Chapter One: Red Rose, Brown Bangs.
I stood with my back against the cold brick wall of the café quite awkwardly; a cigarette finding it's way up to my lips. It seemed so quiet around me as the idle rush walked by. It was early in the morning however; I always come here on a Tuesday for a macaroon and coffee. Sometimes, I would even see a familiar figure walk in behind me. The same hair, and eyes…
I still remember that day, and I'm lucky to have survived, only with the help of a girl I hardly knew! She was gorgeous for her age, and our bond was so strong; I felt I couldn't leave her… But I had too.
This girl was nine-years old. I was a twenty-year old man.
But, that was years ago-nine to be exact. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't remember me. The only thing I have left of her is a little handkerchief textile with the name 'Ib' engraved down in the corner with pink stitching. It had a gorgeous little lace around it's silk. It was tiny compared to my hand. I couldn't help but stare at it as memories flooded. The little girl handing me my tattered jacket, her and me both attempting to escape the hell hole we invaded.
Trying to escape from Mary's grasp.
I clutch the little cloth in my hands gently before setting it down in my pocket, and then I set my cigarette in the little ashtray holder, tossing it in. My hand turned, revealing the little scar from the glass I had cut myself on when I received the square fabric. I didn't bother with it as I automatically saw the same girl come my way.
She wore rather similar clothing like the girl from long ago, just enough to fit her however. A beautiful white button down blended in with her pale skin. A little scarf wrapped around her little neck, complimenting her skirt. They both clashed with her eyes, scarlet being her focus point. I could catch a little hint of a rose in her hair, which fell wonderfully around her frame. I composed myself as I just stared at her. She obviously wore a little eyeliner-not dare tainting her innocence of beauty.
Her slim body walked past me as she glanced at me, giving me a gentle smile and wave. I blushed the color of her eyes as hers met with my purple one-being the only one visible. I was caught. I couldn't help but wave back as I followed her into the café. She held a little book. I had seen the title, only barely. Valiant was the name. I could then feel my eyes widen. I've read that book before. It's far too inappropriate for words toward the middle. In fact, I remember that being one of the books we had found in the room of Separation. I could be over thinking though… I shook it off as she walked off with her order, the same thing I order, except no coffee, a frappe instead. She looked adorable as she looked at me once more, smiling.
I could hardly realize the woman at the cash register call "Next," for I was still stunned. I looked up reluctantly and ordered my usual. The cashier held her normal flirt face as she handed it and the receipt to me. I sighed as I saw the perk woman sitting in the corner like normal. I took in a deep breath and turned around.
I was going to talk to her.
I stood beside her table and expected her to look up. She seemed like she was enjoying the book. I glanced down at the thickness of the book. She wasn't far, seeming as she just started today. I smiled anyways and cleared my throat. Hesitantly she looked up, her slender finger sitting at the last word she read. "Yes?" She whispers, looking up at me. She sounded so sweet; I felt my cheeks burn.
"May… I join you?" I asked quickly, yet properly. She looked over at the seat, which I had already made friends with. The corner of her lips curved to a smirk with her eyebrows raised. I took a shaky breath, hardly realizing she hadn't even given me an answer.
She rolled her eyes a bit as she reverted them back to her book. I just stared at her, my macaroon becoming cold. She let her hand trail to her own, bringing it up behind the book as well. My lips turn absentminded.
She glances up and sees my buffoon smile. The brunette seemed rather freaked. Before trailing her eyes to my jacket, she points at it. "Sir…" I then see a struck of realization. I look with hope, as her fiery eyes are wide with concern, boring into mine. Please be Ib, if so-please remember me!
"Your jackets rather torn." Her tone was matter-of-fact.
I frown. She doesn't remember me, or she isn't whom I thought. "So it is, Ib…" The name slips.
I look at her face and she looks at me like a deer in front of a moving vehicle. She doesn't move a muscle, she doesn't breathe. "How do you know my name?" It sounded like a statement than a question. Then I blink. I had said Ib instead of ma'am like I thought.
"S-sorry ma'am?" There was my shovel; I had to dig myself out.
"You had said Ib. That's my name. Therefore; how do you know it?" I was kicked back in.
"It's just, you remind me of a young woman I once knew…" While I spoke, her eyes flash to the little rose down at my jackets pocket. I knew this because of her action. She let her hand poke at the one behind her ear. I gaze at her.
"Garry…" She blinks as her eyes dilate back, as if being struck with reality. She then, and only then did she puppy dog the page of the book, setting it on the table.
My name had slid off like drool. I swallow the lump in my throat. "Sorry miss?"
"Garry." She mumbled. She didn't hear me, but she guessed my name again. I wave at her from the level of my flower to gain her attention. I have it. "Sorry sir! You were saying?"
I don't say anything. Neither does she. We exchange blinks and glance before I reach in my pocket, taking out the little material and set it on the table. The font faces up as she picks it up instantly. It was as if a child seeing something new for the first time, taking it, curious as ever while they look at it. Her eyes cloud over as she reads the name, over and over.
My name slips from her lips once more, more assured. It was Ib…
