If You Still Remember Yesterday - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

One day, when her extra classes ended at 7:00 PM, just as she stepped out of the school gate, to her complete surprise, she saw him standing right in front of her, not too far away. Her heart ached, and she almost called out his name. But before she could open her mouth, she suddenly froze. Lan—a classmate from her extra class—walked out, hopped onto the back of his bike, and wrapped her arms around him affectionately... Resting her face against his shoulder just as Sunny used to do back then, the two of them glided away right before her eyes. She stood completely still for a long time, until "Him" and that girl vanished from sight. Tears pooled on her lashes; she couldn't even cry anymore...

She began turning to the city library. Not to study or do research like ordinary people, but to listen to music, and sometimes just to sit in silence and hide away. The library was the quietest place, and no one would bother to care or intrude if she happened to have a good cry there. And so, it was like that every single day. She would be there from 5:00 PM until closing time at 7:00 PM. She chose the most secluded corner, next to a window that was never opened. The novel in front of her—she had borrowed just that single book—had been sitting there for a whole week, yet she hadn't finished reading it. Where was her mind for that? Today was the same; the book lay open, but not a single line registered in her head. With her earphones on, volume set to level 6, her phone repeated the same melodies over and over:

"Now, you are leaving me.

I will not doubt this affection; a thousand stars call your name, and I wait for you. Oh wind, are you flying far away?

Tell him: the one who leaves, the sunlight does not return to this place. I sit here, forever, waiting for you..."

Immersed in the melody, her eyes stung again, and she rested her face in her hands against the desk. Suddenly, a ray of warm afternoon sunlight kissed her hand, startling her and making her raise her head. A tall, lanky guy was struggling to push open that old, creaking window right beside her. Hastily wiping away the tear-streaked mess on her face, she pulled out her earphones and grumbled:

— Could you please not open the window?

The guy turned around, startled and surprised:

— Huh? Is this window yours?

— No—Sunny snapped, annoyed. — But don't you see the sun is shining?

— Late afternoon sun won't tan your skin, kid. — The guy chuckled.

— I don't like the sun! — Sunny retorted mildly.

The guy stood there blankly for a moment, then spoke up:

— Fine, I'll close it. Why do you always wear such a sour face?

— Is that any of your business? — She pushed back.

Reaching out to close the window, the guy turned back and looked straight into her eyes:

— But it's depressing to look at!

— None of your concern...

Sunny put on an annoyed expression, pretending to bury her head back in her book. The guy gently sat down next to her:

— I'm Dylan. Shall we get to know each other?

— Hmm...

— So what's your name?

— Hmm. — Sunny replied distractedly.

— Your name is "Hmm"? Are your parents that funny?