If I could say goodbye to you

Chapter 3

That girl from our school, the one with the fragile heart, was the one everyone showed pity for. Claire- smart but unfortunate girl, they say. They said many other things too. Like how she can't do a single sit-up, how she spends most of her time finding new books to judge in the library, and how her icy exterior prevents anyone from being friends with her. Some might even say she's luckier than most, foolishly believing she can get away with anything just because she's ill, not realizing that death is inevitable.

They thought they knew her, but they had no idea. Only I knew her.

"Shit," I utter, scrambling to gather my things. It was almost time for the school to close its gate. But here I was, sitting in the library, unaware of the time that had passed already.

It wasn't long since I shifted to Bellingham, to be exact, just two weeks since I left my hometown and just four days since I joined this high school.

I fastened my legs as I made my way through the aisles of the noiseless shelf rows, books hugging my chest. I was trying to find the empty spot that was once occupied by these books so that I could return them to their rightful place before leaving for home, but then she growled and grabbed my attention, bringing me to a halt. I only got a brief look at her, but it was only enough to make out a little bit of her from the rear and side.

Her hands were on each side of her hips, earbuds lodged in her ears, and her gaze fixed upon the upper bookshelf like a hawk eyeing its prey-she was so lost in thought that she hadn't even noticed me, probably assuming that no one was here to see her struggling.

A sigh of disappointment escaped her when she stood on her tiptoes and tried to reach for the book she wanted. Her attempt failed.

And seeing that, I stood behind her, tapped her shoulder, and asked,"This one?" while gesturing at the book.

Her ponytail gave me a swift whack across the face as she spun around, making me blink rapidly in surprise. But when I opened my eyes, the dazzling sight of her amber eyes met mine.

I froze for a moment, but she didn't catch it.

Breaking my gaze, I asked again, pointing at the e"This one?"

She didn't say anything but gave a little nod, so I passed her the book she was after.

Her eyes lit up. "Thank you," she said, as her voice echoed in the library, reminding me it was just us here. The only sound I heard was from her earbuds playing music directly into her ears.

The tension between us was palpable as we gazed at each other without uttering a word.

Her lips were pulled into a tight line as if she was contemplating her next move. And without giving me a chance to speak, she bowed and sped away.

I couldn't take my eyes off her running figure. I had just moved to high school, so I had no idea what her name was, but I had seen her before from afar. There was something about her that made me inexplicably curious. I wanted to get to know her better.

I blinked, and suddenly I was there, standing in front of my English class. My clothes were different from the other day.

Upon entering, I settled into my seat with a heavy sigh, already itching to leave. I fidgeted with my watch- it was only a few minutes until class started. With my head down, I closed my eyes and tried to get some much-needed sleep. However, I was unsuccessful because people were practically shouting. Sometimes it just makes me wonder how they have so much energy.

Just as I was about to turn my head, I caught myself just in time - there she was.

In her baggy brown jeans and a creased green sweater made her look like an ordinary student, yet she was still different from the crowd.