Three weeks,one chance
Victoria Hart, snap out of it!" My friend's voice sliced through my daydream, her hand gripping my shoulder and giving it a playful shake.
History class droned on in the background, but I wasn't really there. My mind was wandering-again.
With only one year left until graduation, I should've been worried about exams or college applications. Instead, my thoughts were tangled around something-or rather, someone-I thought I'd buried years ago.
My first love.
Seven years of silence, stolen glances, and words I never said. Why now? Why him? I told myself it was just teenage nonsense, but deep down I knew the truth: some memories never let you go.
The bell rang indicating the end of the lesson.
"Victoria hart" Maria called out my name as I headed for the door. Intertwining her fingers with mine.
"what's wrong?"she asked. "Nothing much- just some old memories fast-forwarding in my brain",I said smiling faintly.
"Weuh, who is the lucky guy is he hot?..do I know him?"...Maria pressed on. I rolled my eyes and dismissed her with a small laugh"Come on, victoria,you are the goddess of this school! though this is an all-girls boarding school.All girls are crazy about you.And besides you being straight, your name still turns heads",..she teased, grinning
Maria wasn't wrong my ocean blue eyes,wavy hair,hourglass body, and my fair skin were traits many admired.Girls would often steal glances when I passed, their whispers trailing behind me like shadows I could never shake.
"Change of subject Maria the school is closing for the three week holiday what are your plans for the holiday?"...I asked Maria trying to dodge the topic." Right we will be closing in three days for the three week holiday "...she said as if it only occurred to her there and then we were closing.
"I think I will just go and practice my drawing skills at home and maybe do some revision..I wish" she said laughing out loud."What about you Vickie?"
"Me? I'll just practice baking," I said casually, masking the storm in my head. And maybe... just maybe... I'll look for my seven-year crush and finally say that one wrong sentence I've been holding back all my life.
I need to justify that these are just teenage feelings, I thought to myself.
The week flew buy in a blur of classes, dorm gossip,and hurried goodbyes. Before i knew it, i was dragging my suitcase through the crowded school gate, the air heavy with excitment as girls reunited with their parents.
"see you in three weeks, vickie!" Maria shouted , waving from the window of her dads car.
"Bye Maria!" I called back forcing a smile.
The ride home felt longer than usual I stared out the window at the tall city buildings but my thoughts kepts circling back to him. "hidden thoughts estate" the conductor shouted.That was my stop. The bus doors opened, and i dragged my suitcase out, heading towards our house gate. Even before I reached it, the warm scent of mom's baking wrapped around me like a hug.
"My baby , Vickie" , mom rushed out, hugging me tight her apron covered in flour. "mhh, mom it smells so good I really missed your baking" I said smiling into her shoulder.
"well you have three weeks to make your own, so.... what are your plans for the holiday my baby?" she asked casually.
"I will practice my baking and maybe meet up with an old friend", I replied
"Old friend you say" she asked looking at me as she pulled her baking out of the oven but she didn't push it further. "Dinner is almost ready go upstairs unpack your suitcase and take a shower" my mum said .
I headed upstairs and opened my bedroom door I pushed my suitcase away and jumped on my bed hugging it...aww my dear bed how I missed you.
I unpacked slowly, my phone buzzing on the bed. Maria had sent a string of texts:
Maria: Already missing school food?
Maria: Don't forget to send me pictures!
Maria: AND MYSTERY GUY.
I smiled, shaking my head. She'll never let this go.
I sat on my bed, phone in hand, and typed his name into social media. His profile popped up instantly, the same easy smile on his face, only now older-sharper jawline, taller frame, but still him. My finger hovered over the "Message" button.
Three weeks, one chance, one wrong sentence in my life. Should I really text him? my inner voice screamed, do it!." Arrrrggghhh!".... I groaned tossing my phone aside.
I grabbed my towel and headed to the bathroom. A few minutes later, I slipped into my teddy bear pajamas, feeling refreshed. I really needed that shower. " Honey dinner is ready!", mom voice floated upstairs.
I hurried down, pulling out a chair. "Mom, all this food? Are we having a banquet or something? It all smells so good. Where's Dad? I really missed him, you know," I said, piling food onto my plate.
"No, baby, all this is for you. I know how much you missed my cooking. Your dad's away on a business trip but will be back tomorrow," she said warmly, smiling at me across the table.
After dinner I kissed my mom goodnight and headed upstairs to my room. I walked in and closed the door. I logged in YouTube and started watching baking videos though my mind often wondered to him. What if?....the question rang in my mind. The last time I had spoken to him was back in primary school. I hadn't seen or talked to him since our graduation. If only he knew the kind of impact he had on me-how every time I saw him back then, my stomach twisted, my heart pounded, and my breathing hitched.
But soon, I would pour out these feelings to him. But an uneasy thought lingered: what if he turned me down? what if he mocked me? what if he ignored me after that? would my life ever be the same?. Though I am a nonchalant and introverted, I knew his rejection would make me completely shut the door to the outer world. Why? because he was my first crush, first love, first hug,and maybe-just maybe, maybe-he could be my first kiss. I blushed at the thought of him kissing me.
I turned of my laptop and the lights, then slid into bed. I picked up my phone from the night stand, debating if I should text him on social media.After a long moment,I gave up the thought and placed my phone back down, pulling the duvet over myself.
As I drifted off to sleep, my phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't Maria.
Unknown Number: Hey... is this Victoria Hart?
I sat up, wide-eyed.
End of Chapter 1
