How did you know | Teen Ink

How did you know

September 8, 2009
By liltrinhle SILVER, Raleigh, North Carolina
liltrinhle SILVER, Raleigh, North Carolina
8 articles 6 photos 37 comments

As soon as I took a seat on that Ferris-wheel, somehow you jumped right on, knowing that I needed some company that night. At first I frowned and said I wanted to be alone and I don’t ride with strangers. But then you laughed at me and took a seat anyway. We ended up talking and I was glad we rode together. How did you know that was just what I needed? When we got off the Ferris-wheel you asked if I wanted some cotton candy and I said, "Sure." We ended up eating two big ones. How did you know? How did you know that I love cotton candy?



When you got the nerve to ask me out on a date for the first time, instead of picking the traditional classic ‘dinner and a movie’, you took me on a walk around the lake and we both got to feed the ducks. That was the first time you held my hand. When your fingers touched mine, my heart beat a thousand times faster. I felt a rush running up and down my spine and chills all over my body. My hands were shaky, I think you noticed that because you smiled—that smile that you give when you know something, a secret. It took me about thirty seconds to realize I had that big stupid grin spread across my face. I remember your hands under mine and bread in the center of my palms, you whispered in my ear, “It’s alright, they won’t bite.” I giggled because I thought it tickled when the baby duck ate out of my hand. You simply shook your head and smiled at me. That smile that I have to keep on telling myself to breathe every time I see it.



I remember when I didn’t make the cast list for the play I auditioned for, you were there for me. You held me close as I cried, and you told me that everything was going to be okay, and I would get another chance soon. Then you took me out to get some ice cream. You made me get vanilla instead of chocolate because you thought I needed to try something new. After about twenty minutes of convincing, I finally gave in. I smiled and without a doubt, admitted that I loved it. You smiled, kissed my forehead, and said “I knew you would.” How did you know that? How did you always know what to do to make me smile?



That one time when I had to cancel our date two hours in advance. Something important came up and I had to babysit. I was ready for you to be mad at me—But no: You were so understanding, and it was almost unreal to me. You showed up at my doorstep with some Mac ‘n Cheese and two Disney classics, Peter Pan and The Aristocats. You wanted to help me babysit, and we watched the movies together with the kids. You didn’t mind at all. Why were you so understanding?



That Saturday, we were going home from the art museum you had taken me to. You stopped in the middle of nowhere, took my hand, and told me to follow you. We stopped at this huge apple tree, and as I reached for the apple within my reach, you stopped my hand. You climbed as high as you could and got me the apple from way up there. You told me apples that apples were within reach weren’t always good. You said apples were at the top were hard to get but it were worth it, and that they were always the best, and that I deserved the best. You were right about the apple tasting better. It was the best apple I’ve ever had. And in that apple, I realized I tasted love, and that I was in love with you. I was teary, and you laughed at me for being such a girl. Then you pulled me to your chest, lifted my chin, and kissed me.



Our first fight was over something silly. I don’t even remember what it was about. But what I do remember is that it was mostly my fault. I remember hanging up on you, slamming the door in your face, and yelling over the phone. How were you always so calm and never yelled at me? I remember crying. And when I got home, I opened the door, and the words 'I'm Sorry' were written out with candles on the floor. You came up from behind me with two boxes of cotton candy. How did you always manage to win my heart?


It was track season again, and you had to get in shape. I remember begging you to come and wake me up to go on a morning run with you. You told me that I wouldn’t be able to handle a three-mile run, but I begged and begged and did my best to convince you. Then the next morning you were at my house at 4:30 AM. I was so excited, but I complained that I had no make up on. You kissed my eyelids, messed my hair up a little, and told me I looked beautiful anyway. I was so excited, I told you that this three-mile run is no pressure and that was sure I could keep up with your all-star, long-distance running legs. But then to my disappointment, after one mile I was so out of breath. You laughed, and we found a bench. I sat and waited for you to finish the rest of your run. After that, I refused to go running with you, but sometimes you convinced me to walk with you the first mile, and that I was always willing to do.



But you’re not here anymore. I heard somewhere that sometimes when something too painful happens, we force ourselves to forget and trick ourselves into believing it never happened. I guess whoever said that was right, because I don’t even remember what happened. The only thing I can recall was riding in the ambulance holding your hand and… and everything else was a blur. I’m sorry that sometimes I could be a real pain and that I hurt you¬—I didn’t mean to. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. Every day I spent with you was my new favorite day. You taught me love. You believed in me when no one else did. You had faith in me when I didn’t even have faith in myself. I can still hear your soft whisper ringing in my ear, “Don’t be afraid to dream, and live. You have a big heart that will take you further than the Himalayas.” How did you know that? We have so many memories, and I promise I’ll never forget them. You are a part of me now. I love you, always and forever. Rest in peace my angel.


The author's comments:
This is a new style I'm trying out. I usually write with lots of conversations and names, but I decided to do something new and focus more on details and imagery. I hope you guys like it! Please rate and comment and tell me what you think!!

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This article has 405 comments.


on Jun. 14 2010 at 8:01 am
brown.sugar BRONZE, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 article 0 photos 28 comments

Favorite Quote:
i lovin it

with the imagery

on Jun. 14 2010 at 8:00 am
brown.sugar BRONZE, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 article 0 photos 28 comments

Favorite Quote:
i lovin it

your story was so romantic.i almost cried. good job with your new style. i felt as though i was in  the story with all the ima

on Jun. 13 2010 at 9:56 am
OfficialApprover PLATINUM, Orefield, Pennsylvania
48 articles 0 photos 1752 comments

Favorite Quote:
Grab life by the balls. -Slobberknocker
We cannot change the cards we're dealt just how we play the hand
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted
It's pretty easy to be smart when you're parroting smart people
-Randy Pausch

Oh my gosh I LOVED this!  It was so emotional, and so sad at the ending!  You're incredible!

Btw, could anyone who sees this check out and comment on my work?  I'd really appreciate it.


Ridersblock said...
on Jun. 9 2010 at 2:51 pm
Ridersblock, Morehead, North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 25 comments

Favorite Quote:
'Can miles truly separate you from friends... If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there?' -Richard Bach

OMG thats good lol. Ive got tears.  He seems amazing, and she seems so lucky to have him.  Even though he's so great, im happy with my boyfriend.  I dont want anyone so perfect.  Great writing!  Keep it up! :)

on Jun. 7 2010 at 10:33 pm
temptedrose SILVER, Kent, Washington
6 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
Be who you want to be!

This is really amazing. I think the new idea was a great idea and it worked big time. Awesome job!

on Jun. 6 2010 at 1:36 pm
Still_Waters26 SILVER, Ladysmith, Wisconsin
6 articles 0 photos 88 comments

Favorite Quote:
"We few, we happy few/we band of brothers/For he to-day that sheds his blood with me/Shall be my brother"
-Shakespeare, "Henry V"

Omg, I'm crying!  Sad but beautiful

on May. 23 2010 at 7:33 pm
PlaceboEffect, Chesterfield, Virginia
0 articles 0 photos 30 comments
Wow... that stunned me a bit. I really liked it.

on May. 23 2010 at 7:30 pm
she-is-a-witch, Towson, Maryland
0 articles 0 photos 33 comments

I'm being a total girl, I'm so close to crying right now.  Excellent writing.

Oh, I want a guy like this :)

I feel like a lot of names and dialogue would have taken away from the piece, so this I'm glad that you wrote this way for this particular subject.

Anyways point is FANTASTIC piece.


on May. 23 2010 at 1:36 pm
allisonl97 BRONZE, =), Wisconsin
2 articles 0 photos 46 comments

Favorite Quote:
I dont really have a fav quote

Oh my gosh!!! This made my eyes water it was sad...but AMAZING!!! Keep writing!!

on May. 23 2010 at 12:56 pm
TheSummoningFreak PLATINUM, Lugoff, South Carolina
41 articles 0 photos 122 comments

Favorite Quote:
if you can never let yourself fall you'll never know what it's like to love

OMG that was so good and so so so sad it had me crying and it takes alot to make me cry this is so good

on May. 23 2010 at 12:21 pm
Kaileigh918 BRONZE, Orange Park, Florida
4 articles 0 photos 33 comments

Favorite Quote:
"There's no shortcuts to anywhere worth going"
-me

omg im crying so sad but yet so good

girlugotit said...
on May. 23 2010 at 11:55 am
this was soo sad. i almost cried, and it takes A LOT to make me cry when i read or watch something. this was... beautiful. you should do this angle more often, it's ah-maz-ing! i totally loved it. great job! - no, make that THIS IS THE BEST AMAZING JOB!

on May. 23 2010 at 9:12 am
SarClark BRONZE, NC, Connecticut
2 articles 0 photos 534 comments

Whoa. This is really good. I wish it wasn't a sad ending... 

great job.


on May. 19 2010 at 7:08 pm
MadgeUndersee1 BRONZE, Uxbridge, Massachusetts
1 article 0 photos 2 comments
that was great! i really liked how you focused on one event at a time and then totally mixed it up at the end! great writing, the new style is obviously working for you!

on May. 16 2010 at 12:22 am
weebnini DIAMOND, San Diego, California
55 articles 3 photos 164 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Done & Over"

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."

"People should be able to say how they feel. How they really feel. Not, you know, some words that some strangers put in their mouth."

this is probably one of my forever favorites!!:)

on May. 14 2010 at 9:12 am
LovelyMiss GOLD, Floresville, Texas
11 articles 0 photos 124 comments

omg this was really good i FREAKIN LOVED IT! keep writting your an  amazing writter

 


on May. 1 2010 at 11:57 am
kate-the-shrew BRONZE, McCall, Idaho
3 articles 0 photos 18 comments

Favorite Quote:
Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else.----Will Rogers

It made me cry! Only great writers can do that to me. That is a really amazing story, and you need to share your writing with the world. They don't know what they're missing.

on May. 1 2010 at 10:43 am
sparkofheart GOLD, Plymouth, Minnesota
16 articles 2 photos 253 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Always" - Severus Snape

...w.o.w.... that was rrreeaaallllyy good! somehow the ending sad but at the same time i knew everything was going to be okay....if this was true i am so sorry for you...well i suppose this is in the fiction section but some writers (such as myself) write based on experience. but beautifully written either way. props to you:)

Reigyn said...
on May. 1 2010 at 9:52 am
Reigyn, Toronto, Other
0 articles 0 photos 27 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Dance like no one is watching, love like you'll never be hurt,sing like no one is listening,and live like it's heaven on earth."- William Purkey
As we struggle to make sense of things, life looks on in repose. ~Author Unknown

beautiful story. I absoultely love it.

on Apr. 27 2010 at 1:12 pm
seahorse BRONZE, Kärdla, Other
4 articles 3 photos 9 comments
So beautiful, it made my heart to ache. i wish that someday i could find a guy like that. It was like a fairytale but i guess all fairytales have their end.