Memory Recall

Sitting in class and looking over my poem for the club. 'I hope I'll find a way to reach out to Yuri,' I thought to myself. Classes were soon done and I headed to the club. I opened the door and saw Yuri sitting near the window while reading. Sitting next to her but she didn't even notice me at all.

"Are you two up to something?" I heard Natsuki speak up questionable.

I jumped up from my seat and startled Yuri in the process, "Nothing! Nothing, what are you thinking Natsuki?!"

"You know if you're here to pick up girls. I'm going to punch you straight in the face," Natsuki tells me and raises a threatening fist.

Laughing nervously and said sheepishly, "I enjoy literature like anyone else. What else could there be?" Other than wanting to reconnect with Yuri. I looked over and saw Yuri had distanced herself from me. 'Why me?' I asked myself and sat down with a depressed sigh.

Sayori came in a little after and said, "Hi Dan! How are you enjoying the club so far?"

"I'm trying to do my best, I feel like I should be trying harder," I answered honestly.

"You're new, you'll get the hang of it in no time!" Sayori with much optimism.

I nodded and pulled out a book to read. Couldn't help but feel relating to the character that dealing with depression as well as PTSD. This character didn't have much time to deal as they had to go through the motions of challenges facing them. I notice something out of the corner of my eye and Yuri sat closer. "Yes?" I asked rather surprised.

"I've read that book, how far are you in it?" Yuri asked me curious. I could see her eyes lit up with interest.

I said, "Well I'm rereading it because it's one of my favorites."

"Do you believe that someone would go through all of that while suffering from illness' of the mind?" Yuri asking my opinion.

"Yes, I can relate to that character to a certain degree," I tell Yuri and kind of looked down.

"You know, I've been trying to remember you. I feel bad that I've left more of an impression on you than you have on me," Yuri speaking up a little.

"Don't feel bad, not everyone's memory is in the same place and what not," I reassured.

"You're so sweet, you think we could read a book together sometime?" she asked me and had this slight smile.

"I'd like that Yuri, you ready for today? I'm hoping the poem I wrote is better than yesterday," I said concerned.

"I'm seeing that it's interesting to share with others. Just feel like the judgements and criticisms of fellow peers breaking down what I write from my feelings," Yuri said just the same as concerned.

We just enjoyed reading next to each other. Reading our books until Monika soon announced, "It's time to share our poems everyone."

Going to Monika first and she looked it over. "You've given it more depth into it and what's important is you've made your own style working for you. Keep it up Dan."

I felt some confidence and went over to Natsuki. Handing over my poem and she said after reading, "I guess it's alright but what are you actually trying to convey?"

"What now?" I asked.

Natsuki said, "You've got some strange things to write in your poems but you'll be fine as long as you don't get too bent out of shape."

I felt a little bitter from Natsuki's feedback, "I hope Sayori would be more helpful," I say to myself hopefully. Monika's and Natsuki's poems have been interesting but left helpful things to share.

Sayori read my poem and said, "I see what you did here Dan."

"What do you mean Sayori?" puzzled but her response.

"This is towards Yuri in a way, isn't it?" Sayori questioned.

"Well…um…but…," I started.

Sayori laughed and said, "You knew Yuri back then as you said. You haven't quite gotten past your feelings for her. Its fine, I won't tell anyone. Best of luck Dan and keep writing because you're doing a fine job. The feelings are conveyed well."

I came up to Yuri with my poem and handed it to her. Again I imagined I was reading to her.

First

The first one to fall in love.

Not fading into evanescence.

Who could say what is a first?

Everything has a first:

The first time talked.

A first time played.

A first time being to school.

Maybe a first time kissed.

It depends on someone who considered a first.

A first for them in their life.

May there be many more firsts to come.

For it's not length but depth of impressions first.

Yuri had a very blushed face once she put it down. Did she remember that kiss? I was subtle about it in the poem. "Yuri, are you alright?"

"I…um…I think….," Yuri spoke rather unsettled.

I took the poem back and apologized, "I'm sorry Yuri." I started to head a desk to sulk. I felt a tug on my sleeve. I turn to look and Yuri had stopped me.

"I…I do remember you now. You were my first k-k-ki-ki…" she started to say.

I placed my finger on her lips, "You don't have to say it if you don't want to."

She moved my finger and smiled, "Kiss. I didn't know what to say or feel at the time. Now I do." She wrote her number down and handed it to me. I sent a text with my number to her. She handed her poem and I read it. I was curious about the inspiration to it.

After the club was over, I was walking to the train. I finally found out how she felt about me. I couldn't help but read the text she sent after she left. It said:

I like you a lot too.

Lets get to know each other

Since it's been a while.

I would never delete the message because it was a confession I wanted to keep. Even if my phone got old and didn't work like it use to before. A sense of monument of joy and happiness was inside and starting to overflow. There were going to be more firsts to come.

To Be Continued…