Chapter One: An Old Friend
It was an ordinary day. As ordinary as any ordinary day could be, in fact. The sun was out, the birds were singing, and the sky was blue. But she didn't see any of it. Nope. She walked down the busy sidewalk with her nose stuck in a book.
Seraphine always had her nose in a book. Always. She never did anything else. This always caused problems. Sometimes she walked too slowly and people would push her out of the way. Sometimes, she would run into someone or something. What she was really famous for was tripping. It never seemed to fail that she would fall on her face. Nevertheless, she never took the time to worry about that, and she kept on reading.
Step by step, she strolled along the sidewalk. She was so engrossed within the pages of the novel; she did not notice the young man sweeping out in front of a pet shop. She did not notice him until she bumped right into him. That would have been just fine, that is, had he not turned around and whacked her in the head with the bloom handle.
"Ow!" Seraphine closed her book and rubbed her forehead.
"Oh! I'm so sorry. I didn't see you!" A familiar voice entered her ears.
Squinting, she looked up. The young man was tall; he towered about a foot above her. His hair was black and it flowed down in bangs, covering half of his face. His skin was fair; his eyes were a light brown. Something about him seemed familiar. Seraphine studied his face as her mind scrambled through faces of people she knew. She was never forgot a face; the names were the hard part. Just as she was about to give up the search, it hit her.
"Bran?"
The young man rose his eyebrows. "Phine?"
"Oh, you're so tall!"
"Yup, puberty caught up to me."
"Wow, I haven't seen you in ages. I barely recognized you."
"It's only been a year." He brushed his black bangs away from him face.
"Where'd you go? You just disappeared."
"I moved. Then moved back."
"Moved?"
"Yeah, remember? To Gardenia."
"And now you're back here?"
"Yup. I missed the old' Lynwood."
Seraphine scoffed. "Yeah right. Not much to miss."
"There's plenty to miss. Friends, family, the pet shop." He pointed a thumb behind him. She looked up at the tiny building that resonated with bird calls, dog barks, and cat meows. The sign displayed the faded, but familiar name: "Alex's Pets".
"Oh, your parents reopened it?"
"Yup," he smiled. "It's great to be home."
She smiled back. "I'll bet."
"Where you headed? I see you've got your backpack on. That usually means you're on a mission."
Seraphine laughed. It felt great to talk to someone again. She forgot how much she enjoyed it. Since her eyes were glued to the pages of books, she never took the time to talk to anyone.
"Nooo. I'm going to the library."
"Still reading, huh?"
"Yup. What about you?"
"Oh, the usual; family business. It feels great to get back into the routine, though."
She nodded. "What about school?"
"Don't worry; I plan on graduating high school." He winked.
She gave him a playful glare. "You better. Or mama's gonna beat you."
He laughed. "Nah, she just says she will."
"Hahaha, that's true. Well, Imma go." She started to walk away.
"Okay. Hey," he called "How about I come by the library when I get off work? I can walk you home."
"Sure."
"Great. See you then."
"Bye." She waved.
"And keep your nose out in the open until you get to the library!" he said.
"I will!"
Seraphine stepped quietly into the library. She loved the soft sounds of turning pages and computer keys. She took in a deep breath; how she loved the familiar smell of books. This was her safe haven, next to home of course. It was filled with peace and security.
She approached the counter and slid her book into the return slot. She was about to leave when the librarian came out and greeted her.
"Hello, Seraphine"
"Hi, Ms. Magenta. Oh, you got glasses."
"Yes, your mother was right, you know."
"My mother?"
"Yes, I went to tell her that I have a new book for you. She told me that I should get glasses."
"Oh. Well, they look very nice." Seraphine smiled.
"Thank you. Now, for that new book." Ms. Magenta stepped out from behind the counter. "Follow me."
Seraphine followed the woman through the maze of bookshelves. She admired Ms. Magenta. The librarian knew exactly where to go. She did not read the signs; she did not carry a sticky note with book numbers on it. She did not use any of that. She could remember where every book was and that was a gift.
I wish my memory was that good. Seraphine thought with a smile. Her fingers brushed the spines of books as she walked past them. Like magic, she could feel the stories calling to her. It was a strange feeling, but she had had it for as long as she could remember. When she was a child, she would read the children's books, but she was always draw to the sad stories, the stories that never ended in happily ever after. They cried out to her the most it seemed. They were sad books, books who wanted a different story. As she read them, her imagination mended and stitched up the broken characters and plot. Every story she read from those books all ended happily, and the books no longer cried. That was why Ms. Magenta always found depressing books for her. Seraphine wanted to read them, to fix them. She was never sure why she could feel the stories call, or why she fixed them, she just knew that that was the way it was.
They stopped in an aisle that was labeled "Teen Novels".
"Here we are." The magenta haired librarian pulled a book on the shelf. Its cover was dark red; its pages had torn edges. The letters on the front were gold, and they swirled to form the title "The Wizard's Test."
Seraphine felt the familiar tug on her heart. The book begged for happiness. With her eyes stuck to the cover, she reached out to it. Gently, she took it from Ms. Magenta's hands and cradled it like a baby.
"Thank you. I'll take good care of it, I promise."
"Good. I'll be at the front when you're ready."
The dark haired girl watched her go before retreating to her usual nook among the bookcases. She nestled into her chair and opened the broken book.
No need to cry, I'm here. I'll save you.
Bran wiped the sweat off his forehead and put the broom back in the storage closet. The cockatoo in a cage near him squawked. He smiled.
"Hi to you too, Mr. Ruffles." He whispered.
He knew he was not allowed to name the animals, but he did anyway. It made it easier to call them instead of just giving them orders. Besides, what else was he supposed to call them if he did not name them?
Mr. Ruffles ruffled his feathers and cooed. Bran winked. "Shh, be good now. I've got a date."
The bird cocked its head back as if to say: "You? A date?"
Bran chuckled. "With a friend, silly."
A friend. Bran missed having friends. When he moved to Gardenia last summer, his height skyrocketed. At the age of 15, he went from 5'3'' to 6'0''. He was taller than a great many people at the new high school were, and he scared them away. On top of that, his emo haircut freaked them out even more. He was alone for his entire sophomore year. Now that he was back home, he hoped to make for the lost time and get a few friends back.
The bird flapped its wings and squawked quietly.
"Hahaha, I can't believe you took me seriously." Bran laughed.
"Talking to the animals again?" His mother's voice came from behind him. He turned to find her smiling at him. She had tanned skin and dark hair that was kept in a bun. Her cheeks were red from the heat, but her eyes were filled with happiness.
Bran blushed. "Yeah,"
"So, what's this about a date?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Oh, you remember Seraphine, don't you, mom?"
"Of course I remember her, her mother is my friend."
"I ran into her earlier and I promised her I'd walk her home after I finished work."
His mother grimaced and raised an eyebrow. Her brown eyes scanned his clothes. Bran gulped.
What is she doing? He thought.
Suddenly, her pink lips pulled into a smile. "You're not going like that, are you?"
Bran looked down. His clothes were dirty and soaked with sweat. "Uh…"
"Go clean up, and then you can go."
"Thanks, mom!" He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and ran upstairs to their apartment.
Seraphine's nose was deep in the book when someone tapped her shoulder. She jumped, and her mind came tearing out of the story in such a whirlwind that she became dizzy. She held her forehead with one hand and closed the book with the other.
"Hey," Bran's voice entered her ears.
She shook her head, rattling her imagination back into place before putting her hand down. Her eyes met his.
"Hi,"
"Whatcha reading?" Bran asked, tilting his head to eye the cover. "The Wizard's Test?"
"Mhmm. It's really sad, but I'm going to give the book a break." Seraphine said. On the inside, she cringed.
Why did I say that?
Bran chuckled. "A break? I guess it's lonely on a bookshelf, huh?"
She relaxed, relieved that he did not persecute her for being weird. It was then that she remembered why she and Bran became friends in the first place.
They were only kids when they met, but they clicked right away. Their mothers called it puppy love, but Seraphine knew he was her very best friend at that instant. They both had crazy imaginations. They played all day long together, and every day they pretended to be someone different. But to Seraphine, the best part wasn't the pretending, it was the company. Bran took away the loneliness that books could not fill. Sure, she fixed the books, but when they were fixed, she would come out to a lonely world. Bran was the only one, next to her parents, who stuck around.
"Yeah, anyone would feel lonely on a bookshelf."
Sadness flashed across his face, he looked away for a moment.
I've been on that shelf before. He thought.
"Bran?" Seraphine saw the change in emotions. She had never seen him do that before. It was so unlike him to become so dark and depressed.
Could he have…change during that short time?
He remembered where he was and quickly went back to his cheerful self. "Ready to go home?"
"Nope." She smiled.
"How about we go to the café down street? It's still there, right?"
"The Prism Café? Of course it's there." She imitated his voice, "'It's only been a year.'"
They laughed, releasing the loneliness in their hearts. Seraphine stood and headed to the checkout counter.
"Like it?" Ms. Magenta asked as she scanned the book.
"Oh yes, very much. It has such wonderful characters; it really does need a break."
"Yes, it does. I was the last person to read it. No one likes sad stories anymore."
"Everyone needs a sad story to help their hearts grow soft."
Ms. Magenta smiled. "True. Here you are, take good care of it."
"Thank you, I will."
Seraphine left with Bran by her side.
"It's been so long since I've been to the café." He said, walking on the side closest to the street.
"A whole year. That's not long."
It was for me. He thought, watching cars go by. It was so easy for him to get down in the dumps now. Any little thing or word triggered sadness.
"Bran?"
"Mmm?" he pulled himself together.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, why?" he turned to her.
She studied his face. She feared for her friend. She feared that he had changed. Her eyes scanned his brown ones. Nothing seemed amiss. She looked ahead.
"Nevermind."
There was silence between them as they walked the last few feet to the café. Bran was happy to find their regular seat from a year ago vacant. Seraphine was happy he remembered where their seat was.
"I can't believe you remember." She said, beaming.
He smirked. "'Only been a year.'"
She giggled as she opened her book. He put a hand on the cover, shutting it. Her smile vanished. Her dark eyes stared up at him. He was smiling but something about his eyes was off. They were dark, and serious.
"Talk to me."
She pulled off the teal backpack and shoved the book inside.
"What about?" she asked.
"Anything, you, life, school."
She turned to face him. "Um…well…I got good grades during my sophomore year."
"That's good."
"My dad got a new job and is working for the city."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, I don't see him that much anymore, but it is nice to have a little more money so I can buy books."
"What does he do now?"
"He works for the electric company."
"Oh, cool."
"My mom is still at home. She insists on staying there to keep it clean."
"Hahaha, some people never change." He laughed.
"Nope." She laughed with him.
"And you?"
"Reading."
"Always reading."
"Yup. Are we gonna order?"
"Uh huh," he stood. "What do you want?"
"My usual. Do you remember it?" she eyed him playfully.
"Green Tea Frap, duh." He said in a girly voice.
She shook with laughter as he walked away.
The hours flew by as they sat in the café. They talked and laughed as if they had never been apart. They didn't realize the time until Seraphine's phone beeped.
"Who is it?"
She pulled her red cellphone out of her pants' pocket.
"My mom…oh, she wants me home."
Bran glanced out the window. "It's almost dark."
"Really?"
"Yeah, see? The sun's starting to go down."
He stood as she pulled on her backpack.
"Wow, already?"
"Time flies when you're having fun." He winked. She smiled.
"Too true."
They left the Prism café and strolled down the street with the setting sun to their backs. The rays of light stretched their shadows on the pavement. The shades of orange faded slowly to a deep red, then a twilight purple.
"I love this time of day." Seraphine said.
"Me too…"
"I thought you loved the dark?"
"I can't like both?"
She shrugged. "I guess." She smiled up at him.
"What?"
"I feel safe around you now that you're so tall."
"Oh? So when I was short, you didn't feel safe around me?"
She laughed. "Nooo. And you were not short. You were average."
"You're average."
"No. I'm short."
"Average."
"Wait, you were the same height as me."
"No, you're 5'2''."
"I was. I grew an inch." She said proudly.
"Wow, that's quite a growth spur."
"Really?"
"I was being sarcastic."
"Oh."
"You still can't read it can you?"
"Read what?"
"My sarcasm."
"Oh. No, I'm just out of practice."
"Uh huh."
"No, honestly, I am." She said, making a pouty face.
He chuckled. "Alright, alright."
They continued walking, not sensing a presence within an alley near her house. By the time they reached it, the sky was now deep blue violet and the sun's last few rays streamed through stray clouds. He did not cross the grass, but remained on the pavement. He watched her step onto the porch.
Seraphine looked back. She could not see his face, but she knew that he was happy. So was she; she finally had a friend again.
Bran smiled as he turned and walked away.
It sure is great to be home.
