"Capture"

As the morning sun filtered through the classroom windows, I found myself lost in a daydream, my gaze drifting towards the entrance door where Sana would soon appear. For three long years, I had admired her from afar, captivated by her grace, her charm, her effortless beauty. She was the epitome of popularity, surrounded by friends and admirers wherever she went, while I remained unnoticed, just another face in the crowded halls of our high school.

Every day during lunchtime, I would hurry to the cafeteria, heart racing with anticipation as I claimed my usual spot, strategically positioned to catch a glimpse of Sana and her friends. I would steal glances at her, admiring the way she laughed, the way she moved, the way she effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone around her. And though she never noticed me, I found solace in the simple act of watching her, drinking in every detail as if trying to memorize the essence of her being.

But it wasn't just during lunch breaks that I found myself drawn to her. Sometimes, when the school halls were empty and the echoes of footsteps faded into silence, I would linger near the gymnasium, where Sana and her cheerleading squad practiced their routines. Hidden from view, I would watch her dance with a grace and elegance that took my breath away, my heart swelling with admiration and longing.

And then there were the notes – little tokens of affection that I would leave in Sana's locker, carefully penned expressions of my care and concern for her well-being. I would pour my heart into each word, urging her to take care of herself, to never skip a meal, to always stay healthy, safe, and happy. Though I knew she might never read them, I couldn't help but hope that somehow, someway, my feelings would reach her, that she would understand the depth of my affection, even if she could never return it.

So I continued to watch from afar, to admire from a distance, content to bask in the glow of her presence, even if it meant keeping my feelings hidden away, locked in the depths of my heart. For in those stolen moments, when our worlds briefly intersected, I found a kind of happiness that I never knew existed, a bittersweet joy that made the ache of unrequited love almost bearable. And as long as I could continue to watch her shine, to see her smile, to know that she was happy, then perhaps that was enough.

As the days passed by, the realization that Sana's time at our school was drawing to a close weighed heavily on my heart. Despite the sadness that threatened to consume me, I resolved to cherish every moment I had left with her, to make the most of our remaining time together.

Finally, the day of graduation arrived, and I watched from the sidelines as Sana and her fellow seniors filed into the auditorium, dressed in their caps and gowns, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives. As the ceremony unfolded, my heart swelled with pride for Sana, yet a pang of sorrow tugged at my soul, knowing that soon she would be leaving our school forever.

When the ceremony drew to a close and the graduates began to disperse, I lingered in the shadows, silently snapping a picture of Sana as she stood among her friends, radiant with joy and accomplishment. But just as I turned to leave, a familiar voice called out to me, sending my heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

Turning slowly, I found myself face to face with Sana, a warm smile lighting up her features as she approached me, a phone clutched in her hand. My mind raced with a thousand questions, wondering what she could possibly want from me, why she had singled me out from the crowd.

But before I could utter a word, Sana spoke, her voice gentle and kind as she asked if I could take a picture of her and her friends. Flustered and overwhelmed, I could only nod dumbly, cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I fumbled with the phone, trying to compose myself long enough to capture the moment.

After snapping the picture, Sana thanked me with a smile, her eyes warm with gratitude as she turned to leave. But before she could go, she paused, her gaze lingering on me for a moment before she spoke again, her voice soft with sincerity.

"I want to take a picture of you too," she said simply, her words sending a surge of warmth through my veins as I met her gaze, unable to speak, unable to comprehend the depth of her kindness.

With a nod, I allowed her to take the picture, my heart swelling with a mixture of joy and disbelief as she captured me in her lens, freezing the moment in time like a precious memory to be cherished forever.

-----

As the days stretched into weeks, and the weeks into months, I found myself grappling with a sense of loneliness that seemed to settle deep within my soul, a gaping void left in the wake of Sana's departure. Each day felt emptier without her vibrant presence, her laughter echoing only in the recesses of my memory, her absence casting a shadow over the halls that had once been alive with her energy.

I would often find myself lingering near Sana's usual seat in the cafeteria, unable to tear my gaze away from the empty space where she and her friends used to gather, sharing laughter and secrets over plates of food. The sight of it filled me with a sense of longing, a yearning for the companionship and camaraderie that had once been so abundant in our school.

In a desperate bid to hold on to the fragments of Sana's presence, I visited the gymnasium where she had once practiced with her cheerleading squad, the echoes of her footsteps still lingering in the air like a whisper of her essence. And when the principal granted my request for Sana's old locker, I clung to it like a lifeline, finding solace in the simple act of possessing something that had once belonged to her.

But despite my efforts to fill the void with reminders of Sana, I found myself lost in moments of melancholy, my thoughts consumed by questions of her whereabouts, her adventures beyond the confines of our school. I knew I should stop, that I should focus on my studies and prepare for my own graduation, yet the pull of her memory was too strong to resist.

And so, with a heavy heart, I resolved to set aside my longing for Sana and instead focus on the future that lay ahead. As graduation day approached, I threw myself into my studies with renewed vigor, determined to make the most of my final days as a college student, to create memories that would sustain me long after Sana had faded into the tapestry of my past.

And when the day of graduation finally arrived, I stood on the threshold of a new beginning, surrounded by friends who had become like family, their laughter and chatter filling the air with a sense of excitement and anticipation. As we celebrated our accomplishments and toasted to the future, someone suggested taking a picture to commemorate the occasion.

"But who will take the picture?" one of my friends asked, scanning the room for potential candidates.

Before anyone else could respond, a familiar voice broke through the chatter, sending a jolt of excitement coursing through my veins. "I can take the picture," Sana offered, her smile lighting up the room as she stepped forward, phone in hand.

I blinked in surprise, hardly daring to believe that Sana was standing before me, offering to capture this momentous occasion. "Sana?" I stammered, my heart racing with disbelief.

She laughed softly, a melodic sound that sent warmth flooding through my veins. Her gaze soft and gentle as she gestured for us to gather together.

As we huddled close, Sana raised her phone, capturing the moment with practiced ease. And as the flash of the camera illuminated our faces, I felt a sense of joy and gratitude wash over me, knowing that in this moment, surrounded by friends old and new, I was exactly where I was meant to be.

"Thank you, senior," I murmured, unable to suppress the smile that tugged at my lips.

Sana returned my smile with one of her own, her eyes sparkling with warmth and affection. "Of course," she said softly. "And don't think I forgot about you." With that, she raised her phone once more, snapping a picture of me standing amidst my friends, a solitary figure bathed in the glow of newfound happiness.

As the camera clicked, I felt a sense of peace settle over me.

(IDK what I am doing AHAHHHA)