Laws of Moving On

You could just stop reading. You know it. Your classmates know it. But no, you have to finish this chapter. There was a Physics test later on after all. You needed to study.

‘Newton’s Third Law of Motion: In every interaction, there is an equal but opposite reaction.’ You click your tongue impatiently and sigh. This was dull. You know it. Your friends know it. So why weren’t you stopping? Why weren’t you dropping this book and joining your friends for lunch?

Because you know, he’s out there. Outside, waiting for you to come out and look for him.

And you don’t want that. You didn’t want him to see that you were – no – you have a Physics test. There is no sense to think of such brainless things. You should really concentrate.

“I’ll never understand why you persist in reading when you’re not even focused in what you’re reading.”

You don’t look up. His voice was familiar and you knew who it was.

“Leave me alone. You have no business here.”

He sighs and takes a seat next to you and you stiffen. Your knuckles are white, you notice, blinking. And your heart is beating very fast. You clear your throat. Somehow, it feels so dry. He had that effect on you – you know it and he knew it too.

And so he moves closer and your heart constricts. No, you don’t like this at all.

“You can’t keep running away from me.”

“I can, and I will. So go away.”

You feel him shake his head in frustration and you bite back a smirk. You liked annoying him like this… you found it was easier to see him this way.

“You can’t just erase a kiss, Nicole… you can’t say that it didn’t matter.”

Your jaw clenches and your heart thumps harder. But you ignore it and stare at him blankly. Then you smile, looking at the book in our hand. A moment late you raise your gaze to meet his – and you are holding the book up in his direction.

“Newton’s third law of Motion, Patrick: In every interaction, there is an equal but opposite reaction,” you throw him a sad glance and sigh, “It’s true I can’t change what has happened between us now – but I can’t continue it in this way. You have a life, a girlfriend and your whole future ahead of you just as I have my own dreams to follow and…”

You stand up and your eyes lock with his. Tentatively, you reach to touch him… but only so faintly. “And this dream doesn’t have a place for you – at least not yet.”

You smile and kiss him lightly on the cheek, your lips lingering. He stares at you – sad and lonely – just like a small boy who’s lost his way.

You turn away, and with the book held tightly in your hand, you move to a much quieter place.

You could just stop reading. You know it. Your classmates know it. But you don’t care anymore. You are moving on. There was no reason for you to be afraid.

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This is a oneshot I made for my friend, Nicole. I hope you like this. -Author