Lost In Time

Reflection on memories.

Liam's green eyes, once a beacon of vitality, now appeared dimmed by the weight of his recollections. At the age of 28, he was merely a shadow of the carefree youth he once was, his posture bent under the heavy shroud of sorrow. His unkempt hair outlined a visage etched by time's relentless march, each wrinkle bearing witness to the anguish of Daisy's absence.

Seated solitarily on his bed, he gripped the aged photo album. He opened it gingerly; its pages were fragile and worn. His pulse quickened as he located the photograph—the one that immortalized the evening of their inaugural kiss.

Gazing at the picture, his own image flickered back at him in his eyes. In those depths, the ephemeral instant of their lips meeting replayed as if in a reverie, the radiance of Daisy's grin resounding in his soul. He could nearly sense the surge of connection that had ignited between them, a transient yet intense bond now serving as a poignant memento of what he had forfeited.

In that moment, Liam grasped the depth of his longing for her—not solely in thought but as an integral part of his being. Their kiss had signified the hopes of a shared future, and presently, all that lingered were the reverberations of joy and the vestiges of a past enshrined within a single, evocative image.

Abruptly, his phone vibrated relentlessly, its insistent tone piercing the room's stillness. Friends reached out in succession, their calls a testament to life's continuance beyond his grief. He disregarded them, their sound fading to a mere whisper as he submerged himself in the memory encapsulated by the photograph.

Finally, he allowed the phone to fall silent, succumbing to exhaustion. Turning the page, he stumbled upon a group photo from their mountain camping trip. The frame was bursting with laughter, and there was Daisy, her smile radiant and contagious, encircled by friends. They all appeared so untroubled and vibrant.

Swept up in emotion, he shut his eyes, the photo becoming a blur as sleep started to claim him. In that instant, cradled by recollections of joyous times, he experienced a transient peace, even though the ache of loss remained just below the surface.

The door burst open, and the math teacher entered the classroom, beaming with excitement. "Hello, students! I have thrilling news for everyone. We're organizing a trip to the mountains that will include hiking, camping, and even boating! I encourage all students to join us!"

The classroom burst into cheers, the atmosphere transforming from the typical murmur to an exuberant hum. Students conversed excitedly, their expressions alight with anticipation. Some stood up, already debating the dress code and equipment needed for the trip, while others suggested enjoyable activities.
In one corner, Liam whispered to his friends, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "How about we organize a party during the camping trip? It could be legendary!" He smiled broadly, picturing the festivities: music, laughter, and perhaps some spooky stories by the campfire.In contrast, Daisy remained at her desk, engrossed in her phone's screen, mindlessly scrolling through social media, indifferent to the surrounding fervor. She occasionally looked up, watching her classmates eagerly plan their attire and activities for the trip, yet she stayed aloof, immersed in her own thoughts.

Liam caught sight of her from the corner of his eye. "Hey, Daisy! You coming with us?" he called out, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

She looked up, her expression unreadable. "I'm not sure yet," she replied softly, before returning her focus to her phone, the lively atmosphere around her fading back into the background.