Play by the Rules of Him: When the Leaves Fall

Late autumn transformed all world in its domain.  

Dark clouds left only a small piece for sun on the sky. They wanted to say that there was no place for something bright. Despite the day continued to survive in such cruel conditions and the sun was seeping through the dense crowns of trees. There was no one in the park, only two people were sitting on the bench. She was sitting on the pew with feet up and listened to him very carefully, even though she didn`t understand what he said.  

– Do you remember how to use this camera? Exactly?  

– Yeah, I think so, thank you! You waste your time with me.  

– Repeat what I have told you today. I want to make sure that you understand everything, – he said.  

– I… I think… I need more practice, – she smiled shyly.  

– No, tell me now. It was you who ask me to help with this old camera. I need to know that I kept my promise. Moreover, you're not a dumb girl, are you? – he looked at her with a sneer.  

– Of course, no! I remember everything you told me. You should know that I am the best student in my school. I am a good learner, – she interrupted the phrase abruptly and covered her mouth with her hands.  

His disappointed and arrogant sight shamed her.  

– Ok, I start, – she continued. To begin with, we need to adjust the lens aperture. We have to take into account how much light is in the place where we take photos. If there is a lot of light, we should tune to the indicator…, – she interrupted.  

– Let`s keep going, – he growled impatiently taking a puff of a cigarette.  

– Spell it out again, please.  

He flicked the cigarette nervously and continued:  

– Put it like that: when the sun is so bright like in a desert, and you can`t raise your eyes, you have to customize the biggest rate. In that case, the lens aperture will be narrow and your photos won`t be highlighted. And vice versa. Understand?  

– Oh, yeah. Thanks, I will practice a lot! I will try my best, – she said not taking her eyes off him who was smoking the next cigarette.  

– No, Maya, you made a mistake in your phrase. You won`t practice in the future. You are going to take the first photo now. I`m not going to meet with you again and explain the same things.  

– I am not so good at this. So, I will feel insecure about finding a suitable frame, if you are here.  

– And you want to be a photographer? Please, stop these childish talks.  

– Can I do it later?  

– …., – he stared at her.  

– Maybe you are right. I should try.  

She stood up from the bench and look through the whole park, glancing at every place that touched her heart. They were alone there and she felt the ripples of peace. After a while swirling leaves started to fall from the trees that seemed so tall that held the sky. The wind was getting stronger.  

– I need one. I need to catch only one, – she ran to the terrifying tornado of dry leaves trying to get his attention.  

– Oh, Maya, stop, please. What are you doing again, restless girl? I won`t run after you. You can do everything you want.  

– Let's try not to get bored! Do you know an omen about a maple leaf? – she looked at him with a teasing look trying to make him interested in her words.  

– No, Maya.  

She tried unsuccessfully to grab at least one leaf. Her body intuitively followed after every falling leaf. It was about 5 meters between them. This destination got her a chance to stare at him carefully, remembering all his moves, his strict and calm face. He appeared near her very fast and she runs away again, pretending to catch the leaf. And again, she made a distance between them.  

– Let`s catch it for me, ah? Can you do this? And I will tell you the meaning of this omen, – she screamed.  

– You didn`t answer, what are you doing? Don’t play with me.  

– Firstly, catch one leaf for me.  

“If you catch a falling maple leaf near the person you love, he will have a crush on you”  

He raised his hand and the leaf immediately appeared in his hand.  

– How? You do this! Wow! Give it to me, – she reached for a leaf in his hand, but he automatically raised his hand.  

Her eyes expressed bewilderment:  

– Give it to me, – she repeated, but without courage which was before.  

– Maya, why do you ask me to do all these foolish things? Why do you ask me to catch this small maple leaf for you that means nothing? Maya, you should know that in any case, I will take it from you. It`s so nave to suppose that I will catch it special for you. Or you think so? – his smiled eyes stared straight at her confused figure.  

He released the leaf from his hand and allowed it to soar freely in the air. Her childish omen turned into nothing. All “like” and “love” became “indifference”. She didn`t know that it was the last time she saw him.