Echoes

No... Don't go... Please... Don't go...

A soft, minute cry floated through my thoughts, leaving quiet echoes in the back of my head. I tried to call out, to tell him how much I wanted him to stay, how much I adored him, how much I desperately needed him in my life. But the words were caught in my throat, I could only watch him move slowly out of my sight, his shadow slowly disappearing into the sunset, the echoes of his movements lingers in my heart.

Two years ago, that was when we first met. I remember the topic he brought up to catch my attention.

He asked me, "Do you believe in love at first sight, or do I have to walk by again?"

I was not in the mood for jokes. I was never in the mood for jokes, but he seemed nice, so I was determined to humour him.

"No, I don't. So I think you should walk by a few more times."

Instead of blowing me off like all other guys, he decided to humour me back. He walked by me a few times, then he asked, "How about now?"

"I don't think it'll work."

"So what will make it work then?"

I was shocked that he would ask me that. It was as if he wanted me to like him. Never was there a cute guy who would ever try to bring up a conversation with me because I would blow them off without a second thought.

"I'm not sure."

He looked as if a sharp knife had stabbed him in his guts. I pitied him, so I told him, "Maybe you could walk me home today."

That single sentence brought radiant brightness back into his sight. He was happy. Apparently, he was delighted I gave him a chance.

Thus, he walked me home that day. We had a long chat on our way home. He told me his name was Kyle and he just transferred from Santa Monica High. Then I knew why he approached me, it was because he was new. He probably needed somebody to be his new friend. Who better than the girl in the corner?

The next day we met again by coincidence. Apparently, he was in my home room, first period Chemistry, third period History, fourth period English, sixth period Algebra and ninth period Calculus. I did not take any notice of it until he became my lab partner during Chemistry. He said, "Do you think we have good chemistry?"

He was always trying to make a joke and make me laugh but fails every time.

I replied him, "I don't think so. Pay attention, Sanders is always calling out people who talk in class."

That seemed to work, for the whole class we were busy jotting down notes and by the time class was over, we exchanged notes to check if we left anything out.

I had the second period free, but Kyle had Geography. One subject I would never dare touch at all.

The whole day we knocked into each other and he seemed to enjoy getting seats near me, but I guess it was because nobody else would ever sit next to a girl who doesn't enjoy conversations.

By the end of the whole school day, I was going home but Kyle suddenly jumped in front of me and offered to walk me home. I thought: Why not?
When Kyle walked me to the doorstep, he asked if he could have my number with his head held low and cheeks with a hint of pink embarrassment. I gave him my number, it would not be so boring if there was someone to talk to once in a while, and Kyle was a nice guy, so, why not?
After we met for about two weeks, I started to open up and talk with random people. I started making new friends, started laughing and smiling more often. I didn't feel alone any more, I was happy for once, really happy.You see, when I was four, my parents divorced and my dad took custody of me. He was always on business trips and stuff like that, so he was hardly at home. Even before my parents divorced, they were always quarrelling, so I didn't know what happy felt like. Never did we go on vacations together. Dad was always busy with work, Mom was always busy shopping. I was left all alone even before they divorced. But ever since I met Kyle, everything changed. I learned how it felt to happy, and it was good. After only getting to know each other for a few days, we were like best friends- always hanging out together, walking home together, going out together, sharing secrets, you know, best friend stuff. I felt there was an invisible thread tied to us, a very strong power that drew us closer to each other and become great friends.
For the whole year he walked me home without fail. He never missed a day at school either just to walk me home. Even during summer vacation he'd invite me to the beach.

The next year, senior year, we were always together. After mid-term, we were told to apply for colleges. Kyle and I thought about going on a application spree. We applied to hundreds of colleges and ended up in the principle's office.
Principle Weiner said, "Do you think it's funny to apply to countless colleges? Just how many colleges do you want to enter? You two applied for over two hundred colleges in California alone!!"
Thank goodness I had Kyle by my side then, he backed us up and said, "Sorry Principle Weiner, but better safe than sorry, no? If we got rejected by all the colleges in California, at least we still have other options."
Annoyed, Principle Weiner let us off the hook. We told everybody what had happened and did they crack up like a bunch of hyenas.
After the finals, there was senior prom. The whole class was talking about who they were going with, what they were going to wear, how were they going to arrive and all sorts of junk. Suddenly, Kyle sat next to me. I had it coming, Kyle always sat next to me if we were in the same class.
"So... You got a date for prom yet?" Kyle asked hesitantly.
"No."
"Nobody asked?"
"No."
"Cool."
Frustrated that Kyle thought it was cool I had no date for prom, I scolded him, "I don't have a date for prom and you think it's cool?!! Like what way is it cool like?" I tried my best to keep my voice low to prevent those cheerleaders from gossiping about me later in the cafeteria.
Afraid that I might give him the silent treatment, he tried to calm me, he said, "I didn't mean it like that Kathy... Please don't get mad." I didn't not speak, I was still angry that he thought it was cool I had no date for prom. I bet he had hundreds of girls wanting to be his date.
Kyle watched me for a while and pouted, "Kathy please don't get mad..." My heart melted. I wanted to forgive him but I tried to stay mad at him.
Checking that I still didn't cool down, he said, "Please Kathy, I've got a big surprise for you."
Still frustrated I said, "Surprise? What surprise? The quarterback taking me to prom?"
Kyle was shocked then pain filled his eyes as if a million daggers struck his heart. My heart shattered seeing him at that state, so I tried my best to console him. "Oh, Kylie... You know how sarcastic I can be... I didn't mean what I said... Kylie don't get mad..."
See, there were two stars in my school, the quarterback and the basketball star. The quarterback is always more popular than the basketball star. Kyle was the basketball star. So I guess it really hurt him when I said quarterback.
Kyle looked at me and smiled and relief filled my lungs. I asked him, "So, who you going to prom with?"
"Nobody"
Shocked, I asked, "Nobody? But so many girls asked you!"
Looking into space, Kyle said, "Yeah, I know that, but I have someone in mind that I want to take to prom."
A pinch of jealously hit me, but I tried not to look jealous. I wondered who it was and asked him, "She must be someone really special, huh?"
Still looking blank, he said, "Yeah, she's one in a million. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her."
I was very very jealous but I didn't show it, Kyle would definitely tease me. I wished I knew who he was talking about in that dreamy glance.

Two days before prom, Kyle asked me to go to the mall with him. We went window shopping. We looked at jewellery, gowns and many things. Kyle asked me which gown I liked. I told him it was that cream-coloured one with the bottom practically sweeping the floor. I found it very suspicious but I didn't ask. Later on he asked which shoes I liked. I said it was that black based stilettos with white stripes. I really did wonder why he asked so much about what I liked. After that, he asked which necklace I liked. I could not take it any more. I told him, "It the one with the arrow and the heart. Kyle, why are you asking me all this out of the blue?"
He claimed, "It's a surprise, Kathy, you have to wait and see. By the way, do you have a date prom?"
Well, Chris Searse asked me but I turned him down. He was like the type that only wants to knock you up after doing something together. I didn't want Kyle to know about this, thus I told him, "No, I don't think you'll see me at prom."
Sad, Kyle wanted to say something but he held it back.
After that long window shopping at the mall, Kyle walked me home as usual. When we reached my doorstep, Kyle seemed determined to tell me something. But then he looked up at me and smiled, he said, "Since I escort you home everyday, can I have a peck on the cheek?"
I was surprised by his request, but Kyle had always been there for me, helped me with everything, so I didn't think it was a big deal to give him a quick peck on the cheek.

Prom night... I was sitting in front of the television watching a movie I rented the day before when the doorbell rang at seven thirty. I wondered who could it be. When I opened the door, surprise overwhelmed me. Kyle was at my doorstep with a bunch of red roses and a box which contained a gown I said I liked! I was lost for words when hot tears rolled down my cheeks.
Worried, Kyle asked, "Kathy please don't cry. I didn't mean to make you sad."
"Sad? Who sad I'm sad? Oh, Kyle, thank you so much." I hugged him so tightly as if I didn't want to lose him. I loved him so much.
Kyle said, "Umm, Kathy? This is my first surprise for you."
First? How many surprises did he have in store for me?
He asked me to put on the gown. I went to my room with the gown while Kyle waited in front of the television. I came out wearing the gown he bought me. It fit perfectly. I felt so touched. Kyle stared at me as if he had never laid eyes on me before. He got up from the couch and said, "You look beautiful Katherine." After that he gave me the heels to match the gown. I wore it within a second. He whispered in my ear, "Close your eyes, Katherine." He was like the master and I was the slave. I closed my eyes and waited. I felt something on my neck. When he said it was all right to open my eyes, I realized that I had a necklace on my neck. Kyle smiled and said, "Don't you have make-up?"
"No."
"Good thing I brought my Mom's. Have you ever applied make-up?"
"Yeah, once or twice."
Kyle said, "Sit down, Kathy and close your eyes." I did what he said, then I felt something brush over my face, my eye lids and my lips. Then Kyle said, "All good now. Perfect. You can open your eyes now Kathy."
I opened my eyes and found Kyle's face two inches away from me. My heart raced and I looked away, I didn't want him to see me blush.
He drove me to prom in his 1958 Mustang. I never knew he had a car. A question reeled in my mind: Why did he have to walk home with me if he had a car? Couldn't he drive home instead? I decided not to ask, I did not want to ruin this perfect moment.
When we arrived, everybody was staring at us as if they'd seen something unbelievable. I knew what was going on in their little heads: Why is the basketball star hanging out with that low class girl? But I didn't mind. I was with Kyle, that was all that matters. As long as I had Kyle by my side I'd be okay.
That night we had an awesome time, we danced until our feet were sore.
He drove me home in his Mustang. When we reached my porch, I hesitated to get out. He said, "Kathy, here's my second surprise for the night. Close your eyes please." As if under a spell, I closed my eyes and awaited for what might happen. I felt a soft sensation on my lips then something.

The next day I went to school, Kyle was waiting for me at my locker. When he saw me, his eyes shone with happiness. "You came!"
I wondered what had hit him. Of course I'd go to school. It was boring at home. "Yes I did."
"Awesome! Do you want to skip school with me?"
That was a first. Since finals were over, why not? It wouldn't hurt to miss one day of school to spend some good quality time with my best friend. One question kept rolling in my head: I he had a car, why did he walk with me if he could drive?

Kyle and I went to the beach that day. We had a long stroll by the waves and a long conversation too.
Kyle said, "You know, the first day I transferred to your school, I was petrified. I thought I couldn't make any friends."
"But you did."
"And it was all thanks to you, Kathy. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know so many people."
"No, Kyle, I should thank you for everything you did for me."
"Like what did I do?"
"Well, for starters, I was a very lonely girl. No friends, nothing. Till that day you came and suddenly talked to me."
"Oh? I never knew. I thought you were acting all ice princess and ignoring everyone."
"Ice princess?"
"Well, yeah. All your crazy sarcasm and charisma brought me straight to you. I felt as though I had to melt that ice block covering you."
"Wow, I never knew. And you succeeded Kyle, you melted me."

Two weeks later, I received mail from most of the colleges I applied for and so did Kyle. We narrowed down to the colleges that we wanted to enter. We wanted to go to the same college together but we had different interests. The next day we went to school Kyle was called to the principle's office. Something about scholarship to Cambridge or Oxford, something like that. When Kyle returned he was so happy that his smile could tear up his whole face. Words couldn't describe how ecstatic he was. It was like he won the lottery of a million dollars plus insurance. He said I would never believe what happened in the principle's office and that he'd tell me after school.

The bell rang signifying that the school day was over. Kyle took me to the beach in his Mustang, we stayed in the car. Kyle said, "Promise you won't scream, Kathy. This is a big surprise."
"Okay."
"You are never going to believe this! A guy from Oxford read one of my essays and thought it was genius! He offered me a full scholarship to study there! Isn't it awesome?"
Dread filled my heart. If Kyle did go to Oxford I would be alone, again. I wanted to object but seeing him so full of joy just made me want to encourage him. I told him he was the luckiest guy in the planet and he should go. He was very talented. But Kyle looked at me as if disappointed I didn't object.
He asked, "Kathy, do you want me to go?"
No, I'd never want you to leave me, ever. But I can't hold you from you dreams.
I said, "Oh Kyle, it don't matter if I want you to go or not. You should go, it's an awesome opportunity."
Silence. None of us talked for a while. Then Kyle said, "Kathy, if I go, would you miss me?"
Yes, I'd miss you so much I might go crazy thinking about you.
I said, "Kyle..." I wanted to say that I would really miss him if he went but I didn't want that to stop him from going to Oxford. "Kyle, I... I don't think so."
Sadness seemed to engulf Kyle when I told him I didn't think I'd miss him. So I told him, "Kyle, you know I'll miss you. A lot."
Kyle smiled at me and said, "I don't think I want to Oxford now."
Shocked, I asked, "What? Why?"
He looked at me in the eyes and said, "Because you'd miss me."
"Please, Kyle, you don't get opportunities like this everyday! You have to go! Kyle, I'll miss you, yeah, but you can't just give this up!"
He looked at me, "Katherine, do you hate me?"
"No, I could never hate you Kyle, you know that."
He looked down into his hands and then looked at me again, he asked, "Kathy, can you promise me something?"
"Anything."
"Can you promise me not to go out with another guy if I go to Oxford."
"Of course. But only if you go to Oxford."
Kyle smiled and said, "Thank you Kathy, you are the best!"

Well, that was what happened during last year. Now Kyle is on the plane. I never wanted him to go, ever. But I want him to go. To go and chase his dream as a novelist. As I watch his plane slowly taking off at sunset, the echoes of his every movement, scent and voice circles my thoughts.