### An Evening Reunion
Lizzy was the most unassuming girl in her class, at least in her own eyes. She was petite, slender, and had red hair. Lizzy often fretted over her appearance, enviously glancing at her blonde, blue-eyed classmates.
“Sweetheart, you’ll blossom like a rosebud,” her mother reassured her. “I also didn’t look grown-up until I was around sixteen. Don’t hurry; you’ve got time to win over hearts. You’re only thirteen.”
“Mum, I’m not in a rush,” Lizzy would say, lowering her eyelashes, though her green eyes betrayed her. She gazed sadly at her reflection in the mirror and sighed.
She had taken a liking to a boy from the other class, Will. Athletic, tall, and lively, his courage in sports and antics bordered on reckless. Watching the boys play basketball in PE, Lizzy’s eyes followed Will. His energy and enthusiasm invigorated everyone, leading his team to victory.
Even if Will wasn’t handsome, Lizzy would still have liked him, but his charismatic looks left her feeling she had no chance of befriending such a leader.
Surrounded by friends constantly, Will was never alone. Even brief encounters in the school corridors brought Lizzy joy. Yet her lack of confidence would fail her; once passing by Will, she’d glance and quickly look away.
Lizzy kept her childhood crush a secret, convinced the world could see through her, leaving her cheeks flushed with the thought of her classmates—or worse, Will himself—mocking her.
Determined to forget the charming Will, she resolved to ignore him and push him from her thoughts. Initially struggling, her willpower gradually prevailed. Lizzy found peace and was inwardly proud.
“Just don’t get too close,” she murmured to herself. Spotting her crush at school, she’d immediately change direction or slip past unnoticed behind others.
Two years went by. Lizzy excelled in her studies, grew taller, and became less self-conscious. Her mother’s predictions came true: over one summer, Lizzy transformed into a graceful, slender young woman.
After Year 10, Lizzy attended college. She heard about Will and other classmates during chance encounters with their former form tutor, Mrs. Thompson, who lived on Lizzy’s street.
Lizzy never attended school reunions; her class wasn’t particularly close, and she didn’t keep in touch with school friends. However, when a reunion was held for Mrs. Thompson’s anniversary, Lizzy decided to go to congratulate her favorite teacher.
Thirty years since leaving school, the reunion was touching. Many hadn’t seen each other since their school days. Old classmates, including those from parallel classes, gathered.
Lizzy started when she saw Will. Standing tall, a distinguished man with gray hair and a neat beard, he was little like the impetuous boy she once knew. Only his lively, twinkling eyes were unchanged.
The school hall buzzed with noise. After the congratulations for Mrs. Thompson, groups formed, chatting and embracing.
To Lizzy’s surprise, Will approached her and, smiling broadly, greeted her:
“And here’s my secret school crush… Lizzy.”
He bowed slightly and kissed Lizzy’s hand, as if the decades hadn’t intervened. Lizzy blushed.
“A crush? Me?” she said, blushing. “Why am I only hearing this now?”
They both laughed. Naturally, most had families and children now, including Will and Lizzy.
Standing aside, Will talked about his job, family, and son.
“I’ve a son too,” Lizzy said, as she’d always wanted. She sighed, looked at Will, and suddenly asked:
“But tell me, why? Why did you like me? I was the quietest, shyest… and not pretty at all.”
“That was just it. You didn’t try to be with me like everyone else. You always walked past with your head held high… I couldn’t even think about approaching you—so proud. But I liked you. Now it’s just a sweet memory of youth.”
“And I liked you just as much, I couldn’t begin to tell you…,” Lizzy blurted out, “but it was impossible to cut through your crowd of friends. And I couldn’t approach first. Though it was all a childish infatuation.”
“Who knows,” Will replied thoughtfully, “perhaps we inadvertently missed something in our lives.”
“Maybe,” Lizzy laughed, “perhaps we’ll meet next time. In another life.”
“I’ll be looking for those green eyes,” Will whispered with a wistful smile. His expression showed he was captivated by Lizzy, who truly had become beautiful. A late bloom, as her mother once said.
Suddenly, Lizzy heard her name called.
“Mum! Dad and I came as you asked…”
A young man threaded through the crowd toward Lizzy and Will.
“Meet my son,” Lizzy said, smiling.
“William,” Lizzy’s son said cheerfully, extending his hand.
“William Brown,” Will responded, offering his hand with surprise, tenderness, and bewilderment in his eyes as he looked at Lizzy.
Lizzy waved and headed for the exit. Just at the school door, Will caught up with her.
“Listen, Lizzy…” he looked at her with misty eyes, “Thank you…”
“For what?” Lizzy was puzzled.
“For the boy. Another Will is growing up. Thanks for the memories…”
Lizzy nodded. She approached the car and sat in the back seat.
Lizzy’s husband asked, “So, how was it?”
“Good,” Lizzy replied. “Many showed up. It was lovely to see everyone. And a little sad, of course. Time changes us… I’m happy for Mrs. Thompson. Such a heroic teacher. May she stay healthy to teach many more generations…”
