REFLECTION

1. Remember This

   You go to a new school and there's this boy... His eyes darker than the night sky, his face softer than a baby blanket, and his personality... Shines brighter than you could ever imagine. That was Tal. The most sweet person I know, as well as shy. He didn't really care if he ever looked ugly, he just wanted to make at least one person smile, he was that amazing.

Well, I'm going to tell you the story of Tal and how I met him, and maybe you'll understand why everyone loved the boy with the deep voice and long shaggy hair. Why everyone was in love with his shy and outspoken self. Why everyone was in love with him being... Him! But, maybe you'll fall in love with him as well. Only you would know unless you shared.

Est. August 2003 in South Korea.

I walked into school with my backpack and blue jeans, as well as flannel. My school never really cared about dress code, as long as the girls weren't showing their thongs or the boys pants didn't hang down past their waist and their belt didn't fit. So we had a pretty laid back school, if you ask me at least.

I turned to see Tal, talking with one of his friends and not really caring about anyone else other than the person he was talking to. His blonde hair was hitting his eyelashes, and his eyes as matte as ever. You couldn't ever see a shine in his eyes, not yet at least.

He didn't even know I was even existent, or he made it seem like it. You could never know when it came to him; he was the most mysterious person you could ever meet.

It was the bell, meaning everyone had to go to class. I knew I had to go to the same class as Tal, so of course I followed him to class. Everyone always got out of his way, not because of how tall he had been, but also because no one really knew who he was, and no one wanted to touch a stranger.

We both walked to class, people walking up to him often and having a word or two with him. His deep and cold voice responding with a cool and softened tone. He only spoke a few quiet words, nothing more than a sentence. Everyone seemed to be pleased by his response, as if it was abnormal to respond in such a short way.

Before I knew it, we were both in class. I quickly traveled to my seat before Tal could notice me. I did this everyday, I didn't want him to ever notice that I had been following him to class. He may have noticed already, but I always did it anyways.

I always sat behind him, and that was one of the reasons why I didn't want him to catch me; he could find me sneaking in behind him and I knew one day he would question it.

It was almost homecoming, and I haven't yet hard Tal ask anyone, but it was that moment when all the girls walked up to him and asked-

"Hey Tal! Will you go to homecoming with me?" There goes yet another girl asking to be his date to homecoming. He always answered with a quiet,

"Sorry, you're not my type." And he answered that way for the girl. He is always more than happy to go to a party full of drunk guys, but not go to homecoming with a girl? My theories are high when it comes to this, but I don't want to jump into a conclusion and think of something that may not be correct.

I closely looked at the girl's response. She didn't seem happy but she also seemed somehow relieved by it, as if she was dared to ask by one of her friends. Who knows, maybe she was, or she may have heard that he never says yes.

Not to mention, if he did say yes, she would've had multiple rivals (because all the girls would've been saying 'you took my man' when he was never theirs in the first place).

I made a slight noise at his response, and next thing you know... Tal turns around and looks at me! He stared for a second, me not helping myself stared back at him. We stared into each other's eyes for a second, before him noticing the redness on my cheeks. Tal being himself smirked and turned back around in his desk, opening his journal and writing something down. The girl turned to me and huffed before walking off in disgust. I could never really tell why no one seemed fond of me, giving the fact I never talk; I more give body gestures than actual speech.

My best friend then came into class. Being late as always, but for once he beat the bell by a millisecond.

"Nice job beating the bell for once." I spoke in a sarcastic tone after he sat in the desk next to me. He glared over at me, not saying a word, which was odd for him. He would usually laugh at me or say a smart comment back. I tilted my head in his direction before the teacher slammed a book on his desk, trying to get the students attention. He got what he aimed for.

Lunch Room

   I entered the lunchroom with my friend, him trying to act cool to impress the girls, and it always worked. No matter what Dillon did, the girls were always all over him. They wanted every part of him, and I mean every.

Someone had already asked me to go, and I couldn't even respond. To this day, they still think I've been undecided, and they're bragging to their friends that they may have gotten 'one of the most attractive' kids to go with them. I don't know what they're getting at, but I'm not going to question them.

"Think they like me?" Dillon asked while winking at a girl, her turning her face away while she blushed. I rolled my eyes and looked at my friend, playing along with his question,

"Doesn't every girl like you?" I lightly laughed behind my lips while I picked up my lunch from my bag, sitting it down on the table before zipping my bag back up.

I lightly felt a big hand hold onto my waist, feeling my body move to the other person's, then I felt a presence near my ear.

"Meet me at the park tomorrow after school, I'd love to get to know you." I heard a deep voice speak. Was it..?

The hand quickly moved away, my head turning to the person... Seeing the glorious face turn away and walk over to his friends. It was Tal.

I turned over to Dillon, who had been shaking his head at me in disbelief. I didn't mind it, I was happy that Tal even noticed my presence.

I wanted to ask Dillon what he thought of the idea of me going to see Tal, but I already knew he would disagree and try to tempt me into going to the park with our friend Tiffany instead, because he knew Tiffany actually wanted to go with me, but I let her down and explained how I felt. She gladly understood where I was coming from.

"Can't you be happy for me for once? I always compliment you on getting girls and what not," I explained, slightly upset with Dillon's response. "Just congratulate me for a second, it would be calming and very appreciated." I continued, mumbling slightly. Dillon had a slight smile, but no response. At least he responded some way. He usually feels bad for being so selfish, I don't blame him one bit.

Tiffany walked over with her tray from the lunch line. She would make a packed lunch, but she never really had time in the morning. She was either doing her makeup or reading a book, usually both.

"I saw what happened," Tiffany chuckled and looked at me. "Getting some boys, hm?" She continued with a question. I could see the hurt in her eyes from looking at the scene, I could also understand where she was coming from. I rejected her and basically agreed with another person, and she knew how I felt about Tal.

"I can't believe he did that... He actually noticed my existence?" I asked and looked over at Tiffany, hoping she would be the slightest bit excited for me. I could feel Dillon glaring at me from the side, making me slightly uncomfortable.

Tiffany nodded and smiled at me, I could see the fake smile and pain grow in her eyes. I was hoping I didn't shatter her feelings, that would grow a scab on my heart.

I then got quiet and rubbed the back of my neck, giving her an uncomfortable smile. She gave one back, but I could see her eye smile grow this time, meaning it was real. Although I could feel Dillon's glare, I felt a bit better this time.

I slowly looked over at Tal's table, and oddly enough, Tal did the same and looked back at me. I smiled and blushed, quickly looking away. I kinda wished I could see what Tal did, but I grew shy and smiled to myself.

Only then I didn't think about anyone else other than Tal, not even Dillon or Tiffany, not even my other friend who hadn't even come to the scene yet. I only cared about Tal in that exact moment, and I couldn't help it.

It was the way he touched me, the way his warm breath hit my ear, and the way his cold voice talked to me. I just wanted to lean on him and give him my everything. I was craving him more than I ever had, and it was ethereal. I want it to happen again.