How did you know | Teen Ink

How did you know

September 8, 2009
By liltrinhle SILVER, Raleigh, North Carolina
liltrinhle SILVER, Raleigh, North Carolina
8 articles 6 photos 37 comments

As soon as I took a seat on that Ferris-wheel, somehow you jumped right on, knowing that I needed some company that night. At first I frowned and said I wanted to be alone and I don’t ride with strangers. But then you laughed at me and took a seat anyway. We ended up talking and I was glad we rode together. How did you know that was just what I needed? When we got off the Ferris-wheel you asked if I wanted some cotton candy and I said, "Sure." We ended up eating two big ones. How did you know? How did you know that I love cotton candy?



When you got the nerve to ask me out on a date for the first time, instead of picking the traditional classic ‘dinner and a movie’, you took me on a walk around the lake and we both got to feed the ducks. That was the first time you held my hand. When your fingers touched mine, my heart beat a thousand times faster. I felt a rush running up and down my spine and chills all over my body. My hands were shaky, I think you noticed that because you smiled—that smile that you give when you know something, a secret. It took me about thirty seconds to realize I had that big stupid grin spread across my face. I remember your hands under mine and bread in the center of my palms, you whispered in my ear, “It’s alright, they won’t bite.” I giggled because I thought it tickled when the baby duck ate out of my hand. You simply shook your head and smiled at me. That smile that I have to keep on telling myself to breathe every time I see it.



I remember when I didn’t make the cast list for the play I auditioned for, you were there for me. You held me close as I cried, and you told me that everything was going to be okay, and I would get another chance soon. Then you took me out to get some ice cream. You made me get vanilla instead of chocolate because you thought I needed to try something new. After about twenty minutes of convincing, I finally gave in. I smiled and without a doubt, admitted that I loved it. You smiled, kissed my forehead, and said “I knew you would.” How did you know that? How did you always know what to do to make me smile?



That one time when I had to cancel our date two hours in advance. Something important came up and I had to babysit. I was ready for you to be mad at me—But no: You were so understanding, and it was almost unreal to me. You showed up at my doorstep with some Mac ‘n Cheese and two Disney classics, Peter Pan and The Aristocats. You wanted to help me babysit, and we watched the movies together with the kids. You didn’t mind at all. Why were you so understanding?



That Saturday, we were going home from the art museum you had taken me to. You stopped in the middle of nowhere, took my hand, and told me to follow you. We stopped at this huge apple tree, and as I reached for the apple within my reach, you stopped my hand. You climbed as high as you could and got me the apple from way up there. You told me apples that apples were within reach weren’t always good. You said apples were at the top were hard to get but it were worth it, and that they were always the best, and that I deserved the best. You were right about the apple tasting better. It was the best apple I’ve ever had. And in that apple, I realized I tasted love, and that I was in love with you. I was teary, and you laughed at me for being such a girl. Then you pulled me to your chest, lifted my chin, and kissed me.



Our first fight was over something silly. I don’t even remember what it was about. But what I do remember is that it was mostly my fault. I remember hanging up on you, slamming the door in your face, and yelling over the phone. How were you always so calm and never yelled at me? I remember crying. And when I got home, I opened the door, and the words 'I'm Sorry' were written out with candles on the floor. You came up from behind me with two boxes of cotton candy. How did you always manage to win my heart?


It was track season again, and you had to get in shape. I remember begging you to come and wake me up to go on a morning run with you. You told me that I wouldn’t be able to handle a three-mile run, but I begged and begged and did my best to convince you. Then the next morning you were at my house at 4:30 AM. I was so excited, but I complained that I had no make up on. You kissed my eyelids, messed my hair up a little, and told me I looked beautiful anyway. I was so excited, I told you that this three-mile run is no pressure and that was sure I could keep up with your all-star, long-distance running legs. But then to my disappointment, after one mile I was so out of breath. You laughed, and we found a bench. I sat and waited for you to finish the rest of your run. After that, I refused to go running with you, but sometimes you convinced me to walk with you the first mile, and that I was always willing to do.



But you’re not here anymore. I heard somewhere that sometimes when something too painful happens, we force ourselves to forget and trick ourselves into believing it never happened. I guess whoever said that was right, because I don’t even remember what happened. The only thing I can recall was riding in the ambulance holding your hand and… and everything else was a blur. I’m sorry that sometimes I could be a real pain and that I hurt you¬—I didn’t mean to. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. Every day I spent with you was my new favorite day. You taught me love. You believed in me when no one else did. You had faith in me when I didn’t even have faith in myself. I can still hear your soft whisper ringing in my ear, “Don’t be afraid to dream, and live. You have a big heart that will take you further than the Himalayas.” How did you know that? We have so many memories, and I promise I’ll never forget them. You are a part of me now. I love you, always and forever. Rest in peace my angel.


The author's comments:
This is a new style I'm trying out. I usually write with lots of conversations and names, but I decided to do something new and focus more on details and imagery. I hope you guys like it! Please rate and comment and tell me what you think!!

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This article has 405 comments.


on Aug. 8 2011 at 2:40 pm
DanielleK BRONZE, Palm Bay, Florida
1 article 0 photos 5 comments
Considering this is a new style for you I think you did incredible. You should really continue to write like this. More practice the better it'll be.

Brizzy said...
on Aug. 6 2011 at 8:49 pm
omg! that was amazing, my eyes were creating waves down my face!

on Aug. 6 2011 at 2:33 pm
traveler03 GOLD, San Juan, Texas
14 articles 0 photos 21 comments

Favorite Quote:
Living is nothing. Dreaming is something.

This is a memorable story and has unforgettable characters.

on Aug. 6 2011 at 1:39 pm
This is absolutely beautiful.  I love this style and you can really do it, please continue!

withAMO GOLD said...
on Aug. 6 2011 at 1:35 pm
withAMO GOLD, Satellite Beach, Florida
15 articles 5 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I write to taste life twice."
"You must stay drunk on writing so that reality cannot destroy you." -Ray Bradbury
"Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the mediium is the human mind and spirit."
-John Steinbeck

i agree. the describtions were perfect, but u still need some dialogue. keep working on it, it's a beautiful story!

on Aug. 6 2011 at 12:44 pm
Laura_Oliver GOLD, Manchester, Connecticut
12 articles 2 photos 122 comments
This is so sweet! You definitely excelled at this new writing style. If you combine your other style and this a little you will have one fine story.

on Aug. 6 2011 at 10:38 am
Hopeful_One BRONZE, Santa Maria, California
3 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
\"I always believe there is a plan for us all, and a reason for everything that happens. It\'s just hard to see sometimes.\" -Grace\'s dad from Falling for Grace

Oh. My. Gosh. This was soooooo good!!! I devoured everything! It's just so MOVING!!! :D I was going "awww" at every paragraph and it was a serious tear-jerker at that last paragraph. But maybe explain how the guy dies, 'cause that doesn't make sense. 

on Aug. 6 2011 at 9:33 am
teenwriter101 BRONZE, Newport News, Virginia
3 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
To be or not to be... That is the question.

 LOVED THIS!!!!!! was right up my alley :) JUST AMAZING! the new style of yours totally works :)

on Jul. 17 2011 at 11:48 am
Tongue_Blep PLATINUM, ????, Ohio
40 articles 1 photo 769 comments
I loved the story! and was impressed! Great job! Really u ave talent! (Sorry for the advertizing!) If any of u coulld read my two stories called the beast and nightstalker, that would be great! Also please post comments saying if u liked it or not. Thanks! And keep writing! :D

kre101 SILVER said...
on Jul. 15 2011 at 10:52 pm
kre101 SILVER, Holt, Michigan
6 articles 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
To the world you're just one person.. But to one person you may be the world

This is amazing :)

on Jul. 15 2011 at 6:26 pm
Dancing2222 GOLD, Sandy, Utah
10 articles 0 photos 59 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be yourself, everyone else is taken."
"Imagination is more important that knowledge" -Albert Einstein
"Don't ever frown, you never know who's going to fall in love with your smile."

One of my new favorites...and I go on here almost everyday. Loved it:)

on Jul. 15 2011 at 4:17 pm
Dragonfly_Girl PLATINUM, Pleasant Hill, California
21 articles 0 photos 25 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life is not waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.

This is really good! It gave me shivers. You clearly have talent, but it needs a little work. Clean it up a bit, and it will be perfect. I wonder if this is a true story? The guy being so angelic and the cliche ending kind of makes me think it isn't. Still, it's wonderful. Kind of a diamond in the rough i guess. I'd like to read more.

on Jul. 15 2011 at 2:22 pm
NKsunshine BRONZE, Palatine, Illinois
1 article 0 photos 75 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I don't need easy, I just need possible!" ~Bethany Hamilton

Only one word can describe the way you portryed this story......Perfection ;)

fatchance96 said...
on Jul. 15 2011 at 12:17 pm
ohh my goodness i love this! this is what true love is. it's beautifully written, even for a person who wants to try something new. i especially love how this piece is put together.. and how abrupt the ending was. this article really got to me! thanks so much:) 

Jujija said...
on Jul. 15 2011 at 12:20 am
Yes, I agree about the ending. It seems that too many romance stories end with one of the people dying, but very, very well written

on Jul. 6 2011 at 9:49 pm
LeslieAnn BRONZE, Midvale, Utah
1 article 0 photos 47 comments

Favorite Quote:
\\\\\\\"Dream as if you\\\\\\\'ll live forever, Live as if you\\\\\\\'ll die today\\\\\\\" \\\\\\\"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, its about learning to dance in the rain.\\\\\\\"

This was beautiful. My jaw litterally dropped when I read the last paragraph. You did a great job.

on Jul. 5 2011 at 10:15 pm
singingwriter14 BRONZE, Chester, New York
2 articles 0 photos 42 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Some days you're the statue. Some days you're the pigeon."

Wow. This truly touched my heart. Thank you for such a beautiful story.

on Jul. 2 2011 at 6:39 pm
Writtenwithlove SILVER, Canton, Ohio
8 articles 20 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
\"We were given: Two hands to hold. Two legs to walk. Two eyes to see. Two ears to listen. But why only one heart? Because the other was given to someone else. For us to find.\"
-unknown

I loved this, but it was sad in the end. Is this a true story?

on Jun. 23 2011 at 7:42 pm
LimeGreenLVR BRONZE, Springboro, Ohio
2 articles 0 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Live, Laugh, Love"

This was amazing! The ending was really sad but you made it sounds beautiful! Keep writing!

on Jun. 23 2011 at 3:36 pm
RFrocker23 PLATINUM, Ballwin, Missouri
22 articles 1 photo 59 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

This is good. My advice would be to watch out for fragment sentences. Personally I'm not a big fan of the ending and not just because it's sad. I just don't feel like it fits well with this story and is a little cliche. But that's my opinion and you should go with whatever YOU like because this is your writing and nobody can tell you what to do with it.