How nice it is to be sitting here with you, comforted by your words. Letters stained in ink across beautifully crafted pages. I had been reading for hours straight. The library, closing soon, I wonder when? Anyway, If I read this chapter I will have finished my third book of the day. The only time I feel in good company. Aside from that one time of course. “Sorry sir but we are closing in about thirty minutes. Just to let you know,” a pleasant smile said hovering above me. I nodded in reply, thirty minutes was a perfect amount of time for me to read this chapter, collect my things and head out of here. Or maybe... Another thought crossed my mind. A half-hour nap before leaving? So that perhaps I could read more when I got home? Ah, but if my parents were there, I would not be able to focus. Placing my forehead against the desk I release a deep sigh, the heat of my breath travelled down my white collared shirt. My body is telling me yes. A tired mind telling me yes also. A nap it is. I close my eyes and wait for the rush of sleep to overcome me. Noises disturbed me, I heard people conversating and a sudden chill down my white collared shirt made me lift my head. “Stop haha, get your head up!” a sweet yet familiar voice whispered to me. A nervous and playful chuckle in between breaths. Lifting my head, she sat there. Astoundingly beautiful just like that day. Her rosy cheeks blushed with embarrassment and her blue eyes shining above the candlelight. I couldn't help repeating the words I remember saying that day three years ago. “How nice it is to be sitting here with you.” She smiled. Her rosy cheeks blushed a brighter hue. “How nice it is to be in your company and share this moment,” I smiled. A genuine smile spread across my face, just like that day. I couldn't help but be blown away by her beauty. The warmness of her smile filled me with joy, sitting in the depths of my chest and radiating my heart. It must be a dream. A swift dream that took me by surprise. Is this moment real? Or a ghost of the past? I couldn't help but wonder. “So how will we spend this time then? You can probably guess I'm not here long,” I looked at her puzzled. She frowned. A moment of clarity came to me, of course, I understand. More specifically, I remembered. “Yes of course... Well, we can only spend this time the best we can.” “Thirty minutes to be exact...” she smiled nervously. Then the waiter brought us our meal. I ordered the salmon with grilled vegetables. A simple meal and she ordered the steak with potatoes. “Still a pescetarian huh?” she said digging into the meal straight away. “You better eat that quickly Catherine...” I replied, ignoring the question. A puzzled look. Catherine cut into her steak and took a bite. “Ten minutes then we have to leave,” I looked to the waiter and used the universal gesture to call for the bill. The gesture where you pretend to hold a pen and sign something in the air. They got it. The waiter nodded and headed toward the kitchen. “Twenty minutes isn't that long,” There would never be enough time, I thought. Never enough time to show her how I felt. “I know a place on the way to the hospital, so won't have to rush for a taxi back.” Halfway through the steak, she pushed the plate away. “I always loved steak, although I always felt bad eating it. At least now I won't have to worry to much about a conscience.” Silence snuck onto our table, the subtle chatter around us keeping our thoughts warm. Finally, the waiter came with the bill. “Let's go,” I said leaving two fifty pound notes. An amount far past required on the bill. I didn't care, money never mattered to me as much Catherine did. Catherine got up, coughing for a moment. Her heard wrapped in a beautiful silk scarf, her favourite colours. Purple and yellow. The dress is beautiful and long, the colour purple. She was the most beautiful thing I could ever set my eyes on. “Where are we going?” she said slightly out of great as I took her hand. Halfway to the hospital, there was a building I knew would be locked off. Under construction. The streets buzzed with a bright and colourful atmosphere. Christmas lights illuminate the streets with a warm vibrant glow. The stairs were steep but I knew it would be worth it. “This place looks abandoned!” she giggled, her breath struggling to keep up with her rhythm. I stopped her up into my arms and she wrapped her arms around my neck. “Careful!” she laughed. We arrived, a few floors up in an abandoned building. A sight I knew she'd love. A giant Christmas tree sparkling all the colours of winter. Red, Green, yellows and blues. Her smile widened, in that moment I knew for certain. I would always love her. “It's beautiful,” she remarked, gasping at the tree. “She is, ” I said gazing into her eyes. She turned and gazed at me. “I meant the tree silly!” The overwhelming want to kiss her, to love her, flooded over me. Drenching me in her warmth. “I will always love you, you know that right?” “I will always love you, Eddie,” her face was sincere. She meant every word and it made me so happy. The world appeared to stop for a moment. It was perfect, the most magical moment of my life. With such a sorrowful end. I always knew it would be too. There was nothing I could do about it. I was about to relive that pain again, the same way I relived the love I had for her. I'd never know love without the pain it brought with it. She coughed. Her blood splattered on my shirt. “Eddie,” she said falling to her knees. I catch her and hold her in my arms. The tears wouldn't stop streaming down my face. “I love you!” I said gazing into her eyes. “I am scared,” Catherine wept. “Im here darling... I'm here,” I rocked her gently, there was nothing I could do. She gasped her last breath looking into the deep void past my shoulder. No longer a part of this world. I squeezed my eyes shut. Sobbing. Carrying her in my arms. Thirty minutes was all I got with her this time and it was worth every second. “Sir!” An echo rattled my eardrums. Forcing my eyes open. “Sorry, Sir it's closing time... It's been thirty minutes.