Unexpected encounters

‘Yes’, I replied, avoiding eye contact, as Aaron leaned in close, his warm breath sending my heart racing. “No, nothing, I just wanted to confirm…” I whispered, trying to sound nonchalant despite my racing thoughts. I glanced up, blinking rapidly, and muttered “stupid” under my breath, hoping he’d think I was just talking to myself. But I didn’t wait for a response, asking, “Well, what’s your name?” despite already knowing it.

Aaron seemed taken aback, his eyebrows furrowing in surprise. “You don’t know my name?” I shook my head, trying to appear indifferent. “No, I’ve heard it from others, but I needed to confirm.” He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Aaron is my name.” I replied sarcastically, trying to hide my growing unease. “Oh, I see, it indeed is.”

As we walked, my friend whispered, “How can you talk to such a handsome man so rudely?” I defended myself, trying to justify my behavior. “I don’t hate him, and I don’t find him handsome. It was just weird to confirm my name like that.” But honestly, I was being too harsh, and I felt bad about it.

We approached Clara’s classroom, where she sat by the window with her friend, looking radiant in the sunlight. “Hey Clara!” I said, trying to sound cheerful. Clara asked, “You’re our senior, right?” I smiled, feeling proud, and replied, “Yeah, I am.” She nodded, her ponytail bobbing up and down, and said, “I remember you from the sports event – you’re so cute!” I thought to myself, “Maybe we look alike?” But then thought, “No, she’s too cute!” I replied with a smile, trying to play it cool. “Thanks, I find you cuter!”

Clara asked again, her voice filled with excitement, “What was your name again, Eden right?” I nodded, and she said enthusiastically, “You’re so sweet – I’d like to call you my sis.” I grinned brightly, feeling happy and accepted, and agreed, “Yes, you can!” As we walked to our classroom for lunch, my friend teased me, knowing Clara also liked me. I couldn’t believe my luck – today was turning out to be an amazing day! My friend started playfully teasing me, and we headed back to our classroom.

As I sat in class, I couldn’t take my eyes off the encounters replaying in my mind. Aaron talking to me today was too much to take in. I wondered if he’d dare to talk to me again, what he’d think of me, and if he’d find me rude. I didn’t want to care, but I couldn’t help it. Meanwhile, the girl from assembly liked me back, but nothing mattered now. I told myself to move on, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

I put my head down on my desk and gazed out the window, imagining how things would have been if I had talked sweetly. Would he find me weird? Probably, because I am weird. I took out my journal and started writing about the new characters in my life. I wrote about how great it was to have hope and how the soil reminded me of my soul. I wrote and wrote, lost in my thoughts.

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