Heart on paper

James Milrite

Earlier today I received a paper.

And a wet bed, thanks to Derek.

Really, I thought the paper was going to be about the finals I was freaking over about. So you could tell I was really tense when I was opening the paper.

Actually, I was relived when I read it's contents. I'd rather see Cecilia than see my dreaded finals scores. What struck me odd was that there was a heart neatly drawn in the middle of the paper.

I don't know, maybe it's just girls and their art skills.

I can't draw for my life. They think the Japanese can draw really well and 'cute' kind of way.

Well, not me.

Despite that, it was after school and I decided to skip study hall, with finals out of the way there really was no homework to take care of.

Cecilia just happened to be on the middle floor, patiently waiting. Possibly for me. She look liked she was focused on something, as if she was trying not to look at the stairs.

I chuckled to myself and walked towards her, "Hey, you seem out of place today. What's up?"

Cecilia almost jumped when I approached her. I can almost notice her cheeks flush at that moment and right after she started babbling about a bunch of nonsense about the advice she received from Molly.

She was too cute by making a fool out of herself. Instead, I just blinked in utter confusion wondering where she was going with this.

She covered her mouth and manged to get out a greeting, "Is everything alright?" I asked, a bit concerned.

She just replied by saying I should show her the paper. Understanding her situation, Igot out the folded paper out of my pocket and unfolded it to let her see the contents. "Something on your mind?" I asked.

Seriously.

I think the finals wiped out my brain and gave me oblviousness.

Her finger pointed to the heart. I flickered my eyes in bafflement.

Then it occured to me.

I remember when we had an improper confession due to current events. Then I realised I disrespected my culture.

The Japanese don't often say 'I love you', and I must have been really out of wack after the monster attack.

...this sucks.

I do live in the west right now but I'm not a westerner, their culture is extremely different.

But I knew where Cecilia was going to, I knew what she was going to say and I can tell she was very nervous.

But I didn't want to disrespect my culture but I did love her. I do love her, actually. I inhaled sharply and leaned down to her level, it's what made her so cute, just petite.

"Aishiteru."

...Curse my native tongue! English! ENGLISH!

Before I knew it.

I felt something strange on my lips.

She kissed me, very quickly though. It wasn’t my first kiss, back in middle school I did have this crush and I suddenly kissed her at the back of the school. She slapped me and called me a pervert.

…

But even though I loved Cecile, I brought myself into a sudden realisation that we were in public.

Public.

…Kuso. My reputation is ruined, I just ruined my culture.

“N-No, it’s just…I’m not used to…” I heaved a sigh, “Screw it, we’re in Canada.”

I placed my hands on her cheeks gently, and planted a kiss on her lips. Love jst took me over.

I didn't know I was smiling like an idiot as westerners would probably say. I was elated, happy as you would put it. I never wanted this feeling to leave.

I almost chuckled at Cecilia's reply in my native language, it just sounded too cute when she says it. I clasped my hand around hers, "A walk wouldn't hurt, wouldn't it?"

For some reqason, I never wanted to let go or even separate from her. i just felt so light, with no other care in the world. Cecilia was my light, my light that would never go out.

[/shot for cheesiness overload]

There was this feeling that made me feel lighthearted everytime and only Cecilia could do that, it just made me forget everything.

And her hand was small but somehow it managed to fit, just magically.

There was a small wanting to go outsite but we can't do that, all the students here are trapped inside for god knows how long. I just want to get out of here, get back on the green grass I used to know and look up into the skies with Cecilia.

That sounded cheesy, but it's true. "But we can't, remember? We're trapped here like we're in a tight box. But I'll gladly spend more time with you no matter where we are."

Cecilia got a bit too ahead of herself.

Japan. She wanted to go to Japan with me. My homeland. I cringed, stopping myself from walking. I didn't want to go back there. "S-Sorry, I'd rather stay here...you know...with you."

My parents were missing somewhere in that country but somewhere in my head knew they were gone. I didn't want to go back there toremember those memories.

The smile on my lips was numb by now. I couldn't even feel it because I felt so elated. Just being with her right now made me feel lighter than ever. I saw stares and strange glances from students passing by. I felt a bit...trapped, I had no space whatsoever.

Westerners can be so strange.

By a lot.

"I know we'll get out of here someday. The school will find a way." My stomach filled in with a strange, appalling feeling right after I said that.

It didn't feel right.

[By school finding a way they mean 'DEATH TO ALL STUDENTS BBLLAAARRRRGGHHH']