limits

"You see that?"

"Which?"

"That." She whispers, as she points her finger towards the obsidian sky. Celestial bodies were decorating the dark canvas, loosely resembling spilled icing sugar. I scooted my body closer to her, making sure our shoulders touch slightly. She had a subtle smile tugging at her lips and a sparkle dancing inside her brown orbs. My stomach does that thing it always does when I'm around her and I couldn't help but coo at the way the edges of her eyes crinkle in excitement.

"So basically, that's Orion's nebulae. One of the most visible constellation in space from the earth's surface. Nebulae are, in simpler terms, nurseries of baby stars that are still not fully formed yet. After like, millions of years, the clouds of dust- Ten!" She shoots me a serious glare as she noticed the lack of attention I was giving her geeky blabbering.

"You're not listening." She pouts as she drops her arms beside her body in cute defeat.

"Okay so, the clouds of dust in the nebulae will contract so much it actually forms a miniature planet-like thing. And tada! The star is now 1 year old!" I added, confidently.

"Wow well damn, so you do listen to my nerdy space talk." She states, her surprised gaze meeting mine. I felt a small tug in my heartstrings when she absentmindedly inched her face closer to mine. My eyes land on her pink, moist lips and I swear to the heavens, it took everything I had to stop myself from kissing her there and then.

"I'm not even kidding when I say I've learnt more universe physics from you than my high school teacher." I admit. She laughs.

She laughs.

Oh god. I need to shut the fuck up before I lose my mind.

"Hey Ten?" She murmurs, my nickname rolling off her tongue like butter. She started calling me that during college when she teased me out of envy, stating that the only thing I could ever be was a 'Ten out of ten'. Although she herself was a bright girl, she never once got higher grades than I did and that irritated the crap out of her.

I still remember the fuzzy feeling that had built up in my stomach when I heard the 'compliment'.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think you'll find someone like me?" She asks, her eyes filled with pure curiosity and maybe a mixture of.... sadness?

"Probably. I mean you're not that special." I shrugged.

"That's true."

I laughed at her fatalistic response.

"Linn, no. Even if I did, she wouldn't annoy me as much as you do." I added. I lifted my body so I was resting on my left side, elbows propped on the picnic mat. I reached out my hand to brush her hair, hesitating a little because she looked so perfect and I felt unworthy to even lay a finger on such a beautiful masterpiece.

"How bout' me? Think you'll find another Ten?"

"Mmm, I guess? Maybe not as much of an idiot like you though. And maybe with really bad dancing skills." She explains.

"Fair enough."

"I'm kidding dumbass."

"I know." I grin.

We stayed there under the stars for hours on end, unable to pull ourselves back to reality. The chilly air was comforting when I'm beside her and for a short while, being in her warm presence made me forget that she wasn't mine to keep.

My eyes were welling up in tears as I listen to her rant passionately about her incompetent co-worker. She makes this agitated face, and as if my pain had somehow alerted her, she turns her attention to me. Her eyes widen and she quickly sat up, smoothening her silky dress right after. I mirrored her actions and sat up as well.

She didn't say anything.

She knew. All too well, why tears were threatening to fall from my eyes. And why she was biting her lips to stop the pain from spilling from her own pearly eyes. She pulls me into a soft embrace, cautious not to shatter me into pieces.

She broke into silent sobs as I pat her back.

"Linn, you have to go now." I remind her. I didn't want to mention it earlier but we were definitely pushing past our limits.

"No, no, no, no. Ten please no. I can't-"

I push her out of our embrace and held the sides of her face with my palms. "This isn't the end. You know that right?" I reminded, as I place a peck on her forehead. She nodded.

"Will you be there tomorrow?" She asks. We stood up from the mat and began to pack up.

"Yeah. He invited me."

She frowns and halted what she was doing.

"Please don't. D-don't go." She pleaded. My heart clenched as I watch her panicked expression.

"That would be suspicious. You know it will. People would question why I missed my best friend's wedding." I explained.

She sighs in defeat.

"And plus," I added. "I can't miss my girlfriend's wedding can I?"