The Anniversary.

It was the second year, September 20th-something, since he first asked me out.

We were going to a local community during that year, it sits on top of the hill with winds always blowing, cold,

and we had been going to that gloomy place for a little while before we met each other.

That was the year when I was working on my internship and UC application, life wasn’t easy for a 19-year-old; besides, I just ended a short relationship with a guy, but was quite trying to get over the immature pain.

He was taking this political science class with me, on MWFs there was this weird and ambivalent chemistry in the class. And on TTHRs we had class right across the hallway from each other. So I saw him pretty much everyday.

It was weird how I fell in love. Somehow his bright blond hair looked super artificial and naturally would catch my eyes. On the crowded hallway I’d always spot him. He looked different back then, moodier, weirder, and less certain, with about everything.

I believe I looked different, in the same metaphorical manner. I bet people saw me as a porcelain china doll, quiet, study machine, grade grabber, and a fob.

Its been two years since our awkward, first date. That afternoon at the library, sitting across him at a table, I felt like it was a meeting between two aliens who just landed earth for the first time. We felt so wary, uncertain, nervous, yet hopeful.

German people wrinkle fast. His eyes look wearier and wrinklier compared to two years ago.

But I am quite certain he looks at me differently. Sometimes it is of dominance, affection, control, and jealousy.. too much of everything.

The locket he gave me before he left for the Navy is laying in my drawer. Handwritten letters, airplane and greyhound ticket receipts. More than a thousand pictures have been taken.

This two year has been a long journey of learning. So far, OK. If you try to look at it as two different people conciliating their differences. And they are not quite giving up yet.