Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4 - 7 2018 | Page 240

Feb. 25, 2020 8pm I saw Emily in the hallway, but walked past her without looking at her. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she grabbed her wrist with her other hand when she saw me. She walked past me as if we were strangers. It’s alright , I told myself. I just need to focus on finishing my app. Dec. 15, 2020 5:56 pm College ED results were coming out tonight. My palms were sweating and my breath was involuntarily shaking as I refreshed my email inbox over and over again. Please. Please. Please. I really need this acceptance letter. Please. Finally, a new email popped out. I took three deep breaths and then clicked into it. “Dear Nick Monking, it gives me great please to inform you that the initial reviews of your application indicate you will be offered admission to...” I could not believe my eyes. I collapsed onto my bed with happiness and laughed so hard that my sides ached. And then I remembered. Emily. Yes, I must tell Emily, she would be so pleased. Finally out of my daze of happiness, I scrambled for my phone and typed, “It’s been so long since we’ve talked to each other. Meet me tomorrow morning before school in the garden.” I hesitated, and then added at the end of the sentence, “I still love you, please come.” Dec 16, 2020 7:30 pm This was one of the earliest I’ve ever been to school. I sat down on the bench, the same one from three years ago. A gust of wind blew and I realized how cold I was, but not because of the freezing air, but because of my nervousness. And then I saw her, as beautiful as she has always been, walking towards me. “I missed you Em. I got accepted. I heard that you did too. We can go to the same college now.” I spoke my words in a rush, scared that she would turn around and leave me behind once again before I finished speaking. “I spent the last year working on my computer program, sleeping sleepless nights, but you were my motivation, even though you weren’t by my side.” Emily looked at me and then hit me hard in the arm. “That’s for breaking up with me, jerk.” Then she tiptoed to whisper into my ear, “I missed you too Nick. Thank you so much.” I kissed her and then hugged her tight, determined to not lose her ever again. Dec 25, 2028 6:42 am It was only 2 degrees outside, but I could feel the warm sun shining down on my face from under the billowing curtains. Ring. Ring. Ring. My alarm clock rang loudly as Emily shook me awake. “Hey Nick! Wake up, time to eat.” I squinted my eyes open just enough to look at my wife, and the clock that read 6:42. Yawning, I said, “You’re beautiful as always, but why do you have to wake me up so early on Christmas?” “I’ve got a present for you, honey. You’d better be downstairs in ten minutes.” She pecked me on my cheek and left. Grunting, I forced myself out of bed, brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and slumped my way downstairs. Emily, was pointing at a box under our Christmas tree. “Open it. You’ll love it.” I picked up the box and shook it. Yep, definitely clothes inside, from the weight of it, a necktie. Ha, I knew her so well. Impatiently, I unwrapped the gift, but was caught by surprise. It wasn’t a necktie. It was a set of babies’ clothes. “I’m pregnant Nick. It’s going to be a summer baby.” Emily teared up with happiness. I was at a loss of words, but managed to choke out, “I love you so much Em...and our baby.” I hugged her tight, but this time careful to not squeeze her stomach.