Chapter 2: I remember

"I love you".

As I stepped into the biology lab, Kevin waved at me and signaled his hand on the empty seat beside him asking me to come over. I forced a smile and nodded my head, stepping over to the seat. As I adjusted myself on the seat, Kevin straight away asked me, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I replied, although it really is something.

"Come on, you don't think I know you after a month? Something is up in your mind, tell me." Kevin urged me as a sheepish smile came on his face.

"It's just what happened at English class, that's all."

"Ohh, what happened actually?"

"Uhh, I wasn't paying attention so she got mad. You know Mrs. Mila, pregnant mood swings,"

"You sure it is not about me?" Kevin reassuring again.

"Okay class, today we will start off with the long awaited topic, hormones," Professer Bern said as he stepped in.

The whole class, especially the boys smiled and high-fived each other.

***

As the bell rang, I quickly gathered my books and walked straight out because I know Kevin will pasture me whether I am ok with him being with Macy. I took large steps across the hallway to my locker and quickly shove my books in my locker. Oh my gosh,I could still hear Kevin's footsteps.Think, Alice, think, where can I hide where he cannot find me?

"Alice! Hold on! I need to talk to you!" I heard Kevin shouting across the hallway.

I pretended not to hear what he said and walked across the corner and ran. I turn to my left and saw the girl's bathroom with the black doll in that triangle dress. Bingo. I immediately budge into the bathroom, into where the toilet bowl is located and locked the door.

I stood there for a couple of seconds before I realise tears flowed from my eyes.

I just couldn't bear the pain and the thought of Kevin another second. It has just gone by all in a flash- the times when we laid on the lawn during summer and laughed and played like we were the only two human beings in the world. I remember we could just sit under the tree at the Fier park which is around his and my house and talk for hours-literally-hours. We would just pour out our feelings onto each other, not only as friends but as, partners.

The memory that I remembered the most of him was when we were at the Fier park last summer. We were sitting on the grass and Kevin was telling about how his father had passed away and had to spend more time to get a part-time job to somewhat fufill part of his father's duty which left him no time for friends. His friends, best friends and girlfriends left him. Yes, girlfriends not girlfriend, left him.

I understood his situation as I know what it's like to be misunderstood and rejected, especially by your friends. I want to be a musician but my parents want me to be a doctor. Like seriously, that is not my passion and they would never accept it. Kevin shed a tear as he talked about his father and the consequences which made me cry too. You know the when-you-cry-you-also-make-me-cry-too thing.

Kevin was sitting face to face with me. He then moved closer to my face and gently wiped off my tears with his thumb with a little smile on his face. I smiled and he came closer and closer. His nose touched mine and his eyelids close his precious green eyes. Before I knew it, his pinkish-reddish lips touched mine. He kissed me. He then took his arm and hold my waist, making sure I wouldn't let go.

I felt so secure. Like he would never leave me. As we both pulled back, I saw such a wide smile across his face. His smile revealed his dimple on his left cheek which has a mole on it. He then stood up and reached his arm for me to hold onto so I could get up. When we both stood up, I remember seeing the sunlight touch his blond hair and smile.

He came up close to me and whispered in my ear, "I love you."

But now, tears are flowing and he is not here to wipe them off. Not here to lock his lips with mine. Not to hold my waist and make me feel everything is alright. Not here to reach out his arm to help me get up from this situation. Not here to say that he loves me.

"Alice?"

I immediately woke up from my day-dreaming and thought I heard someone call my name.

"Alice?" the voice repeated again. This time, it sounded familiar.

"Uhhmm, yes? She's here." I replied.

"Oh, Alice, Kayla here, Kevin asked me to check if you are here. He wants to talk to you."

Oh no. I cannot say no. Kayla wants me to stand up for myself, which is good, but I can't. Alice, just piece yourself together, go out there and show Kevin that he is just a friend in my life. He really is.

"Alice!?"

"Oh right! Sorry!" I replied, unlocking my toilet door. I headed to the basin and washed up my hands and splashed water onto my face. Took tissue paper to wipe off the water and turned to Kayla.

She looked at me and said, "Nice jacket! Where you get it from?"

Phew, for a second there I thought she was about to tell me off. I looked at my teal coloured jacket and replied with a smile, "Thanks! I got it from JC Penny."

"I see, well, Kevin is waiting for you, sorry for buying your time," Kayla chuckled.

"Nahh, you didn't," I reassured her as I opened the girl's bathroom door and I saw Kevin leaning against the wall beside the girl's bathroom door with his hands tucked into his jeans.

"Hey Alice," Kevin said with that comforting voice I remembered when he told me he 'loved' me.

"Hi Kevin," I replied.

"Can you meet me in the Fier park? It's been a long time since we have been there well, together,"

"Sure, do you want me to wait for you outside school before we head off?"

"Yeah sure,"

There was that awkward silence between us.

He sighed and shifted his body towards me so that he leans on his shoulders. He looks at me with those eyes and leans in. I know 1% of him wants to kiss me but the other 99% wants to run off with Macy instead.

"Kevin," I just had to say it to break our silence and stop him from leaning to me.

"Yes?"

"I.."

"You?"

"I.. miss.."

"You miss?"

"Uhhmm,"

Just say it Alice, SAY IT.

"I miss the Argentina and Germany match yesterday, want to watch it at my house after the park? I heard that the 4-0 fight is a good match fought," I am interested in football okay but for a second there I wanted to really tell him I miss him.

"Haha, okay, but only for a while. I have my part-time job at 6," He chuckled but I could see there was a disappointment in his eyes.

Alice, snap out of it, he loves Macy.