Chapter XXV

Wednesday, 7:09 A.M.

Mikael’s POV

The skies are clear, a light hue of azure; I peer into the blue, just like that day she was observing me from afar, out of sight. The day I met Esteire.

What before seemed so recent now seems so far gone, as if they were memories of the distant past. And then I wonder, as time drifts by, will I forget them like other memories?

But right now, it’s too difficult to think that far in the future. Right now, I can only think of her.

Today is the last day.

Do I go to her? Make her stay? Or let her go?

It’s no use. Despite the tender moments we’ve shared, I’m just another person she’s leaving behind, no one important enough to make her hang on to her life here, not even a sister, not even all of us combined.

A hard stick whacks into my forehead, forcing me out from my brooding. Cursing, I look at my offender. A pole. Of course.

Then a thought hits me. This was just like that day. However, there’s no Elisa stopping me from colliding into that pole....no Esteire secretly witnessing the whole incident.

Something sears in my eyes and I lift a hand reflexively. I’m glad there’s no one watching me as my eyes water, as I wipe away each tear before it falls, no matter how much I wished a certain midnight haired girl was.

Before I knew it, the day was over without any sight of her. I had gotten glances from her sister though, but I ignored them.

I had hoped maybe Esteire would come to at least say goodbye, but it was a false hope.

As I trudged along up the pavement home my mind wanders to her once more. The voice like a whisper of the breeze.

“Hey.”

“Hey! I’m talking to you!”

“That wasn’t very polite, you know.”

“You could be kinder after you bumped into her this morning.”

“Hello, I’m Esteire and this is my sister. We’re exchange students from America.”

“Perhaps if you didn’t desert Elisa yesterday, you wouldn’t have so much boring time to yourself.”

“Almost.”

“Only an amateur would crash into something.”

“Anyway, you should check out what Elisa has done so far.”

“I helped her, so you owe me one.”

“I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing?”

“Tee-hee!”

I whip my head around. I can hear it. I can hear her laugh!

Where are you? I can’t see you!

She isn’t anywhere. Anywhere.

But I can hear it... a gentle drawn out tinkling of chrome chimes carried away by the wind, shivering through the leaves above.

Is that you?

I peer into the dense foliage and lift my hand slowly, my heart slowing as time seems to lag as if the air had become viscous.

The wind hisses, strewing the branches and causing them to clatter emptily. The boughs blank of sedentary beings.

“Oh, I’m sorry, you must be surprised. But when I saw how you two-”

“Mikael, I can show you if you like. That is, if you’re still interested.”

“Why thank you good sir. Lead the way.”

“Esteire.”

A flash of ebony.

I strain myself to not look, telling myself it’s another false alarm.

A glint of sapphire.

I squeeze my eyes. A false alarm... A false alarm...

A transient touch.

I open my eyes.

“So, here it is.”

“Not much. She had done most of it already. I really just edited it.”

“No, you idiot.”

She stood before me.

“Mm?”

Her hair billowed in the soft breeze.

“Hey, that tickles.”

“Through my hair?”

“Mikael,” she half whispers, lowering her eyes.

“Do you want me to look at you?”

“Look at me Esteire.”

“Do you?”

She looked up, her eyes glimmering.

And then they closed. 

She was turning around, her hair sweeping into my vision.

“Silly strand of hair; trying to poke Red in the eye.”

My knees jolt, my hands reach.

“Don’t leave me!”

“Who’re you?”

Her head turns.

“...Esteire.”

Her lips move, uttering silent words.

“Elisabeth.”

I move towards her again.

“Hello Lucien.”

A soft and sad smile glances her mouth.

“Esteire. And this is my sister, Elisa.”

My voice chokes out, “Why are you leaving?!”

“Huh? What ever made you think that?”

She stops.

“Faithfully.”

“I love you.”

~

“Whoa there!”

The stone scrabbled against the concrete, my toe not feeling the dull ache that throbbed immediately after.

My head wheels backwards and my eyes crash into blue.

She left and never once looked back.

I didn’t say anything to stop her.

“It was lovely, thank you.”

My eyes closed. Despite my attempts, once I started reminiscing, I couldn’t stop the memories from flowing.

“Something wrong Red?”

Everything’s wrong.

“Mikael?”

I nearly fall backwards trying to see who it is.

Lucien.

“What’re you doing here?” I ask.

He raises an eyebrow.

“My house is this way?” he replies.

I half-heartedly chuckle. “Right.”

Catching up to me he matched me pace for pace.

My eyes veer towards his stoic figure as he copies my slow tread.

“Go on ahead.”

He opens his mouth to protest.

“Just do it.”

I watch as his form distances until he’s smaller than a speck.

“Well, I need to go; see you around.”

I sigh.

“Hm? What is it?”

I was alone once more.

“I’ll be there.”

The seconds tick by and the wind buffets my hair.

“Not exactly, I’ll just be there...”

So where are you now?

Author's Note

Final POV chapter. Last chapter is third person. (Whoo so many speaker changes, don't you love it! <-sarcasm) If you figure out who is actually "speaking" to Mikael, good job!