Eyes like Summer Breeze

A girl musters up the courage to make a confession.

            She walks down the hall, her knees shaky and her stomach in knots. Shifting her backpack from one shoulder to another, she turns a corner and pauses.

            The hall is empty, bereft of all life. Empty lockers stand open, baring their insides to the world. Notebook paper lies lifelessly around the floor, homework long-forgotten written all over it.

            She stands unsure of whether she should continue or not. Trying to calm her nerves, she sits on a bench and looks in the direction of his door. Never before had she felt this way. Every time she wanted to talk to him, she would barge into his room, grab a chair, and start talking.

            Things today are different, though. The halls are empty and the teachers are starting to feel the relief of knowing that in a few days they will be free for two months.

            Today the matter of which she wished to speak of with him was delicate. She sits with her hands in her lap, taking slow, deep breaths to calm herself.

            What do I tell him? She asks herself once again. It isn’t the first time she has considered it, but this time she has to say something.

            I’m in love with you.

            Is she, though? Is that that what she feels? She conjures up the image of his smile, hears his laughter in her mind. The sweet sound washes over her and she finds solace in its soft melody.

            His eyes dance into her thoughts, bright and full of life, set kindly beneath his dark brows, which she can just imagine raised in surprise as she barges into the room.

            The comfort of his image brings her to her feet and she opens her eyes. She turns and marches down the hall, determination in every footstep. His door gets closer and closer until she stands in front of it.

            Allowing not a single moment of hesitation, she pulls on the handle.

            Locked. It’s locked.

            She knows he is inside, though. After a moment of composing herself from the unexpected obstacle, she knocks.

            His face appears through the narrow window, eyebrows raised. His brow falls slightly into his smile, taking his expression from one of shock to one of pure kindness. Warmth fills her chest when she sees his smile and she returns it whole-heartedly as he opens the door for her.

            “Hi,” she breathes. Her heart races as she walks into the room. Chairs are stacked on the tables, signaling the end of the school year. Goodbyes are written all over the whiteboard.

            He closes the door and walks to the table closest to his desk, taking a chair and setting it upright for her in front of his desk. She takes a seat as he walks back around behind his desk.

            They sit in front of each other for a moment. She notices for the first time the lights are off and the room is illuminated only by the sunshine coming in through the window.

            He sifts through his papers and throws a handful away in the bin beside his desk. “Why aren’t you outside enjoying the lovely weather?” he asks with a smile, pointing his chin towards the window.

            She looks outside, at the trees swaying in the breeze and the lovely sunlight giving everything an ethereal glow.

            A dreamy smile crosses her face. “It looks buttery, don’t you think?”

            He murmurs in appreciation. “It’s beautiful.”

            She turns to face him as he continues to look out the window, lost in the glowing exquisite world outside. Admiring his profile, she commits it to memory. Two months will feel an eternity.

            Her courage is gone, though. Her eyes trace his soft lips and she wonders what he will say. Everything inside of her screams that it is what she must do, but buried beneath the doubt and the need lays the truth.

            She can’t give this up. Barging in and sitting down to talk to him�"she can’t give that up.

            He turns to her then. Seeing the look on her face, his smile wanes. His eyebrows stitch together in concern. “Is everything alright?”

            Her breath catches in her throat. She has to say something. “I just needed to tell you something.”

            A soft smile plays at his lips. He reaches across the desk, palm up. She places a hand in his. “Whatever it is, I’m all ears.”

            She looks down at his hands around hers. Her tongue flicks across her dry lips and she finds her voice. “I just wanted to tell you… that I think you’re a wonderful teacher.” She looks up into his eyes and her will becomes stronger. “Thank you, for everything. You’ve done so much for me.”

            His eyebrows rise in surprise, then he smiles at her kindly, eyes soft like the summer breeze and the melted butter sunlight filtering through the window. “You’re a wonderful student. That’s the reason I do this.”

            Her heart lifts at his response. She smiles at him and bids him goodbye. She walks outs knowing that what she has is good enough.

Author's Note

I'm not too sure about the title, so if anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears.

Reviews

[Aehr]

A very well written story, the last line was really nice. This reminds me of a situation that occurred with one of my friends a year ago, but the guy was a student, not a teacher (lol). a suggestion for the topic... I think the topic you have chosen is really nice, just add 'the' as in = 'Eyes Like the Summer Breeze' A very nice story, I'd love to see more of your work!