I’ve always thought that fate is a peculiar thing. I wondered if I weren’t the person who picked up your bus card that day, would we be together like we are now? Maybe if someone else were the one who noticed, I wouldn’t be here holding your hand tightly like this today.

School was never interesting to me. I often went home alone as my friends lived in the opposite direction and we couldn’t travel home together. Furthermore, I was in a different class from everyone when we split in senior year. Every school day passed with me waiting for the bell. I didn’t have any friends in my class because I wasn’t exactly the easiest person to get close with. I had walls as high as the sky, but I did let a few friends in. While some might term me as unapproachable, I would prefer to say that I was selectively social. I did choose who to befriend as opposed to the superficial hi-bye acquaintances, I would want true friends instead. I couldn’t care less how others thought of me despite hearing them call me names behind my back.

I remember it started from a pen. I clearly heard it drop but I wasn’t concerned enough as it was just a pen. The next time was a 100 won in the cafeteria and the coin rolled forward. I saw you thanking the female student who picked it up for you. The third time was when you waited at the same bus stop as me. You were wearing headphones and your feet tapping lightly to the rhythm. Your card fell when your grip loosened slightly and laid by your feet. I was staring at the card and counting the seconds, thinking when you’d finally notice. When the second bus passed yet no one noticed, I got increasingly frustrated because why would there be a person this careless. At the third bus, I decided to tap your shoulder. You turned around. I pointed at your feet. You picked it up and apologised. I remember being surprised and at a loss for words because shouldn’t it be a thank you?

When you realised we were headed in the same direction and made small talk about how we were in the same grade, I wanted so much to say I know because I was always someone extremely observant of my surroundings,

Clas