+ Category: Fantastic Children

+ Rate: T

+ Genre: Romance / Drama / Angst

Author's notes: Well, I felt a little bored recently due to the fact that I'm the only person who is writing for this fandom. I need more inspiration people! *euphoric* But NO WORRY! I'll try best to finish the saga and start a new story soon. My reviewers, thank you so much for encouraging me so I can go this far. *dance around*

FC is not mine, absolutely NOT! --.--"

~ ETERNAL WIND ~

Chapter 2

A single, perfectly white snowflake strayed itself into her delicate hand, while others depositing themselves on her lonely form. Winter has found itself soaring high above the busy streets of Main Land, raining snowflakes down the people scurrying around the shopping districts for Christmas gifts.

Approaching the bustling shop, Helga could only pause momentarily, her eyes closing sadly as she prepared herself for human contact. Perhaps everyone was getting over the fact that he was gone, but she kept lingering in the past. Whenever his name was mentioned, everyone would quickly alter the subject, giving her no room to voice her concerns and burdens. She couldn't even say them to Chitto, who practically listened to everything she said. So this time she attempted not to think back; not to let the memories flood her mind and break her. She struggled with it, desperately trying not to loose her composure.

"Hel-"

She let out a small, startled squeak as a hand touched her upper arm and she jumped. She blinked several times before the figure took definition.

"Ch-Chitto?"

The boy smiled at her. "I didn't mean to startle you, Helga." He said. "It seemed to be getting cold out and I saw you standing here."

Blinking away the remnants of the memory, Helga fully recognized her childhood friend, Chitto.

"How are you, Chitto?" She asked.

"Wonderful, Helga! Come see! Nearly everyone's come!" Chitto grabbed her hand and pulled her exuberantly toward his candy shop.

'Not everyone.' Helga thought sadly. 'Never everyone.'

It was agreed that there would be a party in celebration of Christmas and that every three years, everyone must return to Main Land for the event.

Chitto spoke true. In the corner stood Flo, she was talking to Ian - the ex-monitor of their class, now her husband. Kalie and Teo stood speaking politely with each other while the other classmates had already started their hearty reunion involving drinking, dancing and karaoking. Except the more mature expression, they haven't changed the least.

Was she just the only one vexed by the absence of someone?

A chill ran through Helga, as if cold finger had touched her arm. Again, she mouthed the words she had never finished and moved away from the door. Stopping by a snack table, she reached for a glass of red liquid and went to the balcony. Her mind was nothing but him.

"Hi Helga." A mild voice shot through her private world.

"...Flo!"

Helga could only look as her long-time friend walked forward with a gentle smile on her face.

"How have you been?"

"Thanks Flo, everything is fine. How about you?"

"Ian and I still work at the national research institute for a new medicine. It's quite important, so we put much effort into the composition analysis."

"I'm glad to hear it from you."

"You look pale." Flo then put a hand to her friend's forehead, aiming for a fever.

"I'm alright. It's getting quite cold around this time of the year."

They both remained silent, enjoying the scene.

"Are you still grieving about that?" Flo continued where they left off.

"What?" Helga asked nonchalantly to avoid the fact that she was broken inside.

"No more hiding Helga."

She couldn't tell anyone. She wouldn't wish to break her friends' happy reunion with her sole concern, and so she just remained silent.

The temperate had dropped during their talk and snowflakes rested abundantly on both Flo and Helga's shoulder, letting the cold seep through the fabric and into their bodies.

"We know how you feel Helga...you're not the only one, we share the same pain. Everyone of us does." Flo said, breath coming out in short gasps and in puffy smoke.

"Flo..."

"So stop being so helpless."

"But..."

"He would not be happy to know this, Helga."

"I'm sorry..." Helga just sat still, with her head down.

Flo held her best friend's shoulder gently, brushing away the snow there.

"Please, Helga...you mustn't suffer alone, understand?" Her voice was almost pleading. And somehow listening to her words calmed Helga's soul. It was at times like these when Helga appreciated her friend the most, so she nodded and smiled back.

After their brief conversation, the scientist unconsciously twirled the cup in her hand, watching the liquid splash around as she went back inside. Helga remained in her place, her gaze fixed on the sky as she fell motionless.

A tear disturbed the punch in her glass, sending ripples through it. "I miss you." She breathed to the silent stars. One darted across the sky in front of her, falling like a jewel. "I'd give anything to see you again. I…I'd cheat destiny if only I could…"

She left the cup on the terrace and left the party unnoticed.

She never knew how dangerous those words were or what choices she would have to make.

To be continued...

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