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~Jade's pov~

Dear old friend,

I am writing those words for our past memories that we charred in our previous life; where we passed through rainy nights and sunny days...

Your poker face was what attracted me the most, I had melt in your cold blood, your sweet voice was my favorite melody, I had felt for your mysterious beauty that hides many secrets.

That look on your face when you saw me for the first time on the bus, with my messy and unorganized self. My hair was only held up with a drawing pencil, and some strands falling down my neck. One of my hands covering up plenty of notebooks and papers on my chest. While the other one, trying to hold onto something to climb up into the bus. Suddenly, the vehicle sharply stopped that made me on the rim to fall down and ruin everything. But you helped me, held my arm, without saying a word. My cheeks got red, my heart started skipping a beat, that was our first skin ship. There was an empty place next to you, so you offered it. When we sat down next to each other, we both looked forward, trying to avoid any eye contact, I've felt that you were nervous same as me. When we both made up our almost falling eyeglasses. What a coincidence! A tiny laugh came out from me, and then you smiled back, looked at me with those worried eyes, that tells "watch out next time, you messy girl".

Few moments later, we stopped at the same station, but each one of us took a different direction.

The next day, I've met you again, saluted with smile without saying a word. The day after too, and the same scene happened over and over again, each morning. But your reaction changed each time; we started knowing each other, feeling each other, smiling to each other. I always wanted to start a chat but my words and thoughts keeps running away from me, as if my mind blocks every time I see you.

I still remember the first time when I heard your voice, on that rainy, cold day, when you said:

"Rainy days are my favorite. They make me feel as if the sky had already enough from holding its misery for so long. Till it exploded with tears, and created fear in the majority of people's hearts, that sneak around and try to find a roof to hide under. Only those who can feel it's sorrow, stand in the middle of nowhere and let the rain touch their skin and let all of the pain drown".

I've kept looking at you for so long, and for a while, I had a sensation that those words weren't meant for me, until you stared into my eyes, smiled and said "I think we both are rain lovers".

How soft was it to feel your warmth in the middle of the winter. As if you were an iced block that hides the sun inside her words.

We knew each other better after couple of weeks, months. Enjoyed talking about the weather, looking through the window to an entire different world from what I used to see, even the people changed into amazing creatures, and the streets were full of life.

Sincerely, at first sight, you looked heartless. But the more I watch you holding your psychology book, drinking your morning coffee, eyeing to nowhere. The more I admire you.

And for one day you asked me: "What you're doing in your life?"

I felt so shy and shocked. I've never expected that you'd care about who I am. I thought I was just a random stranger to you that would keep you company on your daily route. However, I answered:

"I enjoy painting".

I actually felt so embarrassed for the first moment because I've heard plenty of times that art can't make me survive in this world where there's no mercy, that it isn't a stable job, it can't bring me a good life. But I've always been a rebellious girl, chased my dream, and did what I truly love.

"- That's quite interesting, you said.

-Maybe...

- May I have the honor to see some of your art pieces?"

You smiled at me, and I couldn't hold myself and reject your request.

My favorite pink sketchbook was the first that came out from my backpack, so I showed you some of my drawings; of different people that I met but never talked to on the street, animals in different sizes and shapes, some of my fantasy monsters and mermaids, till you remarked couple of pages that contains the same person. A girl wearing a long jacket, and a pair of boots. With tiny eyes under those round metal eyeglasses. With that straight short hair and a bang covering a part of her face. Her facial expressions were so clear that anyone could know who that person is. It was "YOU".

I was so humiliated when you remarked it. I tried to explain myself by saying: "It's just a weird habit of mine. I like drawing people to remember them instead of taking pictures because illustrations show the way I felt the person's curves and the vibes that I felt from them". When I said that I realized that I've only made my love to her more obvious, *I think that this word "LOVE" is so strong... But maybe I've already fallen for her*. Then added: "it's nothing important, I can show you other drawings maybe, those are just random sketches that aren't made correctly".

You nodded. Then, while searching into my bag for another sketchbook that would be less creepy. All of a sudden, your eyes has gotten wider. And with your finger, you pointed at a small brown vintage agenda, written on the cover "Creatures". Where I usually draw some weird creatures. *well, obviously...*

We kept talking after about my monsters and fantasy world. It was the longest chat that we ever had in the first four months. You were surprised when I told you that I could see those creatures same as I see the real world, as if they do exist around us and they stand next to each one of us, they were like guards, my friend was named "storm". He was a sea snake with huge teeth, and a tail in a shape of a storm. He got many abilities, same as crashing those who made harm to me by his strong loud screams. He's actually so calm and can make me feel safe each time I fear something, each time I get mad, he's my source of inspiration and peace. Your guard was a little bit different. I could clearly see that it was made by fire, a little burning fairy, I liked to call her "fire head", I've thought that she may be the reason of your warmness, she was the spark that lights your road, and actually the one who guides you until you face your destiny, your future, until you face the unknown.

The day after, I became more curious about you, just like a child that went out to the world for the first time, or like a little puppy that wanna discover more. Beside my inattentiveness that often brought me troubles. I thought that knowing you was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me in my whole life. Even if I used to see you for few minutes each day, but they were the best instants and my favorite ones; which bright my way with your wonderful eyes that keep looking forward and rarely meet other's faces. Nevertheless, you looked at me each morning with a tiny smile, with only one corner of your lips moving.

Your eyes had fire inside them, which always made me feel warm; however, I was anxious that, one day, they might burn me until I disappear from life. No more hope, no more breathing.

"Do you believe in life after death?" Was the question that kept stuck inside my mind, destroying me and making me suffer whenever I think of it. That mystery has a long story behind.

…

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