nine seconds [J9 | COMPLETED]

one second

I just got out of the class.

I study Communication Arts and I have always been in love with the beauty of words. I love writing. Poetry, especially. But, I am not confident. Maybe that is why words kept me company.

I know I have to build my self-esteem.

I was on my way to the engineering building to pick up Nine---he loves numbers and yes we are a total opposite---when I noticed the weather changed. It became gloomy and the sun seems to fade.

Don't you find it beautifully weird when the weather connects to the very deep of you? Like this gloomy weather trying to sedate the worries inside my head.

I am concerned or maybe just sad that Nine acts like the past have been forgotten and I am right there, inside the tight cabinet, my heart racing, my chest pressed against his, my eyes pinned at his bewitching smile.

Should I forget like he did?

I don't know. I am confused.

I reached the building and went straight to the cafeteria. He was standing alone in the corner, holding bottled water on both of his hands. When he saw me, he waved them and casted a smile with a soft nod.

I did the same and greeted him, "Hi!"
and he gave me one of the bottled water.

"How's it going?" He asked.

We were walking. Just walking away from the cafeteria without knowing where to go.

"What do you mean?" I asked back and took a swig of the water, aware of the brushing of our shoulders.

"I mean you... How are you? How's your summer?"

The summer.

I am completely confused what to feel about that summer. He was asking about it and acting like we did not share a day of summer.

That summer.

"What should we do after class?" He added, shoving away the answer I might say.

I know he feels the awkwardness hovering above us. I know it because he is not looking at me.

I am not used to this feeling. I am not used to us being like this. Two awkward individuals.

I had the courage to speak and get back to my normal being. I nudged him on the stomach and laughed out loud. But it only made the situation more awkward because he was not laughing. He does not look happy.

He was just staring at me.

"Why?"

"I'm hungry." He answered and walked pass by me.

Did I annoy him?

Is he avoiding me?

Why is he covering his ears?

Did I do something terrible?

I hurried towards him but he ran away.

"Nine!"

And we were running. I, chasing Nine---my best friend I kissed last summer---on the hallways.