When The Clock Strikes

Part 2

I go to school making a mental list of the people—and things—I want to extend my goodbyes. I don't want to consider this, it can only be a product of my awful imagination; and simply because, I admit, it is hard.

I try not to be late in my class. Not that I am a school-jerk or tardy-prone student, but I was late yesterday. I want to see what I missed.

Apparently, it is just same as any other classes. My teacher is nice, I also get good grades, but some lessons bore me too much. I want this period and the next to end so that I can finally have time to talk to my friends. I am fighting the urge to raise my hand and ask my teacher’s permission if I can go out and have the rest of the day free with my friends for there is a possibility I will die later. Of course I won't because that will definitely sound crazy. In worse case scenarios, I do not want to waste my last day in detention.

At last, the bell rings, a jolt of anxiety fills me remembering that creepy sound of clock I heard in my dream. I fix the things in my desk first before going out. This desk too is important to me. I have it for months. I say a silent goodbye for it in my mind. I am not going crazy, am I?

I walk to the door when a hand grabs my wrist. I am shocked to see it is Wade, my secret crush. “Hey, Aira! I was just wondering…” He looks nervous as I am confused. He notice he is still holding my wrist, we blush and he lets go. “Sorry, I was just… I am glad to see you.”

I stare at him, puzzled. Do I really hear those words or this is another dream? I cannot tell which is reality and not, but if I am still dreaming, I do not want to wake up just yet.

I ask him what he means, he takes a deep sigh before explaining, “I want to tell you this for a very long time, I am waiting for the right chance to but it never came. I do not know what force me now to stand here in front of you to tell you…” he hesitates.

“Tell me what?” I can feel my heart pounding.

“I want to tell you that I am madly in love with you. I always like you, Aira. Sorry I wasn't brave enough to admit it.”

Someone please pinch me! This dream is getting worse. “I do not know if this is some other kind of your jokes...”

He looks at the ground for a moment, before I even know it, we are kissing. It is like a hundred sun rising, a thousand fireworks exploding. Now, I am one hundred percent sure I am dreaming!

I pull back, “Wade, I will be honest with you. I do not care if you know it or not, I tell you this: I do love you. Really. You are my crush for as long as I can remember. What you told me, what just happened, is all part of my perfect fairytale. This might sound weird, but I need to go. Sorry if I would not be here tomorrow or the next day, but always keep in mind that I love you and you made one big dream of mine happened in this unforgettable moment.

He protests, “Aira, everyday, when I enter this room and you are not here, I am so anxious that you will not really come. My day will not be complete without you.”

I search my bag and get a keychain of my initial with my name embroidered on it. I hand it to him, “Then keep this. If you have this, you have me.” I did not give him time to argue, I kiss him and walk away.

If this is real, I want to hold on to it. If only we said it sooner, we almost knew what love was.