Tukk.. tukk..
My fingers wouldn't stay still, continuously tapping as I thought about how and what to say. I hoped she'd accept it. My gaze drifted toward Rose, who was still taking notes. The distance between us was 3 x 2 from where I sat (at the very edge).
"Soon...."
Time kept ticking, jumping from second to second, minute to minute, hour to hour. Until the moment finally arrived.
Kriiing... The sound of the dismissal bell.
The classroom grew noisy as students slowly left one by one—some carrying guitars, chessboards, and even rackets.
"It's time!" I stood up.
Srett... I stopped in front of Rose's desk eagerly.
"Do you wanna—"
"I can't."
"...."
I hadn't even finished asking, yet it was as if she already knew what I was about to say. Does she have psychic powers?!
"I-I didn't even get to—"
"You were gonna invite me to your house again, right? I know." Rose replied while cleaning her glasses with the edge of her shirt.
"So... you can't again?" I tried to slip a hint of sadness into my voice. Rose had already rejected me three times, but I still hoped. Even though I just wanted to show her my shell collection.
"Yeah. Sorry, there's another family event today. Wanna come?" Rose asked while packing her things.
I really wanted to go, but I was shy and struggled to adapt to city kids like Rose. Yet, my heart pounded wildly. To Rose's house? The one filled with expensive paintings and uniformed servants?
"No, it's fine..." Even though I really wanted to! But what if I held the spoon wrong? My dignity would be shattered T_T
"Why? Are you embarrassed?" Rose retorted.
I froze—her words hit the mark. My tongue tied, unsure how to respond.
"Well... I guess... I just don't fit in." I rubbed the back of my neck.
Rose continued packing, double-checking her desk for anything left behind.
"Is it because you're a village kid?"
Her words silenced me. I couldn't answer right away. It felt like an undeniable truth.
I gripped my arm, turning my face away in embarrassment—and a bit of hidden disappointment.
"I guess. Yeah." Why didn't I just say "no"? Maybe it was true... I was insecure.
My fingers tightened around my sleeve.
"What's the problem? Just because you're from the village doesn't mean you can't join. Drop that 'pride' of yours."
Rose scolded me. To her, things like this weren't worth being prideful about.
"Well... I know. But it's fine. Maybe next time."
Rose furrowed her brows. I knew that meant disappointment. But my pride still won that day.
The classroom fell into a heavy silence—pride and disappointment tangled together. The cool breeze slipping through the window silently witnessed our conversation.
"Huff... Don't be proud over something like this. Being a village kid doesn't make you different."
Rose lectured me. She was always strict, but whenever she nagged and started preaching, it reminded me... as if she was scolding me again.
"You and I are the same. I used to be a village kid too, but my parents' work brought me to the city."
I stayed quiet, staring at the ground. I was just prideful and... ashamed. Feeling the gap between us.
Rose sighed.
"Huff... Trust me. You won't change, even if I leave."
"Sor—" My apology got stuck. I just didn't want Rose to have a friend like me. Who knows what her family would say about her later?
"Fine. When I have time, I'll come to your house." Rose slung her bag over her shoulder.
My head shot up. "Promise?!"
My pinky shot up instantly, as if my pride had vanished just like that.
"But sometimes, you have to accept my invitations too." Rose hooked her finger with mine.
"OKAY! I promise!"
"Hmm... You'll probably make excuses again." She teased.
"Ehhh!! No way!"
"You will."
We walked together to the school gate, chatting lightly while other students lingered around. When we got there, we parted ways—Rose was picked up by her family's servant in a car, and I waved goodbye.
"Bye!"
"Yeah, bye."
Rose gave a small smile with a stiff wave.
The evening wind slipped in gently, calming my conflicted heart. The car slowly disappeared from sight. It felt so lonely after parting, even if just temporarily. Yet, a small promise was enough to make me this happy.
I walked home along the usual path—petting stray cats, teasing passing birds, and greeting the world that never truly changed... even as my heart trembled.
"Hey, mister!" I called out to anyone passing by—just to make things lively.
"Oh, hey."
Then...
*
"Heeelp—!" (Snow → chased by a dog)
"S-sorry!" The dog's owner, a young man, apologized.
"I-it's fine. I'm okay."
"GRR!" The dog looked angry—was its owner a hothead too?
I'm Snow. Yes, Snow! My name wasn't chosen randomly—I was born when snow fell. I'm 14, still in middle school. And this white hair? It's inherited from my dad. Cool, right?
I was born a village kid, maybe too dependent on others. Honestly, I can't do much, but I won't stay like this forever. Maybe. Hehe.
About my family? I'll tell that story later!
And! My friend's name is Rose. She's a genius, quiet, kind, and caring toward me—though a bit naggy when she's annoyed. Still, she's always there for me.
I don't know how we started talking when we didn't even know each other before. We share the same hobby—appreciating art like music and songs.
Snow stopped, focusing on the park where 5-year-olds were playing.
I remembered something. The park where I used to play—alone, without friends. The swing was my favorite. It felt... like seven years ago.
~~~~~
Seven years earlier.
The dark sky poured its sorrow over the small park.
I sat in a tiny gazebo, legs folded, hugging myself for warmth.
Quiet. Lonely. Cold. Noisy.
Achoo...
No one to talk to—except the sky, which seemed sad seeing me like this.
Tap... Tap...
Small footsteps approached. I didn't know who it was until I looked up. A small yellow umbrella, with a duck-patterned raincoat. I remember that.
"Are you alone?"
That voice—the first I'd heard. She was the first person to talk to me. Rose.
~~~~~
Now, many kids played there.
"Hah... It's been so long."
That memory passed so quickly, yet it felt like just yesterday.
"I should hurry." I started running, heading to the flower shop. Luckily, I knew the owner.
"Granny Kamara... I want to buy..." I said softly.
The old woman emerged from the counter, walking slowly toward me with a plastic bag of flowers.
"Going there again?" Her voice was frail with age.
"Yeah." I smiled.
She handed me the bag—red and blue roses inside.
"Take them. No need to pay."
I wasn't surprised—this happened every time I came to buy flowers.
"Just once is fine, Granny. You always give them for free. So... let me pay this time."
I pulled money from my pocket.
Just as I was about to pay, Granny Kamara gripped my hand tightly, signaling "keep it."
"It's fine. Maybe this is the only kindness I can give you."
I froze. My heart melted hearing that. Every time she refused, I felt guilty. I wanted to pay, just once.
But I knew she wouldn't accept it no matter what. "Thanks, Granny. I hope you stay healthy."
I kissed her cheek.
"Be careful on the road."
"Yeah! Thanks, Granny." I ran off, clutching the flowers tightly—my way of saying thanks.
[The Sea Divide Graveyard]
A calm wind under a clear sky. Trees swayed as if waving, birds chirped, livening the atmosphere.
Me, standing again. In this place, every week.
"Week 364."
In front of me were two graves. Yes, they were my parents—my father and mother.
I crouched, cleaning around the tombstones before placing a red rose for Dad and a blue rose for Mom.
"It's been so long." My voice was low, filled with longing.
"It's been so long."
The soothing breeze came and went—like memories of missing them, sometimes remembered, sometimes forgotten.
I raised my hands and prayed.
Deep in my heart, I prayed for them. They were the ones who understood me most. Now... maybe I'm the one who has to understand myself.
The prayer ended, and I exhaled in relief.
"Rest well there. Don't worry."
"I'll be okay. But please watch over me, wherever I am."
My fingers gently traced the engraved names on the stone—but what made me happiest were their birthdates. Kyires, July 17, 1974. Nayra, September 18, 1983.
It felt so warm touching them. I often feel alone... not because there's no one around, but because no one can replace you both.
I wiped my falling tears with my sleeve. Every time I'm here, I can't hold back my sobs.
"I love you both." My voice cracked, barely coming out.
"Thank you... for raising me. Thank you for being with me."
At that moment, time slowed. I couldn't hold back my tears—just this once, let me spill what I've kept inside. Just once.
—————