To All The Girls That I've Loved

Duan Yixuan (DDD)

I remember my junior high school days where I was young and naive. I speak without thinking first. I act without thinking first. Maybe that was just me being a dumb 13-year-old kid who knows nothing. But I do know how I felt that day when I had my first love...

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It was August that year. The afternoon air was humid and I just finished our PE class. Everyone was in the classroom, preparing for the next subject which is Math. Ugh! Math. I hate Math. How do I use the 2x+3y when I go to the grocery? It seems it's just useless for me. I just finished changing my uniform and got outside the room to drink water at the fountain. But when I passed by the next class, It was empty. They must've their PE class. Come to think of it I hate all the academic subjects except for PE. PE is easy, you just use your strength and speed to play the game. Compared to Math, Science, History, Chinese, and English. I don't like them at all. I admit that I'm slow in terms of academics, that's why I do my best in sports since it's the only thing I'm good at. I arrived at the water fountain and drank water. I returned immediately before the next subject. When I passed by the empty classroom, I saw someone who was standing meticulously checking her butt. She looks troubled so I feel like asking her. I knocked at the door to call her attention. She was startled.

"Hi, what's wrong?" I asked her. I know her, she's from the Brass Band Club since I saw her during a performance last month but I don't really know her name. She wasn't really sociable, or I just don't really pay attention to the people around me. She was clearly hesitant to tell me the real deal. It was obvious that she's shy but I can tell what it was.

"Don't be shy. I have a spare in the locker's room." I grabbed her hand and led her to the room. I opened my locker and gave her a piece of a sanitary napkin. I keep a pack of napkins in case.

"Thank you so much." She told me. It was wonderful to hear her talking at last. "But I don't think I can go to PE class. You see..." She didn't finish her words but she showed me her pants with bloodstains.

I told her she could use my pants. "I'm sorry if it's smelly already. I just used it in our PE class."

"It's ok." She replied as I handed her my PE pants. The bell has rung and I have to go to our next class.

"You can return it tomorrow." I think she was about to say something, but I immediately ran to my classroom so I won't get scolded by my Math teacher.

The next day, it was after lunch. Sunrui and I were at the gym playing basketball with the boys. You could say we were one of the boys. Some girls were watching us. For sure, they were eyeing Lin Yi, a popular second-year student. Am I the only one who isn't attracted to him?

As I dribbled the ball it was difficult to shoot the ball at my angle so I hastily passed it to Sunrui which I accidentally hit her face. It was a mistake! It must've hurt badly, she crouched on the floor. I wanted to comfort my friend but Lin Yi came to the rescue and asked her if she was hurt. I can tell he was really concerned. I think I should be the one concerned, I was the one who accidentally hit her.

"Sunrui, I'm sorry!"

"Aiyama, that hurts." She replied.

Lin Yi checked Sunrui's face but it was fine. She wasn't scraped anywhere. It would've been bad if her nose bled. Lin Yi asked for time out and told his friends to play without us. We rested for a while. I really felt bad about what happened. Lin Yi was taking care of Sunrui. I observed the girls looking at them, I can tell they were jealous. I think this is bad for Sunrui if there will be a misunderstanding in the future.

I was startled when someone tapped me from behind. It was the girl from yesterday. She handed me a paper bag that has my pants in it; she thanked me and then left. I didn't have the chance to say you're welcome and ask her name. I opened the paper bag and smelled my pants. Its scent is like an aromatic perfume. It was pleasant. Underneath is a letter. I didn't read it until I went home.