1 Chroma

I want to fall in love. I want to experience the warmth of my cheeks every time I see my

significant other, the giggles of mine every time a boy makes a funny joke, the smile on my face

every time I say I love you, and the time when our hands touch, vibrant colors appear— that's

when you'll know that you two have mutual feelings.

My mom said that every time you touch his hand, you'll experience the appearance of hues or

what she likes to call, the "Chroma." If you encounter this with someone, this means that is your

soul mate. My mother and my father encountered it when they first held their hands together.

They both agreed that it was the most beautiful thing that they ever experienced in their lives. I

have never found my soul mate, but I want to know how special this Chroma really is. Maybe,

just maybe I can experience it this year.

The morning breeze envelopes me as I open the door towards the outside world. "First day of

school. A stressful year again..." I sighed. As I walked the asphalt streets, I saw a familiar face

smiling at me.

"Scarlett!" She happily yelled. She ran towards me and hugged me. "I missed you so much!"

"Violet, I missed you too!!" I hugged back. We stopped hugging and she whispered, "I heard

there's a new transferee, and he's handsome as hell." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Violet, no." I uttered.

"Well, as your best friend it is my duty to make you happy and what makes you happy is to

experience Chroma!" Luckily for Violet, she already met the love of her life. I feel touched to

know she wants to make me happy, but I just smiled at her and continued walking towards the

path that led me to school.

It's 7 o'clock and we must be at our designated classrooms. I'm in the same class as Violet so,

there's nothing to worry about. Our class adviser enters our classroom and of course, we need to

introduce ourselves.

It was my turn and when I got in front, I saw someone at the back seat. His jet-black hair that

covers his forehead, his stare and smile that makes me nervous, and his face that isn't

familiar. Maybe he's the transfer student Violet was talking about and she's right. "I'm Scarlett

Rose and I hope to have a great year with you all." I smile. I glanced to where he was sitting, and

I saw him smiled. It feels as if there were butterflies inside my stomach.

It was his turn, and I gave all my attention to him. "My name is Ash Grey. I hope to have a great

year with you all." He smiles. Wait, did he copy what I said?

The bell rang and we went to the cafeteria. I told Violet what happened, and she excitedly said,

"You should touch his hand! Maybe he's your soul mate!"

"Well, maybe he isn't.." I gloomily said. I don't want to get my hopes up for nothing. She

grabbed my hands and looked at me straight into my eyes, "We need to know, you need to know

and besides, it will make you happy if you experience Chroma with him." She then smiles.

The bell rang again stating that our next class had begun. All of our classes were just

introductions, and it was kind of boring, but I had fun because I'm with my best friend, Violet.

It was already dismissal time, and once the bell rang, we started to pack our things. "Scarlett, I'll bump into Ash and you should pick up his things and make sure you'll touch his hand." She whispered. "Violet are you crazy?" I whispered back.

She put her index finger on her two lips and smiled. As Ash exits the classroom, Violet ran

toward him and bumped into him causing his things to fall. She continued running towards the

locker room. She's really serious...

I walked towards Ash. He's picking up his books on the ground. "Let me help you." I insisted.

He looked up, saw me, and smiled. "Sure!" Once I pick up his book, I'll give this to him and I

will touch his hand.

I wish he's the one. I stretched my arm to give his book. He touched my fingers as I gave his

book to him and finally, I saw it. I saw the vivid hues, the vibrant colors that didn't hurt my

eyes— the Chroma. It felt as if I was in a colorful meadow. It felt like a dream—a dream that I

didn't want to wake up.

"So, I'll be going now, Scarlett. See you tomorrow." He smiled at me. I stood there looking at

his back, frozen as I realized he was the one.

As soon as I got home, I messaged Violet about what happened. We talked on the phone and she kept on yelling. I was supposed to be angry because she's screaming but, perhaps it made me

happy to know that she's happy for me.

✦ ✦ ✦

As I looked outside my window, I saw snow falling. It's Christmas! Okay, I know what you're

going to say, Ash and I should be close by now but, it seems like fate hasn't decided to make a

move yet. I'm planning on confessing to him, and I hope he does too!

You should confess to Ash when we arrive at the plaza. There's a gigantic Christmas tree there,

and it will be hella romantic." Violet stated.

"I'll do that. Thanks for the suggestion, Violet!" I smiled.

It was our break time, and I was going to invite Ash to come with us to the plaza this Saturday

night. I walked towards Ash, and it felt like time was getting slower, just by looking at him it felt

like I was experiencing Chroma again. "Hey Ash!" I spoke. "Oh hey!" He smiled.

His smile never fails to make my heart flutter. "I was wondering if you want to come with us to

the plaza this Saturday night." I said. "I think I'm free that day. I'll go!" He happily said.

✦ ✦ ✦

Today's the day when I will finally confess to Ash. I hope this is the step fate wants me to do.

I'm with Ash, Violet, and Violet's boyfriend, Indigo. It feels like we're having a double date,

and I'm not complaining.

The dark starry sky appeared before us and it was time to see the massive Christmas tree. "You

should go to the Christmas tree, Indigo and I will try to leave you two alone." Violet winks and

then she whispered close to my ear, "I'm rooting for you." But before she leaves, she took my

mittens and ran together holding hands with Indigo. Violet, I know what you're planning.

As we arrive to the Christmas tree, my hands got cold. It's Violet's fault! Ash noticed that I kept

rubbing my hands together. He removed his mittens and gave them to me. "Here, I don't want to

see you getting cold at all." He said but I didn't accept his offer. "No, I won't accept that. If you

don't like seeing me getting cold, I can't see you get cold either."

He scratches the back of his head, "Then maybe, we should hold hands?" He asked shyly while

avoiding eye contact. When he realized what he had just said, he blushed and said, "It's for body

heat!" I chuckled at the face he's making. "Well, okay then." I hold his hand and I saw the

colorful hues appeared again. This feeling, it is so lovely.

While looking at the gigantic Christmas tree, I called out his name. "Ash."

"Yes?" He said.

"Do you know Chroma?" I asked.

"Of course, I know Chroma. Everyone experiences that in some point of our lives." He

answered.

"Can you see it right at this moment?"

He replied, "No."

THE END.