Beautiful Child
Disclaimer: The lyrics below is from the song "Beautiful Child" by Fleetwood Mac, which is also the origin of the title of this piece.
Beautiful child You fell in love when I was only ten Sleepless child You say it will be harder in the morning I'm not a child anymore I'm not a child anymore
Beautiful child
You are a beautiful child
And I am a fool once more
The years disappeared
Much has gone by since then
I bite my lip, can you send me away
You touch
I have no choice
I have to stay
I had to stay
There is so little time
Your eyes say yes
But you don't say yes
I wish that you were mine
I wait for you to say, just go
Your hands, held mine so few hours
And I'm not a child anymore
I'm tall enough
To reach for the stars
I'm old enough
To love you from afar
To trusting... yes?
But then women usually are
No, I'm not a child, oh no
Tall enough to reach for the stars
I will do
As I'm told
Even if I never hold you again
I never hold you again
Part 1 - Serendipity
"Give us your money, you little brat!" The mean-faced boy in front of me demands.
"Yeah, or we'll pound you!" Shout his other allies, making punching sounds with their hands. Forced up against the wall in an alley, I can only look defiant. But I'm not afraid of them. They think they can bully me just because they're bigger and older.
"Oh yeah?" I spit out, glaring at them fiercely. "I don't think you have the guts. You're just a bunch of good-for-nothing cowards!"
"Why you little-" says the leader furiously, getting ready to hit me. "I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget!"
I put up my fists in a defensive stance. I know I may not have a chance against them, but I'm not a coward. I'll fight them if I have to. Suddenly the other boys surround me and grab my arms, pinning me to the wall. I try to lash out, kicking, whatever I can, but nothing works. They're too strong for me.
"You coward!" I scream at him, my anger steaming out of me. They ignore me and continue to cheer their friend on. I press my eyes closed, trying to force the tears from flowing. Then it hits me. The pain centers on my abdomen and I let out an irrepressible cry. Still feeling the effects of his punch, I glare at him with a deeply felt hatred.
"You'll pay for this," I warn through clenched teeth.
"You and what army?" He mocks me with a repulsively arrogant smile, inches from my face.
"Hey! Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" I look towards the source of the unknown voice. The figure at the entrance of the alleyway becomes a fuzzy shadow with the glowing sun at her back. All I can make out is the small form of a person.
"And what's it to you?" The older boy patronizes. "You're just a girl."
"If you don't leave right now, I'm going to call the police," the mysterious girl dictates coolly, standing her ground with her arms crossed. The older boys look at each other nervously.
"Er, c'mon guys, let's go," resigns the leader of the group eventually. "You got lucky this time, kid." And with that the other boys release me from their hold and I fall to the ground on all fours.
"You too, girly. Don't ever let us see you again or else," the older boy threatens the unidentified girl before walking off with his friends haughtily.
"Hmph," the little girl responds with a turn of her head and hurries towards the injured me.
"Are you alright?" she asks gently, putting a hand on my shoulder. Angry and ashamed, I push her arm forcibly away. I was rescued by a girl. Why couldn't she have just left me alone?! Now I'll never be able to live it down.
"Why did you come?" I accuse bitterly as I bear holes into the ground with my glowering eyes. She is silent, but something in her manner tells me that she understands what I mean. Still shame-faced, I fall back into a sitting position; my back against the wall and my head bowed on my arms as they rest on my raised knees. Suddenly she gasps.
"Your knee- it's scraped," she exclaims with genuine concern. "Does it hurt?" I just ignore her. The only thing that hurts is my pride. I hear her open her school bag and take something out.
"Here you go. This will do for now," she says sweetly. Reluctantly, I take the courage to look up at my rescuer. Immediately, I take in a breath. I can't believe my eyes. She- she's the most beautiful creature I ever saw. Her shoulder-length aqua hair is loose in waves and those eyes- so full of concern and sensitivity. I bite my lower lip, not knowing what to say or how to react. In an instant, all my contempt is washed away and my heart feels like it's floating on a cloud. I continue to stare at her lovely face as she tears open a Band-Aid. Then, kneeling down beside me, she gently places it with care on my raw skin. I grimace slightly at the light sting, but take comfort in her care of me.
"There. All better," she says brightly as she beams at me. For the first time, I smile back, still not knowing what to say. Just speak, come on! What are you afraid of? You're no chicken. As I struggle between my desire and indecision, I look up into her eyes to see that she is staring at me intently, quizzically. Embarrassed, I quickly check myself.
"Er- I want to apologize for the way I acted earlier," I say timidly. I half expect her to reprimand me for my incivility, but she does just the opposite.
"It's alright, I understand," she assures me. "You don't have to apologize."
"I-I don't know what came over me," I stammer, blushing and regretting my rudeness, my head downcast. She put hand over mine that is resting on the ground.
"You were very brave to stand up to them all," she says earnestly. My head snaps up.
"I was?" I utter, surprised at her compliment.
"Mm hmm," she insists. "I could never have done it if I was by myself." I redden even more at her praise, my eyes darting all over the place except to her face. She notices this and laughs. How infectious it is, like soft music blowing in the wind. Loosening up, I can't help but laugh out loud also.
"I'm Michiru," she introduces in a friendly manner once her laughter stops. "What's your name?"
"Haruka," I answer with much more ease.
"Nice to meet you Haruka," Michiru says with shy cordiality, extending her hand. I smile, taking her hand in mind and giving it a light shake.
"Is your knee feeling better now?" She inquires with concerned eyes.
"Uh huh," I reply bashfully. "Thanks to you." Our eyes lock for a brief moment until embarrassment diverts my eyes.
"Well, it's getting late," she announces after a short pause. "I have to go home now or else my parents will be very worried." With a hint of reluctance, she picks up her bag and stands up. As I watch her do so, I don't know what comes over me.
"Wait!" I call, the words flying out of my mouth before I can stop it. As she turns around to face me, my thoughts race about in my head. What are you doing? You hardly even know her. Could it be- I look into her face as she stands there gazing wondrously back.
"Yes?" She inquires hopefully.
"I-" I stammer while my eyes drop, not knowing how continue. Come on, Haruka, you can do this. Just ask her. "CanIwalkyouhome?" It all comes out in a rapid blur. My eyes don't dare look any higher.
"What did you say?" She asks, amused and inquisitive at the same time. I take a deep breath.
"I was wondering," I repeat slowly, shyly. "If I could walk you home." I look into her crystal blue eyes. They brighten as I say this and she nods her head. Using the wall as support, I get up as quickly as I can, forgetting my cuts and bruises. I pick up my school bag from the ground and we both walk out of the darkened alley in silence and awe.
Once out in the open, we are greeted by the setting of the golden sun. As we walk towards it, with her in the lead, I am overcome by a deep urge. I battle with myself for a few moments before finally taking up the courage to give in. Without another moment to lose, I boldly reach out and take her by the hand. Taken by surprise, she turns to me. Thinking that it is against her wishes, I begin to panic.
"I- If you don't think- I didn't mean-" I sputter, panic-stricken, stumbling over my words. I am about to let go when she smiles and puts a finger to my mouth. Relaxing once again, we continue to walk in silence. Every so often, I would sneak a peek at her pretty countenance with a sideways glance, but always darting away in case she should notice. Honestly, this is the most chicken I have ever been in my life. I can't help but laugh at myself for being so silly. And how soft her hand is. It fits so perfectly into my own. Why do I feel so light all of a sudden? It's funny, I've never felt this way before. Then, stealing another glance, I observe the calmness of her face. What is she thinking? How I wish I could read her mind at this moment. Sigh. And so we keep walking on in this way for what seems like endless hours, in perfect tranquility and quiet joy, until she stops us before the threshold of a tall, iron-cast gate, our hands still stuck like glue.
"We're here," she declares softly, almost sadly.
"Can I see you again?" I blurt out at once, looking into her eyes in somewhat of a calm desperation. For a moment, she is quiet, contemplating.
"Do you believe in fate, Haruka?" She finally asks me wonderingly in a thoughtful manner.
"I think so," I answer hesitantly, unsure of what her meaning.
"Then I'm sure you can," she responds with twinkling eyes, smiling expectantly. I take this as an encouragement and beam back at her. We stand there for another few minutes looking at each other and at the ground, neither wanting or sure of how to part.
"I'll see you soon then," I break out suddenly, feeling somewhat awkward, before letting go of her hand. Then, planting a quick kiss on her cheek, I dash off as hurriedly as I can, too afraid to slow down and too shy to look back. I didn't even get a chance to see the look on her face as she put her hand tenderly on the cheek where my longing lips had been, or hear her sadly whisper, "Good-bye, Haruka," as I continue to breathlessly run all the way home as fast as my legs could carry me.
The next day, I decide to go see her again. Even though we've only known each other such a short space of time, I still feel the effects of her absence. Carrying a lavender rose in one hand I press the doorbell with the other. No answer. I press it a second time. Still no answer. I'm sure this is the right house. I peek into a nearby window, but everything is dark. Something isn't right. Then I notice a small group of children playing on the sidewalk nearby. Approaching a tall girl with dark pink hair, I ask, "Excuse me, do you happen to know the girl who lives here?" She looks in the direction of my finger.
"You mean, used to live here," she replies casually.
"Used to?!" I exclaim, incredulous.
"Yeah. Mighiru, right?" She asks me. I nod, still in disbelief. "My mom told me her and her family moved away yesterday."
"Do you know where she moved to?" I question her quickly, gripping the stem in my hand.
"Beats me," she replies, looking at me curiously before returning to her game. No. This can't be. She wouldn't leave without saying a word. No. Without another moment's hesitation, I run off, run to the only place I know she might possibly be. All the while, I think to myself that she must be there. She just has to! Out of breath and panting, I finally reach the alley where we first met. But there is no sign of her there either. Supporting myself with my hands on my knees, I try to catch my breath. Where could she have gone? Why did she not say anything? Suddenly it clicks. "Do you believe in fate, Haruka?" "I think so." "Then I'm sure you can." And I didn't even say good-bye. Dejected, I gaze regrettably at the flower still clenched in my hand. A tear running down my cheek, I drop the rose on the spot of our first encounter. Then, turning away, I resolve to wait. Wait for the day that will bring us together again.
For the next few days, I would wait by her house, hoping that she might come by. But on the third day, there is still not even so much of a shadow of her. With every passing day, I lose a little bit of hope. However, on the fifth day, while I am leaning against a wall by the gate, I hear footsteps on the pavement next to me.
"Michiru?" I gasp hopefully. I spin around only to be face to face with the pink-haired girl.
"No, it's Elsa, but you may call me Michiru if you like," she teases, winking at me.
"Oh, it's you," I say, crestfallen, turning my back to her.
"Hey, that's not very nice," she protests, with hurt in her voice.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not having a very nice day," I explain somewhat irritably, refusing to look at her.
"She won't come back even if you wait here forever," she declares dryly after a pause. It is enough to provoke me and cause me to face her again. This puts a triumphant smile on her sun-burnt face. Realizing that I've been duped, I resign hopelessly, although not good-humouredly, not having enough motivation in me for any sort of retaliation.
"Cheer up, sport," she tries to convince me. "It's not like you'll never see her again."
"And how do you know that?" I retort sceptically, looking directly in front of me.
"Do you believe in fate?" she asks me, in a similar fashion that Michiru had the day we parted. I look at her intently, turning my head as though it were instinct. I chuckle softly.
"What's so funny?" she asks as though offended.
"You're the second person to ask me that," I confess reflectively.
"And what did you say the first time?"
"I think so."
"Then you have a chance."
Yes, I do. Something deep inside tells me that the two of us will meet again. I don't know when or where, but I know we will. I feel as though there is an invisible thread that links us together no matter the distance. For now, I can only love her from afar. I will never forget her, I think to myself as I look into the distant horizon towards the promising sun.
To be continued