To Remember

A Love

Vanessa B. Martnez
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L L A Love To Remember L L

Vanessa B. Martnez
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Copyright
Title book: A Love To Remember. Author book: Vanessa Martnez. 2012, Vanessa Martinez. vane.martinez90@hotmail.com 4

Dedicated to
All my family who has been there for me all the time and for all the effort they have made, so I can get a major degree in the English language.

Preface
This is a love story, but dont get too excited. This is not a typical love story. Have you ever wonder what would you do, if you find your true love, lose it and then find it again? This is the story of Charlie a normal guy and Abby a normal girl. They are so in love with each other, but something terrible will happen to one of them. Is it destiny playing a joke on them? Can true love wait forever? Is it fair that destiny give you your true love back after many years of being apart just to take away from you again forever? This is exactly what happened to them.

A Love To Remember
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This is the story of a boy and a girl. Not a typical one, but this is what happens when destiny is a bitch... What happen when you have been given an opportunity twice, but it is like if destiny were playing with you? Everything started in New York city... The city that never sleeps. A well-known city for its eccentric inhabitants, but Charlie. He was the type of guy that everybody would pick on. Despite the bad treatment from their college classmate, he would take it easy. It was autumn, and leave were falling off the trees. The campus was invaded with a cold wind, and Charlie was sitting under a tree reading some papers he had to turn in later on that week. 9

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While Charlie was reading, the wind blew so strong that his paper flew away. He said: Oh no! My papers! And a girl was passing by in that moment. Her hair was black and she had big and brown eyes. She caught Charlies papers, and with a smile she came close to him and said: there you have. Charlie was in shock that he couldnt utter a word.

He has seen that girl just once, and he was already in love. As she walked away, Charlie could not take his eyes off her. He wondered how it was possible that he has not seen that girl before. It was 2:00 pm and he was running late for classes. During the class Charlie was in the classroom but his mind was daydreaming about the girl he saw a moment ago. How the wind blew her black hair and how gentle she was to him. Girls normally do no talk to him. He was not the type of popular guy. Girl would only look at him, when other guys were bullying him, and they would laugh at him. Classes finish and he went to his dorm. His roommate who happens to be his best friend arrives to the room. His name is Marshall, and the complete opposite of Charlie. 10

-Charlie what are you doing here so early? I thought I was going to meet you at the Library, Marshall said. - How long does it take to fall in love? Charlie said. -What are u talking about? Marshall replied. -Never mind he said. They stayed at the dorm, and that night Charlie couldnt sleep because he was thinking when he was going to see that girl again. The next day, Charlie was running late for classes because he overslept; he was running so fast that he didnt see the girl was in the hallway; she just looked at him passing by. She went to classes and didnt see Charlie for the rest of the day. Days felt like months for Charlie... Two weeks passed and he didnt run into that girl not even once. Charlie was an Art student; one time he was at the college studio painting, and when he looked through the window, there she was, sitting on a bench reading a book. In that moment she became his landscape... He drew a picture of her. Charlie could not bear that feeling anymore; he was falling in love with that girl, and he didnt even know her name. He tried to think about a way that he can run into her like accidentally. After a few days he agreed to have a cup of coffee with some friends, so he went to the regular coffee house outside the campus. Once he was there, his friends were already waiting for him and there was a person he didnt know... It was THE girl. It turns out that she was classmate with Carol a friend of Marshall. Carol said: Now that both of you are here, let me introduce you to Abby, she is new in town and just enrolled in college; she is studying fashion design. And in that moment Charlie was shocked, and he didnt know what to say. The only thing he could say was: Hi Abby. Its nice to meet you. He didnt expect that she remember him, but she said: oh, I remember you. You were in the garden the other day. Charlie was more shocked than before. Yeah, it was me. - He said.

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They talked all night, Marshall, Carol, Charlie and Abby. The night went well, and it was getting late so they went to their dorm. Charlie couldnt believe what was happening, and as Marshall and he were walking Marshall said: -Charlie, are you okay? -excuse me? Charlie replied. -seriously, you look like if you were in another place, or at least your mind is. Marshall said. -dont worry, I was just thinking. They arrived at the dorm and both went to sleep. The next day everything seemed normal, but charlie knew that his life was not going to be the same from now on because he finally met THE girl, or at least that was he thought. Days passed and they started to see each other more frequently, but Charlie never said anything about his feelings. For now, he was happy the way things were; besides Abby was getting use to her new life and new friends because she was from London, and the reason of why she moved from Europe was because her parents were getting a divorce, so they decided to send her to America. It was December already and Christmas break was coming. All of them returned to their hometowns for the holidays except Abby because 12

she preferred to stay in America for the holidays. Charlie was heading to Pennsylvania to his parents house, but a snow storm didnt let him go, and his flight was cancelled. He didnt know that Abby didnt go to London and that she was on campus. He tried to see the best in the situation. -This cannot be that bad. I will get some time for myself, and I will do the things that I havent been able to do all this time. First thing I will do is to go sightseeing and visit some landmarks. And there he was walking alone in Manhattan, he saw the Empire State building and he thought that he could go there. He went to the top of the building and he was appreciating the sunset, and when he turned around there she was, Abby. For a moment he thought that she might be with someone else but no one came; she seemed so concentrated watching the sunset, but Charlie could not help it, so he talked to her. Abby, I thought you were away for the holidays. No, I actually decided to stay here. My house is chaotic, and I rather have some peace over here. She said. What about you? Werent you going to your parents house? Yes, I was. Unfortunately the flight was cancelled because of the storm. And now a few days later it seems like there was no storm. Charlie replied. I see. Thats too bad; you must really miss your family. Abby said. Well, I guess it is destiny. I was planning to have some time on my own anyways, and it seems it is the perfect time. But what do you think if we get together some time? We can go to the movies or something. She seemed a bit surprised, and then he said or maybe have a cup of coffee? she smiled and said I would like that. They agreed to see each other the next day. They were going to the park, when they were walking Abby said that she would like to go ice skating. Charlie didnt know what to say to that, because he didnt want to disappoint her in their first date. -Lets go skating he said. 13

He didnt know how those words came out of his mouth; he didnt know how to skate. She answer -I would love to! They went skating, and when Charlie got into the frozen lake of the park... He couldnt balance his body, and he almost fell down; Abby could tell that he didnt know how to skate and she said - Dont worry Charlie, Ill teach you. In that moment she grabbed his hand, so he could balance himself in the ice. They started to skate together.

After a while, they decided to rest. Charlie was exhausted because that was the first time he skated. Abby went to by some hot chocolate to warm up. They were sitting on a bench talking. Thank you for inviting me today. I had a great time. I hope we can do it again sometime. Abby said. Thank you for accepting my invitation. Charlie replied. After that day, they spent the holidays without seeing each other, but Charlie could not forget about Abby. January came and surprisingly Abby was not attending classes anymore. Charlie asked Carol, and she said that Abby had to go back to Europe for personal reasons. Charlie was devastated; he didnt expect to lose his love so soon. Two weeks passed and Charlie seemed to be dying day by day, when suddenly one day he was in the campus garden reading, 14

and a person came close to him and close his eyes. Guess who is back. someone said. Charlies heart skipped a beat. Is that you Abby? He said. He heard laughs, and finally she replied: who else would it be? Charlie was confused and he said: I thought you were gone for good. No, I just went back home to check up on my mom. Shes been sick lately.- Abby said. I am sorry to hear that He replied. I hope she gets better. They became close friends in the blink of an eye. Charlie was in a constant battle between whether to tell Abby about his feelings or not. He knew that she didnt have anyone, or at least that he knew. Abby did not know anything because she was the type of girl that didnt pay attention to details that Charlie had with her. May came, the rainiest month in New York. One day Abby was in the porch of a building waiting for the rain to stop, so she could go to get the bus. Charlie passed by, and saw her. He asked: Abby, what are you doing here? and Abby replied: I dont have an umbrella, so I cannot go. Wait here please. Dont leave He said. Charlie ran into the building looking for someone who could lend him an umbrella. He tried in the missing objects room and he finally found one. He ran back where Abby was. Abby looked at Charlie with surprise. He opened the umbrella, and it was broken; he had to grab the umbrella from the top of the steam, so it didnt close. Charlie told Abby: lets go, please; Abby just laughed and went under the umbrella. They walked side by side very close to each other. They got to the bus stop, and he waited until Abby left. Later that same week, Carol and Abby were talking, and Carol asked Abby: Do you know if Charlie is seeing anybody? and she replied: I dont know. Charlie has never told me anything about a girl. But you dont have any special interest in him, do you? - Carol asked Abby. She stared at the floor for a while, in that moment she didnt know what to answer to that question. She thought for a moment that she had never seen Charlie in another way, but somehow she realized by then that she love him in a way that she couldnt 15

explain to herself. And there was Carol waiting for an answer; Carol had been a good friend to her and Abby thought: I am not sure of what I feel, and Carol has known Charlie for many years. I cannot come between them With a knot in her throat Abby answer: No, I dont. Oh thanks God because I was worried there was something between you two. Carol said. Charlie had never told me anything. Abby replied. I think I have a shot with Charlie. Carol told Abby. With that been said, Abby told to herself, that Charlie was now a forbidden man for her because it was subject of interest of one of her friends. In that moment flashbacks came to her mind; she remember when she was alone for the holidays, and Charlie asked her out, and they went skating. Abby realized that Charlie had become a special person in her lifer without her noticing when that happened. One day, they went to a party in which Carol was ready to seduce Charlie; however Charlie didnt seem to care about carol at all. He spent all night talking with Abby. She felt a bit of guilt because she knew that her friend liked Charlie, but at the same time she felt nice around Charlie. For a while she started thinking that with him she could be herself, without any judging; now it was for sure that she felt something for him as well. Later that same night Carol asked Charlie to dance, and he didnt want to be rude to her so he accepted. Abby was a bit jealous, but she didnt want anyone to notice it, especially Carol because all of their friends knew Carol liked Charlie, but him. A few more weeks passed and Charlie was thinking about the possibilities of telling Abby about his feelings; he knew that it was risky, and if he was rejected, he wouldnt feel the same around Abby anymore because it would be awkward for him, and maybe for Abby, too. Two weeks after the party, Abby went to Charlies studio to invite him to have a cup of coffee with her, while Abby was waiting for Charlie she started to look at his paintings that were on a wooden locker in the studio. To her surprise there was a painting of her, and she didnt know what to think. What is this supposed to mean? She thought. The first thing that crossed her mind was Carol be16

cause if she found out about that painting, she was going to think that Abby went behind her back with Charlie. However she couldnt help to feel happiness because that might mean that Charlie felt something for her, too. Abby heard some footsteps coming and she tried to put everything the way it was, but Charlie had already seen her. In that moment, she felt ashamed, and Charlie said: you say it, huh? I didnt mean to Abby exclaimed. -Look Abby, I dont want that any of these becomes an awkward situation between us. - What do you mean Charlie? That is a beautiful painting. -I meant the meaning of the painting. Charlie told Abby. - and what is the meaning? She said. - Ive been holding this for a long time, and I never find the time, or the appropriate moment to tell you this. Since the moment I saw you, I fell in love with you, and I am in love with you. This might sound crazy but believe me, I am! You are the first thing that comes to my mind when I wake up and the last one at night.

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- Charlie stop! she said. Do you know how much this will hurt Carol? She is my friend! Abby exclaimed. - I know that this is too much to ask you, Abby, but tell me. How do you feel about me? Charlie said. - Charlie, please dont ask me that. Abby told Charlie. Abby could not say a word. She left the studio after that, days passed and she hadnt seen Charlie, she asked Marshall, and he told her that Charlie was on a painting trip in Carpenter Falls. For a minute she thought of going there to see him, but after that she also thought that if she goes, what she would tell him. She knew about his feelings for him were true and not just something that would fade away. But on the other hand, she also was thinking on Carol; she didnt want to hurt her. She had a fight with herself, and without thinking about it anymore she went to Carpenter Falls to see Charlie. She took the train, and when she finally was there she started to ask Charlies classmates where he was. They told Abby that Charlie left early. She sat on a bench holding her head with her hands. Someone called her name, and when she turned around, there was Charlie standing in front of her. She could not help it but cry, and Charlie asked: Whats wrong Abby? Are you Ok? and Abby replied I am so sorry Charlie; I could not avoid it anymore. I cant control my feelings just like you cant control yours. I tried to deny my feelings for you because of Carol, but this is not normal, I want to try something with you, if you still want to. Charlie was astonished that he could not speak, he just hugged her and told her: You have no idea how happy you have made me. They stayed that day in the Falls walking around and talking about all the things they did during the two weeks they hadnt seen each other. When they went back to the city, a rumor spread on Campus about the two of them being together at the Carpenter Falls of course Carol was filled with anger because of her friend betrayal. Charlie didnt know anything about Carol, and he ignored her feelings. Carol told everyone that Abby had stolen her boyfriend, and everyone started to look at her as a bad woman and friend for be18

traying her supposedly best friend. Abby tried to overcome that situation by trying to speak to Carol, but she refused to talk to her. -Talk to me Carol. Abby said. -I have nothing to tell you. Carol replied as she walked away. After sometime Abby got use to not being friends with Carol anymore; she would find mean messages every now and then, but she knew that if she were in Carols shoes, she would feel the same. After all they were good friends and Abby wished Carol would forgive her someday. Abby and Charlie spent as much time as possible; because they were going to be apart soon for the summer vacations because Abby wanted to be with her mother in London. It was about time for them to say good bye for the summer, and when the day came Charlie took Abby to the airport, and when she was about to leave he said: please, my dear. Be back soon for I will be waiting for you. And Abby replied do not worry my dear; I will be back in the blink of an eye. The summer passed quickly for them because Charlie went to South America on a trip for painting. And Abby was with her mother all the time while she was in London. Abby went back to New York as she promised Charlie. Everything was happiness for them or at least for Charlie because he had noticed Abby a little bit different since she came back from London. He asked several times if something was wrong, but she always answered I am fine. With a smile on her face. One day Charlie went to pick Abby up to her dorm, but he found an empty room, and the only thing that was left was a note from Abby. Dear Charlie, I am so sorry for not telling this to you earlier. I had the time of my life in New York, and it was all thanks to you. You made me the happiest woman on the whole Earth. But as you know people change, and I am no exception. I dont know how it happened, but one day I woke up, and I didnt feel the same love for you. I am really embarrassed for not telling you before. I decided to go back to Europe and do some travelling. I hope you can forgive me. Abby. 19

Charlie could not believe what he was reading, and tears came down from his eyes because the love of his life has left without a clear explanation. He knew that what Abby wrote on that letter was not completely true, and that there must be something behind all that. For some time Charlie was drawn in pain and sorrow for her love departure. When he could not take it anymore, he bought a ticket to London. He was decided to get the truth from Abbys mouth. He didnt know where to start looking because he had never travelled to London or any other city in Europe. But Abby had told him many things about it, and how it was to live in there. Many days passed, and Charlie didnt know what to do. Months passed and there were no sign from Abby or at least from THE Abby he was looking for. Charlie decided to stay in Europe for some time, for he was decided not to leave the country until he found his love. A whole year passed and Charlie would not give up on her. He was living in a small apartment on his own and he got money by selling paintings to art galleries. During all the time he was in London, he didnt have any lover because his true love was Abby; deep inside he knew that someday he would find the explanation he had been looking for, and he would try one more time to win Abbys heart again. He believed in true love, and he was not going to give up without a fight. Charlie was decided to have an answer, and he was not exactly about to get it. Seven years passed and Charlie had not found Abby, he was starting to believe that maybe she was not in London anymore because during that time it was like if the Earth had swallowed her, but on one rainy day, while he was walking to his house, he crossed the street, and he passed right next to Abby, she was holding an umbrella and he could not see her face very well; he started following her from the other side of the street. Charlie reached a corner, and he crossed the street again. He was walking towards Abby, and when she saw him she tried to do as if she had not seen him, but it was too late; Charlie was facing her, and she could not do anything to avoid it. 20

Is that you Abby? Charlie asked. She had short hair, and she looked skinnier. Hi, Charlie. Howve you been? she answered. Charlie said: Is that all you are going to say after all this years? Please Charlie. Dont do this. I left a note. She said. Yeah! A note, and nothing more; Really, I still cannot understand what happened to you? One day we were fine, and the next I found an empty apartment with a note He exclaimed. You wouldnt have liked to be with me anymore anyway. She told him. Come on Abby, I loved you! And I still do He whispered. I dont think you would have liked to see me with no hair she said. What do you mean with no hair? Charlie asked. I got cancer; I didnt want you to see me like that. I didnt want to have you by my side just because you pity me she explained. Charlie was in shock, and he didnt know what to say in that moment. When Abby saw his reaction, she started to walk again. Abby wait! he said. Can we have a cup of coffee? he asked. And she replied: I dont think so Charlie, Ive been good, and as far as I see so have you. What do you want to talk about? About how things used to be back then? I dont think thats a good a idea. I dont know. Charlie said; I just want to talk to you. She agreed. They went to a coffee shop to talk. I have missed you a lot Abby. I know that this might be the last thing you want to be asked about, but what you didnt want to tell me about your illness? he asked. I wanted to tell you, but it would have been harder for both of us. 21

I didnt want you to pity me, and stay with me because of that. I am not going to lie, its been difficult for me to go on with this disease. She said. I might not have the right to ask you this right now, but I would like to spend more time with you. You seem you have overcome the cancer. Charlie told Abby. No Charlie; its passed so much time, and you must go on with your life without me. They said good bye for that day, but now Charlie knew that she was alive, and despite she said no, he would not take that for a definite answer. He used to look for her every day; he knew that it was going to be difficult for her to accept him back, and not only because she said no, but he didnt know if there was a man in Abbys life. Some time passed and he realized that Abby did not have any kind of relationship with anybody. It was a relief for Charlie. He usually brought gifts for her. Sometimes he used to visit her, but no one was at home, which was strange for Charlie. What he didnt know is that Abby did not overcome cancer, and that she was still fighting for her life. She had chemotherapy, and Charlie didnt know about it. One day he invited her to go on a trip to the beach, she was feeling really weak, and despite that, she accepted Charlies invitation. She knew that there was not going to be more time for them to be together. She did not forget Charlie, and she always wished to see him again someday. When she ran into him on the street, she could not believe it. But she didnt want him to see her in those conditions. She was starting to be happy again.

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But that happiness was not going to last much. She was in at the final stage of the disease. Charlie had never been happier than he was now. He have found, lost and found his true love. He could not wish for anything more in his life, but to be by her side. Abby was with him, and that was all that mattered to him. She was very weak when they went to the beach. She was making a big effort to walk, so they sat on the sand. He was hugging her. I have waited for you for so long, and its a pity that I cannot go with you, I will never forget you. Please my love always remember me. He said. This great love is starting, in heaven only love exists and I will be waiting for you over there. She whispered. With that being said, she closed her eyes. Charlie could not help it but cry. You are right my love. This is just the start. I love you and always will.

THE END.

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A Love is Never

having to say

Sorry

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A Love To Remember
Charlie fell in love with a girl whose name he didnt even know. He met her by chance; her name was Abby. She also felt something for him as well, despite she tried to deny it at first, but later she could not avoid it anymore. They became inseparable. But one day she left him, and she just left a note telling him that she didnt love him anymore, but truth is that she had cancer. She didnt want him to suffer because of her, so she left. He went after her to Europe, and he waited seven years until he found her again. Just to spend a little more time with her.

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