Ten Years *Temp title*

Ten Years; *Temporary title*

It was a bitingly chilly early December morning when I saw her for the first time.
Again.
I recognized her immediately from across the busy Boston street, although I hadn't seen her beautiful figure in almost ten years, but I knew her all the same, black trench coat, pink pastel scarf, knockoff army boots, black leather gloves I knew were fake, and dark auburn hair, now long and wavy. At first, I wasn't quite sure, but the hair is what got me. So red. I approached the crosswalk she was standing at, wondering what the hell to do, seeing my highschool love for the first time in ten years... I thought she had moved to London! I thought she was gone!? I had to cross now. I would ignore her. I stepped forth, as she was taking off her glove to push the WALK button. Oh, her hands... So pretty. What if they were crawling up my- The beep-boop of the traffic light shocked me out of my daydream as I began to walk across the street. But as I took one last glance at her, she, clumsy as she was in highschool, had tripped and fallen on the rough cobblestone street.
I wasn't going to help her, I was going to walk away, and attempt to forget her again, to get on with my life,
But...
In that single moment,
I had to.
Just.
Look.
Back.
I heard the blare of the crosswalk sign alerting us to move along so the cars could pass,
5... I turned around,
4... She got up, and I realized I was the only one nearby,
3... I followed her gaze and saw the truck barreling towards us,
2... I ran to her side, just as I had wanted to when I first saw her,
And...
1...  I pushed her out of the way in the nick of time, the truck barreling past.
Everything was in slow motion, the truck rushing past,
wind on our flush faces,
one hand on her waist,
one on her hand, a ring biting through my flesh as I pulled her on top of me onto the sidewalk.
Seconds passed.
People rushed by, oblivious.
No one had noticed.
Blood dripped from my fingers
My hands still on her,
Eyes locked.
Until she broke the silence,
"Thank you, but, uh, who are you, and will you unhand me?" She said, gently slapping my hands away.
She didn't realize.
Who I was.
Then again, nor did I. I was brain dead.
Stalk-still and stuck staring.
After a moment my brain started up again.
"Are you hurt ma'am? I am so very sorry..."
We rose, I helping her up.
"I’m fine, thank you again... so much."
She gazed into my eyes.
Cold blue-grey met russet-brown.
I stared.
She had to realize...
"You sure you're okay?"
My now dry mouth moved of it's own accord,
"I'm fine, thank you, I'll have to be on my way though, if you could give me your phone number, I'll reimburse you for your jacket" (It had been discarded in the road in my, in our panic.)
Oh, she thought I was lingering because of that. Maybe she really didn't know who I was...
"No ma'am, I insist I ensure your safe trip home, I was just about to go get breakfast, at this cafe, if you'll join me." I managed to get out, trying anything and everything to get her to just realize.
Or maybe just see me for a moment.
Then, at least I would have closure.
Or.... Get her to fall for me again.
But, alas...
"Sorry, Mister, but I have to go-"
"Excuse me ma'am but, the Chinese say, once you save somebody's life, your lives are permanently intertwined...." I started.
When I noticed the ring was that of an engagement.
And I swear...


I swallowed, throat bobbing without purpose, words would not come.
She stared, confused, her head cocked cutely to the left, pretty mouth pursed slightly.
“What is wrong? Are you alright? Had you hit your head?”
Breathe.
Just like I used to when I had panic attacks.
3.....
2.....
1....
Breathe.
Now talk.
“No, no, I’m good...” I manage to squeak out.
She sighs slightly, “I have an appointment, I have to go, thank you sir, good day.”
She shakes my hand.
The one that’s not cut.
She was touching me. Again.
She nods a farewell,
And she is gone, blending with the colourful crowd of Boston, MA.