EVE: A Short Unforgettable Love Story

Chapter Three

Kellan Porter POV

That day after the library accident strange things started to happen. I often see her everywhere. It started subtly, a coincidence here, a shared route there. During the flag ceremony I often caught her a meter away from me. It’s odd because for six years during flag ceremonies I have never seen her. In the Cafeteria, she’s seating on the other table beside mine where I always sit. She was often in the library, reading. My eyes always caught her talking with so many people-It’s as if everyone is her friend. I started seeing her to places where I usually went to. And her eyes, are like shadows I can’t shake. I always caught her silent glimpses in my peripheral vision. I wasn’t hallucinating, or being delusional. I should feel unease to conclude that she’s my stalker, but her princess-like appearance doesn’t fit to be one, especially when she’s stalking someone like me? And, every time our eyes met, she couldn’t stop but smile at me-that smile, that I think I only had access to. She smiles to everyone, but with different nuance on mine. That effortless, genuine curve of her mouth, doesn’t intend to get attention, it wasn’t loud either, but it forcedly makes people to smile back. It’s inevitable and contagious. Her smile is like a sudden burst of sunlight in a cloudy day. It’s not just her lips turning up, it’s her whole face. Her eyes narrow, tiny sparks igniting in their depths, it’s so bright. In all honesty, she has a really beautiful, mesmerizing smile. And every time she smiles like that directly towards me, my heart strangely stopped from beating and I couldn’t stop but assume that ‘maybe’- Maybe she likes me? But despite it all, despite her glances, despite her persuading smile? I stayed solid, alone and grounded. I refused the invitation of love knocking on my door. She glances; I glanced away. She stood on my path and greet; I smile back then walked past her. Ignoring? it wasn’t my practiced art; it wasn’t in my field. But if ignoring and staying unbothered is the only cure for this dilemma, I’ll live it. I’ll call it a mastered specialty of a jerk.

Liam and I were playing video games at his room. It’s our Friday routine as we eat heated pop corns.

“Do you remember the girl who ruined our chess game at the library?” he asked.

“Yeah.” I shortly replied. “I know her name.” he spoke as we play the game. “So?” I answered. I acted like it was nothing, but what he said confusingly sent an instant jolt in my heart. “Her name is Isabella Madden. She’s a thirteen-year-old freshman.” I unknowingly paused then stared at him. “She’s thirteen?” I immediately responded out of shock. “Yeah.” He spoke. I was out of mind for a moment. I couldn’t believe she’s just thirteen.” What are you doing? You’re gonna lose.” We lose the game.

“I told you. What is happening to you, bro?”

“I was just distracted.” I respond. “By what? By Isabella? I thought you don’t like her?”

“I don’t”

“Stop lying to yourself, bro.” Liam said as he put pop corns in his mouth. “I know she got you.”

“It’s been two months, Liam. If I did, I would’ve asked her out already.”

“Right. You could’ve done that, so people would stop speculating that you’re gay. Admit it already, you like her. But honestly, I did never expect that she’s thirteen. But still, it’s just an age. At least, your gap wasn’t twenty years. “He said as he leaned on his chair.

He’s right, maybe age wasn’t the issue, It’s Love.

Isabella Madden POV



Do you believe in Love at First Sight? Because I do, the moment I saw him at the library playing chess while I was grabbing books from the shelves. It sounded cheesy, but it wasn’t for a thirteen-year-old like me. And it’s absolutely strange why I suddenly felt an immediate massive pull towards him, when he wasn’t doing anything, just quietly playing chess. There’s no grand entrance, an obvious remark, just the therapeutic sight of him, silently consumed by the game. His thick dark brows farrowed in a deep thought, probably thinking of his moves, as the sunlight hit his curly hair while a lock of it falls over his forehead. The rhythmic click of chess pieces is the only consistent sound in that stagnant silence of the library. The way his fingers move with such precision, the intensity in his gaze, the quiet intelligence radiating from him. He was focused, so present, that mesmerized me. At that moment, it was only him I could see. I am an apathetic towards silence. I don’t like the quietness it yields; I felt no life. Life is supposed to be loud, but after I saw him, it gave me a different perspective about silence. Silence is peace. Suddenly, I fell in love with silence.

I never expected my legs would tremble the moment I walked past him, and my books would fall on their chess board. I am a very loud, optimistic, and confident girl. But I lose all those personalities the moment our eyes interlocked. I had never felt this extreme emotion in my entire life. I tried very hard to stay composed. The feeling of intense, undeniable attraction suddenly coalesced into this one person sitting in front of me, oblivious to the seismic shift he’d just caused into a thirteen-year-old’s universe. It was terrifying and exhilarating, all at once.

I have learned to know his name, Kellan Porter. What a handsome name.’ Isabella Madden Porter’, I just did what most delusional, head-over-heels girls would do towards her crush- put his Surname on mine. He’s a senior, but it doesn’t really matter to me. And exactly after that day, I officially declare he’s, my crush. I have never had one and I don’t know how this works. Is it just a quiet admiration about someone? A typical infatuation for teenagers who makes you feel nervous and excited at the same time? But if you’ll ask me in a deeper sense, I think it’s more profound than that, it’s an instantaneous knowing of your internal thoughts and feelings-that he’s somewhat special than the rest of the boys. It’s a quiet clarity that you feel something real, as a human. That kind of admiration deserves to be loudly flaunted.

And officially that day, I always feel excited to go to school because I know I would see him. The moment I stepped on the ground of the campus, my eyes instantly searched for him. In class, my mind rambles in the thoughts of him. I searched every corner of the Campus where he would quietly lounge. And as days passed, I started to learn, where he went, and where he doesn’t. Maybe in some ways I’m being a stalker, but I’m just simply catching a glimpse of him, adoring him silently. But he never talked to me, even say ‘hi?’ every time I greet him. He ignores me in all ways possible. He has these invisible walls in him. But surely, and definitely he wasn’t gay. Two conclusions only come to mind, it’s either he’s not interested to me or he has a girlfriend? Someone that he’s dating secretly and privately.

For months, every casual glances from him felt like a spotlight. Every time I heard his name, my heart jump instantly with excitement. A frantic pulse kicks inside me every time we’re close with each other. Every small interaction was romanticized in my head. My thoughts revolve around him. I had built him up so perfectly in my head- he was charming, mysterious, smart and effortlessly cool- like my ideal man.

It's been two months, but he never gives me any attention. I never knew that this could be really challenging. I wouldn’t say I’m not pretty, because most boys asked me out? So, what is really going with this guy?