I know that once, a long time ago, I was different than I am now. I had a family, a home and even a name, I was a real person. I think that my name was Momoko and I almost remember turning 10. The last thing I remember from that time was the end. I was playing outside by a river after the rain had finally stopped. I used to love the feel of the wet grass under my bare feet and the smell of water in the air. I was dancing, spinning in circles with my arms stretched out as far as I could reach. I was looking up at the sky, feeling the sun on my face, welcoming the warmth. I'm not sure exactly what happened but suddenly I was crashing down the slope towards the river. The water was so cold and much deeper than I remember it being. I tried to stand but my feet couldn't find the bottom and I was being dragged away. I tried to swim but I had never learned how to properly. I was cold and tired now, my arms and legs refusing to listen to me. The last thing I remember was looking up at the sun and wishing it could warm me one last time. That was so long ago though I can't be sure if it's real or a dream.
I don't know how long ago that was or how long I've been the way I am now. Time passes differently for me now. I used to visit the living world all the time, wishing I could be part of it still. I only go there when I get really lonely now. Not that anyone there can see or hear me but if it's only for a little while I can pretend.
I haven't been there for in what feels like forever and for some reason I feel like I'm being beckoned there now. This is the first time I have felt drawn to anything that I can remember. I'm a little nervous for the first time in this long, blank existance. I close my eyes to think about the living world and when I open them I am there. The first thing I notice is that the cherry blossoms are in bloom. I loved this time of year most of all. The warmth of the sun shining on me and the feel of the petals floating around me in the air are something I definately remember. I spin in a slow circle and pretend I can feel them again, smiling to myself. I hear somebody nearby asking questions but I ignore them and hum to myself. "I know you can hear me," the voice says right next to me. I open my again and look around. The only person is a boy a little older than I was standing directly in front of me. I wonder who he's talking to because he seems to be looking at me. Impossible since nobody can see me any longer. I shrug and start spinning again.
"Fine ignore me, brat," the boy says angrily and I hear him start to stomp away. I stop again and look at him harder this time. "Were you talking to me?" I ask incredulously.
"Who else would I be talking to? You're the only person around, baka," he says as he turns back towards me. "You... But... How?" was all I could sputter.
"Are you alright?" he asks, looking at me funny.
"You see me?" I groaned inwardly at how stupid I must have sounded. I couldn't help it though.
"Uh, yeah. Why wouldn't I see you?"
"Nobody sees me."
"You are kind of short," he says with a laugh. "Am not," I respond and stick out my tongue at him.
"Yes you are, brat."
"My name is Momoko. Not brat." I wish I could kick him.
"Nice to meet you Momoko. I'm Akira," he replies with a grin.
I couldn't help myself and smiled back at him. He short black hair and dark brown eyes that kind of lit up when he smiled. He was wearing what must have been a school uniform and carrying a bag over one shoulder. I remember seeing something similar on others young people last time I had come to the living world.
Akira looked at the younger girl in front of him. She definately was on the short side since she barely come up to his nose. Her dark brown hair was longer than most girls he knew, going down almost to her knees. She must go to a private school since she was wearing a long white dress instead of a uniform. She didn't even have shoes on. It wasn't until she looked up at him with a smile that he noticed her eyes. They were such a deep shade that until the she looked directly at him he hadn't realised they were green. He felt himself turning red in the face and looked away. He coughed a little and ended up looking down at his feet. "Uh. I have to go now. I'll be late for piano practice and sensei will tell my mom. Then she'll get mad and I'll get grounded. Maybe I'll see you around some time though. If I'm not grounded that is," he said in a rush.
"Maybe," was all I could think to reply.