Remembrance (Kolsten Files #1)

Chapter 2

People screaming

The fire crackling

Beep! Beep! Beep! My eyes open, they focus, I am still in my room, sweat running down me, as if the heat was real and I silently thank my alarm. A hypocritical thing no doubt. To look into that well of sadness in the old man's eyes, his dying gaze, full of hope yet so much pain, it was disconcerting. It was so real. Damn him, I clear the sleep from my face, wash up, get ready for breakfast, cereal and milk. Dad's snores can be heard all the way in the kitchen, so he is finally home. We have never talked ever since that fateful day. He writes notes, I either reply, or bend it, that would mean I acknowledged it.

Heading out, the sky is bleak as ever, and a black cat, its ominous gaze passed me as it walked past. Not giving it much thought I walked to school. First lesson was with Mrs Dawson, she eyed the three of us suspiciously, guess Mr Dawson told her all about us.

That is when I saw Amanda; the first time anyone made my heart skip a beat, in excitement anyways. Brunette, long hair, black eyes, she looked gorgeous, Allen saw me looking and whispered "good luck". He then proceeded to elbow Tim, and gestured at Amanda and me; He looked at me and nodded sagely. What is it with those two? Then I resumed glancing at her, she caught me looking once, we held eye contact for a while before I broke it and felt profoundly awkward. Not how I wanted her to see me, first impressions count damn it! Class was a blur of audio and visual bombardment, it was already the fifth class of the day, how's that for a productive day, the teacher was absent for next three classes, so we were free.

Tim appeared out of nowhere, "well well well, look who decided to embrace puberty" gesturing at me with a grandiose pose, i took his hand crushed it in my palm, he shut up quickly, "That wasn't necessary Kolsten, a simple shut up would have sufficed" when's the last time you listened Tim? "Good point" Aha! , over there, lover boy. He is being very chatty with Elena, "I wish him luck in his endeavours and to you too" Sarcasm duly noted Tim. "You almost had us think you were gay, you didn't even look at a girl" Well. She seems different; I want to get to know her, "let us not get our hopes up" Indeed. Welcome back Allen!

"We have decided to go to a poetry reading" "look at you, blushing and all" Good luck Allen "thanks" , "what about you Kolsten, did you even talk to Amanda?" not yet , "not to worry Kolsten, Allen and I shall assist you in this arduous journey" I didn't feel like replying. We were quiet with our thoughts after that, "Hey Kolsten, you ready for your preliminary? At jujitsu? "Yeah, I guess, why ask, Tim? "I have the right for free speech, the whole class is going to be there" oh, Amanda "Marvellous, you figured" "Guess you better win flashy to get her attention, Tim and I would cheer for you" heh, thanks. I had better go for training then, see you later people.

The bus takes about 15 minutes to get to the gym, a time for some self-reflection, I cannot be like this, for the last twelve years I have just been existing, a nobody, going wherever life went, which is not much since its only school. I have to change. If I am to become what I promised myself all those years ago, to get stronger, to protect. A promise made in despair, I shall never be weak. It is not just jujitsu, fencing, I put myself through this, so I have to persevere. To bring myself to my limit, to break that limit. This is a form of despair I guess. Straightening my thoughts, I get off the bus. My progress stalls if I do not win the competition. My redemption at the pointless life I have led. I could have saved her, I could have done something! I stood there, crying silent tears, my life stripped apart. It will not happen again, it cannot happen again, I will not allow it. Get a hold of yourself Kolsten!. Its Gym time, no other thoughts can invade, it is my mantra. My mind is calm, quiet, peaceful, the steady rhythm of workouts calming. The push-ups, pull-ups, bicep curls, chest workouts, skillet thrumming in my ears. However, today, none of this was enough to focus, Amanda. She kept barging into my mind, Damn her. I stop working out and have a wash, then leave. I need some fresh air.

Since there was nothing on schedule, I decided to go for a walk. Whistling tunelessly, speak of the devil. There she was, buying something from an art vendor. She looked great in the leather jacket, tight jeans and boots; she positively glowed in the dying light of the sun. I walk past her then pretend to be surprised when I see her. She does the same, before I could introduce myself.

She says.

"Hii, you must be Kolsten, I've heard a lot about you" then she shook my hand. All good things I hope, "nothing to worry about, I'm Amanda" she had a perfect smile, what a nice name, Pleasure meeting you Amanda. "Where are you off to?" I was just walking, and I bumped into you, what are the odds? I decided to give my dazzling smile "Ha-ha, well I decided decorating my room was a good idea" nice selection you have there. "Why thank you". She seemed cheery enough, fingers crossed, here I go. I am famished fancy a bite?. "Oh it's a date now is it?" I grinned, improvisation is key. "Hmm, anywhere you please" .And it worked! You agreed, I am shocked. "What? You look interesting, I want to know more about you" She was smiling, genuinely smiling. And so you will, do follow me, there's a wonderful restaurant close by "everything going to plan" I never had the slightest idea this was going to happen when I woke up this morning. " I believe you" She flashed that smile again, heart skips a beat, I better not screw this. Here it is "It's literally called the restaurant?" yes, I grinned, the food is so good they just decided to name it "the restaurant". She giggled. That's the sheer brilliance of it! And please, ladies first, I gave a little bow, she gave me a little curtsey too! I guess the Victorian era got one thing right. Thank god, they have free seats. Being the gentleman I am. I pulled her chair for her. "why thank you Kolsten" there's that smile again.

Then the waiter arrived, "hello sir and madam, your orders? And what would you like miss?" he gave her a wink. "Orange juice please" "and you, sir?" Tea would be nice, he nodded and left. She looked at me, what? " nothing, I didn't know you were old fashioned" haha, there's a lot more you don't know, I say with a mischievous face. " Well. I would like to know then" She leaned in and looked into my eyes when she told that. "I caught you looking at me today" I , uhm, " Oh don't fret, it was cute, I liked the way you look at me" you did catch my eye, I say with a nervous laugh , but she called me cute, so this must be going somewhere good. Then the waiter came with our drinks. He also left the menu. We sipped our drinks in companionable silence. Then I picked up the menu and asked what she'd like for dinner. She thought for a moment, then looked at her watch, she should not have. "I am really sorry Kolsten, I better leave. Its getting pretty late". Damn, she's leaving. "Oh don't be like that, next time okay?" Next time you better, she laughed. "Alright bye" Cheerio. That went both better and worse than I ever expected.

My stomach growled, after having a good dinner. I left for home. Today was a good day, I felt calm and tad bit excited for the next day, I guess things can change. I close my eyes, and the old man awaits my return to his fiery realm.

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