99 Paper Cranes

The Secret Admirer

The school hall was empty. The students have not yet arrived, which gave her more chance to do what she has to do. She walked towards the familiar locker. Then, she smiled to herself. She took the small, yellow paper from her pocket and slid it inside the locker. Then, she took out the paper crane. She put a string on it, and hung it outside. She stepped back, and looked at it. She prayed that with this little gift, she would be able to make him smile. She wished that with this gift, she would be able to tell him how she feels.

She began to move. As she walked away from his locker, the school bell rang. The students came out of the classroom, and at one corner, she hid herself. She watched as he walked to his locker, and saw the surprised look on his face upon seeing the paper crane. She saw the smile on his face, which made her contented. She was happy to see him smile today. A smile she has always wanted to look at... that warm and sunshiny smile of his...

--

“Drats... Professor Ren is really something...” Kit said as she approached Calvin by his locker. She closed the book she was holding, and looked at her best friend. He was smiling to himself, as he looked at the paper crane that he was holding. “What's that?” she asked. Calvin looked back at her and smiled. “Oh, it's nothing...” he said. Kit gave him a suspicious look. “Don't tell me it came from one of your secret admirers again?”

“Most likely...”

“Don't they ever get tired? It's as if you would get to notice them if they do such things!”

“But this one's different... look.”

Calvin handed her a yellow paper. Kit took it and read it aloud. “Hard work will definitely be rewarded. The rest is to believe in yourself.” she said. Then, he looked up at Calvin and laughed. “What's funny?” Calvin asked. “Whoever she is, she's so corny. It’s that line from Hana Kimi!” Kit said, then she began to laugh. Calvin just shook his head. Kit would never understand why that note means a lot to him. Today, he would be filing his candidacy for the upcoming student council election. He was hesitating if he should continue or not, but that note gave him the courage to continue.

“Even if it's a line from a drama series, it means a lot to me.” he said to her. Kit just shrugged her shoulder. “OK, OK, I understand.” she said. Calvin closed his locker, then they began to move. “I don't know if this is just a coincidence, but it's like this girl knows what I'm feeling... like she knows I'm hesitating to do something so she gave me this note and paper crane to encourage me...”

“Calvin Chen, everyone here in St. John's University knew you'll be running as the class representative, so everyone's cheering on you.”

“But still, it's like she knew I had this fear...”

“Yeah, yeah, and by the way, how did you know this one's a girl? Remember you had a gay admirer before!”

Calvin flinched upon remembering that incident. The guy involved is Wu Chun, his classmate in biology. During their school's party, Chun got drunk and confessed his love for Calvin in front of everyone. It was a shock, not only for him, but to their batch because he is also the school's heart throb. “Kit, can you stop reminding me that incident...” he said. Kit saw that he's already blushing. “Ah ha! You're still embarrassed with that incident, huh?” she said, teasing her best friend. “Aiyo, stop teasing me about that incident, Katherine Jin!” he said. Kit paused, and glared at him. “And who gave you the right to call me that name?” she asked an irritated tone. Calvin just smirked at her. “Since you decided to bring up that whole Chun thing, Katherine.” he said. Kit rolled her eyes in irritation, much to his contentment.

Before they knew it, they were already in front of the Student's Affairs office. “OK, Mr. Class Rep Chen. Here's your stop. Do what you have to do, OK?” Kit said. She tapped his shoulder, she was about to make her move, when Calvin stopped her. “Hey, aren't you going to support your best friend?” he asked. He pouted at her like a little kid. “Do you still need it?” she asked. “Some kind of a friend you are!” Kit laughed. “Fine, fine. I'll do my duty as your friend. Good luck. I'll see you at your soccer practice later.” she said. Then, she left as soon as Calvin entered the office.