I couldn't help but wonder about that strange woman who helped me that day. She practically saved my life, a complete stranger who talked me out of my misfortune, at the time I didn't even realize it was even that. I didn't know who she was at the time but later on as I got to know her I begun to have a better understanding as to whom she really was. I still remember when I asked her why she wanted to help someone she didn't even know, and she said "You don't need a reason to help people."
Those simple words moved me and yet I have my own doubts of them, but I was in no position to be argumentative with someone I had just met. I hadn't realized either at the time that, that women who would become a constant in my life… that she became more important to me than my very own life. And someday I knew the tables would be turned… unfortunately neither her or I were prepared for it.
For the next two days I got up very early in the morning, making sure not to wake my sister up as I moved about the house. I would take a shower and pick out some clothes and ate a light breakfast before heading out the door. I remember as I hastily walked back to that very bridge where I meet that mysterious woman, that my heart kept pounding. It wouldn't stop and it frightened; yet excited me all at once.
I did this the last two days. Getting up early, walking out to this bridge in hopes of meeting her again. I would wait hours on end. A few people would pass by every now and again, but no sign of that woman what-so-ever. I felt on that particular day it would be different and that I would see her. I walked over to the ledge where I stood that day, but I didn't stand on it but sat on the ledge. Unconsciously I began playing with my necklace, twirling it with my fingers. I felt lost in my thoughts as I sat there; I was baffled by how I couldn't seem to stop thinking of that woman's piercing green eyes.
My heart started to beat faster the more I thought of them, eyes I've never seen before until then. The more I thought of that mysterious woman the more I also remembered her skin. Although it seemed scarred, the rest of her skin appeared smooth unlike her rough hands. It still made me wonder what her line of work could be for her to have damaged skin like that, for someone so beautiful to take on a harsh demanding job of sorts.
"This is silly. I shouldn't be waiting for someone who probably won't show up again." I said to myself. I felt idiotic to sit there like that waiting for her. For the past two days I've been here and haven't seen hide nor hair of her. I closed my eyes and shook my head, smiling to myself.
"It's not as if I can walk up to someone and ask if they've seen her. Since I don't know her name and would only be able to give a vague description of her." I had to laugh at myself for being so silly; in fact I was acting like a love-stricken school girl.
"Come on Light. Pull it together…"
"Ah, so that's your name? Light is it? I still rather call you sunshine." I nearly jumped when I heard her voice. Again, she seemingly appeared out of nowhere. I felt as if she deliberately did that just to get a rise out of me. And of course I didn't disappoint as I wasted no time is shouting at her.
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE! And I've told you not to sneak up on people like that!" She chuckled and sat next to me on the ledge. Her wild-looking hair was being blown around by the wind and the sunlight flickered over her skin, giving off a unique shine to her skin tone.
"I know you've told me. But then again you said "people" and I only see one person here."
"You don't have to be so snarky." I snarled at her. I wasn't really angry with her, but at myself. I worried that she might've heard me when I was speaking aloud to myself.
"Can't take a joke, can you?"
"I didn't think it was funny!"
"Okay. Next question then, how long have you been waiting for me Light?" I placed my hands in my lap, gripping onto the fabric of my skirt. I looked away from her shaking my head.
"Who said anything about waiting for you?"
"Why else would you be here? Unless you're waiting for something amazing to happen, you'll be waiting a long time."
"Hmph. What kind of response is that?" She laughed and stood up from where she sat. She started to stretch and yawn. I felt a bit uneasy thinking that maybe I was boring her.
"Are you tired?" She didn't look my way but nodded as an acknowledgement.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry? I'm the one who's been making you wait. I know you've been coming here often, waiting for hours. But by the time I figured I could come and meet you, you would be gone." My body tensed up. I was in shock by how she could know such a thing. My lips parted but all that came out was…
"Oh."
"I'm sorry Light." I shook my head and smiled. I'll admit I was feeling overwhelmed at the moment by what she had told me. So I really couldn't be angry with her, although I did feel the urge to want to slap her across her face again. But I held myself back and stood up from the ledge.
"It's alright I understand. I'm glad you told me what you did."
"Really…?"
"Yes. Knowing that you actually knew I was here waiting for you… I don't feel so silly for doing this anymore." She turned back and looked at me. Our eyes seemed to lock onto each other's again. Either that or I couldn't take my eyes off hers. She placed her hands behind her head in a resting position.
"I don't think I caught your full name missy." I crossed my arms in frustration.
"That's because I didn't throw it. And if I'm correct, you didn't throw yours out either."
"You're right." She spoke softly with that same smile still on her lips. I thought maybe she kept smiling acting as if this was all a joke to her. I didn't really let it bother me too much at the time. She walked up closer to me as she slid one hand into a small bag she had wrapped around her waist.
"This is for you sunshine."
"I told you—
"Don't call you that. I know."
"Hmph. What is it?"
"It's a flower… can't you tell?" I uncrossed my arms, letting them hang at my sides. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth a bit at that comment she made at me.
"I know what it is! I just meant—why are you giving this to me?" She shrugged her shoulders. Then suddenly she held up her hand very near to my face. She lifted her hand up brushing back the few strands of loose hair at my forehead. She drew her fingers across my forehead to the back of my ear, tucking my hair behind it. She then lifted up her hand in which she held the flower in and placed it in-between my tucked hair and ear.
"That's why I'm giving it to you. The color of that flower reminded me of your hair color. It stands out on its own, like a rose in a field of weeds." I chuckled.
"So are you comparing me to weeds now?"
"No. But like I said you do stand out, it's how I noticed you that day. It's why I came to you by your side… to help you Light." I was speechless. The way she spoke, so seriously as if she already knew I was going to be there on that day. She didn't seem like a stalker type but I didn't push the issue further.
"Thank you." I simply thanked her. I looked outward toward the sky and placed my hand around my necklace.
"My name… is Farron, Lightning. And you are?"
"It's still a mystery." She said jokingly and winked at me. She padded me on my shoulder.
"Come on let's go." I looked at her oddly, I felt myself being cautious at this point not knowing her motives, if she even had any. I grasped onto the pendant of my necklace tighter.
"Please tell me your name." I said in an almost demanding way. I couldn't let it go, I couldn't let her get away with her knowing my name and still have no idea who she was. She sighed heavily and looked rather disappointed.
"It's… Oerba Yun Fang." She said very reluctantly and with hesitation. It made me wonder why she had such a problem telling me her name. It did sound foreign to me though, I have never heard a name as strange as hers. I swallowed hard before I spoke again.
"Oerba—
"Uh-uh. No. You can just call me Fang, Lighting."
"Light is fine."
"I still rather call you sunshine." I furrowed my eyebrows at her and she laughed it off. I really don't know how to take this woman seriously if all she ever does is poke fun at everything I do or say.
"You need to lighten up. Now come on follow me." Fang took me by the hand and started leading me away from the bridge. As soon as we were off the bridge I held back. I felt I couldn't go any further with her unless I knew where she was taking me.
"Where are we going exactly?" Fang put her hand at her chin and grazed her thumb over her lips. She did this a few times for a few seconds. In those short seconds I realized I couldn't take my eyes off her lips as she gently passed her thumb over them.
"AH-HA! I know!" She startled me when she shouted out like that. I quickly focused my gaze on something else, in hopes that she didn't notice what I was truly starting at.
"W-what is it, Fang?"
"I know where I'm taking you." I felt myself gripping her hand tighter as I became a bit agitated by the fact she was just figuring out where she was taking me.
"You mean you didn't know beforehand?" I spoke in a somewhat lazily tone as my shoulders slumped down. She winked at me and smiled.
"Don't worry I know now. I'm taking you to bed."
"W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-WH-WH-WH-WH-WHAT!" I was so shocked by her remark that I fainted. All I remembered was I blacked out and the last thing I heard was Fang shouting my name.
