Part 5

Yuri and Thomas walked along the sandy beach in silence. They both stared at their feet and the sand, each avoiding the other’s eyes carefully. Finally, Thomas broke the silence.1

“ 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, he never knew it would be so awkward. For a moment, Yuri didn’t reply, as if thinking of an answer.2

“ 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. 3

Thomas’s face clouded over instantly. ”That’s none of your business.” He said shortly. “I’ve known Emily for long, she is not quite my type.”4

Yuri fell silent.5

“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.6

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That night Yuri dreamed of Simon again. She dreamt that he had come back to life, and they had reunited already. Her heart was filled with happiness. They were to be wedded. On the happiest day of Yuri’s life, just as the moment when Simon was to give Yuri the 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.8

Just then the dormitory door opened and the figure of a boy came in. Yuri sat up, her eyes slightly unfocused. As her vision slowly cleared, she gasped. It was Simon.9

“Yuri, are you alright?” Simon said. ”I heard you screaming.”10

Yuri threw her arms around Simon’s neck.11

“Simon, why did you have to leave me like that? You really really scared 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.12

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.13

“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, her voice shattering.14

Thomas didn’t speak.15

“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.16

She’s in such pain and suffering so much, 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.17

Just then Yuri gasped in surprise and stopped kissing Thomas.18

“ I—I’m so sorry, Thomas.” She apologized hastily.19

Thomas continued to stare at Yuri. ”It’s alright.” He said, beginning to blush. ”I’d better go now.” he said awkwardly.20

Yuri blushed and nodded. She draped a robe around her shoulders and escorted Thomas downstairs.21

“Can’t tell me who Simon is?” Thomas asked. Yuri looked at him and shook her head sadly.22

“I’m afraid not, Thomas,” she said quietly. ”I’m sorry.”23

Thomas’s smile faded. ”You know, it’s better if you stopped living in the shadow of that dead boy!” he said stiffly, his lips pursed in a thin line.24

Yuri turned to Thomas in disbelief. ”How I live my life is my business, not yours!” she snapped.25

“Use your brains, if you have any,” Thomas shot back. ”What good is it to live thinking Simon will come back, when he will never!”26

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 some block of ice like you never loved anyone in your life! How would you know how I loved Simon?”27

Thomas didn’t answer.28

Yuri stared furiously at him for a moment, 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, hot tears stinging her eyes bitterly.29

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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 had 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 who he thought was his parents. Then the couple lost everything from 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. Only carrying 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 last two years, he had lived like a human.31

Emily watched silently behind the door. An angry sneer of jealousy formed her mouth and she exhaled deeply, her devious eyes shining with malice toward Yuri.32