She avoided me once more, as if the embarrassing argument that had split us before had happened once more… as if the past had become present. For days I moped – for days, rumors spread, whispered snickers, dreaded embarrassment, pure misery. I was sad, and for the first time I understood the word heartbroken. It was almost literal – it felt like my heart was being torn to pieces. I cried now, and his earlier thoughts of suicide came back. Then, unexpectedly, one night bore horrible news.

Rumors spread once more, and this time it worked to my favor. I was told that Heather's mother, who had been in the hospital due to a car accident, had passed away. I saw her that day, her face tear-streaked, sobbing with the loss of her sole remaining parent. It was tragic, and I wept for both of us. I am sure that that news had changed at least one wish on her Wish List. I certainly added it in, giving it a high rank. Dead could not come back from the grave, but that night I sure wished it could have happened.

Now was too early to ask her if she liked me again. I had missed my chance. Now I was going to pay for it. That night, I was taking a walk around the campus, contemplating things, contemplating life itself, when in the pouring rain I saw Heather. She was on a bench, crying again. I didn't know how to comfort her, but the wave of pity and sadness that passed over me was unbearable. Dropping my umbrella, I ran to her, cradling her head on my shoulder as she sobbed into it uncontrollably.

That night brought questions for us all. At the same time, it also brought a new happiness. Heather and I were back together again – our love was too strong to break over a few petty words, and she had known that what I said was thrown out in pure anger – pure confusion.

We are still in college, still learning. Heather is doing as well as she can in her studies, and I in mine. That death, her mother's death, brought sadness to both of us, but her studies were not distracted. If anything, she studied even harder now, knowing that with those skills, she could save another person who was dear to another.

Now, with that still-burning tragedy, she and I had not hesitated to tell each other that we loved each other. We were officially engaged, now, even at such a young age. She might not have living parents to support her, but with our dedication and through the power of our love, we will prevail. We have kissed, now, many times, and through those experiences I have learned one thing I know for certain.

I believe I know one of her strongest wishes that she had written down.