20 Centimeters

Chapter 2

Terry was carrying Kyla's bag, which he insisted on doing, while she was carrying her laptop bag on their way to the lockers. Terry just knew that if she had been carrying both, she could've broken something.

And it's Monday morning, they were walking in the school hallways. Talking about a recent episode of an anime, and Terry was passionately letting out his anger at this one stupid character when Kyla literally stopped in her tracks and gasped, making Terry confused.

"Kyla?" he looked at what she was staring at and it turned out it was just that senior guy, Chen Steven. The tallest guy in their school. He had to roll his eyes off.

Terry really doesn't get why he's that popular among girls (Kyla especially). He's just a tall guy. Okay, he has the looks, but he looks better. But he admits it's just his jealousy talking.

" He really looks like an anime character that turned into a real human! " she exclaimed, her eyes following the guy till he disappeared in their sight. Terry huffed with breath and side-eyed Kyla, who was distracted, "And he's the only guy that's taller than me. Do you think he's the one?"

Terry is found speechless, the thoughts just scrambled his brain. He thinks about how can height even tell if you're destined for each other? That's bull— "To be honest, I think that thought should not be considered," he said with a bitter tone. He was gonna stop thinking about it and he knew if he fuel words into her mind she will be encouraged and might fell in love and Terry is not letting that happen, not in front of his salad.

" Okay, but I think if we got together it wouldn't look awkward at all! He could kiss my forehead and I wouldn't have to bend down!" She says happily as they both continue to walk side by side.

Terry bit his lip, " So you are saying that WE look awkward?" he said.

" What? No! You're my friend." Terry hated that she said that so quickly.

"You sound like a height-ophobia," he jokes halfheartedly.

Kyla squinted her eyes at her as he smiled widely in return," That's not a thing, Terry."

" It is now." He teases.

"Are you bitter that I have a chance for a love life you never thought I'd have?" she asked and that made Terrry shut up and think. But no, he isn't bitter that she could have a chance. He's bitter because she only likes people whose height matches with hers, but nobody knows Kyla like he does, but that sounds selfish and it's her feelings.

"No," he said as they both continued to walk." I just don't want you to be hurt." and that's true. Kyla reached and held his hand and it fitted, it's like a place you know you'd be safe and it felt perfect in. Terry's mind, so why not him? why not them?

My penguin best friend:

Terriie? Are you done with your rehearsal? Can you come back to the sports club?

Terry had just got out of the music club's rehearsal room for his upcoming performance when he received Kyla's message. They were in separate clubs for a while as Kyla had to improve more in her cheer dance while he was preparing his song. When he saw her message, he immediately went to the sports club.

He and Kyla both joined a music club and sports club. He and she could be like twins who teach each other instruments & do duets. Their voices blend together beautifully as well, and if that ain't a sign that they're destined for more than height difference. Terry is still whipped anyway.

He entered the music club, where everyone was on the corner giggling, chatting, and some of them were actually doing club stuff, but he wasn't there for that. He started to look around.

"She's so weird, don't she know she has a period? disgusting." some girl chuckled, gossiping. And he could hear it clearly from behind.

Terry clenched his fist. They were talking about her again. He was about to spill some burns on them when he saw Kyla looking uncomfortable in the corner holding her phone, probably waiting for his response to which he hadn't yet replied to her message. Seeing Kyla looking so worried and anxious made Terry quickly move towards where she was.

Terry removed his jacket, helping to cover Kyla. "Put this around your waist,"

Everybody was suddenly staring at them and Kyla was blushing madly as she took the jacket from his hand and put it around her waist. Terry could tell how embarrassed she must be feeling right now. Terry gave everyone a look before taking Kyla's bag and holding her hand, which she took before they both left the room.

When they got out of the clubroom, there was just silence and Terry could feel Kyla holding his hand tightly and hiding behind him, although that was useless since she's taller than him, but he didn't let her go.

Once they got out of school, they both took the bus together and she didn't say a word and Terry didn't mind.e

They had sat down on the last row bus seat, Kyla sat beside the window and sat beside her. She sighed and Terry could tell she was feeling upset and tired. He smiled at her "I'll treat you with ice cream later," knowing ice cream always makes her feel better whenever she's sad.

" Thank you Terry," she rests her head on his and he rests his on her shoulder, their hands still holding each other and she smiles, closing her eyes and Terry stares at her reflection in the window. He wished that she knew how much he always wanted to be there for her. Will she ever see his actions? He wants to scream that he cares and loves her, but he can't and so he just clenches their hands together.