There's something… strange about her… something I can't see in other people.
"Ray?"
He snapped back to attention, looking up at his friend, who held a spoon in his hand. Tyson stared back at him and then sighed, shaking his head.
"First Kai, now you… I hope Max is well of mind."
"Can't help it. I mean… I told you the story."
"Yeah, yeah she's mysterious… so what? Girls are like that."
"Yeah but… her look… there was something I…"
Tyson ate through Ray's quiet, Ray's eyes catching Kai just staring at his plate. They had found him in the grass near a swing set in the local park, curled into a ball and unconscious. Ray leaned forward.
"Hey… you okay?"
Kai stared at him, almost in a panic.
"Me? Yeah… I'm fine."
"You don't look fine to me… looks like you've seen a ghost."
Kai held his eyes down, and then stood up, getting his jacket.
"I'm going out."
"Kai, will you call us next time you're in danger?" Tyson inquired, stopping Kai in his tracks. Ray watched quietly, seeing Kai turn his head.
"I will. This time… I will."
Ray breathed as Kai walked from the breakfast table into the snowy cold outside, shutting the door behind him. Tyson burped and continued eating, catching Ray's attention. Ray ate the rest of his food and stood up as well, turning his head towards the morning sun.
The sun shone through the windows, illuminating the snow so much that white cast over his eyes in a flash. He spoke.
"Last night… I think I heard Kai crying in his sleep."
Tyson's spoon stopped in mid air. He pursed his lips, putting down his utensil. His eyes dimmed.
"I… heard it too."
"Then… I wasn't the only one." Max stepped up next to Tyson, holding a towel to his hair. "After I came back from seeing Miriam I decided to see you guys… and then when we went to bed… I did remember hearing whimpering."
"Something's bothering him that he's not telling us." Ray replied.
"I agree…"
"Tyson, did you ever call your brother?"
Tyson growled at Ray's words, standing up.
"I said I wasn't calling him."
Ray stared at him in silence until Tyson sat down again and began to eat. Max said nothing as Ray grabbed his jacket and a few items from the kitchen table. He tapped his foot.
"Look… we have a month of winter break right? Why not take the time to just give it a try? It couldn't hurt."
Before Tyson could reply Ray exited through the door and began to walk towards the school once again, eager to hear the music.
"Morning Hank."
The janitor looked up from his bucket, his eyes sparkling and a smile upon his face.
"Ah, Mr. Martial Arts is here."
Ray smiled back at him.
"Think I could get the room again?"
Before the words were out of his mouth Hank shoved a pair of keys in his palm, ushering him towards the door. Ray walked with him towards the door, Hank saying that he had to clean the room up a bit before Ray practiced. During this time, Ray took the opportunity to ask Hank who the girl he saw was. Hank looked at him as though he had three heads.
"You don't know her?"
"There's a girl here?"
Ray sighed, seeing Hank open the door and turn on the light and the heat in the room, getting his mop out.
"There is… I heard her music the other day… and followed it to her. She was playing on a grand piano."
"Didn't hear her at all."
Ray's eyes followed the sunlight until he spotted a few birds perched on a tree branch outside the window. They tweeted and chirped, until one flew away. The rest of them followed, flying into the sky. He opened and closed his hand, his fingers trying to mimic the music he heard in his head. The room was lit now, and with the light came the bags he was to train with. Ray set his bag down and began to get undressed, thanking Hank for his attention to detail.
The school was quiet save for Ray's own movements and Hank rolling his cart out to the hallway to proceed to the other rooms. Before Ray strapped on his bandages, Hank spoke to him, Ray's ears perking.
"Sometimes, we hear what we want… because there are other things that speak louder than our brains."
Ray turned around, ready to reply, but found that the janitor was already gone. Ray swallowed, his lips pursed as the sound of quiet overcame him.
There it is… the music!
He opened his eyes quickly, his body shooting up to stand and run towards the sound. The music was coming from the same place as he had heard last time, and even though he was sweaty and tired he decided to follow the music again.
As he gathered his things quickly his body became relaxed. The music entranced him, made his body calm and soothed his soul.
I need to know… there's something about that music…
The day was close to the evening, the sun already orange in the sky. He turned to the open window for a second, contemplating leaving and just letting his emotions ride.
But… I want to know…
He paused, his feet wanting to move and his heart dragging him towards the music.
I can't.
His body moved on its own, his legs taking him back to the first place that he saw her, back to where he remembered that he scared her off. He panted as he ran, his body wanting to move faster, but his heart racing and telling him not to scare her off again.
His hand was nearly upon the handle when he stopped himself, taking a deep breath.
Don't scare her.
Carefully, he looked through the window, his eyes resting upon the girl who now wore a grey hat. He could feel his heart thumping with excitement as he heard her soft melodies, seeing her head bob back and forth to the slow beat of her music. Ray swallowed as he pressed his body closer to the wall, making sure she didn't see him just yet.
He listened to her music for a while, his eyes closing and his body at total ease with himself and life. Eventually a smile formed upon his face and he found himself drifting off into his dreams, imagining beautiful colors and waves.
The music stopped slowly, Ray finally working up enough nerve to tap on the door first before he entered the room.
He could hear the shuffle of feet stop as he knocked, Ray opening the door slowly and spying the girl standing next to the piano in the dimly lit room. She had that same look on her face as the other day. Ray took a step forward, seeing the girl take a step back.
"I'm not here to scare you."
She continued to gaze at him, her hands wound tightly around her books that were pressed against her chest. Ray blinked and took another step forward, seeing no movement come from her. He hesitated, but then closed the door behind him, dropping his belongings on the floor and speaking softly.
"I heard your music…"
At his words she bowed her head a little, her eyes narrowing. Ray waited a few seconds before speaking again.
"I heard it again… you play really-"
"Did they send you?"
Her deep voice cut him off and Ray flinched, not expecting to hear anything from her. He paused before he tilted his head.
"Sorry?"
"Who sent you huh?" she demanded, setting her books down on the piano top. "Did they send you? The popular kids? Those band assholes?"
"Hold on a second!" Ray replied, holding up his hands. "I wasn't sent by anybody!" he licked his lips, shaking his head.
"I don't even go here… I just heard your music and thought I might want to get a better listen."
The girl turned her head to the side, a growl escaping her lips.
"I can't believe a person I've never met before."
"I met you last time, doesn't that count?"
"No."
Ray sighed and let his hands down, shaking his head.
"Look, whoever it is that you're thinking about, I'm not one of them. I didn't come from anybody. I just flew in not too long ago."
"From where?"
"China."
"Nice lie."
"It's not a lie; I can prove it to you." Ray fumbled around in his pockets for a second before producing a passport, stepping closer to her and holding the material out.
"You can take a look for yourself."
The girl snorted and took the passport, flipping through the pages. Her eyes scanned over the document as Ray waited, not wanting to get her agitated. He was only a foot away from her now.
Eventually she closed the book and sighed, handing the passport back to him.
"Sorry about that."
Taking the passport and pocketing the book, Ray tilted his head, speaking.
"Who do you think sent me?"
"Just some idiots… that's all."
"Idiots? Idiots like what?"
She shrugged, turning her heel and gathering her belongings.
"Just idiots… I'm not a very likeable person."
Ray's eyes narrowed.
"Why's that?"
"I don't very much like people." She replied, fixing her hair.
"People don't understand me, my thoughts, and etcetera." She clacked her boots twice before turning to him.
"It's been real fun but I gotta go."
Ray ran in front of her, blocking her way. He was eager, he followed his heart.
"Hang on a second." He said, seeing the girl back away from him. "You ran from me last time, even though I said I liked your music, and now this? I don't even get a name?"
"Why should I tell you my name?"
"I'll tell you mine." He replied hopefully.
"Not a chance slick." She clicked her tongue, backing away and heading towards the other door to the piano's side. Again Ray went and blocked her, the girl backing away from him again.
"What do you want from me?!" she cried, glaring at him.
"I just want to know your name, that's all."
"Why? You don't know me, and I don't know you, so why should I give you anything?"
"I just want to know the name of the person who plays that beautiful music." Ray replied softly. The girl stopped, her eyes widening. She backed away from him more, shaking her head.
"You're lying… you can't be telling the truth… nobody…"
Ray watched her carefully, his eyes following her as she began to shake under her own weight. He stepped forward, holding out a hand.
"You okay?"
"Get away!" she said, suddenly breathing heavily. "Just go away!"
Ray set his gaze and came over to her, the girl backing away and into the wall, cowering in his shadow. He softened his gaze and looked down at her softly.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
The girl didn't reply but instead held her face away from him, shaking her head. Ray breathed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I didn't mean to upset you… I just… wanted to know how you played such beautiful music. That's all."
At that moment her eyes met his, Ray's heart thumping in his chest as he gazed at her. Her eyes captivated him, as he saw two sparkling stars in a lush of chocolate brown color.
Her… her eyes…
"You… think… I play good?"
Ray blinked, turning red at his long gaze.
"I think you play really beautiful music."
The girl turned to him now, wiping her eyes and nodding softly. Ray could see that she wasn't trembling anymore, his hands coming up to hold onto her shoulders if need be. He wanted to be gentle, as she seemed fragile in his eyes.
She seems like… she's fragile but… the way she plays… is like she's in complete control…
"Can I ask your name?"
She raised her eyes to meet him again, and once again Ray could feel his heart pump. He wanted to talk to her about everything he thought of, Ray confused as to what he was feeling.
"My name… my name's Crystal."
"Crystal… Crystal… okay." Ray smiled gently, holding out a hand to her, feeling the sweat form on his brow.
Am I… nervous?
"I'm Ray."
"Ray… nice to meet you." She took his hand, Ray feeling her grip in his.
She's… petite. Her hands are small but her fingers are nice and long…
They released hands and Ray looked back at her piano, tilting his head.
"How long have you been playing?"
"Since I was four."
"How old are you now?"
"Nineteen."
"First year in college?"
"Why the questions?" Ray stopped in his tracks, his hand brushing over the piano's top warmly.
"I just… I don't know. Just curious in all."
Crystal gazed out the window, her body moving towards the outside. Ray followed her, coming up beside her and watching her from his peripheral vision. She breathed on the window, making a fog. Ray turned his head, curious.
With her finger she drew a few lines on the fog, Ray not recognizing the symbol.
"What's that?"
"It's the K clef… or the alto clef as some might call it."
"What's an alto clef?"
She sighed, shrugging. "It's alright. I'm not in the mood to explain it."
Ray nodded, turning his head away and gazing back outside the window. Her presence made him nervous, but all the same all he wanted to do was be right there next to her, in her space. He tapped his foot on the ground.
"Looks like it's snowing again."
"Yeah…" she replied, holding her head up to the grey sky. Ray agreed, seeing the snow fall down softly upon the ground. He heard her murmuring something under her breath.
"What was that?"
She turned to him, shaking her head. She seemed to do that a lot.
She's reserved…
"You can tell me. Who else is there to tell?"
"Well… I have to walk home… and…" she trailed off, gathering her jacket and putting her books in her bag that she carried with her. Ray gathered his things as well, watching as she put the piano back in order and walked away towards the door.
"I have to go. It's getting late."
Silently Ray followed behind her, wearing his jacket already and merely keeping an eye on her. He closed the door behind them and followed her down the steps into the outside, the snow coming down all around them in flurries. Crystal lifted her head to gaze up at the sky, her eyes closing for a second.
Ray watched quietly, his mind wandering.
What do you think about? What are you thinking?
"Why are you following me?"
Her voice snapped him out of his daydream.
"You said you needed to walk home. Well… it must be a while… it sounded like you were going to walk for a while."
"What if it was just around the corner?"
"Somehow I don't think that's how it is."
Crystal nodded her head silently, her feet finally moving into the snow and away from the building. Ray walked beside her, merely staring at the snow in front of them. His heart was beating a mile a minute.
What do you think about? What do you dream? What's your favorite color? What kind of books do you read? What's your favorite animal? What's your favorite season?
"Winter."
Her voice startled him, Ray's cheeks burning as she looked at him blankly, nodding her head.
"You asked what my favorite season was… I said winter."
He swallowed, feeling his heart pump gently.
"Why winter?"
"Well… what's your favorite season?"
"Hmm…" he thought for a second. "Fall I guess."
"Why fall?"
"The leaves are nicely colored."
"I like that answer." She replied, Ray seeing a smile upon her face.
Her smile… it's lovely.
"Why the season winter?" he asked again, keeping up with her pace.
"Winter… because it's so peaceful… but in reality I like all the seasons… I just really like winter. I enjoy the cold… because then you can always find something warm."
"Mmm…" he gazed up at the sky again, seeing a few crows pass overhead.
"I like crows too…"
He smiled.
"You do?"
"Yeah… they're birds… and I love birds."
Ray breathed out, seeing his breath in wisps' of gentle warm fog.
"I like birds too…"
"They're so free…" she murmured, Ray thinking to himself.
Free… the way she speaks… is she really nineteen?
They came to a traffic light, the snow falling in all around them. Ray could see that she was getting cold, and he moved closer to her.
"How much longer is it to your house?"
"Just a few more minutes."
As they walked, Ray spotted a few crows on tree branches, their caws echoing through the empty air. He wondered where they were going.
She had led him to a house that was on a hill, where the snow seemed to go on forever. Crystal turned to him, her boots crunching with the snow.
"Well… thank you… for walking me home."
"No problem."
Ray stood there awkwardly after she had spoken, wanting to steal maybe a hug or something. She was still such a mystery to him, and he had forgotten to get the important details. He wanted to hear more music, he wanted to learn more.
"I like blue jays."
His mouth blurted out the words before his brain could stop him, Crystal's eyebrows furrowing.
"You like blue jays?"
He could feel his cheeks burn.
"Yeah… you said you liked birds and I guess I was just thinking…" he trailed off, seeing her gaze on him. He cleared his throat and stepped back.
"Anyways, you're welcome for-"
"Nightingales."
His ears perked, his mouth caught open in mid sentence. She smiled back at him softly, repeating.
"My favorite birds are nightingales. They're beautiful."
Maybe that's why…she wears black.
"I see… I think they're really nice birds to look at."
"Budgies are pretty cute too."
Ray chuckled, nodding his head.
"That's true."
A harsh wind blew after he spoke, Ray holding onto his scarf and seeing Crystal hold onto her hat. The wind blew harder for a split second, and he could hear a startled cry coming from next to him. Ray's eyes looked up and saw that her hat had gone flying across her yard and into a tree, where the hat hung from a branch.
Seizing the opportunity Ray quickly raced over to the tree and took the hat back, accidentally dropping the hat into the snow. He brushed off the flurries and shook the hat, seeing Crystal come over.
"I thought I'd lost it…"
Ray handed the hat back to her, their fingers slightly touching. He licked his lips, stepping forward.
"I just… thought you might want it back."
"Thank you… it's my favorite hat."
They stood together in the snow for a few more seconds, Crystal finally walking towards her door and taking out a key she had in her pocket. Ray stood in the snow, watching her from afar. He breathed out slowly.
"Hey…."
She turned to him.
"Yes?" her door was slightly open, and she had one foot in the door already.
"Are… are you there… every day? At the school I mean."
"Yeah… I practice in that room a lot."
"Okay. I'll… come find you."
Crystal's eyes widened at his statement, Ray feeling his nervousness return.
"I want… to hear that music."
The girl's smile returned softly, her head nodding.
"Okay…"
With that she entered into her house and closed her door, leaving Ray out in the snow. His feet were freezing but his heart was warm with a sensation he had never felt before. His body felt as if he could run and run and run until the ends of the earth, as if he could sprout wings and fly.
His feet began to run, and soon he found himself running through the snowy cold, his heart racing and his eyes set on her image, her smiling face.
I want to see you… every day… I want that more than anything…
He ran and ran more, the snowflakes melting on his cheek and giving him strength. He could feel her presence beside him, the melodies of her piano singing in his head. Birds flew overhead and as he ran he could hear them flapping their wings.
I'll see you… Crystal.