Artist's commentary
Around Valentine's Day,
I am reminded of my childhood friend.
"More than friends, less than lovers"—yes, that was definitely our relationship. On Valentine's Day in 11th Grade, walking home from school, I was joking around, saying "Since you didn't give me any chocolate, I got zero again." She flashed the peace sign at me and said, laughing, "Okay, if you still haven't gotten any by the time you're 20, I'll give you chocolate." When I pouted and said, "How can anyone be so heartless?" she looked at me and smiled. I remember my heart racing as she smiled with the sunset shining behind her.
But, she passed away from an illness before reaching 20. Since that day, I've never taken chocolate from anyone...okay, nothing like that ever happened. I wonder which part of my life was supposed to be my youth.