"Ghouls, huh…" Isa mumbled to herself while she took another sip of coffee. She stared down at the TV where there had been another news report on the most recent ghoul activity. She was unable to get her eyes off the screen.

A loud buzz came from behind her, making her heart jump. She received a text message from her friend, Ina. Setting her cup on the table she reached down and picked up her phone, reading:

From: Ina

Lets meet up. How about today, 15:00. Meet me at the mall. Text back.

Isa texted back:

Sure, I'll be there.

She quickly hopped into the shower and got ready. Afterwards, she picked out a light red full-skirt dress that reached her knees, and then ran out the door realizing she took too long to pick an outfit. She ran to the nearest train station and went on train.

A cool breeze swept through the air as the train doors slid open. Her brown hair flew crazily when the train headed off in full speed. She took in a breath of air, looking around. Ano was a beautiful city for its fancy, new and advanced technology. The streets always seemed to sparkle, as if someone had given it a cleaning every hour of the day. Many pedestrians walked about, all seeming to be lost with their own businesses. Isa walked towards the mall that was only about a kilometer away.

She looked at her surroundings for the first time-actually paid attention to it. A mother holding hands with their small child. People dressed in their work clothes, holding a cellphone to their ears as they walked passed without much regard. Sounds of laughter and joy. A sudden thought popped into her head...a thought about ghouls.

Are any of these people ghouls? She quickly snapped her head towards the mother and child walking side-by-side.

Do ghouls have feelings? Do they have family, and love one another? Isa clenched her fists at the thought. A sadness filled her as she remembered her parents' passing. The loneliness from an early age. Yearning for some sort of love once more.

"What am I doing?" she suddenly blurted aloud. She shook her head in disbelief and continued to walk. I have people who love me-Ina. She'll always be my best friend and will never leave me.

Isa continued walking until her phone beeped again. She opened her purse and read the screen: from Ina.

So sorry, I really am! But I can't come anymore. Some stuff happened with family. Not a big deal actually so don't worry. I'll make it up to you next time, I promise!

All right then. Great, Isa said to herself. She was now in the middle of the streets with a canceled plan. She turned around and started walking back where she came from, but then stopped again. A craving of tea. Turning around, she faced far into the distance, contemplating.

It was actually far away, located in a remote corner of a street. Even though it was an unpopular shop, Isa loved the way they served their natural drinks, and the way it was always so peaceful inside.

Arôme. The plain bronze-framed building didn't change. Its long windows that were the store's front wall were polished, sparkling in the afternoon sunlight. Smoke lazily floated out of the cobblestone chimney. The inside looked fresh and new, the brown wood floor clean and smooth. There was a little garden of long vines and a couple of exotic flowers on the corners and sides, making it seem like a greenhouse more than a shop. Everything was the same.

Isa ordered matcha green tea. While waiting in line, someone caught her eye. A man with white hair, sitting near the front door, peering out the windows. Sunlight reflected off the edges of his body, casting a mixture of orange and white. His posture-so relaxed and calm. Isa couldn't see his face, but he attracted her all the same.

He looks...so beautiful… Isa thought.

"Your order, ma'am."

Isa snapped out of her daze, facing back at the cashier. "Oh yes, my apologies." Isa took her tea and went towards the nearest table-furthest from the man, and sat. She found herself stealing glances at him. He barely ever moved at all, his cup mostly untouched. She watched until the steam from his cup had disappeared.

Should I approach him? Maybe he's upset, or…

Isa suddenly stood up from her seat without thinking it over. Feeling too embarrassed to sit back down again, she walked forwards, trying to stare through the window instead of staring at him. Isa heard a cellphone ring in the background. She planned to turn once there was an intersection. As she came closer and closer towards the man, she found herself getting lack of air, her stomach tensed. Isa had no idea what the feeling was.

The next thing she knew, someone had bumped into her, sending her cup flying forwards. She heard the cup make contact with the floor-a bit later than she expected. She staggered to the side, almost losing her balance. A man holding a cellphone on his ear rushed out the door, giving a hand signal as apology to Isa.

Her eyes widened when his clothes were strained with green. She was out of words.

"Um-I'm-so sorry," Isa dropped to her knees, panic flared inside her. "I'll clean it up. I'm so sorry," Isa said again. She stood back up to look for a stand of napkins.

"It's fine," he said so quietly it was barely audible.

"Pardon me?" Isa asked. He looked up at her, it was the first time she saw his face. He stared at her with luminous, yellow eyes.

"It's fine," he repeated a little louder this time. He stood up and started to leave.

"But…" Isa began.

He turned his head to the side, looking at Isa with one eye.

"I can't...leave you like that," she managed to say. The man narrowed his eye slightly, his stare was more gentle than negative. He then faced the front and walked away without saying anything else, leaving Isa standing dumbfounded.

What the hell did I just do?! Isa wanted to grab her hair and rip it apart. She never felt more embarrassed in her life.