Rhianna lay in bed, her whole body exhausted. Her eyes were red, and her mental strength was drained. She fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes.
In her dreams, she relived her past with Rylee, spanning over a decade.
Years ago, Rylee's family moved to H City for various reasons, and it was then that Rhianna met Rylee.
A small girl peeked out from behind her mother.
"Hello, we just moved here," Mrs. Palmer said, handing out housewarming gifts to the new neighbors.
"Thank you so much. Rhi, say thank you to the lady."
"Thank you, my ladt," the child's voice was sweet and tender.
"What a lovely child. That's my son," Mrs. Palmer pointed to the boy standing at the gate.
At that moment, Rhianna saw Rylee wearing a baseball cap and sportswear, holding a baseball bat. The light shining on him made him look dazzling.
Years later, Rhianna would often recall that famous line of poetry: "If first love were only as it was at first sight."
*
Later, when Rylee was in middle school and Rhianna was in elementary school, they were in different grades at the same school. Every day, Rhianna would follow Rylee like a little tail.
"Rylee, wait for me. Mom said we should go to school together."
Rylee was tall with long legs, and Rhianna always struggled to keep up, often having to run to barely catch up with him.
Later, Rhianna realized that it was never about her walking too slowly. He just never wanted to wait for her because she was never someone he cared about. When she learned that he liked Arely, she realized that her Rylee could be so gentle, but such gentleness was not for her.
At that time, she loved to cling to him, watching him consistently top the honor roll, becoming the MVP of every basketball game, and always being adored by many.
But she was still just a little girl following behind him.
She still remembered the summer vacation before Rylee started high school. She clung to him the entire vacation. On a sultry afternoon, with humidity in the air and cicadas chirping incessantly, she ran to Rylee's villa, searching for him for a long time before finding him.
The young man was lying on the lawn under the big tree in the yard, wearing a white shirt and black uniform pants, seemingly asleep.
Rhianna slowed her steps and quietly approached him.
The dappled shadows of the tree fell on his face. His eyes were closed, enjoying the rare tranquility.
Rhianna knew her Rylee was always handsome and aloof. Only when he was asleep could she boldly get this close to him.
His eyebrows which didn't need much grooming were naturally heroic, and his eyelashes were thick. Rhianna couldn't help but get closer and count them.
And so, she moved closer and closer.
The wind lifted her skirt and hair.
She closed her eyes and gently kissed his thin lips.
Her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
Her heartbeat was loud, pounding rapidly in her chest.
After committing her mischief, Rhianna quickly ran away. She didn't even have time to recall the sensation.
That moment was filled with an thrill unforgettable in that entire summer.
*
Until the end of high school, Rylee joined the military, and Rhianna got into the same prestigious school as Rylee.
By then, Rylee had returned to B City, and the Jefferson family had also relocated their business to B City due to its development.
Rhianna thought she and Rylee would never be separated again.
The night before Rylee was to leave, Rhianna, after sneaking some of her father's liquor, ran to find him.
Rylee looked at her slightly flushed cheeks and frowned. How had she managed to sneak a drink?
Rhianna clenched her fists, glanced at Rylee, and quickly looked away, not daring to meet his gaze. She wanted to tell him how she felt.
Would he accept her?
Despite her countless worries, Rhianna met Rylee's penetrating gaze.
She heard her own voice, "Rylee, I've liked you for a long, long time."
But he said nothing, and all she could hear was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
After a long while, she heard him say, "Rhi, you've had too much to drink."
It was a gentle rejection. Rylee still saved her face.
Rhianna lowered her head, feeling an overwhelming pain in her chest.
She couldn't force his feelings for her, could she?
Rhianna didn't look at Rylee again. She said goodbye and ran off.
In her heart, she told him, "I'll wait for you."
I'll wait for you to come back, wait for you to like me one day.
