Christian Simoune

Christian thought that it was the end of everything. His life would end, along with his passion and career. He felt guilty that Ezekiel will also die with him. Ezekiel just got promoted to a higher opportunity. And he, himself just started to bloom as a writer. It was a short journey for them. Just like how tragic novel develop its climatic scene, he started reminiscing his growth as a writer. 

Christian Simoune during his middle school. He was this introverted student who loves reading books. Despite of him being an introvert, he found a way to express his feelings. Ironically speaking, his vocabulary are not broad compare to his classmates. Although, he can make poems and short stories that will truly melt every teacher's heart. His teachers could see the passion arising from him in terms of literature pieces. They can always see Christian reading a book during break times and vacant times. 'Maybe he wanted to extend his vocabulary.' His english teacher assumed. So, his english teacher talked to him. At first, Christian did not pay attention to what his teacher is saying. He just simply nod his head and leave the faculty room. On the other hand, his teacher was full of hope that Christian would submit a poem for a certain contest. Who knows, maybe it will be his turning point. However, writing is just a way for him to express his unspoken feelings. He can't see himself being a competitive writer, or even an author of a novel. He felt that no one will read his piece, so he assumed that he will just waste his time and effort. 

His mom picked him up after school. But before they went home, his teacher talked to his mom. Christian could hear them talking about the contest, which he really doesn't want to join. He silently walked away from them, heading outside the school's building. "Sunset." He murmured. HIs eyes widened, as the sunray meets his pale face. He was astonished. "B-beautiful." He stuttered. Christian could not find the right word to describe it. But one thing is for sure, it caught his attention. Soon, his mother arrived. She looked at Christian before calling out his name. "Tan!" She called with a happy tone. When Christian turned around, his mother saw his boy. Smiling. It rarely happened. His mother rushed to him, and gave him a warm hug. "Dear, what happened." His mom, who is trying not to cry said. "Nothing mom." Christian assured her, giving her the warmest smile. "Let's go?" His mom asked. Christian just nodded with a smile in his face. It was truly his turning point.

When they reached home, Christian rushed into his room which made his mom worried. "Slow down, sweetie." His mom chuckled. He sat on his mini-desk, taking out a dictionary and his spare notebook from the cabinet. He started writing random things and soon, he finished writing his first ever piece. Technically, not his first piece but the first piece after his turning point.

'I could still remember the first two lines' Christian thought, as he recalls the poem he created when he was still in middle school. 

Sunset 

-Christian Simoune

"The sun will almost set, as it gives warmth

It hugged me, I could feel it inside my heart.

I wanted to experience it, before we pull apart." 

'I wish my mom still have it. I'm sorry mom.' Christian said to himself. He could still remember how happy his english teacher when he submitted a poem the next day. 'Thank you teacher.'

Christian handed to his teacher the piece he wrote last night. He was nervous, but he knew he put a lot of effort in the poem. His english teacher smiled to him, as she ruffles his hair. "Good job! Just believe, you will win." She said to Christian, giving him assurance. He just nodded, as his teacher walked away. He muttered a phrase, but his teacher didn't hear what he said. "Thank you teacher."

The next few weeks, they announced that Christian lost. Sadness consumed him. He thought that writing is not for him. Although he lost, he still came in second. "You did great Christian!" His teacher comforted him. While she is comforting Christian, she looked at the list of contestants. When she noticed that the contestants are all in eight grade except him, her face formed a bigger smile. 'Despite of the age difference, you still managed to place second.' She thought. "Cheer up, tell your mom the good news. You touched the judge's heart, that's why you came in second. That also means there is a room for improvement. Now, go." She said. Christian nodded, as he runs away to meet his mom. 'A natural born writer.' She thought. She took Christian's poem and read it. She felt overwhelmed as she reads the piece. She felt the emotions and it struck her heart. "How come this doesn't win?" She let out a chuckle. 'I will see you in the real world.' 

Christian Simoune during highschool. He became more outgoing, but he limits his circle of friends. One day, he heard that his former english teacher resigned. He thought that maybe she had better plans. On that day, he was on his way to the library. He passed by a certain someone who caught his eyes. 'She's beautiful.' He thought. He felt that his heart pounds faster than before. There was a romantic attachment he saw on the girl that he passed by. 'Shakespeare, I now believe in love at first sight.' He thought while chuckling. He shook his head to clear the weird thoughts running in his mind, and simply walked over towards the library instead. 

Christian sat on his usual place and waited for his friends to come. He got bored waiting, so he took a book on a nearby shelf. Broken by Daniel Clay. He scanned the page and thought that it was an interesting book. He returned with the book, and noticed that his friends already arrived. "Someone's missing." One of his friends noticed, as Christian sat on his seat. "Speaking of the devil." His friend added. Christian looked up and saw his friend with a girl he passed by earlier. He was stunned. "This is my soulmate..." His friend whom just arrived introduced the girl as if it pierced Christian's ear. He acted normal, shaking his hand with the girl's hand. But deep inside, he was hurting. Although they just met hours ago, it is still painful to Christian. It's like he was stabbed on his heart. He looked on the book he took at the shelf earlier. 'You jerk.' He chuckled silently. 

Because of that, he wrote his first tragic novel which caught big publishers' attention and interest. It was a great novel, it receives a lot of praise and appreciation. But, he's not happy. It feels like he couldn't recognize himself when reading the novel he written. He wanted to show his true colors through a novel. His intentions in writing changed when he wrote his first tragic novel. He wanted to impress, not to express. He decided to unwind. 

He woke up early, the sun hasn't risen yet. He looked at the clock and noticed it was 4:30AM. He rushed to his dormitory's rooftop. The sky was still dark, the stars were shining and the moon was so full and bright. It felt peaceful and comforting. Until, the sun is slowly rising. He remember the first time he felt the warmth that the sun gave. It was comforting. He observed the sun rising through the dark sky, as it gives light to its surroundings. It was truly bright to the point it struck him. He came into his sense. He remembers his original intentions in writing. He opened his arms wide, welcoming the warmth of the sun. "To hug every lonely spirit." 

'I could still remember what is my purpose in writing back then. Until now, it is still the same. It never changed.' Christian chuckled, as he recalls his purpose. 

"To give warmth to frozen heart." 

Christian Simoune during college. The time when he met the Seasons of Novelist, and Ezekiel Phillips. The five of them studied different majors. But, they did not forget to meet with each other and write a collaborative novel with Ezekiel as their critique. They were so close to each other, until a disaster came. 

"This is so tragic, it doesn't sound realistic!" Chelsea shouted. "What do you want then, this novel will be filled with flowery words?" Isaiah complained. Christian stayed silent and let them argue for a while. "And you Vinz, don't you think this is too harsh. This novel will rather receive hate than love!" Isaiah pointed Vinz out. 'Oh no.' Christian thought. Vinz furrowed his brows while looking at Isaiah. "You rather give them false expectations than say the truth? What a shame." Vinz insulted Isaiah. Isaiah was about to punch Vinz, but Christian feels that this is too much. He moved between them, as he receives the punch that came from Isaiah. 'It was a strong hit.' He thought as he passed out. They panicked. Chelsea started crying, Isaiah doesn't know what to do and Vinz started to blame Isaiah for what happened. "A tragic writer who made our friend experienced death early." Vinz mocked him. Isaiah was about to charge him but Chelsea shouted. "Stop! Christian was already unconscious and the both of you are still fighting." Vinz and Isaiah let out a sigh, carrying Christian as they went to the Infirmary. Ezekiel, who just arrived at the scene looked at the papers on the ground confused. "What happened and where are they?" He asked himself as he took the papers. He examined it and somehow, he is hooked to it. However, he felt something needs to change. 

Isaiah and Vinz kept on arguing inside the infirmary. They kept blaming each other for what happened. Chelsea, who is almost at her limit is trying to compose herself. But, she couldn't. She was about to shout when they heard Christian groaned. They approached him immediately as they keep on apologizing for what happened. Christian could see Isaiah's pained eyes, Chelsea's teary eyes and Vinz' worried eyes. He just let out a chuckle and gave them a smile. "I'm good, it was just a punch." He chuckled making the three let out a sigh in relief. "By the way, where is the draft?" He asked innocently. Isaiah, Vinz and Chelsea looked at each other, asking if they had the draft. They knew if the draft went missing, Christian would be pissed off. Christian looked at them, almost irritated that they won't give an answer. "Where--" He was cut off when Ezekiel entered the scene. "I got it." He said while showing them the papers. "When I arrived, I saw nothing but papers so I wondered what happened. I stayed for a while, trying to edit the draft. I thought some parts needed to be balance because it had an overwhelming emotions. But when I finished, I don't know where will I find you guys. However, a stranger told me you guys made a scene and rushed here. So, here am I." He explained as he handed Christian the draft. 'It looks good now.' He thought. "That's why we need an editor." Christian winked playfully to Ezekiel as they all laugh. Christian let the other three read the edited draft, and all of them share the same thoughts. "It was undeniably good!" They shouted in unison which made them chuckle. "All you guys need is a guide. I know someone who can act as a mentor to us." Ezekiel offered. Suddenly, a lady went inside the room. "Speaking of, here she is." He introduced the lady. 

The image is slowly becoming clearer and clearer as Christian continues to reminisce. 'Wait, I know who that is.' Christian eyes widened. 

"I want you to meet..." Christian did not hear completely what Ezekiel have said. 

Christian wanted to continue recalling his past but, they had already crashed. His vision becomes blurry, as well as the image. Soon, his vision turned pitch black. 

Who are you?