• A thin layer of fog collected around the local graveyard. Mixtures of a tranquil sensation and remorse fell over the teenager whom stood at the entrance. Though only a few days had pasted since he last paid his respects to his buried friends, a lingering guilt built itself up. He had promised the deceased to visit every week, though life had a different agenda set up for him henceforth. A smile etched its way onto his face as he began the short trek down the stone path to the adjacent graves.

    Upon his arrival to the graves, he placed two of the three white carnation he held on either. The teen noticed that the last carnations he had left still laid before the tombstones, although slightly withered. With the third in hand, he let his nervous habit of rolling the stem between his index finger and thumb. Moments passed as he stood reading the engravings of the tombstones.

    “Hey guys. It's Simon again.” He muttered. A cool mist began to fall upon the surrounding area. Shivers ran down his back as he glanced behind himself momentarily. With his gaze back upon the graves, he began to talk once more.

    “I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner to tell you this. Dad's been keeping me busy with job hunting. I know he means well, but...” A half-chuckle escaped Simon's throat. He knew that his friends would be interested in hearing what has happened in the past few days, but he knew that they would know by now. They always did.

    “Simon...?” Came a familiar feminine voice from behind. His gaze stayed on the graves for a few more seconds before he turned to see whom approached. Because of the poor visibility, it took a few moments to realize who it really was. Grace, his neighbor and fellow classmate, walked towards him with an umbrella in hand.

    “It's going to rain soon, Simon, and I don't want you getting sick again. What are you doing out here anyways?”

    “I-I was just talking to them.”

    “Who?”

    Simon looked over his shoulder at the two tombstones with a saddened expression on his face. Grace opened the umbrella and covered them both up, yet the rain had not even started. When she examined the graves closer, she placed an arm around Simon's shoulder. He had taken the deaths of their friends the hardest out of anyone she knew, but it was not like him to talk to the dead.

    “I hope you know that you're starting to worry me.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “Simon, you don't answer my calls anymore. On top of that you're falling behind in English again. It's like you're trying to shut out the world. I know they're dead, and I miss them too, but you need to stop mourning already.”

    A tear rolled down his face. She had verbally slapped him and there was no going back. Grace knew he was at a loss for words, so she let him think over his next words carefully. They both stood there for what seemed like an eternity. He finally spoke.

    “I don't want to lie to you, Grace, but if I were to tell you what has been going on, you'd think I'm crazy.”

    “We've been friends for as long as I can remember. You know that I'll believe anything that you'd tell me. Just please...I want to know what's bothering you.”

    Another moment of silence came and went. The mist became rain and threatened to become heavier. Simon sighed and then took a hold of the umbrella. Before long, the smile returned to his face.

    “Okay. I'll tell you, but not here.” For the first time in the conversation, Grace felt a sense of relief. Not since the death of their friends did they have a true heart to heart. She removed her arm from his shoulder and grabbed his free hand with hers to lead him back. After they exited the graveyard, they began to run towards their apartment complex across the street. Once they were beneath the awning both stopped for a moment to catch their breath. Simon closed the umbrella once Grace opened the door to the complex.

    Up two flights of stairs they walked hands clasped together. At the top, Grace pulled him towards her apartment. She let go of his hand to unlock her door and ushered him in. As soon as Simon stepped inside, the smell of cinnamon rolls welcomed him. It almost brought tears to his eyes. After all these years, she remembered his favorite snack, and was preparing it no less.

    “My parents will be gone for another few hours. So until then we have the apartment to ourselves.” Out of curiosity, Simon went further into the apartment. He had not been in here for months, so he wondered if her parents had gotten rid of the leather couch. Given the name “The Honest Couch” from when they were children, it was a place that they could confide in each other with the knowledge that the other could not lie to them. It worked both ways. If a question was asked, it must be answered in truth. It was still there.

    A small laugh came from Simon as the reason she chose her apartment over his became clear; she was going to use the couch.

    “Grace...?”

    “Yeah?”

    “You know you didn't need the couch for this.”

    “I know. I just wanted you to know that it was still there.”

    A habit of his kicked in once she sat on the couch. He sat next to her. The leather was cold against his body which caused him to shiver a bit. Without a word, Grace pulled a blanket that hung on the back of the couch and handed him one side as she wrapped herself in the other. Once he had pulled it over, she snuggled up to him. Immediately she felt how cold he was.

    “Now don't try to pull any moves on me.” Simon jested. He knew that she only wanted to help and he was thankful for it. Minutes ticked by as they huddled next to each other without a word from either of them. They sat on the couch enjoying the warmth of the other.

    “Simon?”

    “Yeah?”

    “Before we discuss what's been bothering you, there's something I need to know.”

    “And that is...?”

    Grace shifted her body so that she could look him in the eyes. She stared into them for a long while as if searching for the answer before looking away.

    “Do you love me?” This caught Simon off guard. He was momentarily puzzled at why she would ask the question. Even before he could answer, her gaze returned to his eyes. She looked to be on the brink of tears. It was obvious what he needed to say, though the words did not come out as planned.

    “You should already know the answer to that.” It was the wrong thing to say. A tear began its free fall down her face. He had emotionally slapped her and there was nothing he could say to take back what he had said.

    “Damnit, Simon! Just answer the que-” He interrupted her with a kiss. Simon felt her tears roll onto his face. What seemed an eternity passed before he pulled back and wiped away the remnants of the tears off her face. For the first time in months, he felt happy.