Perfect Tragedy

Chris could feel their eyes on him. He tried so hard to ignore them, but they made him so angry. He didn't need their sympathy, he just needed to have her back in his arms. People were talking about her, but he was too lost in bittersweet memories to really hear them.

***

"Oh God," she laughed, "don't even look at me. I don't have any make-up on, I'm in my sweats and my hair is a mess!"

"You never cease to amaze me. Through all that, though I once thought it impossible, you actually manage to look more beautiful."

Helen was speechless. Chris wanted to kiss her, but he was worried it would spoil the moment, so he instead looked into her beautiful blue eyes, and into her soul.

"I love you, Christopher," she whispered. It was the first time she had ever said it. Chris' heart skipped a beat.

"I love you too, Helen, more than you could ever possibly imagine," he replied, and he meant it. He kissed her gently.

***

Chris quickly brushed away his tears; the last thing he needed was for everyone to see him crying. They wouldn't understand. He felt so alone. He was broken inside, but no one would ever truly know what he was going through. No one had ever felt the way he had about Helen.

***

Chris played with her hair, twirling it around his fingers, relishing the feeling of her in his lap. Their feet dangled off the bridge and the air was cold from the water below.

"I love sunsets. Isn't the sky beautiful?" Helen said quietly, admiring the horizon.

"I love you, and you're more beautiful than any sunset I've ever seen."

"Oh Christopher..."

"You're an angel amongst angels, Helen. If you ever left me I'd be losing a part of my soul. Promise you'll be with me forever..."

"I promise, Christopher. I promise with all my heart."

***

That's how it was meant to be, Chris thought bitterly. She promised him forever and he had believed her unquestioningly; the cruel temptress. Now what was he to do? He needed her more than life itself, for what was life without her?

He clenched his fists, a hurt building inside of him, the likes of which he'd never felt before.

"I'm really sorry, mate," his brother said, patting him on the shoulder. Before he knew what he was doing, Chris punched him in the face.

"What the hell?! Jesus, Chris, I know you're hurting right now, but-"

"You have no idea," he said scathingly. Now the whole procession had turned around to see what was going on.

***

Helen lay in his arms beneath the stars. It was a perfect summer evening. She closed her eyes as Chris gently played with her hair. She looked exquisite in the moonlight, a smile playing on her lips.

"Marry me," Chris said suddenly, surprising himself.

"Christopher..." she started, sitting up to face him.

"Helen, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I'll never love anyone else like I love you. Please, Helen, will you marry me?" he said, anticipating her answer with a feeling of dread.

"Yes," she said after a moment. "Yes, I'll marry you. I love you Christopher!"

***

But what had happened to their 'happily ever after'? She stole it away from him.

***

Chris ran through the pouring rain to reach her, his heart pounding a million miles a minute. He needed to get to her in time, he needed to save her.


Christopher,

I'll love you even in death, but you deserve better than this slut. It was a mistake and I never meant for it to happen, but it did, and now I know you'll never forgive me. He meant nothing to me, I swear, but you...you need to find someone worthy of your love, because I never really was. So I guess this is goodbye. Never forget me.

Eternally yours,

Helen.


He shoved the note back into his pocket and ran faster than he ever had in his life. He saw the lights of the ambulance flashing wildly in the distance.

He stumbled forward onto his hands and knees when he reached her broken body.

"NO! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!" he screamed as people tried to restrain him. He thrashed wildly, filled with an excruciating anguish. "I forgive you, Helen...don't leave me...I forgive you..."

All he could do was sob as the ambulance pulled away.

***

People looked awkwardly at him, insure of what to say or do, wary of what this wayward teenager might do next after throwing a punch at his own brother. Chris stood up and cleared his throat, unaware of the tears streaming down his face. Some looked irritated at his disrespect, others sympathetic.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun, oblivious to the horrified screams of the mourners. He raised it to his temple.

"Life isn't a fucking fairytale."