“What kinda assignment is this? If we can love the sun or not?”, I overheard my seniors talking.
You walked past me and I stood there, bewildered, in awe of your beauty. The gorgeous Emma Walter, leaving me stupefied since kindergarten. You were stunning in all aspects only if I’d been the same. Maybe then you’d notice me, talk to me, eventually love me. But not everyone is lucky like Brandon, right? Only he gets to caress your hair!
“Can you love the sun even though it might burn you?”, I ask myself
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“One of the reasons that life exists is because other planets do not have temperatures like Earth. They are either too cold or too warm thus making life inhabitable.”, says Miss Alice
And it made me wonder. Were we any different? Me orbiting around you from afar, and you radiating joy and warmth to everyone encompassing you.
Miss Alice has always been a remarkable teacher. Never have I ever seen someone connect literature to science. I am looking at you. How your almond-shaped slate-gray eyes are set on the board, your luxurious, wavy, beige hair is worn in a style that reminds me of a flame, your long-fingered hands have gripped the pen. And how just like the sun, your wardrobe is unconventional, with a lot of yellow. That’s when Miss Alice says, ” Your assignment is to work in a pair and answer an intriguing question; Can you love the sun? Can you love something that might burn you?”
Groans echoed throughout the room in acknowledgment. I groaned right along with them, but inside, I was euphoric. Each of our writing so far had been solo projects. I was curious to find out what writing with someone else would be like.
Miss Alice was partnering by alphabetical order
“And finally, we have Caden Wade and Emma Walter .”
WHATTT? NO! THAT CAN’T BE RIGHT!
The bell rang and I saw Emma walking over. I still couldn’t process the last 10 minutes. WHAT AM I GONNA SAY? DOES SHE EVEN KNOW MY NAME?
“Hey Caden. I have a free period today. Wanna start with the assignment right away? I kinda like finishing things up beforehand.”
HI EMMA. I KNOW. I KNOW HOW YOU INSTANTLY START DRAFTING IDEAS IN YOUR FAVOURITE JOURNAL. I KNOW YOU HAVE A FREE PERIOD TODAY AND THE DAY AFTER. OH NO, CADEN WORDS. WORDS. ACTUAL WORDS. SAY SOMETHING. ANYTHING.
” You okay? it looks like you almost having a panic attack. Do you want some water or fresh air perhaps? “
I nod and we start walking towards the football field. It takes me a couple of minutes to calm down.
“Hey Emma. I am so sorry for the gawky behavior. It’s just that I-“
“It’s completely okay. You don’t have to apologize for anything.”, she says
“Cool”
“So can we start right away? Assuming you’re free.”
I AM ALWAYS FREE FOR YOU.
“Yeah, I totally am. Would you mind grabbing my laptop from the classroom? I’d like to walk to calm my nerve a little.”
“Totally. I’ll meet you by the bench with your laptop. Take your time.”, she smiled and walked away. OH, THAT SMILE.
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It took me a while to reach the benches. Emma looked very pale as if she had just seen a ghost. She was staring at my laptop with an expressionless face. I sat beside her and I saw her reading the draft I wrote a year back.
“Can you love the sun? Emma is beautiful. She has this charisma that pulls me towards her, just like gravity between the sun and earth. She is my sun. She lights up my world without even knowing it.
Her eyes, oh so deep
Her smile, oh so pleasing
Her hair, beautifully flowing
The earth revolves around the sun. Always have, always will. And I know the earth loves the sun because without it, isn’t it a matter of life and death? LITERALLY.
I think that is what we are. It’s difficult to love something so far away yet so close but I think it’s even more challenging to not fall for her. Yes, it is possible to love the sun but from your distance, because you might get burned if you get too close”
“Emma I can explain. I just happened to – -“
She looked at me, “What are you afraid of?”
“Everything,” I said.
“ You don’t have to be vulnerable. You won’t get hurt. You won’t get burned. That’s the beauty of loving from afar,” she closed the distance between us and I didn’t pull away. “But wouldn’t you rather take the risk?”
We are face to face now. My eyes flickering between her lips and eyes. They were so close. Will it be worth the risk?
We kissed and that kiss was everything. Loving her was like loving the sun. I might get burned if I get too close, but man, it was worth it.
