Part 2: Memory's Curse
The harsh wind continued to blow, rustling the leaves of the tall copse trees and sending the sound akin to rushing water rumbling through the air.
The boy entered the circle of trees and sat himself down between two large woody roots, trying to shelter himself from as much of the wind as he could. He wrapped his jacket around him and opened his bag, searching for the food he'd prepared in secret beforehand.
As he unwrapped the paper from its edges, memories of the last few weeks ebbed into his consciousness. He took a slow bite and rested his head against the tree supporting his weight...
"Are you alright?"
The boy looked round suddenly, snapping out of his thoughts. He gave a quizzical look to the girl standing opposite him, wrapped in a long brown scarf. She smiled; a warm smile- so friendly and welcoming the boy couldn't help but smile back.
"Yes, I'm fine," he answered, a little grin reaching across his face. "Why do you ask?"
The girl blushed. "Oh, I just thought you looked... I'm sorry, it doesn't matter." She turned to go, but a hand on her shoulder turned her back around.
"No, it's alright. What were you going to say?" the boy urged gently, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
The girl blushed harder and carefully took his hand from her shoulder, sliding her fingers along his. The boy flinched slightly, but kept his gaze fixed firmly upon her.
"Well, you just looked so deep in thought," the girl murmured happily. "I wondered if you might have been thinking about something serious."
The boy scratched his head. "I guess you could say that. I have a lot to think about."
The girl moved closer, her eyes transfixed on his. "Like what?"
* * *
The wind shook the windows of the weathered house. Forlornly a figure sat on her bed, watching the edge of the cliffs for any sign of a figure. Another walked into the room carrying a basket of laundry.
"Aren't you going outside to meet him?"
The girl sighed silently, wringing her hands. "No, mum. He... had to go."
"Will he be back soon? It seems odd that he didn't say goodbye to us."
"I don't know. I think he may be gone for a while." The girl fought back tears, it took every amount of strength she could summon to keep her voice from breaking.
"Oh, that's a shame. He was such a nice boy. I do hope he'll return shortly."
She left the room, leaving the girl to bury her face in her hands. As she sobbed quietly, she began to remember the first time she'd talked to him...
"He must be new here."
"I've never seen him before."
"I love his hair!"
"And his eyes! So lovely. I bet he's not staying, though."
"Yeah, it's a shame nobody really pays attention to this village any more."
Only one of the four girls remained silent, observing the boy standing in the middle of the square with an expression of deep thought on his face. She'd seen him a few days ago, walking along the road towards their village from the towns. Did he have family here? Perhaps he'd moved in a few weeks ago.
Leaving the others to wander off towards the school, she continued watching him, taking in every segment of his stature, body and expression. He was... beautiful. But with this beauty was a deep sadness- his soulful eyes were wraught with loneliness and he clutched his bag so tightly it was as if it were a baby brother. Feeling her body alight with tension and excited anxiety, she walked towards him.
Every step she took seemed like an eternity- although she desperately wanted to talk to him she would have been blissfully happy if this moment lasted forever, always in anticipation of reaching something so...
* * *
The boy wrapped his food back up in the paper. He didn't feel like eating any more. Lifting the collar of his jacket around his neck, he lay against the side of the tree and drifted off to sleep.
