Lincoln goes to meet Haiku because she has to talk to him about something important
Lincoln entered the cafe, taking off his rain jacket, which, then, he hung on a hanger near the entrance and looked around.
To be exact, looked around in searching of Haiku, who invited him here and apparently still didn't come, making the boy confused. After all, whatever was the reason for her invitation, it must be something important, or at least he thought so after reading a letter left in his locker.
"Welcome, comrade of the anguish of this dreary world.
I usually prefer to enjoy loneliness, but today I need your company. There are matters beyond my own possibilities that require your knowledge.
If you are ready to honor me with your presence, meet me at the "Black butterfly" cafe soon after school "
Your gloomy comrade Haiku
Well, eight years of life with the gothic girl taught him to understand their language, so he could reject any romantic intentions. There just weren't any mentions about the black heart or company of souls. This, however, didn't mean girls knew he was here; he wasn't so stupid. Probably if they knew, they would try to change it into a date.
So to prevent it, only Clyde knew about his actual location, and it's just because somebody had to cover him. The boy only hoped he wouldn't break under pressure. Which, unfortunately, wasn't very possible because his friend wasn't someone who had a lot of composure and wasn't good at dealing with stress. So probably soon he will be discovered, but until it, he could again try to deduce why Haiku needed his company today. Which, anyway, wasn't easy because he was aware only of two things.
First was that it was important to her, and second that Lucy couldn't help her. Which could have meant it was something embarrassing or something his sister couldn't understand. The only question was what it could be, and the answer on it only Haiku knew. Unfortunately, as it was said, she still wasn't here, making the boy could only sit down and wait for her.
To be precise, he waited for her at a table opposite the window, which gave him a good view of an empty street, and it wasn't strange. After all, it was raining, so terrible that probably everyone ran away to warm houses or anywhere else than there. And so was the boy who was grateful that he had managed to get here before dogs and cats started raining. More specifically, he did it while putting on the headphones, admiring the place, and it's for a reason.
After all, as his sister would say: the place had a soul. The wallpaper was black, covered with pattern small red and purple geometric butterflies, and the floor was in a black and white chessboard pattern. Briefly, the place, which style made it easy to understand why Haiku wanted to meet him here and gothic stylistic wasn't most important. This was done because the cafe was just really cozy and quiet with a small number of people creating a pleasant atmosphere. Briefly, He really started liking this place, and if only the food turns out tasty, he probably will be coming here more often. However, cause he was here the first time, he didn't wanna order anything. He just preferred to trust Haiku in this matter and wait to make an order until she came.
This, anyway, should happen soon because the said girl was near to him. To be exact, the street before the cafe carried a black umbrella with a red cobweb pattern that made her look like japan lady, and it's a pretty lady. So nothing strange that a few men thought it was a good idea, trying to flirt with her, but she ignored them. First, there was no room for love and other human feelings in her black heart, and second, she had to see Lincoln today. Which, anyway, had priority for her because she had to talk to him about something delicate and problematic.
More precisely, about the topic hard enough to make the girl start wondering how to tell him. Moreover, the girl was so thoughtful that she did not even notice when she got to the cafe. But for sure, she understood something else - her need to run away when she realized where she was. Haiku just wasn't ready to talk and hoped the boy didn't come or, at least, she did it until she saw him through a window. Luckily for her, he, in turn, seemed too focused on music, so Lincoln, probably, didn't notice her, giving her a chance to turn back and go away but didn't do it. First, it would be rude, and secondly, she would have to do it sooner or later.
Therefore instead of running, the goth sighed, opened the door, and went in when folding her umbrella. Then she left it in the stand and looked at Lincoln, who still was too focused on music to notice her. So Haiku decided a little fun with him and approached him quietly. To be exact, quiet enough to stay unnoticed when sat down opposite him, and changed it only when she greeted him:
- My Dark soul is glad that you accepted my invitation. - As expected, the boy jumped and clutched his chest.
- Haiku, how long have you been here? -
- Only a few minutes
- I'm sorry I didn't see you. - the boy who started folding the headphones apologized.
- It's not necessary- your soul and mind were absorbed by the music. Haiku looked at him neutral face and said, then added: - I wonder what spell of sound had such influence on you?
- It's a new band: "Rising shadow"
- Sound like something which can agree with my dark soul.-
- So maybe later I will recommend some of their songs to you? - White-haired replied, smiling.
- I would be grateful to you from the bottom of my dark heart, but first, we have more important things to talk about.
- Great, so, what is it?
- All in its time, First we both should fill our mortal bodies with some meal. - The goth suggested, and Lincoln's stomach rumbled as to confirm.
- I think it's a good idea- The teenager said with an embarrassed face. Then he added: - Would you be so nice and order something?
- No problem, I will be back soon - The gloomy girl said, standing up and coming to the counter to place the order. This, anyway, didn't take her long, so a moment later she returned to announce, sitting down:
- Our bodies soon will be fed. - And after that, intertwining a finger, The girl asked:- So Lincoln, how does this mortal life threaten your soul.
-I'm not complaining, and what about you?
- My torment gets stronger every day. - Haiku replied, closing her eyes.
- Well, probably good to you. - The boy noticed uncertainly.
- Not always, sometimes even my black heart suffers too much but tell me what was happening in your life- I didn't seen you since a dance.
-I was helping my sisters, I had several mishaps, and let's say I was not created for love. - The last he said with pain.
The girl grabbed his hand to cheer him up and stated:
-I'm sure you'll find someone ready to share the torments of this life with you.
- Thanks, and what with you?
- I don't wanna bore you-my life is the same never-ending travel to the end filled with pain and loneliness. - Haiku stated.
- Loneliness? What's about Clyde? I thought you had something. -
- Unfortunatelly, our hearts already had owners. -The goth stated with a bitter smile.
- What are you mean- Lincoln asked:
-We both share the same pain of impossible love. - At that moment, Haiku took out a bat-shaped necklace with a heart instead of a torso and opened it, adding:
And unfortunately, we were not given to be the ones who filled each other's emptiness in their hearts because his one is already lost in love for your sister.
- I know what you mean- his crush on Lori is just a hopeless case. - Lincoln shooked his head. - I just hope it will not cause a problem now.
- What do you mean?
-Let's say that sometimes my sisters misinterpret some things and try to pair me with every girl I meet.
- Let me guess, Clyde is covering you? - Haiku asked, causing his nod when the waiter brought their meal. That is hot chocolate, coffee, and two cakes. More precisely, two cakes that looked so tasty that it didn't take long for the black-haired girl to take the first bite to eat it and only then say:
- It is sad that your sisters interfere so much in your life. Are their personal torments so boring that they have to endure the ones of others?
- I think no.- The boy said, making a wry face.
- What do you mean -
The goth asked, but the teenager didn't answer her, instead of it, after the first bite of cocos-vanilla caked, asked:
- Haiku, do you try to avoid the reason for our meeting?
And it made that for a few moments, her neutral face showed shock, confusion, worry, and resignation.
- Were my attempts so obvious? - The Girl asked. Lincoln just nodded.
- I am so sorry I'm just not ready to tell you. - The goth apologized.
- Nothing happens. Apparently, it's something hard for you, so I understand why you did that. - The boy, taking her hand, calmed her down.
- How can you know it?- Confused Gloomy girl asked.
- Well, usually, you would say Lucy, but you'd prefer to tell a boy you've only met once. I just wonder what could be so complicated that you chose me over Lucy.
- It's because you are her brother
-What has it in common with it? - Confused Lincoln asked, then answered himself:- Wait, don't tell me- you need my help to date with her, right.
-No, nothing like that. I have never seen your sister more than a friend.- Haiku denied with typical or her calm and then added: - And, probably I will never see her in a different light. Especially... - The rest of the words froze in her throat.
- Especially what?
Lincoln tried to get her to tell more, but the goth was so paralyzed that all she could do was stare at her plate and look for her courage. Which, however, didn't take her long and, soon, she looked up to reveal:
- Especially that soon I will leave from Royal Woods. -
And just when she said it, the shock almost made Lincoln drop his fork and successfully made the teenager almost scream::
-What! Why?
- It's because of my parents' job- we are just, as always, forced to move out because of it. - Haiku, not looking at him, stated sadly.
- I'm so sorry for you- it must be hard for you.
- No need to-it was painful only for the first five times, now I'm even glad of it because it made me give my soul and heart to the dark side. - Haiku revealed, before sighed and, seeing the boy's confused look, explained it better:
- I just couldn't make or keep any friends because of all these removals, so I eventually decided to give up on it.
- And that made you the goth. -White-haired asked doubtfully
-No, it happened when I understood that I couldn't live alone, but I was too afraid to feel the pain of the separation again. So, Instead of searching mortal friend, I decided that I would summon a ghost that would be my friend, and if, of course, it wasn't just an effect of my desperate mind, I did it... I summoned the spirit that accompanied me and was my closest confidant for many years to come. - the girl explained, taking small sips of coffee.
-And as I guess, it was him who dragged you into all these gothic things and magic.
- Yes, it was him who made a goth of me, and that's why I miss off him
- So he isn't with you already? - He asked.
- No, no from the time when I moved here and decided to accept your sister's offer of friendship, all because I...- Haiku couldn't finish because of a lump in her throat.
- because what?
- Because they promised it was the last time and that we would stay here forever. - The gloomy girl finally finished, then, looking with anger and pain, added:-And I believed them and let that ghost go, only to find out it was all a lie.
And after that, the goth started crying, or rather she would have started if her interlocutor had not hugged her in the next moment. So the teenager could only sob into his chest when the boy tried to cheer her up. Which, anyway, did with great success because soon the goth calmed down enough to answer his next question:
- Do you feel better?
- Much better, your light has a great power to disperse life's pains and suffers. - The goth replied, smiling.
-Nice to hear it, and listen I don't know what to say because it never happened to me, but... - Lincoln started trying to comfort her, but Haiku never let him end.
-No, Lincoln, please, stop I don't need consolation. I am accustomed to it, now it will be more difficult, but it's nothing more than the next torment in life- I will overcome it... with time.
- Okay, if you say so, but, still, is there something I can do for you?
- Yes, there is one thing you could do for me. - The black-haired asked, looking at him pleadingly.
-Alright, what is it? - The boy asked, ready to do whatever she asked.
-Please tell Lucy I'll leave Royal Wood, that we'll probably never see each other again and that she was my best friend.
- It's why you wanted to meet me? - Lincoln asked, and the girl just nodded, so he asked:- why will you not do it in person?
- Cause I can't. - When the boy made a confused face, Haiku added: - Look. In this cold world full of pain and suffering, Lucy and I made promised to be a light for each other in the eternal darkness of life. We promised that when one of us fell, the other would help her get up, that when one of us suffered, the other would share her pain, and that when one of us felt sad, the other would give her a shoulder to cry. - Girl had tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat which made it difficult for her to speak - We just promised to be always for each other, and I can't keep this promise. - Haiku sighed to calm down before ending: - That's why I can't say it to her, now you understand.
The teenager was deeply affected by what he heard and couldn't find words. Meanwhile, black-haired finally stopped controlling her emotions and again broke down. This time she was the one who initiated a hug and started crying on his chest:
- I am begging you, tell her everything, tell her because I can't, I can't do it, I can't hurt her like that, I'm her only friend. and I don't know how Lucy will take it.- Then the girl was crying on his chest for a few seconds, and the white-haired could only return a hug, giving her comfort and time.
To be exact, a few moments, which she needed to stop crying and separate from Lincoln, who meanwhile understood what he to do. So the next moment, he put his hands on her shoulders and promised to her:
-Haiku, I can't promise you anything because I don't want to give you false hope, but if there is any way for you to stay here.- Then he concluded with determination:- I will move heaven and earth to discover it.
-Thank you, Lincoln, but with days that left before my time to go come, it's just a dying effort, so it's useless to try. -The girl replied, looking at him with traces of tears on the cheeks,
-Maybe, but you can't give up so fast, no without a fight. - Lincoln tried to convince her.
- Please don't try, Lincoln. Is no way to do it.
-Don't you forget that you are talking with a man with a plan. If someone can find a solution, it is me.- White-haired replied, looking at her with a cocky smile.
- Do you promise? - The girl couldn't help but ask with enthusiasm that spread to her.
- As I said, I can't promise anything, but I will do my best to help you.
-Don't worry, disappointment is all my life. - Haiku said with a bitter smile.
- So, I will do my best to change it.- The boy replied, putting a hand on her shoulder.
- Thanks, Lincoln, you are really a light of hope in this hopeless world. - The girl replied, giving him a short hug.
- No problem Haiku, so should I tell Lucy?
- No, until we will be sure that it is no way to change my destiny. - The black-haired replied after a moment of wonder and then finished her coffee.
- Very good, then it will be our secret. - The boy said, taking the last bite of the cake, then added, offering a finger to pink promise:- Pink promise.
However, the girl, instead of accepting it, just gently lowered his reach and said with trust:
- - It is not necessary. I trust you for your word, just as I trust that someday fate will allow us to talk again. Then she looked at the clock behind them and added: -But now my borrowed time is up, and I must go.
And With that she stood up, ready to collect their dishes but before he could do it, the boy stopped her, saying:
- Please let me handle this, and you better go if you don't want to be late.
- Thanks, Lincoln it's nice of you. -Black-haired stated, kissing him on the cheek, then added:- Goodbye, I hope fate will allow us to meet again, and thanks again for everything.
-No problem Haiku, now better go. - Lincoln replied, at which the goth just nodded before going out, leaving the teenager alone.
To be exact, alone and finishing his hot chocolate when he was wondering how to help her. This, unfortunately, was unsuccessful as none of his ideas were good enough and, before he could come up with something better, it was getting late. In short, high time to return home was coming and Lincoln, if he didn't want to have trouble, had to return now. So the teenager didn't wait any longer, just according to promise return dishes, then dressed up his jacket and left Caffe to head toward home. To be exact, he did it with a hand in his pocket and worried because he was perfectly aware that talk with his sisters was waiting on him.