Chasing Stars

Hugging the Star's Shoulder

The sky of Paris is bright blue. Niko looked at the Eiffel Tower from the window of her apartment. We are entering summer. Niko is busy designing a summer collection for Julien. He's been in Paris for six months. Niko never expected the six months to pass so quickly.

Niko looked at the star ring on her desk. Now four stars are filled.Living one more star.

Niko ate French bread with strawberry jam as breakfast and a cup of coffee. In his head full of new ideas for summer collections. But he decided to take a break after breakfast. He played a classic Mozart song to calm his mind.

Suddenly his HP lit up. Niko took. There's an incoming message.

Got this number from Auntie.

There's a school reunion party next week.

Coming yes. L waited.

Erika.

Niko smiled. It had been four years that he had not met Erika. Niko sighed. He can't come. Julien's jewelry collection exhibition for the summer is just over a month away. As Julien's assistant at Bardeux Jewelry, the demands of her duties never stop every day.

Niko replied to Erika's SMS.

Sorry, can't come.

Busy preparing for summer collections.

Maybe next time.

Niko.

Niko's eyes were fixed on the pile of books in her work cabinet. Most of these books are about jewelry. His feet approached. At the very end of the book was his school yearbook. Niko picked it up and went page by page. His memories go back to school.

When it came to the page featuring photos of her classmates, Niko looked at Laura's face gently. Below the photo are messages and impressions handwritten by the students themselves. Niko touches Laura's photo slowly. The only picture of Laura he had. ("Will Laura come?") ask in the heart. ("Maybe I should go to the school reunion party. Who knows I could meet Laura there.")

When Niko was about to pick it back up, the yearbook opened on the last page. Niko saw a sentence there. *I like you.*

Niko picked up the yearbook and drew closer her line of sight. ("Did Erika write this? But this isn't like Erika's handwriting.") Niko's hand quickly turned the page to the photos of the students 3 IPA 1. Breathing ceased. The handwriting behind the book is exactly the same as Laura's.

("I'm really stupid") Niko's heart skipped a beat. ("I never realized it"). All this time she thought Laura was just a good friend. When she graduates, Niko finds out she likes Laura, but she doesn't know how she feels about her.

Niko ran to her living table and called Erika's number.

"Erika," he said quickly, "i'll come to the reunion party."

Erika sounded pleased with the news. Next, Niko knocks on the door of Julien's apartment downstairs.

"I have to go home" Niko said as Julien opened the door.

"What do you mean, go home?” ask Julien confused.

"Give me three days. I have to go home next week" Niko pleaded with Julien.

"Is anyone sick? Your folks?" Julien never saw Niko as sweet as this, even when depressed because of work guidance though.

"Not that. I have to see someone. I have to see him Julien." Niko looked at Julien seriously.

Julien took a breath. "Someone special, right?"

Niko nodded with a smile. "Someone who has helped me make my dream come true."

"Ah." Julien nodded his head. "The girl who gave you your work a few years ago. I-i understand. Go."

Niko hugged Julien briefly. "Merci(thank you), Julien.”

Niko started calling the flight ticket section, and immediately bought a return ticket for the next week.

 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Niko entered her school area. She smiles. The school has not changed. Classrooms still surround the school environment. In the middle is a school garden. Then a basketball court. Niko walked towards the school hall, where the reunion party was held.

"Niko!" erika shouted while hugging him. "I'm so glad you could come."

Niko laughed and hugged him back. "During didn't meet Erika."

Behind them, someone is shaking. Erika immediately let go of her embrace. "I'm sorry" he told Niko. "This is Ari, my boyfriend."

Niko shakes Ari's hand. "Hello, Ari. I'm Niko."

Ari nodded. "I know."

Erika embraces Ari's hand with a smile. "Ari is a doctor."

Erika punches Niko's arm slowly. "Hey. I'm a doctor too, you know! Um, I mean about another year or two."

"I never thought you'd get into medicine." Niko surprised.

"Mistake himself never contacted me. I have to greet the other participants," Erika said with a smile. "Please go around by yourself, okay?"

Niko nodded. "All right."

Niko's gaze swept across the hall space. He got to know his schoolmates first and smiled and then started greeting them. Most of them are either working or in college.

After greeting almost everyone she knew, Niko sat at a table facing the entrance. Everyone comes in, Niko wishes it was Laura. When the expected face never appeared, Niko's heart was slightly disappointed.

Erika started the reunion party with great fanfare. There were musical performances, skits, and video recordings of their activities during the school days. Niko realizes that Laura was never in the video. Most of them are dominated by her and Erika. It was as if Laura had never been in the same school as him. Niko was desperate when the reunion party had reached the top of the event and Laura did not come.

At eleven o'clock in the evening, the show ends. All that remains is the committee. Niko sat on the stage.

Erika approached. "Coffee?" bargained for.

Niko laughed and accepted Erika's offer of coffee. "Thanks." -."

"He didn't come, did he? Laura?" Erika looked at Niko's eyes which were shining sadly.

Niko nodded slowly.

Erika accompanied Niko to sit on the stage. "I was really selfish back in school. I wanted to apologize to him. But he didn't come. I asked other friends, but no one seems to know about Laura."

Niko put down her coffee cup. "Laura wasn't a popular girl at school."

Erika took a slow breath. "Laura really likes you. He told me once. But I couldn't take it, and I hurt her. I'm sorry, Niko."

"It's okay," said Niko softly. "You can't change the past. I just wish he'd come. I want to tell her how I feel about her. Although four years late. I'm sorry, I hurt you at the school graduation first. And I left without saying goodbye to you."

Erika smiled remembering that time. "You know, I was angry and sad when you left me and went to New York. But I'm not heartbroken. I think because we've been together since childhood, we think it's love. When I was in medical school in my first year, I met Ari and I just really felt how to love someone."

"I love you, Erika." Niko smiled as she touched Erika's shoulder slowly. "We've been together since childhood. Like you said, we're used to each other. What we feel at that time is not love. But. I'd still hit your girlfriend if she hurt you."

Erika laughed out loud. "I don't think that's possible. You didn't see my girlfriend? He's crazy about me."

"I'm glad you're with the person you love" Niko said sincerely.

"I wish I could say the same..." Erika smiled weakly. "Oh yeah, I heard you've been a great jewelry designer in Paris. I saw your autumn collection last year. I bought one of your necklaces." "Thank you" said Niko.

"I'm really proud of you" Erika said solemnly. "If I get married later, I want my wedding ring you designed."

Niko laughs. "alright. Especially for you don't have to use the cost."

Erika smiled happily. "Thanks, Niko. You're working for Julien Bardeux now?"

Niko nodded. "Yes. But after that I want to open my own jewelry store."

"You'll make it." Erika smiled for sure. "I'll be the first customer to buy your jewelry. Ah... Ari called me. I go first yes. Bye, Nick."

"Bye, Erika," said Niko.

Niko got off the stage and looked at the hall room before exiting from there. At the front door were pictures of them at school. Niko looks at Laura's photo while she's at the school bazaar first. Laura smiled as she picked up her spaghetti without knowing that she was being photographed. Niko removed the photo from the wall of the hall. "Can I take this picture?" ask him to one of the committee. After getting approval from the committee, Niko pocketed the photo in her pocket. At least now he has a picture of Laura other than the one in the annual book.

Niko walks out of the room and sits in the school garden. The music on the loudspeakers is soft. An old song is slowly singing. IF song sung by bread.

Niko begins to remember her memories with Laura.

*if a picture a thousand words, then why can't I paint you?*

Niko first realizes Laura's existence when she faces a physics replay with the girl after school. Niko saw Laura almost give up. Then he excited her with a paper that read DO NOT GIVE UP. His memories change in the rain, when they are alone in his car.

*If a face could launch a thousand ship, then where am I to go?*

Keeping the food stalls together during the school bazaar. School picnic to the beach.

*If a man could be two places at one time, I'd be with you.*

Laura's head accidentally fell on her shoulder on the way home. Laura's sad face when Niko says she can't be her friend again the day before graduation. His last farewell to Laura.

* Then one by one the stars would all go out, then you and I would just fly away...* Music on the loudspeaker stops.

Niko looked at the stars in the sky that were twinkling incessantly. Niko closed her eyes slowly. (Where are you now, Laura?).