E2 - Do You Remember Me?
1034 Words
The Science classroom buzzed with quiet conversations as students chatted while waiting for class to begin.
A moment later, the door opened.
Teacher Rolando stepped inside.
He was well known for his strict discipline and serious demeanor, earning the respect—and occasional fear—of his students.
"Good morning, class," he said in his usual calm, stern voice.
"Good morning, Mr. Rolando," the class replied in unison.
Teacher Rolando set his book on the desk and flipped through a few pages before looking back at his students.
"Today, we have a new classmate joining us."
The classroom immediately fell silent.
A girl slowly stepped into the room.
She clutched her books close to her chest.
Behind a pair of glasses, her hazel eyes remained lowered, carefully avoiding everyone's gaze.
A face mask covered the lower half of her face, while strands of brown hair framed it.
Andrew's eyes widened.
It's her...
The same girl he had bumped into earlier.
Teacher Rolando gently rested a hand on her shoulder.
"This is Mina Martinez. Starting today, she'll be a member of our class."
A few students exchanged curious whispers while others simply nodded in greeting.
Andrew, however, remained frozen.
His eyes never left Mina.
H-How...?
It's really her...
Mina quietly walked to the empty seat beside Andrew and sat down without a word.
"All right, everyone. Please open your books to page 201," Teacher Rolando instructed.
As the class flipped through their books, Andrew couldn't help stealing a glance at Mina.
She remained focused on her textbook, silently reading.
Then—
SLAM!
Teacher Rolando's ruler struck Andrew's desk, making the entire classroom jump.
"Armstrong!" he barked. "Stop staring and pay attention."
Andrew flinched.
"I-I'm not cheating, sir. Really."
Teacher Rolando folded his arms.
"Then what exactly are you doing?"
Andrew lowered his head, unable to answer.
"...Sorry, sir."
Teacher Rolando gave him a stern look.
"Don't let me catch you daydreaming again."
Without another word, he turned back to the whiteboard and resumed the lesson.
A few students covered their mouths, trying to hide their laughter.
The students seated behind Andrew leaned toward one another and whispered.
"Looks like someone already has a crush on the new girl," one of the boys teased.
Andrew's face grew warm with embarrassment. He clenched his fists beneath the desk.
This is so embarrassing...
Beside him, Mina didn't react at all.
She remained completely absorbed in her studies, as though nothing had happened.
Before long, the lesson continued as normal, and the classroom settled back into silence.
After class, Andrew met up with Kevin and Julia in the cafeteria.
T
he room buzzed with conversations as students chatted over lunch.
"Bro! You won't believe it—I forgot my homework again," Kevin groaned.
Julia slapped her forehead.
"You always forget your homework, Kevin."
Kevin placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"
No, I don't!"
Julia rolled her eyes."Whatever."
She turned to Andrew.
"Did you see the new student? We didn't."
Andrew remained silent, his gaze fixed on the table.
Kevin and Julia exchanged confused glances.
After a long moment, Andrew finally looked up and took a deep breath.
"She... reminds me of someone I knew a long time ago."
Kevin's eyes widened.
"What? No way..."
Julia frowned.
"What makes you so sure?"
Andrew hesitated.
"I... recognized her eyes. They looked exactly the same as when we were little."
He lowered his gaze again.
Kevin scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Well, why don't you try talking to her? Maybe she remembers you."
Andrew gave a nervous smile.
"Yeah... maybe I'll give it a try."
Julia let out a small giggle.
"I have a feeling that won't go well."
Andrew stood up and adjusted his backpack.
"Maybe. But I'd rather try than stay silent."
Kevin pointed at him with an encouraging grin.
"That's the spirit! You can do it, Andrew."
Andrew smiled back before turning toward the cafeteria exit.
Julia leaned back in her chair.
"I still don't think this is going to end well."
Kevin shrugged.
"I think it will."
The two watched as Andrew disappeared into the crowd, searching for Mina.
Around them, the cafeteria remained as lively as ever.
Andrew searched for Mina throughout the school.
He checked the lockers, the courtyard, and even the classrooms.
She was nowhere to be found.
He let out a sigh.
Where are you, Mina?
His eyes wandered toward the library.
Then it clicked.
"Ah... I know where you are," he murmured to himself.
With renewed determination, Andrew headed for the library.
As soon as he stepped inside, he spotted her.
Mina was sitting alone by the window.
Warm sunlight streamed through the glass, bathing her in a soft golden glow.
She was quietly sketching in a notebook.
Andrew took a deep breath.
I can do this.
He slowly walked over and sat in the empty chair beside her.
Gently, he tapped her shoulder.
Mina turned toward him, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Andrew offered an awkward smile.
"Hi."
She looked at him for a brief moment before calmly returning to her sketch.
Curious, Andrew glanced at the drawing.
It was a white wolf standing beneath a full moon, its head raised in a haunting howl. Behind it, a quiet forest shimmered beneath the silver moonlight.
Andrew's eyes widened.
I knew I wasn't imagining things...
He lightly tapped her shoulder again.
This time, Mina looked at him with a trace of annoyance.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice calm but serious.
Andrew swallowed nervously.
"Um... can we talk? Just for a little while."
Mina studied him in silence, her expression impossible to read.
Andrew nervously gripped the edge of his chair.
"Do... do we know each other?"
After some brief silence.
"Yes." She replied.
Andrew's face immediately brightened.
"Really?"
"You're the boy who bumped into me earlier."
The smile on Andrew's face slowly disappeared.
He blinked several times before letting out a defeated sigh.
You've got to be kidding me...
Andrew inhaled deeply.
“That’s not what I meant Mina.” Andrew said.
Mina kept sketching, but she was listening.
“I mean, did we meet in the past?” Andrew said.
Mina paused, then she looked at Andrew.
- Writer
