Across The Distance: A Love Story
It was a Sunday morning, and the birds were singing beautifully outside my window. The sun shone brightly through the curtains, gently coaxing me awake. After making my bed and brushing my teeth, I headed downstairs for breakfast. My mom had prepared a delicious meal of French toast, an omelet, and a glass of fresh orange juice.
I savored my breakfast before retreating to my room. Just as I settled in, my mom's voice rang out from downstairs. "Hurry up and get ready! You have an extra class today!" I groaned. I already had a full schedule of after-school classes and certainly wasn’t expecting another, especially on a Sunday.
“Can I skip?” I asked, hoping for a reprieve.
“NO,” she replied immediately.
Resigning myself to the situation, I took a quick shower, then chose an oversized black hoodie and black capris. I tied my hair into a bun and headed off to school for another three-hour class.
Upon arrival, I was shocked to find not only some of my classmates but also seniors—twelfth graders who were about to graduate. It seemed they were also here for extra classes. Our teacher combined our two classes so we could learn from each other.
Two hours passed, and we finally had a short break. Our teacher allowed us to do whatever we wanted. I decided to head upstairs to use my phone and stumbled upon a senior I rarely saw. He was engrossed in a book, but when he looked up and caught my eye, I hurried out before it could get awkward. Sometimes, I preferred solitude, especially since my best friend Joan wasn’t here, leaving me feeling a little bored.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching. I glanced up to see the same senior I had just avoided. He sat two seats behind me in class, saying nothing. A few minutes later, just as I was about to leave, he stood up and pinned me against the wall. My heart raced, pounding so loudly that I feared he could hear it.
“Are you avoiding me?” he asked, his tone teasing yet serious.
I didn’t know how to respond, so I simply requested, “Please let go.”
“I’ll let go after you answer me,” he said, his gaze unwavering. I looked down, trying to evade his intense stare.
“How old are you?” he pressed.
“None of your business,” I shot back, my voice firmer than I felt inside.
He chuckled softly, an amused glint in his eyes. “Fair enough,” he replied, relaxing his grip slightly. “But you know, it’s a small school. Avoiding me won’t work forever.”
I felt a mix of irritation and intrigue. Why was he so intent on talking to me? Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of the break. He stepped back, allowing me to breathe again, though the tension lingered in the air between us.
“See you in class,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips as he walked away.
I stood there, flustered and confused, a whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind. What had just happened? I shook my head and followed him back to class, wondering if this unexpected encounter would change everything.
