The peaceful rush of the leaves were like music to his ears. September was his favourite month. Everything around him conveyed the impression of a landscape painted in different shades of brown. She was too little to fit the long dress suitably, but it didn't matter; the only important thing at that moment were her and him, sitting by the lake in a quiet moment, far away of all evilness of the world.
"Why are you always smiling, Andy?" The girl asked suddenly, interrupting the silent beat of the moment.
Andy was still placidly smiling when he answered back: "Mmm? What's the problem with smiling? My brother told me that when I grow up I'll have to overcome lots of problems, and I'll be very sad because the world won't be fair and it won't be like I'll expect it to be. I figure then I should keep on smiling, so I can prove my brother wrong. If I prove him wrong, then maybe he'll smile again."
The girl kept still in a thoughtfulness silence. The corners of her lips then stretched almost painfully; her smile was so big it forced her eyes to close. "Then I suppose I should start smiling more. I also want to believe the world is beautiful."
"You don't need to force yourself, Selena. I'll always protect you!" Andrew said, mimicking a gentleman pose he'd seen in some romantic TV show.
Selena laughed in her soft manner. "Is that a promise, oh, my shiny prince?"
"Don't you mean 'blue prince'? And what are you talking about? Of course it's a promise!"
There was a sudden flash of white, and Andrew's eyes opened up abruptly, his body jumping as if receiving an electric shock. He gasped and placed a shaky hand on his forehead, wich was sweating. Calming himself down, he soundlessly spreaded the green curtains, responsible of giving him some sort of privacy, and took his wand to check the hour: 4:55. He moaned in distress. There was no way he was getting back to sleep. He was felt now hopeless, knowing he wouldn't have a first good day of class. He thought he should kill some time maybe by writing a letter to his parents. They would be anxious to know how he settled in.
Dear Idiots,
Andrew smiled a little. His parents were the most ridiculous people he knew. They always fought and always made up, and he sweared they were like children sometimes, getting all sentimental for him. He still remembered his mortification at the moment of leaving them back at the train station; they were a sobbing mess, making him impossibly embarrassed. He remembered the many of the loathing faces of some parents at their public display of affection, and knew at that moment he was lucky for having those parents. They were his idiots.
I already miss you. I'm not saying this to make you feel pity, on the contrary, I'm expressing my total love and devotion for the two of you. Even If I find a partner, even if I find a best friend, family always comes first.
Not a lot has happened. It seems that this institution is separated by what they called 'Houses'. It's basically some burocratic shit they've made to foment competition among the students. Nothing new there. Anyway, I've obviously been placed in one of them. Zlitheryn, I think it was called. I don't even know if it's spelled correctly. For some reason, it's a House that's very despised by the other three Houses there are. I've heard among the students it is because lots of dark wizards had belonged there. I personally think that's bullshit, but whatever.
Tomorrow I have my first day of class. I'm a little nervous, and I hope to get good grades in all subjects.
Andrew paused for a moment to reread the letter. Flashes of Selena's smile came to his mind and, instead of casting it away, he thought that maybe doing the honors to that wonderful memory wouldn't be bad, for more painful it could mean bringing those reflections back.
And remember to always keep on smiling!
Love and Regards,
Your Idiotic Son.
