The Script We Never Wrote

part 2 "Unfolding Frames "

Dear diary,
That was an experience. I was sightseeing London and the only thing on my mind was him and I don't even know his name. London boy I'm gonna call him. I regret that I didn't stay in that subway... or maybe not? I don't know. It's so confusing.
We were walking through Potters Fields Park, which was beautiful. A little bit reminded me of Central Park and my hometown because of how people just stay there, walk, read books, talk, go to school, go to work, have picnics, play sports... all those things that make you smile.
Walking through the crowd, I noticed their outfits were amazing and they all seemed so interesting. We went through Tooley Street, Druid Street, and Braham Street. Then we saw Tower Bridge — it was amazing, like from a 1D music video.
The teachers left us, and we finally had time for ourselves just two hours, but still. Near Big Ben we took photos and went to a café. My friend was tired and wanted to sit down for a while. But honestly, I was so excited to be in London and still remembering that moment from the subway. I had so many emotions, so much energy, I couldn't sit. So I left her in the café, telling her I needed to buy gifts for my family. I know it wasn't a good idea to leave her and it doesn't make me a good friend but I just felt I needed to walk it off, to be alone for a moment, even in a place full of people.
I started slowly walking around like a tourist. Then I sat on a bench, thinking about everything — what happened, and where I was. I started to appreciate it all. I couldn't believe I was really here. I was so happy. I took a few breaths and then saw my mom calling. She asked how I was, what I was doing. I told her I was with my friend. I know I shouldn't have lied, but it felt right. I didn't want her to worry. I told her how much I miss her and love her, how grateful I am that she helped me to be here.
And in that moment, some guy started shouting: "Hey, it's you! The girl from the keychain, fine girl, or something!"
I turned around. I saw him. It was him. I smiled.
He sat on the bench near me. I quickly told my mom bye, I love you.
He looked at me and asked who I was talking to. "My mom," I replied.
He smiled with a smirk: "Good that you love your mom."
I was confused. I was probably smiling too much, caught up in my emotions.
"So... are you gonna tell me your name?" he asked.
"If you want. My name is Malou, but everybody calls me Mimi. My family, my friends... My mom always wanted to call her daughter like that."
"That's a beautiful name," he said. "My name is Mateo, but everybody calls me Teo. I don't even know why."
We smiled.

"So what are you doing in London?" he asked.
"I'm on a school trip right now. We've got two hours of freedom." I replied
"School trip?Really?"
"Yeah. That's why I was on the subway this morning."
"I was going to school this morning" he said
"How's school?" I asked.
"To be honest? Awful. I hate that place. Everyone's unhappy, no one wants to be there. Especially me. I didn't tell you, but I lived from when I was 7 until I was 15 in Hawaii, in my grandma's house. My dad was here, my mom in America with her husband. I decided to stay in Hawaii. Beautiful place."
"What? Hawaii? That's my dream! I always wanted to learn surfing. But you know, in my small town it's impossible. Hawaii was my dream. Aloha, mahalo!" I said with joy.
He started smiling and laughing a little. "You're so excited about everything."
I don't know why I'm like this ." I can't hide my happiness. Maybe that's my bad thing. But I wasn't always like this. I just learned to be grateful. It's important. I learned to love life." I said
"I wish I could be like that," he said.
I looked at him, confused. "Really? You're unhappy? You lived in Hawaii, now you live in London, and you're unhappy? Be thankful for what you have." I said, maybe a bit angrily.
I wasn't jealous of what he had, things I could only dream of. But I was angry he didn't appreciate them.
He looked at me: "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I should be more grateful. But look — I'm here with you right now. And I'm grateful I met you."
"Okay. Small steps," I said. "But how did you even find me? Are you a stalker?" I laughed.
"Your ID was very easy to find. Next time, please be more careful, I'm joking. I was walking, thinking, then I saw this girl... she was fine. I just said hi."
"Oh, she was fine? Where is she? I'm gonna ask her for her number," I teased.
He smirked: "Oh, you can't. She already has someone."
I laughed.

"Tell me something about yourself," I asked.
"Well... something interesting? I do karate. And I like films."
I stopped him. "Wait, you like films?"
"Yeah. I think I watch a movie a day. It's hard though, when you live with people who watch like one movie a month."
I was in love in that moment . "What's your favorite movie?" I asked
"I have many. I like classics, and even some not-so-good movies, but they have nostalgia. And... musicals, I'll be honest."
"How about you?" He asked
"You're gonna regret asking. I love film. It's my whole life. I love musicals, classics, romcoms, old 2000s movies, niche films nobody knows. My favorites? So many... The Breakfast Club, Grease, Stand by Me, The Outsiders, Cinema Paradiso..." I wasn't gonna stop.He laughed but not in embrassed way but kind . "Okay, okay, I get it. You love movies. That means we have a lot to talk about. I used to watch them with my grandma, there I watch alone it's hard to make friends when you' don't want to be here ."
I understood him.
"Well, right now you have a friend," I said.
He smiled. "A friend? Thanks."
We laughed.
We talked about my trip. Then my friend started calling, asking where I was. I didn't want to leave, but I knew I had to go back.
I had hope that this isn't the last time we see each other.
"I think I like listening to you more than listening to music. And that's weird, because I usually like music more than people. Sorry, I mean... I just enjoy talking to you."
Something inside me healed after hearing those words. He walked me back to the café. We hugged.
"See you," I said.
"No... if I see you first," he replied with a smile a reference to the movie I had mentioned.
I watched him walking away. And I remembered that saying: if they look back, they're yours. If they don't, they never were.
He was walking. I was watching. And after a few seconds, he looked back. He smiled.
That smile. I'll never forget that smile. Looking at him was like watching your favorite movie for the first time — you don't know what's going to happen next, but you love every moment and you're excited for the rest.

⸻