-- ☆ ten centimeters; allen ma
...if only you were able to reach past that 10 centimeters gap, will today be different?
genre: fluff, bit of angst
song: picture book of my first love
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if only you were able to reach past that last 10 centimeters gap, would today be different?
dismissal. the sunset was a perfect way to end your day. you finished your regular shift, seven hours worth of facing high school students and teaching them about arts.
becoming a high school teacher was your greatest dream back then. and fate was with you, graduating with a degree to teach and landing on a vacant faculty spot in your former school.
the rooftop was empty, good for you. inhaling the cool air from the spring breeze, the scent of the flowers coming from the flowerbeds that surrounded the whole area enveloped your senses. a relieving wave of nostalgia washed over you.
you used to hang out with allen here. at this very spot.
memories soon found their way to your mind, reminiscing scenes as if all happened yesterday.
when in fact years had already passed since the two of you separated way to chase for your individual dreams.
even though you and allen weren’t in the same classes, shared friends had made the two of you know each other. he was the president of the film club back then, walking around in the campus with a camera on his hand. his eyes brimming with passion for his craft.
it was admirable how he carries such love for filmmaking. but that love was what brought a great physical distance between the two of you. after graduation, instead of going to a local college, he had his eyes set to studying abroad to hone his skills.
it wasn’t like you can hold him and stop him from doing so.
you sat on the bench, leaning back to get more comfortable. the sun was out, the hues of the sky turning from its once clear blue color to a mix of peach and orange. it was like a canvas messily smothered in different shades of pigments. stretching a hand up as if reaching for the clouds, you noticed a paint stain.
allen admired you for your great ability in painting. the look on your face as you blend colors. the smile of satisfaction whenever you completed a painting. it gave such a nice feeling.
his admiration for your works grew and he even made one of your arts as the background of a movie poster for one of his films. whenever he talked with you, there was kindness and encouragement.
his admiration for you was beyond your works.
ah, you surely missed those times when allen would watch you paint in the rooftop after classes. he would patiently wait for you to finish what you were doing and would sometimes snap photos of you. walking home with you had given him so much serenity more than you can imagine.
with the two of you living in the same district which was few blocks away from the school, you two had always walked home together. despite how there was a continuous teasing coming from your friends and classmates that didn’t only go for you, but for him as well, allen continued to walk home with you.
he firmly believed that there was nothing wrong with what the two of you were doing. and whenever he would tell you that, you would just offer him a smile.
you extended your hand once more, this time the last 10 centimeters gap between your hands and allen’s whenever the two of you walk together flashed in your head. you never attempted to reach it; even you had always wanted to.
and allen felt the exact same way. but his mind was too busy tossing around and pondering about your feelings to actually act upon it. too occupied by the act of asking himself if you like him or not. unwilling to risk and sacrifice the close relationship you shared with him.
the graduation reached the calendar.
his aspirations didn’t waver and he was able to voice it out clearly. film was his top priority, he wanted to be able to make more, delve deeper and produce something of better quality.
but he promised something.
he promised that one day.
during the day of his flight, you never met each other. you only received a message from him about his departure, after that nothing more happened.
your feelings towards each other remained a… secret.
almost instantly, you dropped your hand upon hearing the voice. your heart began to boom softly in your rib cage.
tracing the shadow of the speaker, your eyes widened at the sight of a familiar figure. if you weren’t able to suppress it, you could’ve already burst into tears. a beam was found on your countenance, a small one, yet packed with much joy.
“allen, you’re back,” you uttered, examining his visage. nothing had significantly changed, he was the same guy you had set your eyes upon. he was the same guy who had stolen your heart, your first love.
the sight making tears gather in the corner of your eyes, waiting to be released. it felt strange. formerly, you thought that once you see each other, you’ll be wrapping your arms around him as soon.
but you were just there, sitting. heart full by simply watching him.
your tears fell. those were happy crystals created by an answered longing.
a smile spread on his lips, radiant enough to warm your heart. “yes, it’s been a while."
the distance was closed as he took a few steps towards you. hands on his pocket, he leaned on the railings. a short moment was given to gaze at the view the rooftop offers. few students on the oval, playing soccer. others walking on the sidewalk, going to their next class. another group on the bleachers eating. the view was different, but the feeling was familiar.
to be so close to your presence was something that could easily bring peace to allen.
he sat beside you, contemplating for a moment of what he should say before ending up with something of the usual. “how are you?”
eyes fixated on you, you sure have aged—a mature young woman who still owned the same bright and curious eyes. years had pass and allen still found himself lost in you. his first love—a love that hasn’t changed yet.
and he doubted it would ever change.
there was regret lying deep in both hearts for suppressing what could’ve allowed your fondness for each other to bloom. for not trying to get past through that few centimeters gap.
both of you were determined to be able to reach past the last 10 centimeters gap.