“Until Next Time”

The concert was finally over. Audience members and performers alike were standing around and chatting, crowding the seating area. I craned my neck and looked around, trying to see at least three feet in front of me through the crowd. The concert was enjoyable, and there were many talented singers and musicians performing, but there was one person in particular who I wanted to congratulate.

“I’ll be right back.” I yelled to my friends, who surprisingly could hear me over the loud hum of the crowd. They nodded their heads to show me that they understood, and let me break away from the group. I made slow progress, pushing through the crowd. My feet were stepped on many times, and I didn’t even hear one apology, but I didn’t expect them to notice me anyways. Finally, I pushed past a couple of friends who were chatting away about the choir’s final number, and then I saw who I was looking for.

“Steven!” I called out, waving my arm up in the air to catch his attention. Steven was standing with his twin sister and parents, who were talking about his wonderful piano solo. Steven was a piano prodigy, he was also a gifted composer, but most of all, he was the man I fell for when we were still teenagers.

Back then, I was a fool for him. I found myself staring at him during classes, I was hypnotized whenever he played on the piano in the music room, and I defended him whenever any other boy made fun of his unusually-styled hair. Of course, like most middle school crushes, he didn’t feel the same way towards me. His heartthrob was Kelsey, a blonde girl with freckles on her nose and a vanity that rivaled any beauty pageant queen’s. He thought of me as a good friend, and only a good friend. He asked me if I thought of him the same way, and I lied by saying yes. So, as the years went by, we saw less and less of each other, until our jobs made us go our separate ways. Now, almost ten years from that time, my feelings for him have become so much stronger, and so have Steven’s feelings for Kelsey, who doesn’t want anything to do with him. So, there I was at the concert only for him, and Kelsey was also there with her current boyfriend only to make Steven feel miserable for liking her in the first place.

“Steven, over here!” I waved again. Steven caught sight of me and smiled. He excused himself from his company, and then walked over to me.

“Hello, Karina! Nice to see you here!” he said, a twinkle in his eyes. I had to keep my knees from buckling over. His eyes were a rich brown, and whenever he looked straight at me, I felt like swooning. “So, how did you like the concert?” he asked.

“It was incredible, but I enjoyed your performance the most.” I said, my eyes trying to avoid his hypnotizing gaze. Instead, I stared at his lips as he spoke.

“No, you’re just saying that because you’re talking to me.” He laughed, shaking his head. I loved his laugh. It was light and musical, and he had a perfect smile, not at all like the other men I met in my life. I let my gaze drop to the ground. I had to get more into the subject of our so-called “friendship”. All the years I knew him, I never let it slip that I had feelings for him. I thought that now was the time to let it go, but I needed a good topic to start out with. I cleared my throat and began to speak.

“So, you still haven’t hooked up with Kelsey?” I asked, wiping off my smile. Steven closed his eyes and shook his head.

“No, not now, maybe not ever.” He said just loud enough for me to hear it. I put my hand on his shoulder.

“After ten years, I still don’t get it. Why doesn’t she like you?”

“Well, to put it short and straight, no girl likes me.” Steven then hung his head. I felt I had to say something.

“I like you! You’re my best friend!” I said, lifting his chin up. Internally, I kicked myself for adding in the part about being friends. Steven smiled faintly.

“Well, I’m talking about more than just friends, Karina. You know what I mean.”

“I know what you mean.” I nodded, curling the side of my mouth into a friendly grin. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him how I really felt. Then, I thought back to when we were both in Eighth grade.

“Remember what I told you at our middle school graduation?” I asked him, my voice rising happily. “I told you that after we leave middle school, you’re bound to find someone who likes you. Maybe even more than I do!” Steven raised an eyebrow questioningly at this. “Oh, which is a lot, trust me.” I quickly added in. Steven laughed again, and I could see his perfect smile light up. It made my heart skip a beat.

Well, I have to go back to my family.” Steven said at length. “My dad is getting tired.”

“Okay, I’ll let you go.” I said, shaking my head and smiling. Then, I held out my arms to hug him. “So, bye until next time?” I asked. Steven embraced me, and said in my ear, “Yeah, until next time.” Then, we slowly let go of each other, and he walked away, the two of us still being just best friends.

Until next time.