It's like a butterfly lost its way and flew into a garden without flowers. The heart I hold is closed off, yet she carelessly came knocking on it.
It was two weeks ago when I first saw her — that charm she had, reading that poster and claiming she'd win the competition, only to realize she'd need a partner. I never imagined I'd end up being the one she'd ask.. nor did I have any intention of joining.
But she surely has a way of leaving an impression.
The shyness behind the bold front she puts on is like a coloured window in a dark room — when sunlight strikes it, it glows into something beautiful.
I was with my friends, worn out from the usual day-to-day shenanigans, just cutting the line to get my daily dose of caffeine. And that's when I saw her again — those innocent eyes scanning the crowd with a hint of mischief, before they landed on me. I composed myself, hoping she wouldn't notice I'd been staring.
And boy — when she started walking toward me, I thought for sure she'd call me a creep, like anyone else would. But no… she never even made it all the way.
Our eyes met, and then — she ran.
"Am I that scary?"
"What are you on about? Forgot to take your pills or something?"
I just laughed at the comment my friend tossed my way, but all I could think was:
What the hell just happened?
I tried to shake it off and move on with my day. Not even an hour later, my phone lit up with a notification. A follow request. It washer.
Jane, huh? Interesting.
What is she planning? Why does she make me this curious?
I decided to ignore it for now.
Girls are the one thing I've always kept my distance from. Love? It never stuck around long, not after that day...
"Ayy Daniel, where are you lost, man?"
"Nothing. What's up?"
"We're planning to go out for drinks — you in?"
"Why not?" I needed a break from my thoughts anyway. But oh man, was I wrong.
---
"Oh man, Ivy would have chugged those up."
"Hey—" Gina hit Chris in the side with her elbow and whispered.
I knew what she said and why the group got awfully silent. Ivana —we called her Ivy.
She was the group's golden retriever. Such a happy soul, full of excitement. I naturally got pulled towards her. The whole group knew I liked her... except her. Such a clueless little girl, yet with an unimagined pull that just drew you in.
And when she was gone… well, some things leave cracks in you that no one's meant to fill.
"Daniel?"
I was pulled out of my void by Chris's voice. I hoped it wasn't another one of his questions about what happened between us.
"Who's this, huh?"
"Oh my God, did someone just show interest in our shaggy Mr. Daniel?" Gina basically squealed.
"Guys, I hope you know looking into someone's phone is invasion of privacy."
"Not between friends. We basically wear the same boxers."
"Ew, Chris, don't bring your bromance out in public." Gina hid from embarrassment, but then her eyes widened.
"Are you cheating on me… with… with our best friend?" She fake-cried, and I just shrugged, giving the mental all the best to Chris, hoping he'd make it out of this mess.
"Hey, hey, wasn't Daniel the topic? And the girl—we need the tea, remember babe? And no, I'm not cheating on you. Daniel's a bro, just a bro… I promise."
Uh, was the centre of attention on me again? Save me…
"So who's Jane, and why is she marinating in your notifications?"
"What happened between you guys?"
"I need the tea… Daniel!"
And they swarmed in with their questions like ants stick to honey. And all my brain said was:
For one night … just one night, let me be free from her mystery … and my own ghosts.