Packed up with a racing heart. The day was almost finished. School had been a haven for me from a cruel world out there, but it was almost time to leave. I had one year left.

Continued reading the letter but was anxious at the same time. 

Procrastinate yip!

On my way to my last class for the day, strolling in a line, I glimpsed Shareen on the other side.

I shouted her name immediately, but it was all in my head as she turned the corner. Missed a moment, sitting in history class listening to dates and times while my mind was presently raging. With my head in my books, I was just taking down information. Suddenly, a knock on the door made the teacher silent.

Come in!

The door swung open and in came Shareen Boughan.

"Good day Mr. Jenkins, it is in the history where we found our victory," she said.

"My favorite student! how may I help you?" the teacher responded.

"I just need a few moments with Simon Anderson."

"Of course granted."

I took this subject to gain extra points, but she is surely a favorite. Unbelievable how the teacher never spoke of their favorites until they walked through the door. I am in trouble. I grabbed the letter on my way out to explain.

Upon exiting and closing the door behind me, she was already walking away from the class. I followed swiftly. I found it strange how my tiredness disappeared. She took me back to where we first met.

Unbelievable.

Needed to find the right words to explain. Do not want to lose her like this.

"Finally, you made it. Explain yourself, mister," she said.

"I am sorry. The rumors caught me off guard as well. I tried to explain that it was not true. Wanted to read the letter but did not have the guts,"

"What letter?" 

"The one you wrote."

"Let me see what it says."

"Dear Simon, I could not tell you this to your face. You inspire me in all you do. Never change.

Yours faithfully Casandra."

An awkward silence ensued.

She looked up and had a smile on her face.

"Seems like my rumour worked you are officially popular and have a good chance of becoming head boy now."

"You are just unbelievable. Why would you do that to me?" I felt relieved to see her smile.

"Remember you found me here. I ask the questions. See you after school."

We separated, and I walked back to class whistling. I walked in and sat down on my chair and continued writing with no questions from anyone.

After a while, I saw the students leaving the class. Did I miss the bell? Left last, with a grin on my face. Found her at the main gate, awaiting me amongst her friends. My friends were also at the main gate, just staring at us. I could not even look at them because they were making fun of me. The stares messed with my legs. I kept stumbling.

"Strange how people stare but never approach that which is in their view. Almost like seeing a child in need, but not meeting that need.

Her first words propelled me into her world, capturing my mind, and rendering the crowd obsolete.

Clenched my hand into a fist. That is how I usually escape a dream.

"Interesting view. What about the eyes always seeking beauty and yet still cannot perceive a woman? A woman is always being discovered the closer you look," I said.

For the first time, she stared at me, actually still looking at me after that statement. She kept greeting people along the way to her house while I got distracted by the fresh flowers in her street. Red roses and tulips, blooming time has reached its peak.

We reached her spot, where I had to turn around. Said our goodbyes but I stood there waiting to see which house she went into. She also just stood there waving at me. Guess she figured that out quickly.

As soon as I turned the corner, I rushed home because I started messing with my schedule at home. My cousins were already at the gate ready to leave. Put my bag down in my room and high-five them as I ran past them on my way to the shops. They caught up quickly, excited for another adventure with me.

The same path every day, full of surprises and things to see. A chance to discover the beauty of our neighborhood. Seeing different children from other schools. The buzzing atmosphere of music playing around every corner.

Allowed us to put some dance moves in before a field with small hills to run up to. We ran up the hill and whoever was last had to carry the bread home when we went back. Depending on the season, we would see ponds after heavy rains, a paradise for insects and animals. We usually found different frogs, sometimes even trying to catch them. We found the biggest frog once. It could not move because of its size, but it terrified us. I tried to be the leader and go closer to look at it.

Just got closer and ran. They all followed suit while we laughed. The top of the hill allowed us to see where our house was and how far we still needed to go, like lost explorers. There are eight of us, three boys and five girls. Made them run most of the time to be fit and explained should we ever get in trouble, we run home. 

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Thank you for reading this far, the journey just started.