I had three friends. Eric, Cathlyn, Carol.

Eric was chased by all the girls in our high school. Cathlyn was one
of those popular girls. Cheerleader, sexy, and stylish Carol was just one
of those plain and average girls.


Cathlyn and Carol were both totally crazy and wacko over Eric.

Cathlyn didn't have to do anything to attract Eric. For she was
already attractive enough. Carol on the other hand, showered
Eric which love and care.

Carol wasn't ugly at all. In fact, she looked sweet and pleasant But
she wasn't a cheerleader, she didn't were spaghetti-straps or tubes


So like everyone expected, Eric chose Cathlyn. For Carol was just one
ordinary and plain girl while Cathlyn was labelled as the cool and
attractive type.


Eric always insulted Carol, telling her what a 'Plain Jane' she was
and how dumb she looked. Which obviously made Carol feel so
hurt and useless.


That's life!


Carol never gave up though. She wanted to prove something to Eric. She
wanted to prove that looks aren't everything. She studied hard, really
hard. She became the top girl, and all the guys who once ignored her,
chased her.

But she never forgot Eric. Everyday, she put a red rose in Eric's
locker. Always with the same words, 'I care for you, and I always
will'

Because she knew that Eric was facing a hard time. Eric began to
realise how dumb he had been. His beloved girlfriend, Cathlyn was
flirting with other guys. He regretted for choosing the wrong girl.

Cathlyn broke up with Eric later. For she had found a wealthier guy.
Eric felt so cheated, stupid and dumb. He went to look for Carol, he
knelt on his knees, and said "Carol, please forgive me. Do you want to
be my girlfriend?"


Carol rejected him, much to everyone's surprise. She only uttered
these words, "You've suffered a great loss, so I don't want you to face
another one".


Eric felt disappointed. He didn't understand a word that she said to
him.


But they became good friends. Did everything together. Eric began to
change into someone better. Because Carol showered him with the love
he never experienced before.


His ex-girlfriends had never treated him that way. They just accepted
him for his looks. But Carol accepted him for himself. She changed
him.


Carol continued putting a red rose into his locker everyday with the
same words. She never forgot.


One day, Carol didn't turn up in school. She didn't come for a week.
At first, Eric thought that she was on a vacation with her family.
Because she told him that she would be going Hawaii with them.


But one day, he received a call from the General Hospital saying that
Carol was about to die. She had been suffering from cancer. But Carol
forbade them from telling him because she didn't want Eric to worry
about her.

But now that she was about to die, she wanted to see Eric for the last
time.

Eric rushed to the hospital. When he saw how weak Carol was. Tears
began rushing down his cheeks. He whispered, "Why didn't you tell me
earlier? Why did you hide this from me?"


She looked at him and smiled weakly at him, "When I said that I didn't
want you to suffer from facing another loss, I meant this. I didn't
want to tell you because I didn't want you to worry. I wanted to spend my
last days with you cheerfully."


Eric looked at her, "You can't leave me!" he said, "What will I be
without you?"


"You'll be who you are now. I will always be there by your side. Never
forget that. Cherish those times. Live life happily. And one more
thing."

"Yes?"



"I love you"


And she died.


Eric screamed.


He still couldn't accept Carol's death.


He had only spent a month with Carol.

A month.

But Carol changed his life in a way. A way that no one could ever
explain. He regretted. But he knew that Carol would always be keeping
an eye on him from Heaven.


Sometimes, we just don't appreciate those people who really care for
us.Until they leave us, until we lose them. Then we regret.


Outer beauty doesn't matter; it's the inner one that counts. It's
better to tell someone how much you love them. Rather than to
not tell them and lose them without telling them. You'll regret.

Love is when we fight till the very last minute just to show and tell
someone how much we love them.