Jasmine took the first shift. Melissa chose to seat at the back which annoyed her greatly, but—it is quite obvious to Jasmine, Melissa is about to face something that even her now well earned courage and name will waver at. The past is just a fragment of who we are, but for Melissa, the past is what defined her. Jasmine threw a glance at her friend who is slumped at the backrest of the car seat. She can't help but wonder, will Melissa come out as a victor in her up-coming battle?

Melissa wanted to sleep, but everytime she tried, images of Michael flooded her memories along with the unwanted one's—that being the memory of her high school days.

High school was supposed to be the highlight of any teen's life, but not for Melissa. That phase of her life was dark and consuming.

"Michael," she whispered, before fading off to sleep.

(November 2002)

The cold breeze of the wind gave a soothing kiss on her cheek. She slowly walked towards her friends who were silently awaiting her arrival.

"What took you so long?" Mika questioned, but Melissa's head is too chaotic, muffled by the thought of what to say when she sees Michael.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Mika asked while giving a playful punch on Melissa's temple.

"She's out of it." Grace, another friend who is also a part of their small group whispered.

"Well, you better prepare yourself, because he he comes," Mika murmured as she shoved Melissa to the front of the group which mainly comprised of her, Grace, and two other friends.

Melissa squinted her eyes, she can see five silhouettes emerging from the back of the church. One she immediately recognizer as Jay, Grace's brother.

"Why so your brother here?" Melissa whispered to her tiny friend. Tiny, because Grace was around 3'9 in height. She was so small, they called her an elf.

"Michael is friends with Jay remember?" she replied, accompanied by a glare to which Melissa understood as jealousy.

Mike wasn't just her dream, he was every girl's dream to be precise. Her friends all seem to support the on-coming courtship, but she knows—somewhere inside their heart, burns a slow but unintentional hate for her luck.

Mel—Melissa!

The loud voice of Jasmine chased her well hidden memory. She opened her eyes and realised that the car is parked near a restaurant.

"I'm hungry, let's eat something before we switch." her friend lazily suggested.

Melissa stared at Jasmine, her mind still hazy and in between reality and memory. "Eat? Why eat, eat who?" Melissa questioned.

Jamie threw her a bewildered look. She placed a hand over Melissa's forehead, and with furrowed brow said, "You don't have a fever, you never showed any sign of mental instability. So I will settle with, what the hell are you blabbering about?"

It took a few seconds before Melissa regained her sanity. She gazed at her friend who is now staring at her with a worried expression on her face.

"Mel, if you feel like it, we can turn this car around and pretend this never happened. You don't have to attend." Jasmine whispered.

Melisaa shook her head and answered, "No, I think it's about time I do this, besides—I can't keep running away from everyone."

Jasmine eyed her for a minute longer before bobbing her head. "I'm standing beside you, keep that in mind," she said to her before leaving Melissa inside the car.

They had a short stop Jasmine ate, but Melissa didn't, she couldn't. She wanted to keep her thoughts clear, but Michael's memories are like the Niagara falls, there is no stopping it, its like an unstoppable current of water, and all she could do was ride the waves, though knowing how painful the crash will be, once reaching the end.

They drove for a few more hours before the arch that said welcome to Santa Praxedes appeared before them. But, Instead of driving through it, Jasmine surprisingly took a turn and parked the car at the shoulder of the road. She looked at Melissa and released a heavy sigh before asking, "Can you really do this Mel?"

Melissa didn't answer, instead—she gave her friend a forced smile.

That alone told Jasmine that Melissa does harbour hesitation—but willing to go through it.

Not a single word was uttered between the friends as Jasmine finally entered the town proper.

Melissa closed her eyes, she took a deep breath and all at once, the car is travelling on the same road where she and Michael had their first kiss.

Tears began to pool at the side of her eyes and as the car drove past that old and rusted looking lamp post, she lost it. Her lips began to quiver, her shoulders shook and the control she had on her stubborn tears faded away.

By the time Jasmine reached the hotel where they will be staying at, Melissa was a bundle of mess at the back seat of the car.

"Jasmine did3say a word. She turned off the ignition but didn't dare to take a glance at her friend. She heard her sobs as she was driving—and she understood.

She allowed Melissa to gather herself first. When she felt like Melissa was ready, she turned towards her, smiled and said, "I'll be your pillar for the next few days. Don't be scared."

Melissa answered her with a wry smile.

Jasmine can only laugh internally, here she is, comforting and giving courage to the most feared and sought out lawyer in the country. She, who barely have the backbone to fight against anything. But Melissa is her best friend, she had seen her during her darkest days, watched in silence as Melissa gave up on every relationship she ever had, all because of a love—from long ago.

She understands the pain Melissa is going through, and against all odds, she will help her survive the party.