"Kind of weird that freshman year is ending soon," I mumbled, staring at the empty canvas in front of me.
We were in art class and focused on painting that day.
I gripped a paintbrush in my hand and dipped it gently in the blue paint nearby.
Slowly, I stroked the canvas, allowing color to seep in.
"It definitely is. I don't think I've ever had this much fun in one school year before," Soriel responded.
She sat in the seat next to me, painting as well.
Her paintbrush, unlike mine, was dyed a deep red.
"Oh really? I would've thought you'd have fun every year. You're always bursting with joy," I replied, lifting my paintbrush from the canvas.
I dipped the brush in a cup full of water, washing off the red. Then, I chose a different color.
"I do, but this year was special. After all, it's the year I met you."
My body froze slightly. Quickly, I felt my body begin to heat up.
Not only that, my heart began to beat so fast I thought it'd explode.
At that moment, I couldn't help but let a smile stretch across my face.
"I…um. I don't think I'm great enough to make that much of a difference," I blurted out.
Soriel sighed.
"You really need to love yourself more."
I shrugged.
"Either way…meeting you made my year special too."
Hearing that, a smile appeared on Soriel's face.
The smile was filled with joy, with the utmost care.
I truly adored that smile with all my heart.
**
"Man, I don't wanna do this!" I whined.
I sat in my science class, wallowing in despair at a certain unfortunate piece of news I received.
Nishimoya, who was next to me, shared my sentiments.
"Why do we have to take a test? I just want to code…" she added solemnly.
Of course, I knew beforehand that there was going to be a test that day. And of course, I studied accordingly.
Even so, I really hated taking tests.
As Mr. Bostav walked around the classroom, passing tests to each student, I couldn't help but joke around a little.
"Mr. Bostav, we're friends right? Can't you give me a hundred, just this once?"
Mr. Bostav turned to look at me, a small smirk on his face.
"If you earn a hundred, you'll get a hundred. Or do you want me to give you a zero, just this once?"
I couldn't help but sigh at his response.
'He always says that.'
Dejectedly, I turned to my test and began completing the first question.
It was troublesome but not the worst test I ever took.
After about 30 minutes, I was done.
Like usual, I began to check my answers one by one, with steady precision.
Although, a few loose thoughts slipped through.
'I need to improve my running. I'm still not fast enough.'
A few days earlier our team had another competition, this time I placed third.
But I still wasn't as fast as I wanted to be.
I gripped the pencil in my hand tight, to the point of pain.
'Is there even a point to running if I don't win?'
I knew it was the mindset of a loser. Yet, I wrestled with that thought anyway.
If I always lost, how could I have fun?
And if I never had fun, why would I run?
'I gotta focus.'
Just like that, I went back to checking my answers until time ran out.
**
"He…"
"No."
As I sat down at our lunch table, Tristan cut me off before I could even greet everyone.
For once he was actually looking at me directly and not his book.
"What?"
"You're going to say something stupid. I just know it," he said calmly.
He was right, but I obviously couldn't admit it.
"Nuh uh."
Tristan stared at me for a moment before turning to the girls.
"Do you guys think he was going to say something stupid?"
Nishimoya and Soriel quietly glanced at me and then back to Tristan.
"Probably," Nishimoya said confidently.
I gave her a betrayed look.
She just shrugged.
Then with a small hope I turned to Soriel.
"Um," Soriel muttered, seemingly flustered.
She looked down, suppressing a giggle.
"Of course not…"
I smiled, ignoring her obvious hesitation.
"See! I'm a genius!"
Tristan just turned to Nishimoya and Nishimoya shrugged helplessly.
"Anyway, I have an announcement to make, everyone," Soriel chirped, changing the subject.
I raised my eyebrow and the others seemed to pay attention as well.
"I got offered to join a music program over the summer! It's going to be in Canada!"
My eyes widened and my eyebrows raised. And I could imagine Nishimoya making a similar expression.
"Great job!" Nishimoya and I exclaimed simultaneously.
"Congrats," Tristan added.
All our faces seemed to light up with joy.
"When are you going? Do you know anyone there? When do you come back?" Nishimoya interrogated, filled with excitement.
Soriel paused and thought for a moment before answering.
"After the last day of school ends, I'm going to the airport. I don't know anyone there. And I'll come back…about a month later."
"Cool!"
We continued to question Soriel, well mainly Nishimoya did the questioning, but I joined in a few times.
A pleasant feeling just spread amoungst us, like it was contagious.
That feeling made my smile appear, my heart beat, and my feet tingle.
That feeling was…
Love.
**
"I'm going to head to practice now," I said casually.
School had ended and I just walked Soriel to the music room.
Of course, I had track and field practice so I couldn't stay with her.
After all, our final competition was coming up soon and we needed as much practice as possible.
But as I turned around to leave, I felt something grab my wrist.
"Elliot, wait," Soriel said softly.
It was a command yet she spoke it like a suggestion. She said it with a certain tenderness and care.
"Is something bothering you?" She asked.
I hesitated.
'No lying…'
"I'm not fast enough," I said.
Soriel sighed.
"Elliot."
"Yes?"
"Do you love running?"
I paused.
Did I love running?
I hated running.
But did I love running?
"Yes."
I wasn't looking at Soriel, but I could feel her smiling.
"Then run Elliot. Run."
She released me.
And then, I walked away.
I walked, so I could run.
That was what I decided.