Red Dripping on White Snow

Two stars born to circle and co-exist, one star will naturally shine brighter than the other, and the other dies out like a crying candle.

(Calista)

Uncomfortable moonlight creeps to my eyelids. I sit up from the comfortable luxurious bed, I grab my shirt as I heavily breath with an expression that can only be described as horrified and fearful.

The events that inevitably led to my death. The horrible things those people did to me...to...us.

Wait...Us?

Finian, Finian Garten Hart...His skinny figure yet tall physique, that gentle jawline and soft eyelashes. Long flowing blonde hair that he'd always wear in a ponytail, and coal like eyes. All I remember from him was his hysterical crying...was that all?

...

Ah.

He was my best friend. Since highschool...wonder where he is now?

Oh well.

I wipe the sweat from my neck and forehead and I stand up from the tall bed. I feel the cold marble floor under my feet as I walk up to a mirror.

It's just me. Without scratches and bruises atleast.

Calista Claire Montgomery. That's my name right? It's a pretty name. Unfitting though.

I sigh softly as I comb my fingers through my bangs. I quietly looked around my surroundings, my new room. Silent tears fill my eyes as I recall my death. I wasn't sad because of my passing, I can accept death.

Muffled sobs fill my lonely luxurious room.

"Finian...I'm so sorry."

Words peek through my sobbing as all I can say for the next past hours are the words "I'm sorry".

Morning came and the yellow and orange hue of the morning light entered my room through the balcony. As I quietly thought to myself at the corner of the room I hear a knock on the door.

"My lady, It is morning. Time to get up."

I get up from the corner and sit at the foot of the large bed as I let her in.

She and other maids, about 6 of them in total. Came in and fixed me, she threw on a fancy gown and put my long black hair in an updo.

I quietly waited for them to be finished as I close my eyes and envision the situation:

I was in another person's body. We looked exactly the same and even bear the same name. But we aren't similar in the slightest.

This Calista Claire Montgomery, she's a weak and sheepish woman. She hated talking to others, to the point that when she told her father that she wanted to get married to the crown prince of Agres, he complied since it was the first time she's ever asked for anything.

A new life huh?..a second chance given by the gods, for me.

As I stand up I accidentally step on my dress and I balance myself with my other foot.

This dress is too long.

I shake it off and walk slowly to the breakfast hall. Taking every step carefully as to not trip on myself.

(Finian)

Something's off...rough blankets, ragged shirt, and uncomfortable pillows surround me. The smell of mold and mildew is settling in the air...reminds me of the slums of my family home where Calista and I frequented...

Wait, Calista?..right. My best friend for almost a decade...she had a comforting presence, atleast for me.

She had a muscular build and sharp features, she was pretty scary before we got to know eachother. Her short black hair that I always thought was too short, and her unique green eyes. She'd always calm me down when I cry...

I sit up from my bed. It was...not my bed...in fact, it was way more uncomfortable than my bed.

I get up from the bed as I slowly walked to a mirror in the corner of the room. I feel my soft cheeks and look for my tattoos.

I feel a little disappointed not seeing them there.

There's nothing to say, nothing changed about me...This man, this...Finian Garten Hart. He's definitely not me...but... he's way too much like me...

This Finian Garten Hart...he was shy and soft spoken. Never complaining and never talking back, weak as some people might call it. He lived in the slums as an orphan. I guess he was lucky enough to be able to work for a generous baker who lent him a shed to sleep in.

It's a miracle this kid has even survived to live to see the age of 10 let alone 20...

I wonder where Calista is right now...I bet she would tell me to calm down and just make what's best of the situation. Is this a second chance or a punishment?