I looked up in shock and saw a strange expression flicker across Collins’face…part frustration,part a subtle,awkward kind of grievance.
He pulled out an old photo album from the drawer beside him and tossed it onto my lap.“See for yourself.”
I looked down at the red cloth–covered album,the corners were worn out.
I slowly opened the first page and a group photo jumped into my eyes-
The photo showed a pair of little girls. They were delicate and beautiful,with bright,expressive
eyes.
I froze.I knew the girl on the left was me.However,he girl on the right…why did she look so much like…Collins?
I stared blankly at the photo. The girl in the red floral dress had pigtails and a wide,sweet smile as she hugged me tightly.
The image began to blur and suddenly,it was as if a floodgate opened in my mind and memories
rushed in like a tidal wave.
I was about four years old back then,in the middle class of a local kindergarten.
I was timid,I didn’t like to talk,I sat in the corner and drew quietly every day and didn’t dare to say anything when other people grabbed my toys.
However,one kid was different.
She was pretty,bold and full of confidence. She’d always grab my hand and drag me to play or the slide or with balls. She wasn’t afraid to do anything.
She even insisted on being the“groom“during make–believe wedding games when every other girl fought to be the princess.
“I’ll protect you,” she said,hands on her hips.“You’re way too timid. You need me.”
Then one day,she told me she was transferring schools and moving away.I cried my eyes out and even got a fever from it.
I still remember my mom trying to comfort me,saying, “Maybe when you grow up,you’ll meet her again.”
However, before I could grow up,my mom passed away. At her funeral,I cried so hard I couldn’t breathe.I didn’t even have the time to miss the friend in the red dress.
All the softness and sweetness of childhood were ripped away in that one moment.I never thought of her again.
Until today.
My fingers trembled as I flipped through the photo album,in which there were pages and pages of pictures of us as kids,from swinging in the park,to drawing in the classroom and even a time when I fell down and she was shielding me.
I stared at that photo and a sudden ache appeared in my chest.
“So… that little girl in my memory… is you?“I asked quietly.
212 6009
4:27 pm
Collins raised an eyebrow.“It took you long enough.”
I couldn’t speak for a moment,my mind was spinning in a thousand directions.
“You…why did you look beautiful when you were a kid? You didn’t look like a boy at all.”
“I was a mischievous kid,so what if I liked wearing dresses?“he replied while spreading his hands innocently. His lips curled into a small grin,tinged with pride.“You really thought you had a little girl for a playmate?”
I looked at him in a daze,unsure whether to feel heartache or warmth and suddenly I found myself smiling,too.
Collins turned his head and cleared his throat awkwardly,avoiding my eyes. “Back then,I thought you were the most fascinating kid. You were so timid, like a little hamster,but the moment I helped you,you’d come climb walls or steal fruit with me.”
My eyes welled up.“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He pressed his lips together and was quiet for a long time before replying softly, “You forgot…and I was scared you would feel awkward if you did not remember.”
I was surprised and my chest suddenly tightened.
Outside,the wind brushed past the windowpanes with a low sigh.
I nestled into my bed,the tip of my nose still lingering with the sourness from crying.I remembered that he also recalled when my mom was still around.
Collins stared at me for a long time,then reached out and gently wiped away the tear at the corner of my eye. His gaze held so many unspeakable emotions.
Collins whispered,“Laurissa,all these years,I thought you were living a good life…”
4:27 pm DDDD
Chapter 19
