1 BLUE

A satisfying symphony of color painted the wide spacious garden. Red orange leaves carpeted the bland brown earth. Pink ranunculus and chrysanthemums sweetly stood amongst the shade of the red maple trees giving a sweet touch to the melancholic scenery. Spiced up with vibrant hues of greens mixed with a relaxing aroma of minty floral in the air. A melancholic soul sat amidst a heart quenching view. Her cold blue eyes blankly gazes at the orangey skies. Tears collect around the corners on those deep seated eyes.

Her melancholic heart sighed. A masquerade is coming up in a week's time. Being reticent among her peers fear engulfs around that they would come scrutinizing her of things. Hiding underneath a mask of a sweet and happy eloquent girl a dejected warrior rests.

The glamour of yesterday have come and go. A rich and popular lot vanished in the passing eons. Forgotten by the world whom they cared so much. They live their days in the quiet shade of the lapis lazuli. Using a common name to conceal themselves allowing them to walk amongst the proud and cruel genteel who buried them in their graves of embarrassment and failure.

Suddenly, out of the blue a mesmerizing letter arrives. Shaking the peaceful roof of a commoner's house. The sky broke and loud thunder roared with the clash of lightning. Their quiet lives troubled.

"Your name is Seri," the family head told her one night. "Remember that."

It had been five years since she last attended a masquerade. And it was probably the last one.

With a sigh, those skinny legs brought her up to slowly walk downhill towards a little town by the sea. Oceania is what the folks call it. A little island separated from the mainland surrouded by the vast blue sea. A long winding road is the only thing that connects it which is only visible during the low tide.

She heaves a sigh and quietly walked the long quiet road. Her long silvery strands swayed behind her. Long that it covered her entire petit silhouette.

"Such a peaceful little town," she sighed again. She keeps a quick pace realizing the burning sun is wearing her energy down. She isn't used to this kind of weather and there are less vehicles passing which made her situation worse.

Screeching fast. The wheels of a black vehicle is in turbo mode. Suddenly, the clear view becomes foggy of dust. Clouds of brown fog is left behind its trail.

Coughing. She glared at the fading vehicle from a distance while covering her nose and mouth.

"So despicable!" she coughed. "So there are people like that around here too! Ugh!"

She waved her hands to clear the air around her. She could hardly breathe from all that dust. As she busied herself another vehicle arrived. This one is honking at her.

Beep! Beep!

"Huh?" startled, she turned around and saw another black vehicle. This one is strange looking making her feel cautious.

Slowly, the windshield from the passenger's side opened. A handsome looking guy peeked from there. His dark silky hair floated in the blowing wind outside. Those deep grey eyes invitingly stared at her.

"Need a lift?" he asked gently.

"No thanks," she turned away. "I'm good."

Her heart quickened. Her cheeks burned hot. Her body itching to make a sprint. For one look at him she felt they already met but wasn't sure when and where. She had forgotten.

Beep! Beep!

The driver kept honking. However, she kept on ignoring and continued walking fast.

"This gal," he smiled feeling amused.

"Young master," the driver is worried. "Do you happen to know her?"

"She kind of look familiar," he replied. "I wanted to confirm myself. Somehow, few clues are already in front of me..."

The driver shook his head and obeyed his instructions. He cannot question the young master. But whatever they do, the girl they are following constantly ignores them.

"So annoying!" she thought while keeping her composure.

"Young master!" the driver cried seeing he had exited the vehicle to chase her.

"I'll be fine!" he assured the driver. "And please don't call me that! You'll break my cover!"

Confused. The driver drove the vehicle closely behind watching the young master.

"It is hot," he said aloud from behind her.

Surprised to hear his voice she turned around to see him catching up with her. His grey eyes met her bright blue sending waves of sparks between them. Hearts are going badump!

"This guy," she thought biting her lips. "This feeling is the same thing that I had that day! Not good!"

Those bright blue eyes blinked cautiously scrutinizing him from head to foot. His build is medium with a height around six foot five. His aura is calm and cheerful. And the way he stood, even the way he walks and the way he speak reminds her of one person.

"Aren't you lonely to be by yourself?" he asked her with concern.

"That," she thought as the memory of that one night flashed before her eyes. She remembered making her snort and turned away to igore him again. Hoping he'd quit.

"Seri?" he suddenly blurted out.

Hearing the name, she halted a few steps away from him.

"Seri Gomez?" he said it completely in an excited tone. "Am I right?"

Her body froze all of a sudden. Memories of that one night came flashing before her eyes. Her heart trembled within her.

It felt like yesterday she danced with him among the crowd of genteel. Wearing that light blue mask beautified with silvery stones her face is entirely covered leaving only her eyes and lips making everyone wonder who is the fair lady behind it. She still remembered the warmth of his touch gently holding her little hand in his as they danced around the room mesmerizing everyone.

But that was years ago. She had not anticipated this meeting and that he would recognize her with just one look. She had only exchanged a few words with him back then without exposing herself. Yet she wondered how this guy figured out she and that maiden is one?

With a cheerful smile he looked at her confirming his guess is right. Her reaction is speaking for it making him feel satisfied. His trip to Oceania is worth it knowing the girl he longed to see is found.

Taking a deep breath, she turned around. Her legs quickly bent preparing for a sprint. She isn't ready to see him. Not ready to cross path with him. With a pounce inside her chest her legs made a rush and sprinted fast. The young lad is left behind with a surprised expression.

"She ran," he said puzzled. It took him a moment before he recovered. The driver shrugged shoulders as a reply to his confused expression.

"Do I look scary?" he put it into words.

"No," the driver shook his head.

"Then why did she ran?" he is puzzled.

Panting. Seri entered the employees entrance located at the back of the cafe. Mr. Lance greeted her with a warm smile and she replied with a cheerful greeting. Further in, Lea meets her. The tall brunette shove her the newly ironed chefs coat and all she can say is 'Thanks!' Then Carla would pull her away towards the kitchen and showed her the long list of customers order.

With a sigh of relief she awoke from that nightmare earlier and prepared herself for todays work. She cannot have him ruining her day. She had so much to do in the cafe. Everyone is counting on her.