When the Orion Glows

CHAPTER 7.1: Drifting Echoes (1)

Lee's Resident

"Paint me, Lyndon." - Stella gracefully smiled

Lyndon melancholy avoid eye contact and stare at his palm; he clenched.

I am a pathetic human being. I swear myself that I will never paint a portrait....
That my sister will be the first and last.

Yet, here I am attempting to pick my paintbrush once again. I feel like my hand is cursed that each time I paint someone, they'll eventually disappear and leave me alone forever again.

I already know what will happen to us in the end, however, I imagine that all of this moment will be gone.

I'm scared.

I'm terribly scared that the last day will eventually come.

I don't want to be alone. I'm done being myself.... But...

Lyndon painfully exhaled.

"Okay... I'll do it." Lyndon desolately replied.

"I'm being really selfish again, aren't I? But I want to leave memories here. I want you to miss me as well." Stella softly said and hug Lyndon, "I want you to live despite all of this."

Stella gently tilts Lyndon's chin and kisses him with aching tenderness imploringly.

Lyndon Room's

Lyndon anxiously grabbed his paintbrush once again.
He set up his pieces of equipment and tried hard not to cry as he exhaled.

"Do I look good?" Stella cheerfully asked, "this is my first time getting portrayed on the spot"

Lyndon carelessly smiled.

"You're beautiful." He gently replied.

I already know what Stella's trying to do.
She wants me to accept the truth that one day she'll disappear and despite all of that I'll continue to live and remember her alone.
She may never speak anything about it but I just know from the way she acts cheerfully in front of me and suffer from pain later.

I was thinking that maybe I was meant to be alone all this time that I even grow in fear whenever someone came and then left later on.

However, I feel totally different right after I picked my brush, it whispering to my ear at each stroke I make, saying that this woman whose I'm painting will forever be watching over me.

Lyndon spend the night finishing the portrait and was knocked asleep after the dawn came.
.........
..................
Stella woke up first and tidy herself for work.
She sadly smiled after seeing the finished product of her portrait.

"You'll be fine.... No matter what..." she mumbled while stroking the portrait.

Stella approached Lyndon who was asleep and stained by paint all over his hand and pants.

"I love you..." she softly whispered and kissed Lyndon on his cheeks.

Queen's Restaurant

Lyndon agitatedly went to Queen's even though it's not his shift yet. He's worriedly looking for Stella.

"Lyndon? Didn't you have work at the office in the morning? What are you doing here?" She asked as she continued serving the customer.

"Don't act like everything's okay!" Lyndon scowly replied, "You shouldn't work too much in that state of yours."

"I'm fine, I feel very light... so relax." Stella softly whispered.

Stella walk forward and suddenly weakly staggered while carrying the tray of meals. Thankfully, Lyndon caught both the tray and Stella.

"I told you not to push yourself too hard," Lyndon said while guiding Stella to stand.

The other staffs handle the order covered for Stella and carry her to the staff room.

Staff Room

"What happened?" Rey worriedly asked.

"I'm just a little anemic, owner." Stella weakly replied, "I should hurry to get back to work."

Stella forcibly stand up, sluggishly tried to walk.

"I think you need to go home and rest, 'lil kid." Rey worriedly replied.

Stella's celestial body suddenly glow again and collapsed after.

Rey, on the other hand, looks puzzled and surprised at what he just saw.

Furthermore, the three of them are inside the staff room.

To be continued...