Our footsteps were in sync as we slowly walked together- side by side. The moonlight shining an ethereal glow on her face. Her skin flawless in the dim and sombre moonlight, her bright brown eyes shone brilliantly as the rays bounced off her face. She turned to face me.
''Hey, Jake?'' Her inquisitive tone broke the small air of awkwardness that had built up around us. I jolted up in response.
''What's up?'' I asked, not really expecting much except a goofy, mindless response that Alyssa normally gives.
''The future's pretty scary, isn't it? I mean, we're in our last year too. I feel like the time's gone by way too fucking quickly.'' She seemed worried but slightly at ease at the same time. I didn't really know how to respond.
''Yeah.'' I blurted out the driest response by accident, and I felt Alyssa's disapproval at my lack of engagement in her conversation.
''We've got to think about College soon, well I mean I won't be. But you'll have too. Our futures seem more present than ever, that's so scary..'' She let out an awkward laugh, but I could tell that she was really worried. I thought I should try and comfort her.
''I guess, it is pretty scary. But- I think it's also pretty exciting. You know, all that change. It's like a Season 2 in a show.'' I cringed at my own example, but I looked at her face and it seemed to dim a bit momentarily before she regained herself, laughed and took a deep breath.
''I guess you're right Jake. Well, you better show up next season, kay?'' Her voice seemed to joke a bit, but her eyes told a different story.
''I'll be there for the whole show Alyssa, don't worry.'' I was a bit embarrassed at saying such cliché lines, but my embarrassment washed away when I turned my face her. Her huge grin was followed with a small bash into me from her shoulder.
The light from the moon gradually dimmed, I could barely see her face now. The only things I could see were her still brightly shining eyes and her pink lips. I wasn't complaining. We didn't really talk for a while after that, the silence of the night embraced our silence in that moment. Our footsteps in sync, crunching against the snow making a satisfying beat as we trotted along to our rhythm. I liked our rhythm. I hope I can listen to it for so much longer. I should've said that. I didn't.
We reached a crossroads.
''I'll see you tomorrow Jake.'' She turned to face me. Her face close enough for me to touch. Her eyes glimmering beautifully. I couldn't look away. I felt my face going closer. I felt my whole body gravitate closer to Alyssa.
''Do you have to go?'' I said, accidently. The inner depths of my mind blurting some stupid things. Her facial expression seemed to switch in that moment, was it longing, confusion, relief? I couldn't tell because as soon as I saw that expression, it switched to a small grin.
''Of course, Jake. It's late, look?'' A little laugh emerged from her face as she giggled cutely. She grabbed my hand, I felt her cold fingertips on mine as she brought them up to our eyeline. Her hands were so soft, the pale white of her fingers barely visible in the diminishing light.
''I'll see you tomorrow. Okay? I promise. I always keep my promises!'' She spoke. She seemed really happy in that moment, I wasn't really sure why but a little smile emerged from my face too.
''Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow.'' A small grin came up on my face as we looked into each others eyes for a long time before she let go of my hand. Her warmth still radiating through- up to my fingertips. She turned away, and I saw her silhouette disappear into the dark. It didn't come back. Why did I want to see it come back?
The moonlight shone on my face directly at that moment. Thankfully, Alyssa couldn't see how red my cheeks were. I'm really happy she couldn't see the small tears that started to build up in the corners of my eyes too.
Why did I miss her already?