2024, March
When she was fourteen, in eighth grade, she watched couples performing a waltz—"Last Dance"—at their graduation. In that moment, she wished that one day she would dance that same dance with him, maybe even at their own graduation. Unfortunately, she left school before that could ever happen. If they had studied in the same place, maybe she would have asked him to dance with her.
She knew that her old school continued this dance tradition every year for graduates, and this year, he was graduating. One day, she heard from a friend that he was going to dance with another girl. A wave of jealousy hit her, and she jokingly said, "I hope he breaks his leg so he won't be able to dance." Her friend laughed and replied, "Don't say that! And why would he break his leg? What about the girl?"
She answered, "That girl has nothing to do with me, but that man does."
A week later, her friend was complaining about how some students were irresponsible and skipping dance rehearsals. As she listed the names of the boys who hadn't shown up, she suddenly mentioned his name.
Surprised, she asked, "Why isn't he attending?"
Her friend casually responded, "Oh, he broke his leg this week, so he had to stop coming."
She froze—what the hell? A chill ran down her spine. She felt guilty, wondering if, in some strange way, she had brought this upon him. But deep down, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of satisfaction.
He wasn't going to dance anymore.
That dance was her dream—him and that dance.
A month later, she suddenly felt the urge to see his old photos. She entered the school forum, searched for him, and found his pictures. Without thinking twice, she saved them again.
2024, May
Graduation at School
She decided to attend the school graduation, hoping to see him. And she did. After all these years, she saw him again, standing in the same place where so many of her memories lived. That day, she wanted to set herself free. And she did. She allowed herself to feel everything, to let her emotions flow, to gaze at him as much as she wanted. He had grown up—he was even taller now. She had another wish—to release balloons into the sky at graduation. When the moment came, she looked at him, then up at the heavens, and silently wished, "If we are meant to be together, then let us meet again in the future." And then, she let go. But suddenly, she heard a man loudly complaining. His balloon hadn't flown—it had gotten stuck in a tree. "Why me?" he groaned. Then, an elderly woman nearby chuckled and said, "Don't be sad. It means your dream will stay with you."
It was his balloon.
After the ceremony, everyone walked toward the main hall. As she moved with the crowd, she suddenly noticed him nearby. Her heart raced. Oh God, please don't fall. Don't embarrass yourself. Act normal.
For a moment, seeing him again, dressed in his school uniform, she felt like a fourteen-year-old girl all over again.
2024, June
The first day of summer. She was returning late at night from her internship, leaning against the car window, watching the stars. And then—just for a second—she saw him, passing by right beside her.
Seeing him on the very first day of summer made her wonder, What if this summer, I'll see him more?
2024, August
On his birthday, she made a decision—she would follow him on social media. It was at least one step closer. She didn't even like social media, but for him, she was willing to tolerate it. The plan was simple: follow him first, then maybe, months later, she would message him.
But before she could even start, the plan was ruined.
One day, she opened the app, only to see that he had blocked her. Just like that, her plan was destroyed before it even began. What a lucky girl.
After that, she traveled abroad for a while. When she returned, she had a strange urge to visit the mall. She didn't know why, but she missed that place so much.
On the very last day of summer, she finally went. She was shopping with her friend when—suddenly—she saw him. Without thinking, she ran to her friend in her heels, almost screaming, "Oh my God, I saw him!"
How embarrassing.
That day, she found out that he worked there.
How interesting. She had seen him only twice that summer—on the first day and the last.
That summer, she realized something—she had stopped dreaming of being special a long time ago. Because she learned that things don't make anything special. It's always the people who make a moment special.