let’s not break up.” Thomas, said, grabbing her arm.
She looked up at him and gave him a look. He wasn’t quite sure what it meant.
“I’m sorry, Thomas. We were never meant to be together. We can never be together either.” She said.
She swung free of him and walked away. As she did, a piece of white fax fell out from her bag. Thomas picked it up and read it. As he did, his eyes widened in horror and he understood. His brother had killed Simon, the person Yuri had loved the most in her life.
“Father, how did Leon die?” Thomas asked Aaron Spiel.
The man stopped in his tracks and looked at Thomas in surprise.
“Why do you ask?” he asked sharply.
“Tell me!” Thomas exclaimed.
“Don’t you know he died of cancer?” Aaron Spiel said.
“He killed Simon Kowan, Yuri’s brother, and then developed tumour from the crash, right?” Thomas cried.
His father froze.
“How did you find out?”
Thomas shoved the fax into his father’s face. The man read it and sighed.
“I knew how much you love Yuri and I didn’t want you to know.” Mr. Spiel said.
“How did things become this way?” Thomas yelled.
“Why is love so unfair? Now she will hate me forever. I am the brother of Simon’s murderer!”

Meanwhile, Yuri was back in her dormitory with her cell phone held tightly in her hands. She dialled Simon’s beach house number hesitantly.
Yuri waited for the four rings to pass before hearing Simon’s voice, “Please leave a message.”
“Simon,” Yuri whispered into the receiver with her voice choked with misery.
“I haven’t called you in a long time. How are you? I am in love with the brother of your murderer. I can’t control my emotions, Simon. You had always given me good advice. Please help me.” Yuri paused so that her tears would not spill.
She swallowed a lump in her throat and went on.
“Help me, Simon. I don’t know if I should love him or not. Mother said a person who is deep in your heart is unforgettable. That person was you but I’m not sure if Thomas has replaced you or not. Please help me decide…”
Yuri’s voice trailed off as she broke down completely. She felt burning pain in her muscles and it drained out her energy. She squinted with pain as the telephone receiver fell out of her hand and crashed to the ground. The power button hit the floor and the phone shut off. Yuri slumped onto the floor and clutched her chest, wincing in pain. She crawled to her bed and climbed in.

Yuri didn’t know how long she slept. However it was school break and she didn’t have to worry about school. When she woke up, the sun was shining through the curtains. She still felt weak but didn’t feel any pain. Yuri got up and dressed herself. She was about to leave when there was a knock on her door. Yuri opened it and found Thomas standing at the doorway.
“Oh, hello.” Yuri said quietly.
Thomas studied her.
“Yuri, you look terrible.” He said, concerned.
He reached out to touch her face but stopped.
“Uh… I just wanted to tell you that Mr. Spiel has appointed me to study in France and… and…” he stopped and looked down.
“And well… I just wanted to tell you that.” He turned to walk away.
Yuri felt her heart break again. Thomas was going to leave her.
‘What should I do?’ She thought desperately.

He is going away right now, leaving me forever just like Simon. Before Yuri could decide what to do, she ran up and hugged Thomas around the waist. He stopped moving and stood still.
“Thomas, I love you!” Yuri whispered. Her tears fell and she laid her head on the back of his shoulder. She tightened her arms around him.
Thomas felt the prickling feeling at the corner of his eye again. However, he didn’t let the tear fall. He placed his hands on hers.
Thomas and Yuri walked along the sandy beach with the waves crashing at their bare feet.
“I’m sorry, Yuri.” Thomas said after a moment of silence.
“It’s ok... It’s not your fault.” Yuri said quietly, shifting her feet.
“And plus, it’s already in the past. You’re right; I can’t live in the past and the shadow forever.”
She felt a sudden gust of wind hit her insides and closed her eyes and waited for it to go away.
“I’ll leave on the day after tomorrow. My stuff is packed already.” Thomas said awkwardly.
Yuri took his hand.
“Thomas, when will you come back?” she asked.
“In a year.” The boy replied.
Yuri thought about how long and painful that period of time would be without him. Tell him not to go! He’ll listen. A part of her brain was saying that. She opened her mouth but the other half of her brain restrained her. No! If you want him to be happy, think for him, think for his career. This is very important to him, let him go. She suddenly felt weak and her stomach churned with pain. Yuri put her hands over her stomach and she knelt down while still holding Thomas’s hand. Her weight pulled him back.

“What’s wrong, Yuri?” he asked.
“I… I slipped and I fell.” Yuri said before she could stop herself.
It was the lamest lie she had ever heard herself tell. Thomas laughed and pulled her up.
“Good luck there, Thomas. I’ll wait for you to return.” Yuri said, squeezing his hand.
He squeezed her hand in return to show his appreciation. Yuri felt her stomach churn again and she flinched. Thomas put his hand around her waist and she felt better. Her vision was clearing.
“Thomas, it’s cold. I think I’ll go rest now.” Yuri said.
“I’ll walk you to your dormitory.” Thomas offered.
“How could you let him go?” Emily pointed a finger at Yuri and screamed.
“I let him go because it was his wish.” Yuri said sincerely and sat down on her bed.
“Yuri Kowan! How dare you say you give him true love!” Emily shouted.
“If I were you, I would not leave him! If I were you, I would always be at his side! If I were you…”
“Emily, you’re only thinking about what you want. How could you be so selfish?” Yuri took a step toward Emily and asked.
“How could you say you truly love him? Have you ever considered what he wants? You think about what you want him to do! Not what he wants for himself!” she stopped and glared back for once.
Emily sneered.
“There are many ways to love. You always think that everything you do is for the best. However, it doesn’t mean that your way is the best way. And just because I don’t want him to leave doesn’t mean I don’t truly love Thomas!” Emily turned on her heels and stormed out.
“Thomas, please don’t go to France!” Emily begged.
She and Thomas were in an empty classroom.
“I’m your girlfriend, please don’t leave me!” she hugged Thomas.
“Emily I’m sorry, but I have to go.” Thomas said.
“Even Yuri…”
“Then let’s get married and I’ll go with you!” Emily went on as she tries to stop Thomas from mentioning Yuri’s name.
“What are you talking about, Emily?”
“Why is that girl so much better than me?” Emily screamed.
“If Yuri said this to you instead of me today, would you say yes?”
“I’m not going to answer that question.”
“Why not?”
“Because Yuri would never be so unreasonable!”
Emily burst into tears.
“Do you mean that loving you and not wanting to loose you is being unreasonable? Fine, go to France! I don’t care!” she ran out sobbing.
“Thomas, take care.” Yuri said.
They were at the airport terminal.
“Remember, I’ll wait for you.”
Thomas nodded.
“Emily came to me yesterday and said loads of nonsense. She didn’t want me to leave.” Yuri forced a laugh.
“Well, I don’t want you to leave either. But you’re coming back.”
They bided goodbye and Thomas turned toward the departing gate. Yuri stood gazing after him. She didn’t want him to go. She wanted to call him to come back. The pain that struck Yuri got worse as she watched Thomas step into the terminal gateway. ‘Thomas, don’t go.’ she whispered in her heart as tears started to flood her eyes.
Thomas, please don’t go, I need you. Yuri felt her vision blacking out and she placed a hand on her head to steady herself.
Thomas, come back... Please don’t leave me. Come back.
However, the airplane had taken off. She watched the plane’s wheels lift off the ground and Thomas was gone. Yuri felt tortured by pain. She coughed and felt something on her hand. Yuri slowly lifted her hand from her mouth. It was blood. She had coughed blood.

Yuri stumbled back to her dormitory to find Emily waiting for her.
“You let him go?” she whispered with a hoarse voice from crying.
She rounded up on Yuri.
“Why did you let him go?” she raised a fist and punched Yuri across the face.
Yuri didn’t move. She stood still feeling numbed. Emily screamed and ran out of the dormitory sobbing and screaming. Yuri fell onto her bed.

For the next three weeks, Yuri coughed blood often. It was harder to hide her leukaemia. She was often tired and skipped half her classes. Once she even almost fainted in class. Thomas phoned every week, saying cheerfully that he was doing well. Yuri cried every time he phoned but hid it from him. She couldn’t bear to end his happiness.
Emily wandered into the hospital for her annual health check up. She had just seen Dr. Slath, her private physician, and was informed that she was as healthy as ever. She was walking past the cancer hallway when she heard Yuri’s voice.
“Dr. Brown, I have been coughing blood often. Does this mean anything?” Yuri asked.
Emily hid behind the door to listen to the conversation.
“Yuri, I’m sorry. Your leukaemia is getting worse. I’m afraid you will not live for another two months.” Dr. Brown said.
Emily gasped silently.
‘So that was why Yuri looked so pale lately.’ She thought.
Tears of regret welled up in her eyes.
‘How horrible, Yuri had leukaemia, and she is dying! However, she’s still so young. She’s not even seventeen!’ Emily thought tearfully.
‘She let Thomas go and suffered all that pain and torture alone. She only wants the best for Thomas and not herself. She truly loved Thomas. I could never do what she did.’ Emily thought.
‘I don’t deserve Thomas. Yuri is dying and Thomas is not even by her side.’

“I understand.” Yuri said.
“Thank you, Dr. Brown.”
She was about to leave when Dr. Brown stopped her.
“Is Mr. Vacur here?” he asked.
“He went to France.”
“But why did you let him go when you needed him most?” the doctor asked.
“It’s what he wanted.” Yuri answered.
“I know I cannot be with him forever anymore. I don’t want him to know and freak out. I want everything to stay normal. He’s happy right now, and I don’t want to ruin it. I want him to be happy forever even after I die. I hope he marries Emily and have children. They are a good match as he is so handsome and Emily is also very pretty…”
Emily bolted out of the hallway as she is unable to bear it anymore. She slid down a wall and sobbed out loud.
‘How could she be so horrible to Yuri in the past?’
She put her head on her knees and wept shamefully. Her eyes caught sight of a pay phone in front of her. She stood up and picked it up. She shoved some coins into it. ‘Thomas has to come back. He has to come back and be with Yuri. They belong together.’
She held the phone close to her ears and dialled Thomas’s number. It rang three times before he picked it up.
Thomas picked up the phone.
“Hello?”
“Thomas, this is Emily.” Emily replied with a hoarse and sad voice.
“Hi Emily.”
“You have to come back to London as soon as possible.” She said.
Thomas became a little annoyed at Emily’s stubbornness.
“Listen Emily. I can’t just leave right now. Listen I can’t come back. For the last time…”
“It’s about Yuri.” Emily interrupted.
She began to cry.
“You have to come back to her right now. She… She…”
“What’s wrong with Yuri? Emily, what’s wrong with her?” Thomas demanded as he began to panic.
“She’s ill with leukaemia. The doctor says she can’t live for more than two months!” Emily’s voice sobbed into the receiver.
Thomas hung up. He felt his heart stop.
‘Yuri is sick. She is dying. How could he have left her alone?’
At the airport, she looked as if she was pleading him to stay with her and yet he still left. He let her down and disappointed her, like what he had done so many times before. Thomas went into his black car and raced towards the airport to catch the earliest possible flight back to London.
Yuri walked down the hallway of the school. She is going to die soon and would never be able to see Thomas ever again. He left her. She was afraid he would leave her just like what Simon did but she was going to leave him soon instead. She is going to make Thomas endure all the pain she had gone through. Yuri didn’t want to die. She wanted to be with Thomas forever.
Suddenly, an immense pain shot through her body. Her veins, bones and muscles felt as if they were on fire. She felt her vision go blur again and this time, her head was spinning too. She knew she was going to die. She’s going to die right in the middle of the hallway. Die in front of all her schoolmates. Die without a last look at Thomas. Her legs finally gave away beneath her. Her books fell with a loud thud onto the marble floor and she fell with her books. Everyone in the hallway turned to look at her. The moment she hit the floor, Yuri’s eyes closed and she lay still.
Thomas ran all the way out of the airport. He waved frantically for a cab and climbed in. The cab broke down halfway there so Thomas had to run the rest of the way. His hair flew behind him and he felt sweat trickling down his forehead. Yuri is waiting for him in the hospital. She is still alive and waiting for him. He had to see her. He could see her pale face wincing in pain and she was crying and gasping. Thomas quickened his pace.
Emily was waiting outside the hospital. Tears stained her white face and she has a blank expression.
“Emily, where’s Yuri?” Thomas grabbed her shoulders and asked.
Emily didn’t reply but sobbed silently.
“Thomas she’s in the emergency room right now. Dr. Brown said her condition worsened. She fainted in the hallway. He reckons she could not live past the next three weeks.” Emily said before breaking down completely.
Thomas stumbled back looking stunned. He felt his ears pounding and before he knew it, he bolted toward the emergency room.
“Yuri!” he shouted frantically trying to burst into the emergency room.
Aaron Spiel and another doctor held him back. Thomas fought desperately but couldn’t free himself.
“Thomas, calm down!” Mr. Spiel ordered as he gripping his son’s shoulders and shook it hard.
“How can I calm down?” Thomas yelled.
“Yuri’s lying in the emergency room dying! How can you expect me to calm down?”
“You’re not helping Yuri being this way! Calm down!”
Thomas looked at his father wearily.
“Father, I just want Yuri back! I just want her back…“
Aaron Spiel clasped a hand on Thomas’s back.
“Yuri Kowan, you are the meanest person in the entire universe.” Thomas said with a quiet and soothing voice.
“We said we would be together. We promised each other we would never part. How could you be so cruel to me? How could you do this to me?” He hit her gently as he felt the prickly feeling in his eyes.
“How could you make me worry about you like this? In France, I think about you everyday, and you have to hurt me like this. Yuri Kowan, you’re inhuman and horrible. How could you make me go through all the pain you went through for Simon?” Thomas paused to swallow the prickly feeling.
The ward was silent, and Yuri remained motionless. Thomas was unable to say anything anymore. He put his head face-down by Yuri’s cold hand.
“Yuri, I love you. For our love, please… Please wake up!” he wanted to cry, but somehow he just couldn’t.
“I’ve changed for you, please wake up for me.”
Moments ticked by and there was a soft murmur from the girl.
“Thomas… Thomas…” Yuri was calling his name softly in a hoarse whisper.
Thomas raised his head in disbelief. Yuri was stirring slowly. She closed her hand gently around Thomas’s.
“Take me to the beach, Thomas.” Her voice was hardly above a whisper and her lips were colorless.
“Alright.” Thomas said soothingly.
He gently picked up the fragile girl.

Thomas carried Yuri along the beach with her face pressed against his. Their foreheads touched fondly.
“Why didn't you tell me?” Thomas asked as he watched her black hair blow around her.
“I’m sorry, Thomas.” Yuri whispered.
Her voice was soft and tired. She felt tears slide silently down her cheeks.
“I don’t want to die, Thomas.”
Thomas lay Yuri down carefully and sat down next to her on a large rock. Her skirt fluttered around her feet and the sun blinded her slightly on the windy December day.
“I don’t you to die either, Yuri.” Thomas said as he wiped her tears away.
“Thomas, I know I won’t be able to live any much longer.” Yuri said quietly.
“Let our hearts connect forever. No matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you. No matter what happens, our hearts will always be together, ok?”
Thomas looked at her fondly, his platinum blonde hair whipping out behind him. He nodded and placed his hands behind him on the cold rock.
“Look at the ocean, it is very violent today.” He said.
“Yes, I love the ocean. It’s calm sometimes, but violent and unsure at other times, just like our love.”
She turned to Thomas.
“Thomas, my heart will never leave you.”
She closed her eyes, and so did he. They both leaned forward in unison and kissed very gently. Thomas placed his hand on Yuri’s cold face and ran his fingers through her soft black hair like a comb. They kissed in front of the roaring ocean under the pale sunset.

“Thomas, can you sing me a lullaby?” Yuri said quietly.
They were back at school in Thomas’s dormitory. Yuri was lying in Thomas’s arms because she didn’t want to go back to the hospital. Thomas has been with her for every second since he got back to London. Aaron Spiel had called Mrs. Kowan. Even though Yuri objected to it, Mr. Spiel insisted that her mother be with her.
“I don’t know any lullabies, Yuri, but I have a poem. It’s called ‘Together’. This is how it goes.”
“I’ll hold your hand and help you stand
when you need me.
I’ll truly love you and be your eyes
when you are blind.
I’ll help you find your way and be your compass
when you are lost.
I’ll keep you warm and be your blanket
when you are cold.
But I believe when we’re together,
we can accomplish whatever we want.
We will hold hands, side-by-side,
with nothing to worry and nothing to hide.
We can be together.
Just you and me together forever.”

“That is a beautiful poem, Thomas.” Yuri murmured sleepily as her eyelids felt heavy.
She put her head onto his shoulder and murmured.
“Can you do all that for me?”
Thomas kissed her on the cheek.
“Of course I can. I would do anything for you. Remember, our hearts are connected.” He hugged her tightly.
“I’ll remember…”
Yuri’s voice trailed off and she fell into a deep slumber.
“Yuri!” Mrs. Kowan burst through the door and ran up to her daughter with a duffel bag clinging limply out of her hand.
She studied her daughter. Yuri looked so pale, so weak and fragile. She stroked her daughter’s face and hugged her tightly.
“Hi, Mother.” Yuri said.
Mrs. Kowan began to sob.
“Mother, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, my dear, what happened?” Mrs. Kowan said.
Yuri felt pain shoot through her body and her body felt cold.
“It’s alright, Mother.” Yuri managed to choke out.
Her muscles were weakening again.
“Yuri, look at you. You’ve grown so much skinnier!” her mother put her arms around Yuri and turned to Thomas.
“Thomas, dear. Thank you for taking care of my little girl.” She said, tears in her eyes.
Thomas nodded.
“Yuri, you should go back to the hospital. You will go through the operation.” Mrs. Kowan insisted.
Thomas and Mrs. Kowan escorted her to the hospital where they filled in papers for the operation.
“Mrs. Kowan, please go and rest for a while. I’ll take care of Yuri.” Thomas offered.
The lady smiled wanly.
“Alright, I’ll go wait outside while you two chat.” She said, patting his shoulder.
Thomas sat down next to Yuri and she grabbed his hand.
“Thomas, I’m scared. I don't want to have surgery.” She said and her eyes looked frightened.
Thomas took her in his arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll be right next to you, Yuri. Don’t worry.” He said gently.
“I’m afraid of dying.” Yuri confessed.
“Everyone thinks I’m so noble and brave but nobody understands how scared I am inside. I don’t want to die.” She began to tremble slightly.
Thomas hugged her tighter.
“Everything will be OK.” He soothed.
He hugged her for a long time, until she spoke.
“Thomas, go get some rest.” She said.
Thomas smiled and nodded. Yuri noticed dark shadows under his blue eyes and he did not harden his platinum blonde hair with gel today. Yuri watched him leave and her heart began to hammer with fear. She was so scared, she was so afraid of death. She sat up and put her head against her knees as she cried in the dark. She felt so lonely, so lost…
The door to the ward opened and Emily stepped in. She was crying as well.
“You called Thomas, Emily. Thank you.” Yuri said through her sobs.
Emily nodded and hugged Yuri hesitantly.
“I’m so sorry!” she whispered.
Yuri hugged her back.
“Emily, I’m so scared. I don't want to have the operation. I don't want to!”
Emily held Yuri’s head gently.
“Yuri, be brave. Not for me. Not for Thomas, but for yourself.” She encouraged.
Both girls wept to drown their sorrows. Neither knew how long they wept but it made them both feel better.
“Thomas, Mrs. Kowan, Emily, Yuri’s conditions has worsened.” Dr. Brown said.
“There is no hope. She can’t have the operation anymore. We have arranged for your last visits.” He walked away to his office.
Mrs. Kowan fell back onto the bench with tears flooding down her cheeks. Emily gasped and Thomas shook his head before turning on his heels and racing out of the hospital. He ran with all his might until he stumbled and couldn’t run anymore. He put his hands on the fountain in front of him and stared at his reflection. They were so close to extending Yuri’s life span. Now, she is going to die. He could not keep his promise and be with her forever. Thomas threw back his head and shot off into the December night sky.

Mrs. Kowan and Emily sat by Yuri’s bedside. The air was filled with misery as even the weather was mourning. The wind howled and it began to rain.
“Yuri, please wake up,” Mrs. Kowan sobbed.
“Mother is sorry. I owe you so much. I wasn't able to protect you, just like I couldn’t protect Simon and you father. Why am I so useless…”
“Mrs. Kowan, I beg you to stop being this way.” Emily said.
“Yuri doesn’t need us to sob over her right now. She needs encouragement.”
“You’re right, Emily.” Mrs. Kowan said.
She turned back to Yuri.
“Yuri, look at all who love you so much. Look around. Open your eyes, sit up, and look around. We all love you so much, please wake up!”
Despite all their talk, Yuri remained motionless and lifeless.

It was seven o’clock in the morning in the ward. There was nobody except the patient in the ward. The clock struck seven and the patient’s fingers moved very slightly. Her eyelids twitched and fluttered open, like a butterfly spreading its wings. Yuri sat up very slowly. The last time she was conscious, she coughed blood and couldn’t breathe. However, her breath is back now. She got up slowly and walked along the hallway. For some reason, she was glad of the eerie silence and peacefulness. The hallways were empty and Yuri went down to the beach. She bent down before the rock she had sat together with Thomas and took out a piece of chalk. Yuri wrote the words very slowly as her hand shook from weakness, “Yuri and Thomas Forever.”
Then, she sat down on the rock to gaze at the churning ocean.
“Dr. Brown, where is Yuri?” Thomas demanded.
The doctor turned, startled.
“She’s not in the ward?”
“No, I went to the ward but it was empty.” Thomas replied as he began to panic.
He turned to search for Yuri again but Dr. Brown grabbed his arm.
“She truly loves you.” The doctor said.
“You never knew how much. That time you got shot, it was she who gave you part of her liver. Even though she knew that if she did so, her life span will shorten. She saved you, not me. Go find her.”
Thomas swung free of the doctor looking shocked. It was Yuri who had saved him. If it wasn’t for Yuri, he would be dead. If it wasn’t for him, Yuri would be able to live longer today. It was his fault. Thomas bolted out the hospital gates towards the beach, where he assumed she was. He was right. Far away seated on a rock, there was a figure in blue. He ran up to her but froze as he was three feet away. She turned and gazed back at him. They stared at each other for a moment and then Thomas, for the first time in his life, started to cry. He ran up and hugged Yuri. He kissed her cheek and her forehead. The tears he had been holding back his whole life spilled.

“Yuri, why did you have to save me?” Thomas cried as tears streamed down his pale face.
“I’m so sorry!”
Yuri lay in his embrace.
“Don’t be sorry Thomas. If I hadn’t saved you, my happiness wouldn’t have lasted.” She said as silent tears poured down her face.
He hugged her like he could never let go as she lay on his lap. Yuri suddenly felt immense pain penetrate her body and she flinched. Her energy was drained and her lips were colorless and dry.
“I love you, Thomas.” She whispered.
“I love you, Yuri.” Thomas said.
He could feel her energy draining and he knew she was dying. More tears leaked out of his eyes.
“Remember the time when we first met? You were really mean to me.” Yuri said.
Thomas nodded.
“And the time when you accidentally kissed me.”
“When our eyes first met.”
“When we first broke up.”
“When we first kissed.”
Yuri’s voice got softer as she spoke. Thomas held her tighter.
“Thomas, remember the poem I read to you?”
“I remember every word.”
“Can you read it with me?” Yuri asked.
Thomas nodded as tears flooded his eyes again. Yuri smiled and began to clap as she chanted. Thomas joined in.
“Love is a legend, love is a story.
Love is a feeling, an experience, and a memory.
It’s something I can’t see,
It’s something just for two.
Yet I feel so special,
When I’m with you.
Through storm and fire,
I feel the strong desire.
Down cliffs and rivers,
So we can be together,
Up mountains and hills,
Just me and you forever.”
They stopped together. Yuri’s arms felt heavy but she managed a soft laugh as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
“Thomas, now let’s read your poem.”
“I’ll hold your hand and help you stand
when you need me.
I’ll truly love you and be your eyes
when you are blind.
I’ll help you find your way and be your compass
when you are lost.
I’ll keep you warm and be your blanket
when you are cold.
But I believe when we’re together,
we can accomplish whatever we want.
We will hold hands… side-by-side…
With… nothing… to worry…”
Yuri stopped clapping and chanting. Her hands fell onto her lap and her head rolled to the side against Thomas’s shoulder. Thomas felt tears penetrate his eyes but he did not stop. He continued chanting and clapping and finished the poem.
“And nothing to hide.
We can be together.
Just you and me together forever.”
Thomas looked down at Yuri but she had died. He felt pain strike through his heart and he cupped her head in his hands.
“Yuri, I’ll be your compass and blanket! I’ll be your anything! Yuri, please don’t go! Yuri!!!” he held her head and shouted as more tears streamed down his cheeks.
A huge wave crashed against the rock with the words, “Yuri and Thomas Forever”. The words were washed away by that wave along with Yuri’s life.
Yuri Kowan died on December 14th, exactly two years after her brother’s death.
Thomas stood by the ocean. It was three months after Yuri’s death. He glared at the ocean with tears falling unashamedly down his cheeks. He had promised Yuri they would be together forever, and he had decided that if she couldn’t stay with him, he would go to her. He took a step into the cold ocean… and then took another step … and then another…
~ Epilogue ~
Three years later Emily Radley and her husband Thomas Vacur watched their infant son crawl in his play pen. Thomas was saved by Emily but he lost his memory when he tried to drown himself.
Emily gazed at her happy family. She was filled with joy at what was given to her today and she would never forget Yuri Kowan, the girl who gave her all she had today. Far away, they could hear an orchestra playing the song of love. Yuri Kowan, you will always be Thomas’s girl… Thomas’s memory… Thomas’s love… His princess… His angel… And Thomas’s universe…

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