Traces of The Heart

One Silver Tear

<<One Silver Tear>>

 

 

It was like any other day at school to me. I was seated in the cafeteria with some of my good friends by my side at our table. I was sipping on some juice as people walked towards me and patted me on the back. I gave them quick nods and smiles as they congratulated me for leading our school's winning football team.

I would say that I was pretty popular, given my reputation as the captain of the football team back then. In terms of my appearance, I'd say that I was quite attractive, with my blue eyes, blonde hair and chiseled jaw.

I turned to Luke as he talked about our upcoming match next Friday. I listened to his suggestions and nodded occasionally. It was when I heard some giggling from the group of cheerleaders next to us that I looked up.

Your familiar face stood out to me.

That was the first thought that came into mind when you walked in through those doors. Truthfully, you really stood out to me, even back then. But it was alright because I always liked the fact that you were different, like a single daisy admist a bare grassland.

Whereas everyone else looked relaxed whilst queuing and chatting, you were looking as anxious as ever. You had your shoulders hunched over and a heavy school bag strapped behind. It was your first day in my school then as the new transfer student. Your brown eyes were wide with worry behind the thick frames of your spectacles as you nervously looked around, perhaps hoping to find a familiar face.

I got up then, putting down my drink. Ignoring the confused and questioning looks of my friends for my sudden action, I made my way to you. Even as everyone else had their eyes on me, you were still mindlessly walking around, clutching the thick books in your hand. It was intriguing really, to see you still not noticing me.

Taking a deep breath, I tapped on your shoulder.

"Hi, I know you." I spoke, willing you to focus your gaze on me.

Your wavy brown hair swooshed to the side as our gazes met. I grinned as the sweet smell of lavender enveloped me. You know I loved that scent the most.

Your eyes were still wide, but this time with shock instead. Slowly, as you took in my appearance, your eyes then changed into an expression of recognition.

You were still fidgeting with your clothes though and I could tell that sadly, my presence was not helping you relieve your anxiety any less. If anything, I was only making you even more scared.

You avoided my gaze then and looked at the ground, as you bit your lip. It was something I had grown to realize was a habit you had whenever you got nervous.

"H-hi, I know you too. U-umm I gotta get back to class." You stammered as your feet quickly moved. And as fast as lightning, you were gone, just like that.

To say I was stunned would have been a complete understatement. The people around me started whispering between themselves and that seemed to awake me. I was zoning out there in the middle of the cafeteria.

I ran out then, looking around for you.

You probably didn't know this but I had spent four whole hours searching for you. It was tiring I had to admit, even for a footballer like me. You never changed, I thought then. Always, you loved playing hide and seek with me, in your own version which often drove me crazy trying to find you. My efforts paid off though, when I had found you in the empty car park with a novel in your hand. You were ever the avid book reader.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here in the new school I had enrolled in." This time, you had sensed my presence without me needing to even show myself. The words came out of your mouth in a confident tone, a tone that I was so much more used to.