"Smile" A Short Story

The most beautiful smile you can ever see. It's one that could light up your day even when you felt depressed. That's how he felt when he saw his girlfriend's smile. A wide, cheerful smile that was brighter than the sun. It was strange though that she never liked taking pictures. He always wanted to take pictures of her, to capture her smile but she didn't allow it. "Come on. Why can't I take a picture of you?" he prodded. "I just don't how I look at times. Besides I think the pictures in your mind is much more essential," she replied. "But...I just want at least one picture of you." She sighed and complied to pose for the picture. "Smile," he said. She flashed him her beautiful smile and the picture of that smile was held close to him everyday. One day while he was standing on the sands of the beach, a gusty wind blew the picture from his hand. "I lost the picture I took of you," he said. "Don't worry about it. I want to show you something," she told him. "Sorry, I need to go to work now," he said dismissively. She waved goodbye to him and smiled. He thought they were going to be together forever but why was he looking down at her lifeless corpse? Why were all of her family crying? All he could was lay on his bed, thinking he'd never see that smile again. A voice so soft and sweet whispered to him. He opened his eyes to see her, to see that she was there standing in front of him. She beckoned for him to follow and he mindlessly did so. He remembered her words: I want to show you something. Was this her last wish? It was strange how she glided through the sidewalks and people wondered why he looked so frantic and desperate. He finally caught up to her and saw she had led him to the beach they always went to. He saw that she was not there anymore which made him feel empty once again. Then across the horizon came the setting sun. The glorious colors painted upon the sky were glowing brightly at him. The pinks, yellows, purples and greens. "It's beautiful," he whispered. Her last wish was fulfilled but it made him think about his last wish for her. He looked up into the sky and said, "Smile." **

"Grandpa"**

I don't know much about my grandfather I never really knew him That's why I called him grandfather rather than grandpa I remember the day before his death His hand had held onto mine and I could believe it was the last time At that moment I wished I was able to call him grandpa much more often For as long a I could remember I will never forget his face, the sound of his voice or those wrinkly hands

*"Never Say Goodbye"* The girl always told her boyfriend never to say goodbye. Her boyfriend would always laugh but as she said. She never wanted to heart that word uttered to her again. The last time her parents had said that they died in a car accident. So she thought that word was like a death sentence marking the end of someone's life when they said it. That's why she always told everyone close to her to say "See ya" or "See you later" They did what she said to make her feel at ease. "Do you really think that I'm going to die or something if I say the G word?" he asked her. "What do you think happened to my parents? I don't want to lose you too," she said. "You won't lose me. I'm just saying couldn't it just be an accident instead of a death sentence because of that word?" She knew he didn't believe in what she believed but it was as long as he didn't say that word she was happy. One day which was one of the best day of her life was when he got down on one knee and asked her hand in marriage. The tears started and she wholly agreed. He looked at his watch and said, "Oh, I have to go pick up my niece now. Goodbye." She was so elated that she didn't notice at first. She hugged and kissed him and then he was of. It was then that she realized soon after he left. She rushed out of the door to her apartment and headed outside where just then a man with a purse in his hand had bumped her roughly. She walked a few steps forward and was paralyzed by the crowd of people. They seemed to be looking at something. "God no," she prayed. "Please don't be him..." Her feet moved on their own to behold the sight of her fiance laying in a pool of his own blood. "I saw it! That thief was trying to steal some woman's purse then that man came in and the thief stabbed him!" someone exclaimed. The ambulance came and felt for a pulse. They could only look at him sorrowfully and bring him towards the stretcher. "Why...? Didn't I tell you to never say goodbye?" she cried.

* "Sayonara"*

Dear Akiko,

Who would've known that we'd make it to this day? I know my mother didn't. But you did. Before I just thought you were some know-it-all student council president but who knew you'd turn out to be so much more? The person who actually stood by me. The person who actually believed in me when no one else did, not even my mother. So this reformed delinquent wants to say no matter what I'll never forget the things you have done for me. Even when we go off to college I'll remember. Surely I'll remember.

Sayonara.

Satsuki

**

"Sayonara"**

Dear Satsuki,

It's near graduation and my heart is full of sadness. I don't want it to be that we simply part and wed forget about each other. So what I'm saying is don't forget about me. Don't forget our friendship. For a friendship should last forever. You know I could never leave you alone. Back when you were causing trouble I really was irritated by your disobedience but sooner or later I found out the reason for your rebellion. No one would've guessed that we'd become friends. That you'd become one of the most important person in my life. I have to stop writing now because I feel I might begin to cry. Just know I'll always be by your side.

Sayonara.

Akiko