*The Dance*
As I strolled down the halls of Willwood Academy I saw her, Catherine McKay. She's the most generous and kind person I've ever met in my life. She's in almost all the clubs and sport teams, and her beauty is beyond compare. And guess what, she's only fourteen!
When I pasted her in the hall she smiled at me. I felt my face turn as red as a tomato and my heart beating so loud I was so sure she heard it.
After that I got so embarrassed I ran straight to my next class. I don't think that helped much because she was in the same class as me, but at least I was in my favorite class, Science.
The teacher was giving an interesting lesson on plants, but I couldn't stop sneaking peaks at Catherine.
"Mr. Vincent!" snapped Mr. Con, my Science teacher.
"Huh?" I said, as the class filled with laughter.
"Ryan would you like to tell the class what makes plants green?" Mr. Con asked.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention," I managed.
The teacher gave me a dirty look and walked away with disappointment. He wasn't the only one disappointed how could I have missed that?
When I got home the first thing I did was go on the computer and go on to my MSN messenger, and checked if Catherine was on. When I saw she wasn't on, a wave of disappointment rushed through me. I really didn't know why I wanted to talk to her so much. I think it was her way with words that makes you want to talk to her all the time.
Late at night I couldn't sleep so I thought of Catherine. Her long, brown hair that hung nicely on her shoulders and that twinkle in her eye when she smiles. I couldn't help but smile when I think of her, she's so perfect in everyway and I'm not. She would never see me as more than a friend. I could picture it now I would ask her out and she would just stare at me as if I was crazy.
In the morning I stumbled down stairs and went straight in the kitchen. My mom was making breakfast, while my dad was reading the daily paper. For some reason there was a solemn feeling in the room. I asked my mom what was wrong, but she answered with an unconvincing, "Nothing." Then she looked away, I was sure I saw her wipe away tears.
The school day went on as usually, I thought of Catherine every time I saw her but in between classes I thought of my strange morning.
The school day pasted slowly but finally it was over. I ran all the way to the Willwood Animal Shelter (WAS), it was where I went to do my volunteer hours. There was an adorable rabbit there that I really liked it's name's "Mimi." It's a small, black dwarf with tiny little ears.
As I stepped through the doors of the animal shelter I saw Catherine. She was standing in front of the desk talking to Kelly, one of the staff that worked there. I was in complete shock and bewilderment that I couldn't find the words to speak!
She turned around and started walking towards me. She said,"Hi, Ryan. Guess what? I'm going to be working here for my volunteer hours. Can you show me around, please?"
I snapped out of the shock and uttered, “Sure."
For some reason I walked towards Mimi's cage, I guess I wanted to see if Catherine likes Mimi as much as me.
Catherine approached the cage and asked, "What's its name? It's so adorable!"
A big smile wiped across her face and I could see that twinkle in her eye once again. So I decided to tell her Mimi's story. "Her name's Mimi. She was abandoned at the Willwood Park down the street. I was actually the one that found her. She was so small back then and she was hiding behind bushes. After I calmed her down I brought her here. She's been here for a year now." I explained.
Catherine was really interested; she listened to every word carefully and nodded her head after every few words.
She asked, "Can I hold her?"
I opened the cage and carried Mimi out. First I told Catherine how to hold Mimi properly and not to hurt her. Then I handed Mimi to her.
Mimi licked her and she giggled. They really liked each other a lot, that I couldn't stop but laugh too.
I showed Catherine around the rest of the animal shelter. We started talking about random topics, like school, food, animals, and lots of other things. I really started to know Catherine a lot better and we really had a lot in common that I didn’t even think about until now.
At home there was the unmistakable solemn and sad feeling that made me feel really out of the place. So after dinner I went right upstairs and on the computer. This time Catherine was on, so I started talking to her. We talked about basically everything. We learned a lot about each other, like we both love animals and spring is our favorite season.
Days passed and things went on as usual. I went to school, then the animal shelter and went home to the solemn atmosphere. Until the day I could never forget. For me it basically changed my life, but also taught me more than I could ever learn on my own. From that day on I treasured every moment in my life as a gift, because I knew all could be lost in a few days.
That day started as usual, but this time when I came down stairs my parents told me I wasn't going to school, instead I was to go with them. I didn't know what was happening, but I knew better than to ask questions, so I obeyed and went with them. I didn't have any idea what was happening until we arrived at the funeral home. By then, it was obvious something horrible has happened, but I really had no idea how horrible.
As I stepped through the door I was really clueless whose funeral it was I only knew that it was someone my family knew and pretty well too because almost everyone related to me was there. The funny thing was my grandpa wasn't there. My grandpa was always the first one to pay his respects at a funeral because he believed everyone has lived a meaningful life and should be recognized. A rush of sorrow raced through me as I finally realized whose funeral this could possibly be, but I couldn't believe it. I have to go see for myself.
I approached the coffin took a peak and burst into tears at that very spot as everything started to become clear. It was almost as if all my feelings were gone and my one reason to move on has abandoned me.
Those few seconds staring at his unconscious face was more than enough to haunt me for the rest of my life. My grandpa was the only one in my family that really understood me perfectly. It was almost like he could read my mind and tells me exactly what to do to solve my problems. Even at his funeral he still taught me one last lesson, this one I ensure you I will never forget. He taught me to treasure everything I have and if I didn't it may fade away like he did.
I spent a few days at home because my parents thought I needed time alone to think about this. They were right, but I also really wanted to know the whole story, like why were they keeping this a secret. They told me they were scared to tell me because I was so close to him. They were scared I couldn’t take it. But it really wasn’t a really big shock because I expected this day to come just not as soon as it did. My grandpa got cancer last year and he couldn’t even walk the last time I saw him. So it was kind of expected for this day to come he even told me if this day came to not to feel sad and just move on.
I decided I wanted to go back to school again. I had something really important to do.
I approached Catherine in the halls, but this time she didn't smile, instead she had a worried expression on her face.
"Catherine, I want to ask you something," I said and pulled her into a corner away from all her friends. I was really nervous, but I had to do it. "Would you like to go to the dance on Friday with me?" I asked.
A smile started to spread over her face as she said, "Yes." But it was quickly replaced with a worried expression.
"Ryan, is something wrong? You’re different. Ryan please tell me if something is wrong. It's not good to keep things locked up inside." She said. I could see that she was really worried and scared, but I couldn't tell her now, it's too soon.
"Nothing is wrong Catherine, everything is fine!" I said barely managing a smile. With that I walked away.
On the night of the dance I was really excited and nervous, but I couldn't help but feel really guilty too. I was going to have the time of my life and it hasn't even been a week since my grandpa's funeral.
Relentlessly, I stepped into my mom's car as she started up the engine. Then we were off to the dance. I stared out the window at the scenery, the trees, the grass, and the flowers all racing pass. They were all meaningless to me, they were nothing. Once again I felt my emotions, ideas, even feelings all fade. It was as if I was only an empty shell of what I used to be.
Finally we arrived at the school. I went into the gym, where the dance was held. When I saw Catherine all my emotions, ideas, and feelings rushed through my body once again. She was my new reason for moving on, and I knew that now.
I still felt really guilty so I decided to go outside for some fresh air, hoping that it would help. As I stepped through the door I burst into tears once again. This was the first time I cried after the funeral and the truth was it felt great.
I cried and cried until I felt a hand on my shoulder. I wiped away the tears and turned around to see Catherine staring into my eyes with tears in her. I could see that we understood each other now more than we ever have in our earlier conversations. We spent a long time just staring at each other, when I finally broke the silence and asked her "Would you like to dance?"
She nodded and we stepped inside and danced the night away.
This is the day we truly understood each other. I believe she understood me more than my grandpa ever did.
Happy Anniversary
Today was just like any other except it was also very special. It started like any other, I woke up and went about with my daily routine, brushing my teeth, combing my hair, changing and eating breakfast. Then I was off to school.
I arrived at school pretty early to meet Catherine. We wanted to celebrate the anniversary for being together for five years.
As I approached her in the school yard I could see her concentrating on a book she was reading. For some reason I just couldn’t hold back my giggles. I wanted this moment in time to stay still. I wanted time to stay still and last forever even if only as a memory.
When she saw me she smiled and that twinkle in her eyes appeared again. The same one that I saw in her eyes when we first met. I still couldn’t believe it has already been more than five years.
I slowly sat down beside her and gave her a big bear hug to show her how much I needed her and appreciated how she has stayed by my side through the good and the bad for five years.
Catherine was wearing a red blouse with a white skirt that hung down to her knees and her favorite pairs of shoes; they were black with a silver buckle. She also had a book clenched in her hands
“Catherine what was so interesting about that book in your hand, you can’t seem to take your eyes off it?”
“Well,” Catherine started, “It’s a really magnificent story revolving around knights, princesses, princes, and magical beings in another universe. It’s really addicting.”
“Well, I fail to see what’s so addicting about a story that revolves around mystical beings that you would fail to notice me!” I exclaimed.
“Oh, Ryan you’re just jealous that I’m paying more attention to the book than I am to you,” she fought back.
“No,” I said, trying hard not to let her see that I was a little jealous.
I rummaged through my school bag and took out Catherine’s anniversary present. “Happy Anniversary!” I said as I handed it to her.
“What is it?” she said as she shook it in her hands.
“Oh something, don’t open it until I tell you to but you can read the card now.”
She slowly opened the envelope and started reading the card. “Five years ago you released me from the clutches of darkness and pulled me back into the light. Now five years later we are still together and really happy too. On this special day I would like to present you with a gift to show my thanks!” She read as tears started to fill her eyes, “that was so sweet Ryan.”
She reached into her bag and took out a box decorated with many ribbons. She handed it to me and with a smile said, “Happy Anniversary! But don’t open it now it’s too early.”
I smiled and put it in my bag obediently.
She smiled in an agreeing way and suggested we take a little walk before school started.
It was almost the end of school so the weather was great and the scenery was just incredible. We stopped at a small maple and I said, “Catherine open you present here.”
She slowly unwrapped the present and took out a small locket. “It’s so pretty. I love it Ryan,” She said as she pulled me into a hug.
After school we headed off to the animal shelter like we always did. Today something was different thought Mimi wasn’t there today. I asked Kelly and she told me that Mimi has been adopted. I was filled with dread. Mimi was like a really close friend to me and I think that she was the first reason for conversation between me and Catherine.
Catherine approached me, gave me a pat on the shoulder and said, “Ryan you can open your present now,” with a smile. Again that twinkle was there and it seems to be saying everything’s alright.
I unwrapped the present, it was awfully light. Slowly I took out what was inside. It said Adoption Papers and below was the name “Mimi.” That was all I needed to know. I gave Catherine a kiss on the cheek and said, “Thank you very much. I always wanted to adopt her, but my parents never agreed. How did you get then to agree?”
“I didn’t I’m adopting her for you. You can visit her anytime you like and I know how much she means to you.”
She was right Mimi did mean a lot to me, and I truly loved the idea of Catherine taking care of Mimi. She’s really old and I think it would be really important for her to spend it with someone she loved. She really loved Catherine as much as she loved me.
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