That Day Seven Years Ago

Write about two people going sledding for the first time in many years.

You were having a reunion with some of your high school friends after you had all completed your university degrees. Even though you had all studied in different universities, you kept in contact mostly through texts but also through occasional group calls. 

As a group, you had decided to recreate one of your school trips by going to a ski resort. Seven years ago, your grade went to a ski resort as their end of year holiday. You had the chance to engage in various activities such as sledding, skiing, and snowboarding. However, since you didn't know how to ski you stuck to sledding and just playing around in the snow. During that school trip, you realized you had a crush on one of your friends. 

Your snow sports abilities were no better than those you had seven years ago, so even during this trip you decided to stick to sledding. That’s why you were now lining up in a cabin renting sleds. All your friends agreed to sledding before trying out other sports. Your friends had now already gotten their sleds and there was only you and Mark left.

He was already at the counter and you stood at a distance waiting for your turn. 

"We don't have enough sleds do you guys mind sharing one?" The clerk at the counter asks as he peeks his head and looks at you. 

You and Mark look at each other. 

"We don't mind" you replied at the same time. 

"Ok. Here you go" the clerk replied.

The clerk places the sled on the counter and Mark picks it up. You look at each other before you walk towards your friends who were waiting for you by the ski lift. Once you caught up with them you both went on the lift that was going to take you to the designated area for sledding.

You used to have a crush on Mark in high school. It all started because of that school trip seven years ago or at least you realized it started during that school trip. Overtime you had a few classes with him, and you somehow ended up working on many projects together. So yes, to some extent you were kind of close, but your relationship never went beyond that. 

When you were graduating you said something to him that alluded to the fact that you had feelings for him. You tried to keep it really subtle because you didn't want to ruin the existing relationship between the two of you. 

To your surprise, his response also seemed to suggest that you had a special place in his heart. But you both didn't add anything else. Whether what he said meant that he liked you or not you would have no idea because, after that, you never talked about that day ever again. 

Over the years you imagined that you had gotten over Mark but since you didn't develop feelings for anyone else it was hard for you to determine whether that was actually true, or you were just illuding yourself. Also, you realized that you still kind of had a soft spot for him every time you had group calls with your friends.

The lift soon came to a stop. This made you realize that you had reached the designated area for sledding at the top of the mountain. You walked as you tried to find an area with not too many people. Once you found the right spot all your friends quickly set off since they each had their own sled. 

The thought of sharing the sled with Mark wasn't a problem for you but you were a little worried as to whether you would feel anything. Well, you were over him you thought, so there was nothing you should have been scared about. 

"So how should we do this?" I ask. 

"You can sit at the front." 

"Ok" 

So, you and Mark fumbled and eventually both fit on the sled.

"Ok I think we're fine now," you say as you rest your feet on the front part of the sled.

"Yea. Actually… Yuna, there's something I want to tell yo-" Mark was cut off by the sled starting to slide down the hill.

You hadn't been sledding in such a long time and so you were a little nervous and since you just suddenly started to slide down the hill. The shock made you let out a small scream. Hearing you scream, Mark held on to your waist. When he did that a warm feeling spread through your body. For a second that distracted you from all the snow flying in your faces. 

By the time you reach the bottom of the hill, you both start to laugh. It takes a few seconds before you both get off the sled. 

"Wow that was... that was fun," Mark says. 

"Yea... I haven't done this ever since that school trip you know?"

"Same here. By the way... have you moved on... ever since then?" he asks. 

You look at him, surprised that he brought it up. You didn’t know how to reply. Should you just be honest? But then what if he said he moved on when you hadn’t you would only feel embarrassed. A vague answer was better. 

"Maybe..." you reply trying to remain ambiguous.

"Ok. Well, I haven't" he says.

Hearing that made your heart leap with joy. Also, now you were determined to be honest with him.

"To be honest I haven't moved on either" you replied confidently. 

You both look at each other and Mark suddenly pulls you towards him. His arms secured you in a grip which was followed by the sound of snowballs falling right behind you. That’s when you understood why he suddenly pulled you closer to him. You let out a small laugh since you’d been so immersed in that moment. 

"You ok?" Mark asks. 

He was still holding you in his strong arms. You look at him and nod. Your heart continues to beat faster and that's when you realized how much you had missed him all this time. The idea that you had moved on was a lie. It’s funny that all it took was one action to make you fall for him all over again. One action that destroyed all the walls that you put up. 

"What are you guys doing? Come on, come over here" your friends called out. 

He suddenly let you go after your friends said that. 

"Coming" you reply.

"Should we catch up later then?" He asks.

"Yes, let's meet up later" you add with a smile. 

He takes your hand and you run over towards your friends. It's funny how seven years ago you realized how you truly felt about him after riding down that hill. Now seven years later after riding down that hill, you realized that your feelings for him hadn't changed.