"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
Archibalt takes a seat beside Donarenzo, waiting for him to speak.
"Do you believe in fate?" Donarenzo asks. "Like everything's already written in the stars?"
"Of course I do."
"Oh…"
Donarenzo looks down, the words caught somewhere between his chest and his throat.
"I believe in fate," Archibalt continues, "but I also believe we can change it."
Donarenzo looks up, eyes searching, waiting.
"You see, I think everything is already written out for us in the stars, but who's to say we can't rip out the pages and write our own story?"
Donarenzo's gaze dulls as another thought takes shape.
"But what if that fate involves someone else?" he asks quietly. "Would I be doing them justice if I changed it?"
Archibalt lifts his cigarette, staring up at the starless sky.
"I can't say," he admits. "All I know is that changing one's fate always comes at a price."
"What price?"
Archibalt turns to face him.
"Do you believe in God?"
"I do."
"Then going against the path He's set for you will only bring more trouble than it's worth."
Donarenzo hesitates.
"But what if… what if it's worth all the trouble?"
Archibalt bursts into laughter, deep and sudden.
"You have a heart of fire," he says, calming. "Just don't let it misguide you."
"How?"
"A heart that big feels more deeply than the rest. It loves harder, hopes harder. And if it's hurt…"
He pauses.
"It might be your undoing."
Donarenzo places a hand over the left side of his chest, feeling the steady proof of his own heartbeat.
"So what am I supposed to do?"
"Live in the present," Archibalt says. "You're young. You have a bright future ahead of you. But if that future isn't the one you want, then, dare I say, run in the other direction."
"Wouldn't that mean going against everything I've been taught?" Donarenzo asks. "What will people think? And chasing her… it feels irrational."
"Well," Archibalt smirks, "you're lucky, you don't have to give a damn what people think."
"I see…"
"But I do have one request," Archibalt adds, his voice firm now. "If you choose to chase her."
"What might that be?" Donarenzo asks. "An expensive bottle of whiskey?"
Archibalt chuckles, amused by the jab at his own vices.
"No. Promise me you'll make her happy. Promise you'll be her friend before anything else. A relationship can't last if you don't enjoy each other's company."
Donarenzo straightens, resolve settling into his bones. He looks down at Archibalt.
"And what if I break that promise?"
Archibalt smiles sadly.
"That's alright. No one's perfect. Just don't let it break you."
"Alright then," Donarenzo says. "I'm off, Arch. I'll see you again someday."
Archibalt watches as Donarenzo runs off, his fig
ure growing smaller with every step.
"For both of us," he whispers, "I hope not."