I watched her walk away, a little slower than usual, and I felt a heaviness I couldn't explain. Maybe it was because she was sad, or maybe it was because I had seen the tear that nearly fell from her eyes.
I sat there in silence for a few minutes before finally standing up and heading back home. That night, as I lay on my bed with my eyes closed, I drifted into sleep with that same heavy feeling pressing on my chest.
The next day, I waited for night to arrive. Time seemed to crawl slower than usual, but I kept myself busy with the usual tasks like helping around the house, working in the garden, and teaching Anna her music. Still, in the back of my mind, I only wished for night to fall.
When it finally did, I rushed to our meeting place. May was already there, sitting quietly. I went over, sat down beside her, and asked gently, "So, how are you, May?"
She gave me a soft smile, calmer than yesterday, and said, "I'm fine now, Sky." Just seeing her smile lifted the weight I had been carrying.
She began to draw again, and as always, I found myself simply admiring her. Like that, a few nights passed we met, we talked about little things, shared laughter over funny incidents, and for a while, it felt like it would go on forever. But it didn't.
One day, I fell ill. I couldn't even gather the strength to leave my bed. Everyone around me was worried, and it took me a week to recover. During that time, I couldn't stop thinking about May was she waiting there for me? Was she worried when I didn't show up?
The first night I was able to move again, I slipped out slowly, still weak but determined. I reached our spot and looked around, but she wasn't there. Maybe she was late, I thought. I waited… and waited… but she never came.
Just as I was about to leave, my eyes fell on the small box she always used to hide. This time, it looked as though it had been placed there on purpose. I picked it up and opened it. Inside wasn't her sketchbook, but an envelope.
I opened it carefully. It was a letter from May.
Sky,
How are you? I was hoping you would find this letter. For the past few days, I waited for you here. Sometimes I worried, wondering what had happened, but I kept telling myself you were fine, just busy.
I'm writing this to tell you that my parents have finished their work here, and now we are leaving. I have to go with them. I wished so much to meet you one last time, if fate allowed.
Sky, you filled my days here with happiness. Thank you for the time you gave me. I've left a small gift for you hope you like it.
May
Inside the envelope was something else. I pulled it out and froze. It was a bracelet, the same one that had broken that day. She had taken the broken half and made a new bracelet, just for me. Holding it, I felt a rush of happiness mixed with sadness.
I stood there under the moonlight, staring up at the sky. Memories of our time together filled my mind. And then, suddenly, the sound of a bus stopping pulled me back to reality.
As I turned, lost in those thoughts, I heard a familiar voice from behind me whisper "Just in time."
Hello everyone, I am the author of this story. This is the final chapter of—The Beginning of Memories—of Just In Time. I hope you enjoyed it. Maybe, in the future I'll write the next sequence of Just In Time.