Me and Marcus would always skip school and meet up here. It’s a nice place, really, where all you can see is a thick, beautiful forest surrounding you and no one in sight for miles. It’s probably the reason why we chose this particular path to follow when we couldn’t find our own path in life. Finals week, summer jobs, relationships, or choosing courses, me and Marcus always had something on our mind, and we would always talk it out here, together. I’m so lucky to have a friend like him.

Oh, Marcus. If only you could see how desperately I need you now.

I still remember, third of December, me and Marcus went out here during fourth period and just talked, and talked, and talked. We lost track of time by how much we were just laying there, giggling over the stupidest jokes. He always managed to make me laugh, even in the toughest of times. He was so good at it, in fact, that I even suggested he should pursue a job in comedy.

"I swear, you need to be some sort of stand-up!" I said while stiffening a laugh.

"Yes, i can see it now, the next best thing to Moe Howard, the great, the amazing, Witty Whiz! Starring Marcus, a professional comedian who’s been doing this gig for many years, and his best friend, Ollie." He looks up to the sky and acts like he can remember this day very clearly, like it was yesterday. He punches me in the shoulder while having the most smug little grin i’ve ever seen.

At this point, my laugh is uncontrollable. "No, stop it! I’m never gonna be a comedian. No way José!"

"Who the hell is José anyway? Why is he deciding your future when WE COULD DO ANYTHING IN THE WORLD!!" He stands up and screams at the sun, as if he was talking to Jesus Christ himself.

We laughed so hard that day, we were both struggling to breathe. I swear, I could feel my ribs closing in on me, screaming who on earth could laugh for this long. That’s when we finally came to our senses and noticed it was pitch black outside. We ran, for so long, all the way back to our houses. We would bike but, I got grounded when my mom found out I had a girlfriend and she took my bike. Of course, both of our moms had given us quite a lecture when we finally arrived home at around 4 am, but for the rest of the night we just stayed up talking over our walkie talkies, too excited to go go-karting with each other on Friday. We saw each other every other day, it was a wonder how we didn’t get sick of each other.

The next day was when it happened.

I was pouring my orange juice in my cup that morning when my mom comes and says that Marcus was calling me. She scowled at the mere thought of Marcus, still mad over what happened the other night. I went downstairs to our landline phone and picked up.

"Hey, Ollie. I just want to call you and say… to try and say…" he trailed off for a bit, and I was just starting to think he hung up on me when he continued. "Man, I can’t do this. Just… meet me at the path again, ok? we can talk it out there, like always."

Obviously concerned, I knew this was an urgent matter. I ignored everything my mom said last night and stormed out of the house, stealing my bike back and paddling my way there at lightning speed.

I waited there for hours. Nothing. I started to count the amount of sweat drops clamming on my hands but quickly lost count. I was asking a billion questions in my head, my ribs starting to hurt now for a different reason. Is Marcus ok? Did he make it home safe? Is he grounded? I didn’t notice I was pacing around in a circle for hours so I stopped to rest my dying legs. But when I see him, finally, my legs heal themselves instantly as I sprint my way over to Marcus, knocking over my bike and probably busting a screw loose. I jump on him, giving him the tightest hug i’ve ever given.

"Woah there, Speedy Gonzales! Give me a sec to breathe!" He gives a little smile but underneath it I could see that something was gravely wrong.

While catching my breath, I blurt, "You kept me waiting for so long! I was thinking God knows what! Like.. what if you failed a test or.. if.. " I trail off as my clear attempt of making it seem like I was fine was quickly fading.

"I’m sorry. I wish I didn’t keep you waiting. It’s so hard sneaking out now after last night. What can I say, mom’s orders. And uh…doctors orders."

"Doctor? what do you mean-"

"Shhh, wait, please, let me explain it all. You deserve to know." He puts a finger on my lips and I try to stay silent, but the questions start coming in again. What if it’s…

"Cancer. yeah, I know what your thinking. My doctor says I need to start chemo, pronto. Now I was alright with that, we all were, but…"

"B..but it’s too expensive. How will you guys pay it off?"

"We won’t. I have an uncle up in Chicago who can give us a loan. It’s cheaper there too, so we decided that I should stay at my uncles until chemos done."

I was in absolute shock. we stood there staring at each other for so long, it’s like our eyes were in denial.

"S..so your staying in Chicago? But isn’t chemotherapy like, a really long process?"

"It is." He lets out a big, heavy sigh. "Tomorrow is when I leave, since my doctor demands that it’s very urgent that we start immediately." He puts his hands on my shoulders and we stare for a bit more.

Sunset starts spilling in the sky, and Marcus lets go, leaving two cold shoulders and a very cold heart.

"Tell your girlfriend I said hello. Sorry, i’m bad at this whole goodbye thing."

I wanted to tell him that it’s all going to be ok, and that we would see each other again soon, but I couldn’t form any words. I didn’t even say goodbye.

This was that place where we spend most of our lives together, where we came up with Witty Whiz and a bunch of other stupid jokes. He died a year after that, and when I heard the news, I had to come back here.

He still lives in my heart though. I still sometimes catch myself asking for his opinion on something or asking for advice. I own a go-karting company named after him, Witty Whiz. I worked at the company for my whole life, even if I could retire.

I will never forget you, Marcus. I will see you very soon now.