Something cool

9 years ago

As the day progressed, the sun reached its zenith, casting a gentle glow upon the city's many squares and parks. Lush greenery, meticulously manicured, provided a respite from the bustling streets. People gathered on benches, savoring leisurely conversations and sipping aromatic coffees at outdoor cafes.

In the heart of the picturesque city, amidst the charming alleys and historic buildings, a man stood in a sunlit kitchen, becoming an embodiment of culinary passion. The air was filled with the enticing aromas of freshly baked bread, delicate pastries, and simmering sauces. The kitchen itself was a haven of warmth and comfort, adorned with gleaming copper pots and pans hanging from hooks, while the shelves displayed an array of carefully curated spices and ingredients.

"A Ryu Land?" The girl was sitting at the kitchen table, looking at the old purple notebook. Her bucket hat was laying on the table next to her.

"So you're reading my notes without asking first... Again?" The man was too focused on his cooking to turn around.

"But I'm glad, you know. Curiosity is amazing. Ryu is one of the 9 Hidden Countries…"

"Hidden Countries? There is a lot about Ryu. Is it your favorite country?"

The man paused in his culinary pursuits, turning his full attention to his daughter. His eyes brimmed with a tender affection as he regarded her. "My favorite country... is any country where I'm with my lovely daughter!" He shaped his hands into a heart, his love for her evident in his every gesture.

"I know you love me…But maybe you love Ryu Land a little more?" She giggled a little.

The man, eager to assure her of his unwavering devotion, attempted to convey that nothing could surpass his love for her. However, her attention had already wandered elsewhere, captivated by the prospect of new adventures and discoveries.

"Dad… When are we going to move next?" She didn't seem to smile anymore. "To the Ryu land… Or any other place?"

he man hesitated, his gaze momentarily faltering as he weighed his response.

"I think we'll stay in Eclaté for some time. I need to study the archives, and…" He paused, "And it would be good for you to enjoy a stable, normal life".

Observing her father's seriousness, the girl contemplated his words. Not a big deal, she thought, but okay. She took her bucket hat from the table.

"Then I'm going to find friends," she declared, determination resonating in her voice. "I can't only talk to my dad until the end of my life."

A smile played upon the man's lips as he reassured her, recognizing the value of companionship and shared experiences.

"Would it really be that terrible?"

His eyes twinkled with warmth. Yes, making friends would be a delightful adventure for her.

The girl had already set her sights on a potential companion, a vision of grace and beauty she had encountered upon their arrival at Eclaté. From the first minute in this city, when she saw a girl of her age looking like a fantasy princess she decided, that they would be friends. The strawberry cocoa girl, her name was… Crystal?

In the heart of Eclaté, nestled within the embrace of its elegant streets and historic architecture, lay a resplendent park that whispered tales of beauty and tranquility. The girl was happy to find Crystal there, in her head this background was perfect for her princess-like potential friend. However, not everything went according to plan.

"No," Crystal responded curtly, rising from the swing, her expression guarded. "Why would I become friends with some random girl?"

Random girl? Well, it is fair but still unexpected. The girl felt a pang of disappointment, but she refused to succumb to defeat. Unyielding, she concocted a plan to capture Crystal's curiosity and win her friendship.

"What a pity, I was about to show you something very-very cool", said the girl slowly taking off her hat.

She could tell it worked right away. Now Crystal was looking at her and her eyes were sparking with interest.

"Cool..?" She repeated with hesitation.

"Yes, but you know, I only show it to my friends", the girl whispered, her eyes gleaming with resolve.

Crystal looked around trying to find something that would help her deal with the situation. She really wanted to see what "something cool" was. However, it would be humiliating to ask for friendship now, after rejecting her offer before… What if she asks, and the girl says no? Too risky to try.

"If you would only change your mind," the girl uttered softly, her voice laden with hope.

"OKAY IF YOU WANT IT THAT BAD!"

Crystal's excitement bubbled forth, her curiosity overpowering her reservations.

"I'm Crystal, what's your name?"

"Rachel," the girl replied, a smile blossoming on her face. "Nice to meet you, my new friend."

She replaced her bucket hat upon her head, savoring the victory that had unfolded before her.

Now she only had to come up with something cool that would impress Crystal.

Crystal was wearing a long light-blue dress with short round sleeves, her hair was long and curly, and her eyes were light blue, with long black lashes around them. She looked calm and confident, yet excited about the "cool" thing from Rachel. She gave off a strong princess vibe, Rachel thought. It's like she was one of the princesses from the picture books Rachel got from her dad. Princesses are cute and naïve, and their lives are stable and quite boring. At least until there's a prince, but that usually happens much later than at their age. Then, Rachel thought, it's decided. She'll just do something that a princess would never know how to do.

"Sit back on the swing", she said to Crystal.

After taking a few steps back, Rachel took off her hat again, but now she put it on the grass.

"I bet not many of your friends can do that", she said with a smile.

With a twinkle in her eye and a determined expression, Rachel positioned herself upon the soft grass, the vibrant petals of nearby flowers lending an air of whimsy to the scene. Underneath her dress, she wore practical shorts that allowed her unrestricted movement. The girl's radiant smile never wavered as she seamlessly transitioned from one trick to the next. She balanced on her hands, her body defying the pull of the earth as she held her pose with unwavering poise. Her feet leaped into the air, toes pointed with precision, before landing gracefully on the ground, barely disturbing the blades of grass beneath her.

Crystal was mesmerized. She has never seen an acrobatic performance, and, as Rachel said before, none of the people she knew could ever do something like that. Acrobatics wasn't an exactly prestigious craft, and people around her would not even consider learning it.

Since that moment, Rachel was recognized as Crystal's best friend. They saw see each other almost every day, drank cocoa together, and even their parents started spending time together after seeing how close their daughters were.