Chapter 24: Playground with Rose

The whole time I was sitting in this playground just eating ice cream, it didn't occur to me that I could come off as a creep waiting for kids so I can talk to them.

It's not like I wanted for it to look like that. I didn't want to go back home and there wasn't anywhere else I could go. I am in hiding status from school right now, too. So, here I am sitting on the swings at a small playground outside the elementary of Rose's school. I've done this before whenever I would bring her lunch back during her kindergarten days every time that she'd forget it. Then we sometimes would chat a little during her break times.

But she's all grown up, so I'm not sure she would notice me and come here anymore. Instead, we all have these parents, who're waiting to pick their kindergarten children up, all looking at me wondering what the hell I'm doing.

I couldn't really care too much, though. All my attention was glued to Jacob's journal as I was revising it again. Well, more like, skimming through it again. Almost all his journal entries before the incident was talking all about them hanging out with Malinda.

Apparently, he was the one that introduced the game Kiss, Marry and Kill to her. I can't believe that game already existed 100 years ago. Just as I presumed from yesterday, they only talk like once a week, but then it became twice and then thrice as time goes on. One possibly trivial thing I noticed was one of Jacob's entry that mentions Malinda always forcing him to leave early. That must be how Jacob never realized the time halt in that cave.

All the other entries are him talking about his job and his writing and some more poems. Sadly, none of them are about Malinda. All their other conversations seem to be very philosophical and talks about very random things. Looks like he was also educating her about the outside world:

"4 July 1920

I cannot believe Malinda has never celebrated Independence Day before! I surprised her today and held a feast. The strange thing is, I noticed that she hasn't eaten in front of me at all. Ladies can sure be shy sometimes, can they? Anyhow, she mentioned that she isn't all that aware of America's federal holiday, so I explained all about it to her. That took some time!"

I chuckle at the thought of them having to go through so many historical facts. I can also imagine Malinda going 'That's splendid!' or 'How astounding!' to him explaining. On the other hand, I find it weird that she never mentioned anything about her curse to any of the boys before, but I know all about it.

Has Malinda really fully given up?

Minutes passed and as I was finishing my ice cream, I came upon a revelatory entry and almost choked halfway.

"19 July 2020

I have always wondered why Malinda would always go inside this cave. Whenever I asked her, she would brush it off telling me that it is her calm place. I asked her again today after a long time, and she finally confessed something to me. She once talked about her parents being strict with her. Apparently, they arranged a marriage for her for once she's grown up to a wealthy man. Every time she is sad and thinks about this, she goes inside this cave to avoid her family and her problems."

Holy crap. This is the reason why she was cursed to find love. It's because she didn't accept the man that she was destined to be married to. So, her parents freaking put a spell on her for an entire millennia! The only problem is how they did it. I got it, they're wizards!

I figured everything out.

Malinda's entire family heritage are sorcerers. That's why Malinda knows how to do healing magic. And because of her rebelling against the marriage, they cursed her.

That solves that problem. I pat my own back to congratulate my knowledge. Who knew I had a Sherlock Holmes in me?

When I flipped the next page, I only now realized that there was a rip on the sides. Looks like a missing page. Something he ripped out perhaps. That's why it had a large time skip up to his last entry. I contemplate what it could be—what he wanted to completely erase.

"Uh, Rhys, what are you doing?"

"Ahh!" I almost yell out, and the parents who were staring at me earlier just looked more concerned than ever. "Hello sister!" The moment those words exit my mouth, I regret it immediately.

"Why did you just yell that, brother?" Rose giggled.

"Never mind." I put the journal in my bag, "Is it your break time already?"

"It is!"

"Good, I need your help."

"Wait, were you reading Jacob's journal? You are actually interested in it!" Rose exclaimed, "I'm glad."

That reminded me of what Malinda told me earlier, about how forward I am with things I'm passionate about.

"So, why are you visiting me today? You haven't visited me in a long time."

"Gran told me earlier you wanted to give me something. What is it? It might help me."

"Maaaybee. First, help you with what?"

I sigh, "It has something to do with our ancestry, okay?"

Rose smirked at me, "Well, that's a surprise! You even want to know more! Well, you have to give me that journal first and then I'll give you the surprise."

"Wait," I suddenly stand up from the swings, "Could it be another book from Jacob?"

Rose twiddles her fingers, "Maaaybee."

"I need it now, please. Where is it?"

Rose stomped her feet, "I told you we will exchange later. It's at home and I hid it, so be patient, okay?"

I sit down again and sigh, "Alright, fine." I don't want to almost start arguing with my own little sister too. "Let's talk later. Go get a snack or something."

"Wait, I want to tell you a really cool fact I learned today!"

I scoff, "Sure, but just for a little bit. What is it?"

"In science class today, we learned about climate and weather." Rose sits on the swing next to mine, "Did you know that the reason it rains is because the sun is too hot and makes gases from the water?"

"Really?" I tried my hardest not to sound sarcastic. She's always such a bubbly kid talking about random facts to me. I never ignore her whenever she does it, but of course, I couldn't really understand her all the time. Or I'm just lazy to do so. So, my brain goes to autopilot like this sometimes.

"Yeah! And then the gases are all evaropet— evepero—"

"Evaporated."

"Yes, that! So, then those are the gases that make the clouds, so they're filled up with water and then rain happens! The sun is basically the reason why rain exists. It's called the water cycle."

"That's interesting. I'll keep it in mind, Ms. Grumbly."

"You should remember this. It rains all the time here in Winterville. It's summer, which is why it's so freaking hot, so there might be a thunderstorm happening soon!"

"That's impossible, Grumbly. It does sometimes rain during summer, but there's no way a storm's coming."

"It is possible! I'm telling you!"

"Okay, well, it's good that you're learning a lot in class."

"Of course, but not only that, I figured out something by myself!"

"What now?"

Rose smirks, "Even if it rains and the sky is filled up with dark clouds, the sun doesn't disappear! Isn't it fascinating? Even if everything becomes so rainy and messy, the sun is still waiting so that it could shine, again. No matter how many times it rains, the sun will always be there. You just don't notice it because it's hiding from you."

"Hiding from me?"

"Yeah, the sun is waiting for all the storm to pass so it can come back perfectly! But sometimes, it can come out unexpectedly and then there would be a rainbow. It's like the sun is hugging the sad rain and comforting it and that makes a beautiful friendship—a rainbow! I like rainbows."

I laugh, "You really are a smart little kid," I pat her head, "Did you think of all that yourself?"

"Yep! Maybe I should write a story about that!"

"You should. I'll be the first to read it. For now, you should really go back. You're gonna miss out on your break time and go home all grumbly again later." I remind her.

"Hey Rose, come on, let's go play!" Some kids far way suddenly yell out just in time, "Is that your brother!? Hello Mr. Rhys! You rock!"

"Uh, thanks." It's such an unusual feeling having people compliment me at all, I turn back to Rose, "Did you do something?"

Rose snickered to herself, "Maaaybee. I wrote a poem about someone I care about. It's not you, though!" and then ran straight to her other friends while they all wave at me. I wave back and smile to her and her friends which are full strangers to me. What a good change, for once.