Okay, this chapter is based on Utada Hikaru's song "First Love". Just read on and see why. :D
I couldn't find Jack, but I got a little better in whistling. I practiced on the way. I sold all my newspapers quickly and went back to the Lodging House. The others were already there. I noticed that Hallie was looking happier than usual.
"What's up with you?" I asked. But it seems like she didn't hear anything.
"Hey, earth to Hallie? Are you there? We're down here at Earth!!! Where are you? In Pluto?" Gail shook Hallie by the shoulders. That worked.
"Huh?" She stared at us and blinked innocently.
"What is wrong with you?" we asked. She blinked innocently again. It doesn't suit her to be this way.
"Oh, nothing. Just, uh, thinking about something."
"Okay...yeah. Well, good luck thinking." Gail said and slumped back into her bed and started playing with the GBA again. I just smiled and went on to change my clothes. I think my own clothes are ready to wear now, even though it'll generate a few weird stares from the boys. My skirt's a wee bit short for them. (a little bit above the knee. Or maybe a lot, I guess) But I think the shirt's okay. It has three-fourth's sleeve anyway. Gosh, we should think of buying our own clothes now. But we don't have enough money. Almost all of it has gone to the newspapers and our food. Oh, Jack has just arrived. He looked really flushed. Probably tired from running. But, why was he running? He didn't have to run home, does he?
"Has...has...has..." Jack was trying to catch his breath, barely unable to speak.
"Has...Haylie come home? I can't find her."
"Uh, Jack? I'm right here." I said. He turned fast at my direction and clutched my shoulders hard. Ow, he has a strong grip!
"Where have ya been?!? I've been lookin' fer ya everywhere! I told ya not ta stray away from me, didn't I?" Gosh, he really looked worried...how sweet.
"I-I...I'm really sorry, Jack." I said quietly.
"Dat's okay. Least ya didn't get hoit out dere. Well, uh...I just got worried, dat's all." I don't know if I was imagining it, or did he just blush?
"Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you let go of me now? You're hurting me."
"OH!"
He finally let go. Ouch! That hurts!
"Sorry."
"It's fine, really."
For a very awkward moment, both of us fell silent and unable to say anything. I caught everyone's eyes and they had this mischievous looks on their faces. Hey, this doesn't mean anything!
...Does it?
Haylie...
What? Who's...
It's me...
Frank? Where, where are you?
Do you remember?
Remember what?
Do you remember everything?
About what?
About this...
A little girl of about seven sits in a swing, all alone and feeling left out. A young boy of nine approaches her and talks to her.
"Hey, what's your name?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm Haylie."
"I'm Frank. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
The little girl bows at him, making him feel weird.
"Why did just bow at me?"
"Oh, it's a custom for us to bow at people when being introduced. It's a sign of respect."
"Wow. That's very nice. Where are you from?"
"Japan."
"Japan? I went there once, you know?"
"Really? What did you think of it?"
"It's very nice. I'd like to go there again."
"Really? Why don't we go together? I'll be having my summer vacation there!"
"Okay!"
It was Christmas. Both of them, along with their friends were opening their presents.
"Hey, c'mon, Haylie! What is this you got for me?"
"It's a surprise! It wouldn't be if I told you about it."
"No fair!"
The boy opens his present hastily. As soon as he did, he looked quite happy.
"A cowboy hat! And a pair of pistols! Wow! Thanks Haylie!"
"You're welcome."
"Oh, here, I got something for you."
He gives her a small package.
"What's this?"
"Open it. It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you about it."
"A-a necklace?!? Why? Uh...I-I can't accept this! This must have cost you a lot!"
"Oh, I'm not taking it back! I spent all my allowance to buy that!"
"But-"
"No buts! Here, let me put it on you."
The little girl was being picked on by a group of boys. The boy steps in and defends her.
"Hey, leave her alone!"
"What are you gonna do about it, Frankie-boy?"
"Yeah, what are you gonna do about it?"
The boy punches him in the stomach. They started running after him. Night falls and the boy comes back with lots of cuts and bruises.
"You didn't have to do that! Look what happened to you..."
"It's okay, as long as they don't hurt you."
Two years have passed, the girl was going to confess what she really feels for him. She goes to his house and up to his room. She finds him on the floor, motionless, a look of despair and sadness on his face, not breathing...
"Frank! Oh my God! Frank! Aunt Mary! Come! It's Frank! Please wake up Frank! Please! Don't...don't leave me! You...you said that you won't! What happened to you?!? Frank, please!"
"What happ-"
The woman screamed in terror.
"What happened?!? Did you do this?"
"N-no, I didn't! I found him lying here!"
"Quick! Call an ambulance!"
The little girl weeps in the funeral. Why the young boy died was a complete mystery.
"I...I should have told you. I should have told you..."
She continues weeping, as she approached the coffin. Inside, the young boy looks like he was just sleeping. A look of peacefulness and tranquility present on his face.
"I should have told you before...
I should have told you...
That I don't see you as my big brother anymore...
I should have told you...
I should have told you that I loved you."
And now, I won't be able to.
First Love
Original Song by: Utada Hikaru
Once in a while
You are in my mind
I think about the days we've had
And I dream that this would all come back to me
If only you knew every moment in time
Nothing goes on in my heart
Just like your memories
How I long here to be with you once more
You are always gonna be my love
I hope it's true, I have never felt this way about anyone
I'll remember to love, you taught me how
You are always gonna be the one, in my life
Someday we will see each other again
I know that you are my one and only first love
Time can not stop feelings such as this
Everyday from now I'll think about you
When you came into my life, my world began turning
Where will you be tomorrow this time
Will it be me on your mind?
Please tell me that your love is gonna be the same
Oh oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You will always be inside my heart
I know it's true. I hope that you never change the way you are
I hope that I have a place in your heart too
Now and forever you are still the one in my life
Someday we will see each other again
I know that you are my one and only first love
Oh, oh
You are always gonna be my love
I know it's true. I have never felt this way about anyone
I'll remember to love, you taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
Oneday we will be together again, yeah, yeah
Now and forever, we will
This is from the website "Utada Hikaru English Lyrics Project". They make English versions of Utada's songs. Ja ne!
