Chapter 2: A beautiful encounter
School days passed by in a blur. I usually jotted down notes in class and completed my homework at home, where it was quieter. The school's noisy atmosphere made it challenging to focus. I had a few close friends, and we spent most of our time together during school hours. However, today I had to leave them hanging – I was in a rush to get back to that bench.
As I rushed out of school, I bumped into a few people, but I didn't let it faze me. I pushed through the crowds and made my way out of the school gates. As I turned the corner, I collided with a girl slightly shorter than me. The impact made her stumble, lifting her hair and revealing her striking blue eyes. Time seemed to slow down as our gazes locked.
For a moment, the world around us melted away. I felt like I was floating, and the only thing that mattered was the connection between us. Her eyes sparkled like the clear blue sky, and I was captivated. Her subtle brown hair framed her face perfectly, creating a stunning contrast with her vibrant eyes.
I knew I had to apologize, but I didn't want the moment to end. I felt an inexplicable pull to talk to her, to know her better. Summoning my courage, I spoke:
"I was in a hurry to get somewhere, and I didn't watch where I was going. I apologize for my carelessness."
She didn't respond, nor did she look up at me. I tried again:
"Let me help you with that."
I bent down to help gather her belongings. As we touched hands, a spark of electricity ran through me.
"Nia," she said softly, breaking the silence. "That's my name... Nia."
The sound of her voice sent shivers down my spine. "What a beautiful name, Nia," I replied, trying to sound suave. "I'm... I'm johann."
Nia looked up at me, concern etched on her face. "Ah, you've been staring at me for some time now."
My face flushed with embarrassment. Why was I staring at her? I thought to myself. It's because... it's because her eyes remind me of my own, but sparkle with a life I thought I'd lost.
I stood up, straightening my uniform, and prepared to leave. "Again, sorry for bumping into you."
As I turned to walk away, Nia called out:
"Please be more careful! You can get really hurt."
I spun around, my heart racing. I hadn't needed to smile – I was already grinning from ear to ear. I waved at her, feeling a sense of connection, as if we'd known each other for years.
As Nia disappeared into the distance, I felt a pang in my chest. It was as if I'd left a part of myself behind. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling.
I continued on my way, lost in thought, until I arrived at the bench. I looked around, trying to spot the person I was supposed to meet, but there was no one in sight. The only clue I had was the inscription in the book:
"To the blue-eyed reader."
I sat down, waiting for someone to arrive, but as the minutes ticked by, I realized:
"Nobody came."
Disappointment washed over me, followed by a wave of sadness. I felt like I'd been stood up, not just by the mysterious person, but by life itself.
As I sat there, feeling frustrated and defeated, I thought about Nia. I thought about the way she smiled, the way her eyes sparkled. And I realized that maybe, just maybe, today wasn't a complete loss after all.
With a newfound sense of hope, I stood up and began my walk home, the memory of Nia's smile etched in my mind.