SECOND CHANCE

[ame]

“Ah, the holidays are coming!”  Iris said in a dreamy voice while she and Shyn were walking.

   “Heh? I almost forgot about it.” Shyn said then he grinned.

   “Geez, you’re not really paying attention…” she remarked.

   Then they both laughed at each other.

   “Oh yeah, I almost forgot!” Shyn said as he open his bag.

   “What’s that?”   she asked, confused while looking at the paper that Shyn was holding.

   “It’s a ticket for a Christmas concert,” he smiled. “I thought you’d wanna come with me.”

   “Count me in!” she said her eyes shining brightly. “I’d really love to watch the Busters this Christmas… Thanks, for inviting me!” she said excitedly.

   She then looked at Shyn seriously, then, she added sneakily, “Make sure you won’t be late.”

   “Yeah, I’ll be earlier than you so you better not be surprised if you saw me before you!” he said accepting the challenge.

   The two of them arrived at the school and they headed for their room just as the bell rang.
_____________________________________________________________________



That Saturday night, Shyn arrived an hour earlier than the expected time wanting to beat Iris from being the earliest ever.

As he looked around he smiled seeing no signs of Iris yet.

   “Hahaha! This time I’m earlier… ” he laughed. But then not knowing what to do he wandered around.

It’s still more than half an hour before their meeting time. Then he saw a gift shop and entered. He then decided to buy a gift for Iris. He then saw a big pink plush teddy bear.

Shyn was about to grab it when he spotted a red scarf. He remembered Iris looking at it, her eyes beaming. So, he bought the scarf instead.






His phone rang.

“Hello?” he asked on the other end of the line, he heard a heavy breathing that almost choke. “Iris?” he said quietly.













...




















...silence...



















...










“Sh- Shyn? I’m sorry but I think I’ll be late,” she took a deep breath and said, “You can go on ahead without me…” her voice soft but deep.



“Iris? Where are you? I’ll look for you…” he said anxiously.



“No, don’t!” the reply came too quickly. “I’m fine, go ahead without me…” her voice trailed off.

Then the line was cut off.




Shyn tried to call again feeling sudden cold and sick as Iris’ image flash on his mind.



‘What’s this feeling?’ he thought. Just then, a group of ambulance followed by a police car passed.

Shyn was about to call a taxi when the beating of drums stopped him. The concert is starting but still no sign of iris.


Shyn waited outside looking for any sign of Iris coming but she didn’t come even until the concert ended.

   He waited for one more hour but she didn’t come. Finally, Shyn gave up and called for a taxi.


On the other side at the same time many voices were heard. The sirens came and someone shouted “There’s another one here.”

She tried to open her eyes but only for a bit. Her vision’s blurred but she was certain she saw a light and that someone was carrying her.

   “Hang on!” said a voice then everything turned to black.



______________________________________________________________________
The next day Shyn called Iris’ home but no one answered.

   “She should have called if something came up.” Shyn sighed.

He was about to leave when he saw the bag with the red scarf, and then Iris’ image flashed in his mind again. He felt unease and was growing anxious but he just shook it off.
 
He throws the scarf on the floor then he left for school.

   When he arrived at school a sudden chill went up to his guts, though, he doesn’t know why not until he came into their room. He expected to see Iris and to get mad at her.
But instead of Iris he saw Yako her face buried on her desk. At first he just thought she was just sleeping.

‘I’ll go ask her about Iris.’ He thought and move towards her. But, as he got closer he heard her sob.
“Hey! What’s wrong?” he asked knowing that something wrong is going on.

Yako looked up then more tears fell down her already wet face. “Iris… Iris was…” her voice choke as she fought the tears from falling, but failed.

“What?”  Shyn asked his heartbeat started to race.

Yako told him what had happened and as he listened his face turned pale as he listened.

“Don’t tell me that Iris…” his voice vague. “…was involved in that accident?” he gulped and almost
choke on the word.

He wanted her to say no but it was clear when she just nod and took out a small box from her bag. She handed it to him.

“She wanted me to give it to you before she lost consciousness…” she said her voice quivering.
Shyn looked at her puzzled.

“She asked for me to give it to you no matter what.” She said her hands trembling as she handed it to him.

Shyn took the box and saw a greeting card. He opened it, it read:










“Merry Christmas to my “BEST FRIEND” in the whole wide world.”
(Keep it and always bring it with you!!)
-IRIS











Shyn raced to the door and decided to head first to his home, he told the driver to wait for him, and he grabbed the scarf then headed to the hospital. He then asked the nurse.

“She’s at the operating room right now. She was hit badly and her life’s on the line.” the nurse said then she stopped reading the grim atmosphere.

“Please wait on the bench outside the OR.” She said softly.

Shyn nodded knowing that’s all he can do. He think back the night he waited outside the cold night when Iris called.

‘Then that means she’s half alive when she called me? What a slowpoke… I thought she decided to ditch me’ Shyn stood up and punch the wall. ‘But still I… I thought of such things…’

“Why are you crying?” asked a little voice.

Shyn closed his fist and without thinking said, “The person important to me is in the operating room! She’s severely wounded but I… I can’t even protect her. Even though I promised.” Tears started to fall down his cheeks.

“No. Don’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault,” the girl said gently, “you’ve been a good friend!”

“No, no! It’s my fault. If I haven’t been so insensitive then maybe…” his voice drop too tired to debate.
     
The girl caressed his cheeks and as he looked at her she smiled. Then, the girl pointed towards the door of the OR. He turned towards the door and the doctor came out.

“It’s okay now, don’t be afraid to ask. She’s been granted a second chance…” the girl said as she pinched Shyn’s cheeks.

“Ow, ow, ow!” 

“Take good care of her this time, okay!” and the girl let go of him.

The doctor talked to Shyn and told him that Iris was fine and is already recovering fast.

“It’s a miracle!” the doctor exclaimed.

Shyn was so happy to hear the news and so he turned around to thank the girl. But she’s already gone.

“Thank you!” Shyn murmured quietly and smiled.


FIN.

this is the next one after the rpomise... most likely a continuation? haha