99 Paper Cranes

Finding Her

Calvin walked over his locker, and as expected, he found another paper crane on his locker. He looked around, hoping to find the one who's been leaving this to his locker. He smiled to himself. Lately, this paper crane girl has been making him smile. It's like she knows how to make him smile, how to make his day right. He has a lot of worries, but when he reads her words of encouragement, he felt like he's gaining back his confidence. He immediately opened his locker, and as he expected, he saw the yellow note lying on top of his books. He took it, and read its contents. “Butterflies don't know the color of their wings, but human eyes know how nice they are. Likewise, you don't know how good you are, but the people around you do... I do...” he read silently. He sighed, then his lips curved into another smile. He took his planner from his bag and kept the note in it.

He felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned around, and saw Kit standing beside him. “What's up?” she asked. He just smiled at her, and with that smile, she understood. Calvin got another paper crane from his secret admirer. She looked at his open locker, and saw the paper crane lying on top of his things. She took it, and carefully looked at it. “Wow, your secret admirer is really something...” she said. Then, she looked at him. “This is the 5th paper crane for this week, right?” she asked. Calvin nodded his head. “I really don't mind getting the paper cranes and her notes... but I want to find out who this girl is...” he said. Kit gave him a suspicious look. “Cal, don't tell me you're falling for this paper crane girl, or gay?” she asked. Calvin gave her a bewildered look, and then laughed. “Of course not! I want to see her so that I could thank her... for encouraging me.” he said. Kit just nodded her head. “OK. Don't worry, as your best friend, I'll help you find this girl.”

“Are you sure?”

“I promise. Cross my heart, hope to die.”

Calvin immediately grabbed her and hugged her tight. “Thanks, Kit! You're the best best friend in the whole wide world!” he said. Kit struggled to get free from him. “Aiyo! Stop hugging me, I can't breathe!”

--

Hannah walked through the empty hall. As always, she would stop by at Calvin's locker, and stare at it for a long time. Whenever she passes the hall, she would wish she could have a glimpse of him. She liked Calvin since she met him way back in high school, but she was too shy to approach him. Whenever Calvin passes by her, she felt and looked like a statue that could not move. She felt that whenever she's around him, she becomes clumsy, so she decided to just watch him from a far.

As she was about to make a move, she bumped into someone. She looked up, and saw Calvin and his best friend, Kit. “Sorry...” he said, smiling at her. She was surprised to see him up close. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words seem to get stuck at her throat. “Uh... yeah... it's... it's OK...” she finally stuttered. She decided to move quickly, but then, she bumped into him again, and her books fell on the floor. Calvin and Kit helped her pick up her things. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry...” she kept on saying. Kit looked at her, and smiled. “It's OK. It's my friends fault that he bumped into you again.” she said. She and Calvin then handed her her books. “Thank you.” she said in a low voice. She looked up at Calvin and smiled faintly. As she took the book from Calvin, she was able to touch his warm hand. She was surprised at this, so she immediately took her hand away from him. “I'm sorry, thank you for helping me pick up the books...” she said. Then, she walked as fast as she could away from Calvin.

Calvin watched Hannah as she leaves. He was a little confused with her reaction when she held his hand. “She sure is weird...” he said. Kit shook her head. “She's a little shy, that's all.” she said.

--

“So, who do you think this paper crane girl is?” Kit asked in between bites. They were hanging out that afternoon at their favorite cafe. “Honestly, I have no idea....” he said. “Do you think it's Rainie, the cheerleader?” Kit asked again. Calvin shook his head. “All that girl knows is cheering and fashion. I don't think she could write those notes...” he said. Kit took another bite from her sandwich before speaking again. “Maki from that punk band?” she asked again. “She writes great lyrics but I don't think she have a crush on me. Plus, she's too outspoken, she would never do such things...”