Fleeting Eternity

Serendipity in the East

February 16th, 1964

Johnny's POV: I was heading towards the Curtis house because it was too early to go home, and I wasn't sure if I would even go home tonight. I lifted my gaze from my feet and looked ahead. There was Valerie Hines, walking on the sidewalk and glancing around. She was wearing a pink and white dress with short white heels that resembled sandals. She held her purse in her hand. After a moment of scanning the surroundings, she made eye contact with me and smiled. Her perfect, pearly white teeth were fully visible in the front of her mouth. I smiled back and returned my gaze to my feet. We didn't attend the same school since she went to a private school with her brother. Her family had been living in this town for nearly seven generations, and they were quite wealthy, owning a significant portion of the town. Suddenly, Valerie's lively voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned my head towards her and asked, "Sorry, what did you say?" She promptly replied, "Oh, I just said hello.""Oh, hi," I replied. I was about to continue walking when she asked, "What's your name?" I quickly halted and turned back to face her. "Johnny," I said awkwardly. "Johnny what?" she inquired. "Johnny Cade," I responded. "Well, nice to see you, Johnny Cade. I've seen you around school," she said, which confused me since we didn't attend the same school. "I'm Valerie Hines." She extended her hand towards me. I shook her hand and said, "I've never seen you at school, but I know who you are. Everyone does." Her smile faded, and she replied, "We don't go to school together, but when I walk to the bookstore with my friends, I often see you passing by. Well, you know of me, but you don't actually know me." I smiled awkwardly and said, "Yeah, that's what I meant." Once again, her pearly whites were on display. "Well, I'll see you around, Johnny," she stated as she walked away. "Yeah, see ya," I replied. I wondered what she was doing on this side of town.
I was about to turn the corner, but when I glanced back, I noticed that she was already looking at me. Our eyes met briefly, and she quickly averted her gaze forward.

Valerie's POV: I had been exploring the east side of town because it occurred to me during class that despite living here my whole life, I hadn't fully explored the town. Considering my family's deep roots and influence in this town, I felt like I should know it like the back of my hand. The east side was different from the west side; they almost felt like two separate towns. This side appeared more worn and rough around the edges, while the west side was pristine and orderly. I found myself enjoying the unique scenery here, perhaps because it was a departure from what I was accustomed to.

As I looked ahead, I noticed a boy walking in the opposite direction. He had black, greasy hair and tan skin. I had seen him around town before, usually accompanied by another boy around our age and an older boy who seemed to have graduated from high school. I smiled at him and greeted, "Hello." He stopped and turned towards me, looking puzzled. He responded, "Sorry, what did you say? I didn't catch that." I quickly replied, "Oh, I said hello." "Oh, well, hi," he said, appearing slightly uncomfortable. He avoided making eye contact with me, as if I were some repulsive monster who would devour him if he dared to look at me. He took a step as if to continue walking when I asked, "What's your name?" He replied, "Johnny." Finally, he met my gaze. "Johnny what?" I inquired. "Johnny Cade," he answered. "Well, nice to see you, Johnny Cade. I've seen you around the school," I said. He seemed a bit confused. "I'm Valerie Hines," I introduced myself, extending my hand for a handshake. He shook my hand. He then remarked, "I've never seen you at school, but I know who you are. Everyone does." Hearing that, my smile faded. It irked me when people claimed to know me and said that everyone knew me. "We don't go to school together, but when I walk to the bookstore with my friends, I often see you passing by. Well, you know of me, but you don't actually know me," I clarified, smiling again. "Oh yeah, that's what I meant," he responded, glancing at my teeth. "I'll see you around, Johnny," I waved goodbye and began walking away. He called out, "Yeah, see ya." I took a few steps, then glanced back in the direction he was walking. I caught him looking at me, making direct eye contact. I quickly turned my head and continued walking.

I'm sorry if there's any errors 🐠