Time flies

It was 11.55pm, almost the beginning of a new year, 2010. Everybody waited impatiently for the countdown. I was there too. To me, time flies because I still remember the day I met Julie like it was just yesterday.

  It was in the mid-summer, I went to the nearby store to buy some groceries my mom listed on a piece of paper. The air was refreshing but rather humid. As I stepped into the store, without wasting time, I went straight for the eggs as it was first on the list.

 After finished paying for the bill, I went straight home. The price was quite expansive, I thought.

  Then stood a shadow in the park on my way. It was a shadow of a girl. A teenager. So I walked straight towards her. Her hair was hazel brown and it was shoulder length. As I was nearer to her, I sensed that she was crying. I quickened my pace and touch her on her shoulder as I was arm-length.

 As she turned, her beautiful feature turned to me. Her eyes were red as tears ran down her cheeks. She was about my age, but slightly younger.

  “What’s the matter? Why are you crying?” I asked.

  “N…nothing’s wrong,” she replied hesitantly.

  So I just stood there and stared at her. She was certainly sad about something and doesn’t want me to know why.

  I ate dinner dreamily. I kept thinking about the girl in the park. “Who is she, where she’s from and why are she crying.” Those are the question that hunts me since I’m back from the park.

  That night, I couldn’t get to sleep. So, I changed into my t-shirt and my faded blue-jean and went out to get some fresh air. I walked past the park and I saw her again. She turns and saw me. I went towards her this time I demanded her answers to my questions.

  Soon, I found out that her name was Julie. She’s not from here. Her parents couldn’t afford to take care of her, so they gave her away. She was depressed about how could her parents did that to her. She’s willing to do anything to help them but not this. And her tears stream down again.

  I lend her my shoulder and pat her on the back of her hair. She let all the sorrow within her out. I pitied her. To think that parents would do such thing to their biological child.

  Ever since that day, I accompanied her. Telling jokes, hanging out, shopping and many more. We became best friends. She also forgave her parents and left her past behind.

  One minute left for the countdown. More and more people gathered here for the new-year’s countdown. As for me, Julie and I also gathered here. Stood closely together. Hands by hands Wishing that the new year would be a wonderful year.

 5, 4, 3, 2, 1……dong, dong, dong

  Everybody cheers and wishes other a happy new year.

  “Happy New Year, Julie.” She smiles at me with her warming smile and kiss me on the cheek.

  “Happy New Year to you too, Jake.”