𝐀 𝐊𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐀'𝐒 𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 ── ( ray )

Chapter 13: Memories

Isabella slowly reached up and pulled off the fishnet that had always kept her hair in a neat bun, and for the first time ever, let her long, jet black hair fall down. The breeze blew softly, making both her hair and the ropes the children had used fly freely. The woman glanced at the spot where she last saw her dear Emma, but instead of seeing the energetic, happy-go-lucky girl, she saw herself. Only as a child.

It was a memory.

The younger version of her was looking down into the dark cliff, in a trance. But she stopped when she heard a familiar, soft melody. It made her turn. It was the sound of someone playing the mandolin. Curious and enchanted, the young girl followed the sweet music.

The melody came from the mandolin that belonged to a young boy named Leslie. Leslie was a young boy with light skin, freckles framing only his nose, and light blue eyes. He had short purple hair which was neatly combed around his head. His identification numbers were 71584.

He was sat under the tree in front of the House, the shadow of its lush leaves shadowing his soft, freckled face. The young boy skillfully strummed at the strings of the instrument with a pretty, decorated plucker, creating a pleasant and mesmerizing song. It was calm and soothing, anyone who heard it would've stopped in what they were doing and pause to listen. Delicate butterflies fluttered around him, making the scene even the more magical.

He had just come to the end of the song when sudden movement on his right startled him, causing him to stop the music so abruptly the strings of the mandolin could've broken.

"Isabella!" On instinct, the boy had turned towards the noise, and saw his best friend Isabella hanging upside down from the tree, a bright smile plastered on her face. Isabella was a young girl with a long braid that streamed down her back. She had 2 locks of hair in the front of her face, and had large, purple, eyes. Her identification numbers were 73584.

Giggling, the young girl swung back up into the tree and regained her balance before dropping down onto the grassy ground. Her friend placed a hand on his chest, sighing, "You scared me..."

She grinned, a soft yet energetic voice came out of her lips, "I'm sorry. I was climbing trees when I heard a beautiful song, so... Well, what's the name of the song, Leslie?"

At the mention of the song, the boy went slightly pink with embarrassment, stuttering, "Uh... It doesn't have a name; I didn't name it."

"Wait, you composed it?!" Isabella asked, her face lighting up, impressed. "Yeah..." he mumbled. "That's amazing!" She exclaimed, her amethyst eyes shining beautifully, "Hey, could you let me hear more of it?" Surprised, Leslie turned to lock eyes with a hopeful looking Isabella.

Her adorable face made his heart race, he just couldn't stop it. He's had a small crush on her ever since they were little, there was just something about her joyous and friendly personality that made her so irresistible.

He nodded; his cheeks dusted with blush. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Sure. But it's embarrassing, so don't tell anyone." Isabella made a zipping motion at her lips, gesturing that she wouldn't tell anyone, "Promise."

Smiling, Leslie reached for his mandolin, readjusting his finger on his plucker before strumming down on the instrument with ease. Each note that came was perfect next to each other, Isabella was completely absorbed in the song, her gleaming purple eyes locked on the boy next to her. She brought her knees up to her chest, hugging it and resting her head on it as she enjoyed the fantastical music.

I loved everything.

I loved Leslie... but he was shipped out. She recalled back to when the male was dressed smartly in his departure clothes, the hat capped on his head, and his briefcase held by the Mama of their time. The purple haired male was standing in front of the door, waving to his siblings, who were all biding him goodbye and wishing him good luck after he left.