Sustainable

Washington; USA

Caelen

Jesus, it's cold today. I pulled up my weathered jacket to my ears, praying the heat would stay in. Last thing I need is to freeze to death in this godforsaken city. I plucked up the stone I'd been kicking around, and held it tight in my palm. The smooth pebble felt almost warm in comparison to the rest of my hand, and I shoved my fist into my pocket. This'll come into some use later.

Walking down the street, I spot a young lady outside the courtrooms, chatting to her friend in a futile attempt to stay warm. Her straw coloured hair flapped in the cold wind, and her small pale cheeks were rosy from the relentless breeze. Looking at her clothing, I could tell she was rather well off; her royal purple designer dress could be picked out a mile away, and the way she held herself spoke silently to me as if to say, 'My daddy buys me what I like'. I smiled to myself, and my haggard reflection in the store window caught me by surprise. My dark brown hair was long and shaggy, and my usually wide awake eyes looked tired and desperate. The slight facial hair that usually added a bit of rugged danger to my angular face looked wild and unkempt; I looked more like a homeless man than a charmer. I shuddered at the sight - so out of character.

I closed my eyes and concentrated. The reflection that awaited me was that of a different man - a tall, tanned man with an angular jaw and a small neat mop of black curls. I smiled cockily at my reflection; a smile of certainty and strategy. Only my eyes remained the same; the large hazel eyes that I couldn't escape, no matter my form.

Eyeing up the young lady, I strolled casually towards her and her giggling friend, and she turned and smiled coyly. I returned her smile, and felt for the pebble in my pocket. "Excuse me, Miss."

"Mia. My name is Mia Stronglen." she batted her obnoxious eyelashes at me in a fleeting attempt to flirt with me, and my grin only got wider. She must have been about seventeen, only a few years younger than myself. Not the prettiest thing, but sweet enough.

"Mia." I corrected myself. "I believe you may have dropped this." I pulled the pebble out of the deep pocket, and she gasped when I opened my hand. "My ring!" She gingerly took it from my palm as her violet eyes widened in surprise. "I thought I'd lost this!"

I smiled wider, loving the way her and her friend was lapping it up. "It must've been when you were looking for it, Mia." A smaller girl, with platinum blonde hair said, speaking slowly. Her eyes rested on mine, and I immediately felt uncomfortable. "You must've dropped it then."

Mia looked at the girl sharply, and she immediately went quiet. Her eyes dropped to the floor awkwardly, and she mumbled an apology. She turned to walk away, and then tapped Mia on the shoulder. "Reward him; that ring is priceless. He deserves a reward for bringing it back safely." Mia smiled coyly yet again, and the small blonde rolled her large eyes. "A material reward, Mia." Her gaze rested on mine once more, and she left.

"Well, my sister was right. You deserve a reward. Will this do?" Mia pulled out a small silken purse and handed me a bill which was marked with neat $100 lettering. I smiled graciously, and thanked her, kissing her hand in a gentlemanly fashion. "Just be careful what you drop, Mia." Her pretty face flushed pink, and I grinned. "Not everybody here is as honest as I am." She stood, stunned, and I turned to walk away. "Wait!" her delicate hand rested on my broad shoulder, and she whispered slowly. "What is your name? I would like to know the name of my helper."

"My name is Caelen, Mia." And with that, I briskly turned and left her standing in the cold November afternoon.