Ariel,

We've been together as friends in the past semester. We knew and see each other only in that one subject, which happens to be held only once a week. We always talked to each other during our breaks, and walk together in our dismissals. You told me your deepest secrets (although, unfortunately, I never did mine, because I was afraid).

As the semester was drawing to an end, I noticed the changes in you: You were getting sweeter as the last weeks of our class elapsed. You started to put your arm around my shoulders. Then, you shielded me from the rain with your arms (although I still got soaked, lol). One day, after class, as I was about to buy food and you about to go home, you suddenly threw your arms to embrace me - in public! (And to think we were both profusely sweaty from the humid weather!) You then drew my head closer to your chest, and I could feel the pounding on your chest. It was a weird feeling: a mixture of surprise, passion and awkwardness....

I was already in a relationship before you came.

But that I was hesitant to tell you. I was too caught in the moment that I just let you go on hugging me. I didn't even want to push you away. It was a great feeling, even though I was confused, and I cannot recall anymore if I hugged you back. You were too reluctant to let me go as we were about to part ways. You then said, "I didn't know you were this light", and continued to hug me as if I were some delicate creature. You clung to my arm before you finally let go, and told me "Take care" as you left with a gentle smile. We talked even more on the weeks thereafter.

That was already six months ago.

Six months ago, I was simply going with the flow of your actions. I didn't actually have any feelings for you then, especially that I was still so deeply in love with my boyfriend, James. We loved each other so much that we trust and are very open with each other: That time, James and I were together for already a year and a month. I told him about your hugs right after you gave them. He was not upset, although he asked me if I want him to confront you the next time you do so. I said no. Anyway, James and I are still together today, and it's our 19th month together.

But lately, James is too busy, since he's already in his senior year. We don't get to do the things we used to, and the few things we get to do when we're together are already monotonous. Somehow, I don't seem to look forward to our dates as I used to. Truth be told, I'm already getting tired and bored of our relationship.

I know it's been a long time since we've last seen each other, Ariel. We don't have any common classes with each other anymore this semester. Not to mention that we already lost contact since I lost my phone five months ago. You still don't have Facebook. The IM you used back in class seem to be inactive. We totally lost contact with each other.

Since I began to fall out of love to James, I find myself thinking about you every night. After half a year, it's you now whom I imagine to be right next to me in bed, and whom I feel like waking up in the morning with.

I miss you, Ariel. I wanna feel your hugs again soon. I want to be with you again.

-Kayley