I watched her laugh with her new classmates, it wasn't too bad but I could feel a sharp sense of familiar ache in my chest- one that reminded me of just how much time had passed, that I still regretted it till this day.
Back then, we used to talk a lot. A simple conversation with no value in it. We played games during breaks and lunchtime, hangout a lot, going on midnight strolls at Central Park. It was fun doing that with her.
My most cherished moments with her was the midnight strolls because, it was the only place, where we could share secrets with each other and our dreams that we wanted to do. The feeling back then was the realest I'd wanted to redo.
Then, the bell rang, it was time for breakfast. The cafeteria is one of the most brutal places you'll ever go. Whether it's breakfast or lunch, a lot of students always pack up the cafeteria until there's barely any food left. I've learnt from my mistake back then, so I had always bring a bread from the supermarket beside my house and a homemade lunchbox. But, today was different. I had forgotten to bring my lunchbox...
It terrifies me, because of the incident back then where I only relied on cafeteria food. The cafeteria was so crowded, the students were practically squeezing against one another. Since I starving to death, I decided to squeeze in. Luckily, buying food was easy for me because of my physique, but what traumatized me was a lot of unexpected punches out of nowhere in the face, shoulder, stomach.
I stood there for a moment, trying to prepare myself. If I had been more prepared, I would've worn protective gears from getting bruises again. But here I was, completely vulnerable from simple attacks that I can't even handle.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward like a man to the squeezing ball of students. Bodies were pressed against me from all sides but I still managed to stay on my feet. I prepared a body guard defense that I learned from boxing. The impressive part was that the guard worked—at least for my head and ribs. My legs, however, were still getting kicked.
As I got closer to the counter, enduring the pain, the smell of the curry hit my nose. I spotted it right in front of me and quickly tried to snatch it, but the problem is, my leg was stuck. I couldn't see what was holding me back but I couldn't give a damn about it. So I endured the pain in my ankle and manage to snatch the tray of curry rice.
Well, almost. There was a hand grabbing the tray. I tried to forcefully snatch it away but the hand- especially the fingers, are like a professional rock climber gripping it. I looked over, ready to confront whoever was holding the tray. To my surprise, it was her- the transfer student. Ayumi.
We stared at each other briefly. That was the time that I couldn't recognize her. Maybe she had gotten prettier? or maybe taller? But still, staring at her was uncomfortable when we are just trying to snatch the last curry rice.
"Sorry" she said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
I tried to response, but something was making me unable to. It was like it had pulled me to the memories I once had with her- happy, sad, fear, all of it that could make me want to do it all over again.
She game me a small, apologetic smile and released the tray. Our hand touched when I took it from her. This enough gave me a small courage to say something.
"Welcome back" I manage to say, even if it's a simple word that I should have said earlier, I felt relieved that I said it.