'I saw the loneliest road; no lights or warmth for miles. Both directions stretching on until eternity. No intersections or turns, just the infinite bleak highway. No car; no escape from the hell of my own paving. Isolated from life, my weary soul sits on the guard rail. Only the passing wind keeps me company. There is no moon, no life here whatsoever. But there was once.
Before the highway, this place was a lush meadow; complete with a rainbow of flowers and grasses. The sun would shine constantly, a pleasant warmth of familiarity. But it's all gone now. Happiness traded for progress and convenience. My inner world has died; as has my drive to continue. All that remains is her spark. The faintest hope of revival. My childhood friend.'
This is today's literature from him. Worrying, how such a chipper boy can write such morose prose. Perhaps it's a cry for help, a means of escapism. That was ever more apparent in his conversation prior with this 'Enzio'. It had gone as thus.
"It is good to finally meet you, Mr. Bishop." Enzio had begun, with an odd expression, as if Jake was familiar to him. "I have heard a great deal about your academic abilities, and your extracurricular talents." Yet the young man said nothing in response. His face was a mix of sadness and puzzlement. I could tell his mind was searching for a memory that wasn't there. He knew this man, and the mysterious Even also. But not anymore. My mind began to run wild with theories.
"I see your confusion. Do not fear; all will become apparent in time. You see; I'm also the school councillor now. We've received some…eh…reports about your writing is all." Jake shrugged.
"What can I say, I'm a profound person underneath my jokes and memes." He replied; his smile clearly fake.
"Just. If you ever need help or someone to talk to, I'll be here." Such words were not spoken in the manner of a professional, but more like that of a concerned friend.
Chilling, looking back on it. Only accentuated now by this short story. So emotive and yet purposefully incomplete. He had shown it to Sayori first, obviously. She would probably understand that more than anyone. That bothers me, honestly. I don't want to admit I'm jealous of her, but this always happens. Even though the world has changed my story will probably turn out the same. And yet I can't re-write anything now, not that I'd want to.
Despite that, Sayori has been surprisingly down today. It's probably nothing. In any case; I have to investigate these three strange newcomers in my life somehow. so, while he's busy chatting to the other girls, I look back into the code. And…nothing. No Evan, no Enzio. As if they don't even exist. Are they outsiders, not even part of the code, or are they hidden? Encrypted maybe? It seems odd that they have detailed models and personality, and yet no code to show for it.
"Monika; are you okay? You're staring off into space again…" The sound of Yuri snapped me back into reality. Looking at the clock, it was time to conclude the literature club for the day. Jake and Sayori had apparently left already, in sombre silence. Yuri hands me a cup of chai tea.
"You've been doing that a lot lately. Is everything okay at home? M-maybe stress from your studies?" She inquires kindly. Was I okay? So much has changed and sometimes it all seems too much to take in. My heart has been swept from under me by an enigmatic guy, who writes like van goth paints-yet smiles like an entertainer. Who am I anymore? I realise I'm drifting off again, and take a sip of the tea. The sharpness brings me back to the ground.
"I'm okay Yuri; nothing's wrong at the moment. It's just the new boy. He's really something, Isn't he?" I chuckle, and Yuri nods in approval
"He's such a deep thinker. Truly the Epitome of 'Don't judge a book by it's cover'.'" Yuri replied. "Seems like my t-type too, all dark and brooding underneath that smile." Her words cut deep. Of course, she would like that too. I don't want to fight my friends, but I can't lose…not again. I think this time would just kill me. No; this time I'll just be honest, use my words like a poet should.
"I really like him too. He's pretty sweet. He's smart and funny and has the face of an angel." Yuri smirks and raises an eyebrow.
"Perfect Monika has a crush on the modern-day Oscar Wilde? Interesting development. You'll have a challenge then, between like a lot of other girls." Yuri Joked. I knew all too well, but I laughed anyway. I've gotten pretty good at fake laughing now. A cup of tea later, and Yuri and I left together, reaching the road leading from school to part ways.
"See you tomorrow." We said to one another, waving. It was a friendly goodbye, but we both knew what the other was thinking.
As I made my way home all I could think about was that story. For the longest time my life was like that road. Eternal and repetitive. No life beyond the tarmac and myself. But I kept going on that road, and I know he will too. And now we have found each other on that path. Maybe…just maybe, we can build a new road. One that leads to a field of flowers.