BACK TO ME by Khairuldeen and Zaharah.
Kring, kring,
“Morning class,” Mr. James said. By wearing a pair of dark jeans, stripes shirt with messy hairstyle, these hardly show that he’s actually a teacher. He’s standing next to his desk, waiting for the rackety class to be as calm as toad in the sun. “Students, I’ve got something for you,” heading towards the dingy white board. “Final assignment,” written in bright reddish colour. Mr. James love to write in red. Sometimes it is annoying. Suddenly, a girl comes in heading towards Mr. James. The students look at each other, wondering who that girl is. She wearing an off-shoulder tee match with dark Guess jeans and Jimmy Choos’ pointed-toe flats indicates that she is from some wealthy family.
“Attention, this is Ms. Keira Anderson,” Mr. James began. “Ms. Anderson here is a transferred student from Milan, Italy and she’s an American so that’s why her name, well you know. Apparently, her family moved here just by last week. So I guess you’re going to be with us until graduation then.” Keira is then showed to her sit, fourth row near the window. Most of the students are staring at her, maybe because she’s remarkably fashionable and pretty. “Just like an angel.” Murmured some student at the back.
15 minutes before the class ended, Mr. James distributes some papers to the students. “Fill these up. Write up yours and your partner name. Submit in now”. The students have been assigned to find out more about their partner; their habits, life style, and relate it to all that they’ve learned throughout the semester. They are given a month to complete it. Keira is paired with Bryan who’s sit beside her. Both smiled.
During lunch, both Keira and Bryan sit together. Dark haired, tall, athletic body shaped, Bryan, despite being one of the school heartthrobs, he’s still an ordinary guy. “Cheerleaders, football team, the musical members are basically the popular one. While the nerdy, geeks, less popular, I guess. There, the emotionally unstable groups. Never mess up with them.” Bryan said while pointing to each of the groups. Keira took out a piece of paper and a pen, the write something on it. Shy but talkative. “There, something I’ve just discovered about you” After almost an hour of conversation, they exchange their contacts’ before heading to their next class.
It is Saturday afternoon. It has been raining for last couple of days. “Are you sure with our plan today? It is pouring out there.” Bryan was talked with Keira on the phone. “Okay then, I’ll pick you up in 15 minutes.” Bryan ended their conversations. They decided to hang out, trying to know each other.
Keira is bringing Bryan into one of the stores. It is full with any kind of books even the very very old ones. The musty, dusty smells of books is everywhere, strong but calming too. Keira loves to read, a lot. She’s even had has her own mini library back in Milan. She explained how novels make her feel happy, as it completed her. They spend half of the day just being inside the store. Keira bought three novels. Bryan wrote inside his notebook. They both have a notebook for the work.
“My turn,” Bryan swiftly moved to Kiera. He brings her to his house. Nobody is at home. His parents are both working. There is a small basketball court at back of the house. Bryan is in the school basketball team. “Please, have a sit and excuse me for a minute.” Bryan then went upstairs. Keira looked around and noticed the family photos. There is Bryan with his parents and a little girl. It seems like he’s only thirteen at the time. There are also some trophies he won from the match.
As Keira viewed around, Bryan suddenly takes her hand and brings her to the court. He teaches her basketball and before they know it, it’s already dusk. He invited her for a dinner before heading home. He cooks while Kiera clean herself. Half an hour later, Kiera comes for dinner. She looks a bit different without all those make ups on her. She looks younger and prettier. Bryan was so amazed he almost tripped himself. As they having their dinner, Kiera asked him about his family photo, the one with the little girl in it. Apparently, that girl was Bryan’s little sister. She died when he was fourteen, because of cancer.
Two weeks since they met each other and them both feel different about their relationship. One day, Keira asked Bryan to watch movie together. Since then, they are always seen together and Kiera constantly comes to his matches. Everybody know they are in love with each other except themselves.
The Anderson’s house is just at the corner of the street. It has this little fountain embrace with vivid flowers. It is Bryan first visit to the house. Usually he just drops her at the street of the house. He never got the chance to meet her family. Keira opened the door, welcoming him with a hug. Bryan meets her family, her mother, Elizabeth and her little sister, Jessica. As they having their dinner, Bryan been asked by Elizabeth about his future, which college he’s going to enter, his dream jobs, his plans. Bryan, although been unprepared for those kinds of conversations, is frankly answers it.
Later, Elizabeth asked Bryan again, “Bryan darling, tell us about your family. Maybe one day we can meet them. How long have you live here?” Bryan paused for a while. Despite being exasperated by Elizabeth, Bryan calmly replied it knowing Elizabeth’s reaction afterward. Bryan indeed is different with the Anderson’s family. “Oh, what a surprise. Keira is lucky having you around her.” Said Elizabeth mordantly. The gratifying dinner suddenly becomes silent. In spite of this, they just continued their dinner. “Thanks for the dinner Mrs. Anderson, Jessica, Keira.” Bryan, accompanied by Keira, walks towards the door. Keira apologized for her mother’s behavior.
During breakfast, Elizabeth told Keira to leave Bryan, “He’s just not the right guy for you. Leave him, I’ve already told your father that you’re heading back to Milan in two weeks”. Keira, stunned with her mother, nodded. She must agree with her because she is her mother. The one she’s look up to despite her father, of course. At school, Bryan hardly talks to Keira. She was keep avoiding him even during classes. She will sit at the corner of the class and during break, she’s did not even go to the café.
Bryan waited at the side of the road. Staring at Keira’s house, hopefully able to meet her. Few minutes later, he saw Keira walked towards her house. He was rushing over her. He was questioned her straight away. Keira explained her situation, how they are not meant together. There are tears coming out from her and Bryan comforted her. He realizes these will eventually happen and accepted it. He knew it from the way Elizabeth confronted him. Both Keira and Bryan know they are too young for a relationship. They are only 17 at that time. Although Keira have explained everything to him, there is one thing she did not mention, the fact that she is leaving America. It would be too hurtful for him. She did not want to see him inconsolable.
It is raining outside. Bryan sat at the side of the class. He did not pay attention to the class; he never did after he last saw Keira. Suddenly he received a piece of paper by a girl sit beside him. She is Keira friend. “It is not too late. You still manage to meet her. Go now. I’ll cover for you.” written on note. He looked at his watch, thinking will he make it, can he ever get out of the class. It is nearly 5 minute before the next class. Bryan headed to Keira’s house and discovered that she’s gone. Jessica handed a letter to Bryan, saying it is from her sister.
A week later, the classes have to present their work alongside their partner. Bryan however has to do it by himself. Everybody knows about the leaving. He presented his work in form of video. There are some photos of Keira taken candidly. At the end, Bryan said in how much Keira meant to him, how she affected his life, and is grateful for knowing her.
It has been five years since Bryan last saw Keira. He entered the bookstore, the one they always visit. He is looking for a book, the one on structural design, as he is now an architect. As he searching for the book, he saw a young woman, wearing a silver bracelet with book shaped locket, which looks exactly like the one he gave to Keira. He walks anxiously toward her. He did not get to see that woman face. All he saw, she is wearing a dark colored jacket with a pair of jeans. Bryan reached her from behind only to realize that he got the wrong person and she did not even wear the bracelet. Maybe he’s imaginings it? Quickly he apologized to her and walks away.
Bryan finally found the book and bought it. Outside the store, he saw that woman again, wearing that bracelet. He came towards her. It looks like she is indeed waiting for Bryan. “Keira?” The woman looks at him, and they both smiled.
"Hope you guys like this short story.
This is our short story assignment for English for Self-Expression.
Hope comment on this story.
Enjoy!!!"
