As I groggily woke up, I realized that I hadn't heard the sound of my alarm. The events from yesterday had left me feeling tired and drained, and a deep sigh escaped my lips as I remembered that I would have to face another day of isolation at school. Determined not to be late, I hurriedly made my way to the bus stop, my heart still heavy with the weight of the previous day.
As I reached the bus stop, I found myself catching my breath, the adrenaline of my rushed journey still coursing through me. Just as the bus arrived, I stepped inside, only to find that all the seats were taken. Feeling a slight sense of imbalance as the bus began to move, a strong, comforting hand suddenly rested on my waist, steadying me. It was Chester, my caring and attentive boyfriend.
Surprised, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of his effort. His house was in the opposite direction, so what was he doing here? It was clear that he had gone out of his way to be by my side, offering his support and comfort.
In that moment, my worries and anxieties were replaced with a comforting warmth. With his support, I regained my composure and held onto the handrails for stability. As more people filled the bus, Chester silently moved behind me, offering a protective presence. I could feel his unwavering support, as if he was silently shielding me from the world around us. In that crowded bus, I found solace in his presence, knowing that I was not alone and that he would always be there to protect and care for me.
As we ran, hand in hand, Chester's grip tightened. "We made it," he exclaimed, his breath catching as we passed through the school gate.
I smiled at him gratefully, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
I had expected a cold reception from my classmates, but to my surprise, the atmosphere seemed different as I made my way to my seat.
"Why are you sweating?" I overheard Andrew ask Chester as he took the seat next to him.
"I ran," Chester replied, using a notebook to fan himself. His eyes sparkled with a smile directed at me.
Andrew's brows furrowed as he glanced in my direction. Meeting his gaze, I stared back at him, my expression cold and unwavering. It was a silent message, conveying that I would not be swayed by his judgment or affected by his presence.
"I'm sorry," I turned to Kayla, offering an unexpected apology. As I stared at her, trying to gauge her next move, a mix of skepticism and caution filled my thoughts. Could this be a trick? What does she want this time?
Kayla's voice broke the silence, her tone filled with a hint of regret. "We searched the whole classroom yesterday, and I found my wallet under the desk in front of me. Nothing was stolen. I must have mistakenly placed it on the wrong table," she explained, her gaze shifting downwards. In that moment, I could see a flicker of remorse in her eyes.
In a split second, I noticed her glance towards Andrew. Was it fear that I caught in her eyes? I couldn't help but wonder about the connection between them and what might be going on beneath the surface. However, for now, I decided to focus on the fact that the misunderstanding had been resolved, and Kayla seemed genuinely remorseful.
"Glad it was resolved," Chester said, leaning his back against the wall as we found ourselves on the stairway during our break. His eyes held a curious expression as he continued, "But why didn't you tell the teachers what you were doing in the classroom? It could have avoided the misunderstanding."
I sighed softly before answering, my voice barely above a whisper, "I didn't want to bother him." I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts. "If I had mentioned that I went to the room to leave a note for Andrew, they would have called him and asked him to confirm it. And I knew he didn't want anything to do with me anymore."
Chester nodded in understanding, his eyes filled with empathy.
I continued, a bittersweet smile gracing my lips, "I've already said my farewell. It's better to let go and move on."
Unbeknownst to us, someone had overheard our conversation. He shook his head before quietly leaving the area.
As the semester came to an end, Chester and I eagerly embraced our summer vacation. While I knew Chester as a fun and outgoing person, I couldn't help but sense that there was a deeper layer to him. Coming from a family of doctors, his parents were always busy working at the hospital, leaving him alone most of the time. This solitude seemed to have shaped his personality, making him cherish moments of joy and excitement.
During his elementary school years, Chester was thin and frequently subjected to bullying by his peers. It was during this time that Andrew stepped in and became his best friend, offering him support and companionship. Since then, Chester has worked hard to build his strength and become more body-conscious, determined to never be bullied again.
His transformation from a vulnerable child to a confident and health-conscious individual was a testament to his resilience and the bond he shared with Andrew.
A playful splash of sea water jolted me from my thoughts, a familiar sign that my boyfriend, Chester, was up to his mischievous antics. "Come here, Drew!" he called out, already immersed in the refreshing embrace of the sea. It was a carefree and enchanting summer, the best I had ever experienced.
Chester and I spent most of our days at the beach, creating precious memories together. We would play in the waves, laughing and chasing each other as the sun kissed our skin. We would write our names in the sand, leaving a mark of our love for the world to see. With sticky popsicles in hand, we would savor the sweet taste of summer, relishing in each other's company.
In the evenings, we would hop on Chester's bike, riding along the coastline, mesmerized by the breathtaking sunset painting the sky with vibrant hues. He would watch me with adoration as I taught judo to the kids in our neighborhood, a testament to his unwavering support and pride in my passions.
And sometimes, under the cover of night, we would sneak away to a secluded spot, lying side by side as we gazed up at the twinkling stars. In those quiet moments, with our fingers intertwined, we would share dreams, hopes, and whispered promises of a future filled with love and adventure.
With his eyes fixed on me, Chester whispered, "I love you, Drew." We sat side by side on the sandy beach, our gaze locked, as the mesmerizing bonfire flickered before us. The lyrics of a song drifted from a nearby shop, reaching our ears:
"We are undercover passion on the run,
Chasing love up against the sun,
We are strangers by day, lovers by night,
Knowing it's so wrong, but feeling so right."
I couldn't help but laugh, my heart filled with joy, as I turned my head towards the source of the sound. "What a song!" I exclaimed, delighting in the serendipity of the moment.
But as I turned my head back to Chester, I was taken aback by how close his face was to mine. The laughter faded from my lips as I felt my heart skip a beat. I had never felt this nervous before, despite it not being my first kiss.
My first kiss! It was with Andrew. The memories of that tender moment intertwined with the present, creating a complex mix of emotions within me. The weight of the past and the uncertainty of the present collided, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and unsure.
As Chester's lips inched closer to mine, a sudden wave of uncertainty washed over me. Without any explanation, I turned my head away, surprising Chester with my sudden action. Confusion clouded his expression as he tried to comprehend why I had pulled away. Even I couldn't fully understand my own actions in that moment. He was my boyfriend, and our relationship had been going well. So why did I instinctively turn my head away from him? The answer eluded me, leaving a sense of unease and a multitude of unanswered questions.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." I stammered, my eyes filled with regret and guilt, unable to find the right words to explain myself.
With a faint smile, Chester responded, his voice filled with understanding, "I am fortunate enough to be with you."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I continued to apologize, my voice barely a whisper, "I'm really sorry. I was just..." But my words trailed off, unable to fully express the complex emotions swirling within me.
Chester's smile wavered, his attempt at masking his true feelings evident. "Drew, let's break up," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. Slowly, he turned his back to me, as if trying to shield his own vulnerability.
The shock of his words hit me like a wave, and I stood up, facing him with disbelief. Desperately, I reached out, grasping his arms, pleading, "We can try again."
His eyes, filled with a mix of emotions, met mine. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking, "You saw him when I tried to kiss you."
I was rendered speechless, the weight of his words sinking in.
"Let's go back to being friends," he said sincerely, his gaze unwavering. In that moment, I realized the depth of his pain.