Short Story by Abby Swiger on May 18, 2023
The sun was setting on the horizon, the sky was painted with an array of gorgeous colors. Keaton was sitting by themselves on a bench until…they locked eyes with a breath taking woman. Keaton was always one to believe that this moment would come, they knew that they were enamored with her after just one look. Only one of them believed in love at first sight (this was Keaton that dreamed of love their whole life, the perfect fairy tale love life), while the other thought love at first sight was just make believe (the breath taking lady Keaton spotted at the park). They decided to man up and speak to her before she left. Keaton found out her name was Mary. They would love to marry her just like her name.
As they walked through the park, they laughed and talked about everything and nothing. They felt a connection that they had never felt with another person. They both agreed that even though this moment may not last forever they can make multiple more memories. They agree to meet again before they leave the park. Mary could not believe how magnificent her day went; she had made a new friend, and they seem really friendly. Keaton was so impressed with Mary she was open about everything. To Keaton the day was like they had already known each other and was just catching up on old times. The conversations they had just came so natural.
Days turned into nights, nights, turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but to them the time they spent together just flew by. They spent every moment they could together, and they were excited. Sadly, for one of them, the word friends hurt their soul. Keaton was infatuated with Mary. All the time they had spent together made them fall even harder in love. Mary was like a statue at an art museum; Keaton could gaze at them forever. They was so enamored with Mary they had to tell her, but they did not know how to. Being a hopeless romantic, they wanted to do something meaningful, so going back to where they first locked eyes would be so special.
They met at their favorite spot in the park, and as the sun was setting, and the colorful sky started to fade, Keaton told Mary under the stars about their blossoming love for her. Keaton took a deep breath and then spoke up. “Although the night sky is beautiful, you are even more fair in my eyes. Mary I see you as so much more than a friend, but I understand if you don’t feel this way. What I’m trying to say Mary is… I like you. From the first time I saw you, I knew you were the one. Your beauty compares to no other, and then I got to know the real you. The smart, kind, caring, loving you.”
Mary was taken aback and did not know what to say. She felt horrible for not feeling the same way. She never saw Keaton the same way, not yet at least. In Mary’s case love is a sensitive subject that takes time.
Keaton was heartbroken, but they knew that no one should force their love on someone though. They continued to see each other, but things were different. They could not look at Mary without feeling the pain of unrequited love. Keaton could only think back to that day. All they could hear was the recurring voice of Mary telling them they do not feel the same.
One day, they went to a concert together. They went to go see Cigarettes After Sex and they performed the song "Apocalypse," and they both felt the weight of their emotions come crashing down. They turn to look each other in the eyes as tears start to form. Their eyes started to sparkle from the water works. They both knew that things would never be the same again because there is no changing the past; you should always live in the present and dream of the future. As the concert ended, they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Keaton knew that they had to move on, but they did not know how. They tried to keep their distance, but their heart ached for their friend.
Months turned into years, and they lost touch. They moved on with their lives, but they never forgot about their first love. The saying is true you never forget your first. They wondered if Mary ever thought about them. Mary misses Keaton and believes you never knew what you have until their gone. Fate was not on their side, but if they met on a different day at a different time the “love story” would be different.
Years later, they ran into each other on the street. They smiled at each other, but they did not say anything. They knew that they had missed their chance, and that their love was lost forever. As they walked away from each other, they both felt the pain of what could have been. They knew that they would never forget each other, and that they would always be enamored with the memory of their first love. Love at first sight has many taking second glances and second chances, but for some the love story will never work.
