I stammered, my words tangling in my throat as I gazed into his eyes, unable to look away. Time seemed to freeze as I drank in the sight of him, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and fear. But before I could gather my wits, Kiara's voice cut through the moment, shattering the spell.
"Hey, Chris!" she chimed, grabbing his arm and pulling him away from me.
"I think she's always getting in your way," Kiara teased.
She smirked as she led him toward her table, leaving me feeling bereft.
He wrestled his arm free from Kiara's grasp and turned back, his eyes locking onto mine for a fleeting moment before he followed her. I was left standing there, my words of gratitude unspoken, my heart racing like a wild bird in my chest.
"I think I'm in love with him," I whispered, my hand rising to my chest as if to contain the fluttering sensation within. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, a steady drumbeat that seemed to echo the truth of my heart.
I paused, my gaze drifting over to where he sat, now closer to Kiara, who was lavishing him with her attention. Her flirtatious laughter and playful touches made me ache with pain. I felt like kicking myself for being tongue-tied in his presence, unable to express the gratitude and admiration that had been building up inside me. He was the first person to show me kindness, the first to make me feel seen and appreciated. He was the first to call me pretty, to make my heart beat fast. The truth settled into my chest like a fluttering bird, tender and vulnerable.
I fell deeply, irrevocably in love with him in the blink of an eye, in that fleeting instant, at that precise moment when time seemed to stand still. My heart raced, my soul stirred, and my entire being was forever altered. I gathered my belongings, cast one final, glance in his direction, and left the canteen, leaving behind a piece of my heart.
When school period was over, I decided to take a walk through the park close to my house. The lush greenery and the sound of birds chirping helped clear my mind. After I reached the front of my home, I found a secluded bench near a pond and sat down, letting the peaceful ambiance wash over me.
As I sat there, watching the ducks glide across the water, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about him. I saw how foolishly my body and mind reacted when he handed me my books that fell out of my bag.
He possessed a voice that was low and smooth, like honey, and piercing brown eyes that seemed to bore into my soul without a hint of warmth. As a newcomer to Westfield Science College, I never knew he was staying around here until that moment, and I couldn't help but feel a jolt of surprise. My mind raced with the absurd thought of him being mine, and I hastily dismissed it as pure fantasy. He exuded an aura of wealth and success, while I was struggling to make ends meet - like night and day.
A few minutes later, the sound of footsteps on the gravel path broke the silence, and I turned to behold Christopher standing before me. My breath caught in my throat as our eyes met.
How did he find me here? Why has he come? My mind raced with questions. But before I could form a word, he extended his hand, offering me my diary and locket.
"Good day, miss! I think these belong to you," he said, his voice low and gentle, sending a shiver down my spine.
'Damn it!' I cursed under my breath.
My diary was filled with mortifying confessions and embarrassing write-ups, and I was horrified that he might have read them.
"I didn't read it, so stay calm," he uttered. His eyes were tranquil, and his scent was soothing, putting me at ease. Yet, I felt diminutive beside him, my 5'4 frame dwarfed by his towering 6 feet. I stood frozen, unsure whether to invite him to come in or flee from embarrassment. My mind was a jumbled mess, unable to think straight.
"This is where I live, come in and have some coffee with me," I managed to let the words escape my lips.
"You should never be careless with that," he said and turned to leave.
"Wait!" I shouted, my hand shooting up in a futile attempt to halt his departure.
He paused for a second without looking back, and for a fleeting instant, I thought he might turn around. But he continued his steps toward his car.
Before I could catch up to him, he had already driven off.
I dragged my feet towards the bench in the park, breathless. I double-checked my bag again, only to discover a gaping hole that had been hiding in plain sight.
"I'm such an idiot for not noticing this sooner!" I lamented, my voice laced with frustration. My gaze fell upon the locket, and my fingers traced the outline of my mom's image inside. I pressed my lips to the cool metal, seeking comfort in the memories it held.
The locket was my most treasured possession, the only reminder I had of my mom's loving presence since she left this world behind. I headed back home, the setting sun casting a glow behind me. Memories I had long tried to suppress came flooding back, and I was once again a miserable orphan, abandoned and alone in this unforgiving world. My mind replayed the painful scenes of my father's cruelty, how he made my mom's life a living nightmare, and how she suffered in silence, betrayed by his infidelity. The wounds I thought had healed began to ache anew.
I recalled how he would burn her belongings, including her cherished photographs, for the smallest of infractions. The recollection of her screams, the smell of smoke, and the sound of shattering glass still haunted me. I remember the fateful night she died, her body broken and battered beyond recognition, her life extinguished by his brutality in her seventh month of pregnancy. And how, in a twisted irony, my father met his own demise that same night, his drunken stupor leading to a fatal road accident, a grim reckoning for his heinous crimes.
I wiped away my tears and lay down on my bed.
"Dear diary," I wrote.
***
The sudden knock on the door jolted me awake, and I groggily opened my eyes to the warm sunlight streaming through the window.
"Ah, finally, Saturday!" I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and dragged my feet across the floor, still trying to shake off the slumber. But as I opened the door, my fatigue vanished, replaced by a squeal of excitement as I beheld Zoe's bright smile and radiant presence.
I hastily relieved her of her bag and escorted her to the living room.
"How are you doing? Did you get a chance to eat last night? Are you hungry now? What can I get for you?" I asked, my words tumbling out in an excited rush. Zoe's smile slowed me down.
"One question at a time, silly girl!" she teasingly scolded.
She affectionately squeezed my cheek and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. I chuckled and returned the gesture, feeling a warmth spread through me.
As we sat down to breakfast, our eyes met. Zoe's gaze was piercing, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"How's school going?" she asked, her voice gentle but probing. I hesitated, my eyes darting away, my mind still lingering on Christopher.
"It's fine," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, my reluctance to share my thoughts was obvious.