People never learn to appreciate time itself. Everyday being a race till the end. We never take time to enjoy the people we have around us, the little things that come into our lives or slow down to smell the flowers.
These are many things that I took advantage of, sometimes I just wish I could go back in time and do it all again.
Ten years ago I was just a Junior in Bodwell High School running through the halls with my best friend Sapna. He had the biggest grin on his face that made my world light up.
He slid infront of the door just before I could get in there. He was always much faster than me, beat me to everything.
That day I remember the light was blinding but I remember opening my eyes and looking up and seeing him, he glowed like an angel.
"You're always such a slow poke Karl!" Sapnap said as he laughed, ruffling his slightly curly brown hair that Karl had spent all morning trying to maintain.
Karl scrunched up his nose but laughed, feeling butthurt that he lost yet again but didn't mind since he got to see his best friend smile; "come on man I literally just got this hair under control and you go messing it up!" He whined playfully trying to make sure his hairs were in the right place.
Karl was to focused on trying to fix his hair that he didn't notice the others hand reaching toward him. Only noticing when the rough hands delicately grabbed a strand of his hair and tucked it behind his ear.
Karl could practically feel his heart beat out of his chest, trying to keep the blush that was spray painted on his cheeks under control. "Thanks man but that's kinda gay don't you think?" He said with a teasing smirk as I raised a brow.
We had always teased like this but on this day, Sapnap's face suddenly became serious as he looked Karl dead in the eye, and said something so quiet that he ended up not hearing it because of the stupid bell.
Karl furrowed his brow, "what did you say?" He asked happily, Sapnap just chuckled and smiled, "oh nothing I'm just speaking gibberish, class started I'll chat with you after class man!" He said happily before taking his seat.
Karl wanted to continue the conversation but thought there'd always be a different time for it so he just took his seat, class went on normally but Karl couldn't help but take a peak at Sapnap.
He wondered what Sapnap was trying to say since he looked so serious and he looked pretty bothered for the rest of the class.
They went through the movements as if nothing happened thinking he'd just ask him later. The end of the school day came near faster than he thought it would.
Karl walked towards the gate waiting where he did every single day, he wasn't there for some odd reason so he waited, and waited, and waited but he never showed.
The next day Sapnap wasn't there, Karl tried to text with no answer, he went to his house but he wasn't there either.
Karl would come to find out later that his parents just upped and moved, Karl knew Sapnap's parents were usually on the move but they let Sapnap stay with his aunt at the main house.
I'd always wonder why he just upped and disappeared but as time passes on I slowly began to forget about him, becoming busy with my studies at The University of Waterloo.
One fateful spring when the quarter was coming to an end, I'd see a familiar face under The Arbutus Tree.
