Saturday, February 28, 2009

99 Paper Cranes - Chapter 1

Chapter1: The Secret Admirer


The school hall was empty. The students have not yet arrived, which gave her more chance to do what she have to do. She walked towards the familiar locker. Then, she smiled to herself. She took the small, yellow paper from her pocket and slid it inside the locker. Then, she took out the paper crane. She put a string on it, and hung it outside. She stepped back, and looked at it. She prayed, that with this little gift, she would be able to make him smile. She wished that with this gift, she would be able to tell him how she feels.

She began to move. As she walked away from his locker, the school bell rang. The students came out of the classroom, and at one corner, she hid herself. She watched as he walked to his locker, and saw the surprised look on his face upon seeing the paper crane. She saw the smile on his face, which made her contented. She was happy to see him smile today. A smile she have always wanted to look at... that warm and sunshiny smile of his...

--

“Drats... Professor Ren is really something...” Kit said as she approached Calvin by his locker. She closed the book she was holding, and looked at her best friend. He was smiling to himself, as he looked at the paper crane that he was holding. “What's that?” she asked. Calvin looked back at her and smiled. “Oh, it's nothing...” he said. Kit gave him a suspicious look. “Don't tell me it came from one of your secret admirers again?”
“Most likely...”
“Don't they ever get tired? It's as if you would get to notice them if they do such things!”
“But this one's different... look.”

Calvin handed her a yellow paper. Kit took it and read it aloud. “Hard work will definitely be rewarded. The rest is to believe in yourself.” she said. Then, he looked up at Calvin and laughed. “What's funny?” Calvin asked. “Whoever she is, she's so corny. Its that line from Hana Kimi!” Kit said, then she began to laugh. Calvin just shook his head. Kit wold never understand why that note means a lot to him. Today, he would be filing his candidacy for the upcoming student council election. He was hesitating if he should continue or not, but that note gave him the courage to continue.

“Even if it's a line from a drama series, it means a lot to me.” he said to her. Kit just shrugged her shoulder. “OK, OK, I understand.” she said. Calvin closed his locker, then they began to move. “I don't know if this is just a coincident, but it's like this girl knows what I'm feeling... like she knows I'm hesitating to do something so she gave me this note and paper crane to encourage me...”
“Calvin Chen, everyone here in St. John's University knew you'll be running as the class representative, so everyone's cheering on you.”
“But still, it's like she knew I had this fear...”
“Yeah, yeah, and by the way, how did you know this one's a girl? Remember you had a gay admirer before!”
Calvin flinched upon remembering that incident. The guy involved is Wu Chun, his classmate in biology. During their school's party, Chun got drunk and confessed his love for Calvin in front of everyone. It was a shock, not only for him, but to their batch because he is also the school's heart throb. “Kit, can you stop reminding me that incident...” he said. Kit saw that he's already blushing. “Ah ha! You're still embarrassed with that incident, huh?” she said, teasing her best friend. “Aiyo, stop teasing me about that incident, Katherine Jin!” he said. Kit paused, and glared at him. “And who gave you the right to call me that name?” she asked an irritated tone. Calvin just smirked at her. “Since you decided to bring up that whole Chun thing, Katherine.” he said. Kit rolled her eyes in irritation, much to his contentment.

Before they knew it, they were already in front of the Student's Affairs office. “OK, Mr. Class Rep Chen. Here's your stop. Do what you have to do, OK?” Kit said. She tapped his shoulder, she was about to make her move, when Calvin stopped her. “Hey, aren't you going to support your best friend?” he asked. He pouted at her like a little kid. “Do you still need it?” she asked. “Some kind of a friend you are!” Kit laughed. “Fine, fine. I'll do my duty as your friend. Good luck. I'll see you at your soccer practice later.” she said. Then, she left as soon as Calvin entered the office.

--

Calvin got out of the Student Affairs office when he bumped into Trixie. “Sorry...” he said. Trixie just smiled at him. “You don't have to say sorry, Callie. It's my pleasure to bump into you.” she said flirtatiously. Calvin just sighed. He just ignored Trixie and went on his way. Trixie followed him, much to his irritation. “Don't you have any classes, Trixie?” he asked. Trixie shook her head. “It's my break now, would you like to go to the cafe with me Callie?” she asked. Calvin paused, then faced her. “I have a lot of things to do, Trixie. And please, don't call me Callie.” he said in an annoyed tone.

He knew that Trixie have a huge crush on him. Trixie is also one of the prettiest girls in school, but even though she is pretty, she's not his type. Trixie have been know for being a snotty and a brat, that's why he never liked her ever since. “Fine. I'll see you later at class.” she said. The she went on her way. Calvin sighed with relief. He thought Trixie would follow her, like what she always do. Calvin continued walking through the hall to get on to his next class, when someone walked past him – it was Joy. He looked back at her again. He smiled to himself as he glanced at her. He watched as she happily chats with her friend as they walk through the lobby. “Is it me, or is Joy getting prettier everyday?” he thought.

The truth is, he liked Joy ever since he first saw her, but he could not bring himself to confess to her because she know that Joy is dating Jiro Wang. And so, he could only watch her, and secretly love her from afar. He continued to watch her, until Jiro showed up. He was greeted by his girlfriend with a kiss. They both smiled art each other, and he could tell that the two are very much in love. He watched as he put his arm around him, and leave. He sighed. Somehow, he felt envious of Jiro. Sometimes, he wished he could be him, so that he could feel what it's like to be loved by her, but it was just another wishful thinking.

--

At one corner, she watched him as Calvin looked at Joy's way. She wished that Calvin could look at her the way that he looks at Joy, but he knows that it's impossible. It's like wishing for pigs to fly. He know Calvin could never notice someone like her, after all, she's just a nobody. But her heart ached when he saw the pain in his eyes the moment he saw Jiro. She wished she could take that pain away, and make him smile... if only she could have the courage to do that...

--

“Go, Calvin!” Kit shouted. She was watching Calvin playing soccer that afternoon. Actually, she was waiting for Calvin so that they could go home together. Calvin kicked the ball towards the goal, and the goalie, Danson, was unable to block it. Calvin's team won by a point, and he and his team mates cheered. “I could never really beat you, Calvin!” Danson said as he walked towards him. Calvin just smiled at him. “Maybe next time...” Danson smiled back, then he looked at the side of the soccer field, where he saw Kit waiting for Calvin. “I think I know why you team always wins. You're number one fan is here...” he said. Calvin gave out a small laugh. He knew that Danson is talking about Kit. “Of course, Kit would always wait for me, remember?” he said. “Can you tell her to cheer for me next time?” Danson asked. “Sure, no problem.”

The two guys went inside the locker room to change. After a while, they got out and saw Kit waiting for them outside. “30 minutes for changing. This is a record!” she said. Calvin wrinkled his eyebrows as he looked at her. “Record for what?”
“For a guy to shower and change. Geez, are you a even a guy?”
“I am just vain.”
“Yeah right.”

Kit rolled her eyes at Calvin. Danson saw this, and just laughed at her. “Hey, no laughing at me!” she told Danson. “I'm sorry if I can't help it, Kit...” he said, smiling at her. “Hey, Danson. Calvin and I are going out for snacks. Would you like to come with us?” she asked. “Well, if Calvin doesn't mind if I tag along...” Calvin smiled at him. “Of course, I wouldn't mind. At least I won't be the only victim of Kit's -” before Calvin could finish his sentence, Kit reached up to him and covered his mouth. “Aiyo! Don't scare your junior, will you?” she said. Danson laughed as he watched the two of them kid around. “Guess we have to go or someone will steal our favorite area at the cafe.” Kit said to the two boys. Both of them nodded their head, then they headed to their favorite cafe.

--

Jiro stopped the engine of his car as soon as they reached Joys house. He looked at his girlfriend, and then he smiled. “I'll pick you up tomorrow, OK?” he said. Joy smiled at him and nodded her head. “Are you sure you don't want to come in?” she asked. Jiro nodded his head. “Maybe some other time....”
“OK, I understand. I'll see you tomorrow then...”
“Good night...”
“Good night.”
Joy gave Jiro a kiss on the cheek, then he got out of his car. He watched her as she entered their house. As soon as she is gone, he looked at the shell necklace hanging by the mirror. He took it, and then stared at it for a long time. He smiled to himself as he remembered the girl who gave it to him.

It has been years that this necklace has been with him. It has been years since he last saw the girl who gave it to him. He could never forget her, because it was her who saved him from drowning. Up till now, he still wondered what happened to her, and if he will ever meet her again... but years have already passed. “Maybe she have already forgotten about me...” he thought. He looked back at Joy's house. He love Joy, that's for sure, But the girl who saved him will always remain to be his first love. “Wherever you are, I wish you happiness... because I know I found mine with Joy.” he said, talking to the necklace. He hang it back on the mirror, and started his engine.

--

Labels: 99 Paper Cranes, fan fic