Epitome of a Hero

What I longed for

It has been three days and everything was going well on every class. I managed to answer on every recitation making the group of bored girls to spike their attention to me but I didn’t mind. I have experienced more life-taking experiences than three girls with grave eyes set on me.

I walked through the hallway since I needed to take a breath from all the things when I saw Kyle at the end of the hallway. My feet suddenly stopped and I cannot move on the direction which I wanted because he is there!  

Move! I tried stepping forward but this body won’t let me and the heartbeat it had risen all the way to heavens when he waved his hand at me while he grinned.

I can see his curly brown hair from a far and I can also see the shine in his eyes as he walked near me.

“H-hi…”

Kyle greeted and I tried shaking off my senses so I could act normally. “Hey.”

“Are you going to the canteen?” he asked and I shook my head immediately. I want to go somewhere where there’s few or even no people at all this time.

“Nope, I’ll just be upstairs. I-I need to breathe…” I mumbled and Kyle looked at me in wonder before he smiled.

“Okay,” he said and my heart constricted a little. I can’t help but feeling this strangeness.

“D-do you want to come with me?” I whispered as I looked down the floor.

“Sure.” Kyle leaned to look at my hidden face, grinning as if he was so happy and calm about it. Can you see, Triz? He’s calm about it! Why can’ you be?

We both went up to the rooftop and I was the first to lead the way. I walked without looking or talking back at him since this body just begin corrupting its system whenever the boy smiles or talks to me. I start stuttering and my breathing just becomes heavy.

As soon as we reached the rooftop of the university, I opened the door and the wind just blew on my face and it was so invigorating. I closed my eyes for a moment, forgetting about everything the induces stress within me and just let my soul fly with the wind for a moment.

Kyle was silent and so I took a second to glance at him and he was doing the same as me. He had his eyes closed for a while. I stared at him and I can see how he felt calm himself as he did. He looked so serene… I smiled at the thought and on that time, I wanted to pat his head like a little kid since he looked so pure.

Kyle instantly opened his eyes when I realized that my hand was already raised and ready to touch his head. I immediately evaded his gaze and hid my hand behind my back.

“I-is there something wrong?” he asked and I shook my head.

“No,” I answered before going near the rooftop fence and resting my arms on it. Kyle followed, placing himself beside me.

It’s such a tranquil moment and being with someone silently as we watched the clouds roll by the clear skies was even blissful than when I was here for the first time.

“Kyle?”

“Yes?”

“Have you ever felt--- lost?” I mumbled and Kyle’s smile faded as he heard it. He was mute as he watched the sky and I remained silent as well. Did I ask the wrong thing?

“Yep. I haven’t find my way just yet. Still lost as I was from before.”

I gazed at him and he looked solemn, his eyes changed too…

“Why do you think you’ll do about it?” I am so curious as to what he is going to say.

He looked at me and then back at the sky before his lips parted for an answer. “Just go with the flow of time, I guess. I do believe that we’re going to find our ways in life eventually. Rather than to waste your energy on stressing yourself on what could be, I’d just… focus on the time which is more important--- the present, right now…”

That was… such an answer…

My eyes never took its gaze away from him and as I did, he was the same. He was right--- I have been thinking too much on what could be all my life, that is why I was focused more on surviving… I threw away all my emotions for the certain moment, all because I wanted to preserve their lives and also mine. The moments in which I thought where I could have done my ‘should haves’ crowded my mind and I felt the regret… It is really too late for me… but not for you, Triz…

I smirked at the back of my mind, trying to take a hold of the other soul that resides on this body. Rather than controlling what she feels, I can just feel what she wants to feel so that she could live for real, and so that I could have a taste of what life really is…

“Tricia…?” Kyle looked flustered and I noticed how his solemn self change into the innocent child as he stares at me.

I began giggling as he blinked at me for several times. “I’m sorry, I just spaced out a little. It happens all the time.” I took a step forward towards the boy and put my hands on top of his shoulders. “Thank you, Kyle… I think I realized something because of you.”

The moment was precious as it felt normal and meaningful to myself but it suddenly turned awkward when my heart started to act all crazy again and out of control.

Kyle’s eyes were wide and he wasn’t taking his sight off of me and it made me nervous now.

“I-I I’m sorry!” I took my hands out and my nervousness threw me aback but Kyle caught my arm before I completely fall off the ground.

He pulled me towards him and I was left petrified as my heart sang the sweetest of song when my head landed on his chest.

Oh …

“Tricia? Are you okay?” Kyle asked in such a worried tone that I can’t help but feel safe as he held me.

“Hm.” I nodded and closed my eyes. I can feel my blood flow throughout my body as my heart pumped it all out too loudly. My skin feels hot and lightning seemed to crawl from my shoulders which he held. It feels strange yet--- lively… I smiled and buried my face on his chest making him jolt but he didn’t let go.

Instead, he kept me near.

“Just a moment,” I whispered. He smells like a high quality of fresh wood. I smiled and I felt his hand placed on top of my head making me feel more calm and serene than I ever was before.

The moment lasted a minute but it stayed longer on my heart and this time I didn’t ty to stop myself from feeling it.

It was so satisfying to feel because I myself never knew that I have longed for this feeling my entire life …