As we were boarding the car , I shook off mum ’ s hand and mumbled , “ I have to go find Catherine !”
“ It ’ s two in the morning , Lucy . Catherine ’ s asleep .” Mum said , trying to persuade me .
“ No , she ’ s awake . I know she will be awake for me ,” I shouted , and without thinking , I ran forward , ignoring mum , who was trying to follow me .
I arrived at her house . I looked around the house . She was nowhere to be seen .
“ She ’ s not awake ,” I thought , “ I don ’ t even have the chance to say goodbye to her .”
Suddenly , there was a soft knock on the window . I looked up . Kneeling on her bed , waving hysterically to me was Catherine ! I waved back . She put both hands on the window , and I placed my hands at the same spot . The two pairs of warm hands were only separated by a thin piece of glass , yet it separated the two of us forever . Suddenly , I turned away . I sprinted down the road . I never looked back . Warm streaks of tears were rolling down my bright red cheeks , and Catherine wasn ’ t going to see this .
------------------------------
Thud . Thud . Thud . The horse trotted silently down the road . I looked out . There were hoof prints on the snow . I looked back . Mist lingered over the air , blurring the city . It was my last glimpse of Old Shanghai .
“ Would Catherine see this ?” I thought , “ Would she follow the prints and look for me ?”
“ Mum ,” I asked , “ Would the hoof prints stay there forever ?”
“ Of course not , honey ,” Mum replied , smoothing my hair , “ The snow falling down from the sky will cover them .”
I stayed silent .
“ Are you excited to go to Beijing ? You would go to school there and receive proper education ,” said Mum , breaking the silence , “ I know you ’ re sad to be separated with Catherine , but think of all the new friends you would meet in the new environment . I am sure you would find a new best friend there .”
“ No one can ever replace Catherine !” I thought .
I just smiled back .
As the hoof prints disappeared , so did my days with Catherine , buried deep underground by the distance that separated us , but our hearts still beat the same beat , and the memories spent together were buried deep in my heart , and so was it in hers .