❝ Why do I feel like I'm just a chapter in your book while you're my entire story? ❞
❝ Well, you're obviously wrong, because you're my entire novel, cover to cover. ❞
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A blank canvas. That's how my life was. Until she took my hand...
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The next day was gloomier, judging by how little Serena interacted with people. She refused to touch food and only ate a bit of porridge after much compulsion from Shauna and Lisia. Calem and Tierno had stopped by to visit, but she hadn't opened up to them either.
As for me, I had Gary and Misty by my side for most of the time. They visited during each interval and break. May, Drew, and Dawn also chimed in. From what they knew, the teachers were planning something fun, and everyone was dying to find out what.
But I was worried sick about my best friend.
She barely spoke, lost her appetite, and along with it, her usual charm. Now, don't get me wrong—she was still beautiful in my eyes—but her upbeat nature was just... gone without a trace. Even Lisia, the most cheerful among us, had sobbed her eyes out during one of the visits.
I couldn't take Serena's silence any longer. The audio wasn't enough to determine what those three guys had done to her, and the first interrogation hadn't even been mentioned during the meeting.
Whatever was behind her frown, it definitely wasn't worth it. So, I decided to confront her that evening.
"Serena," I called as we finished supper, my voice firm. "Serena!" She flinched and looked at me with wide eyes. Part of me wanted to beat myself up for startling her, but I pressed on. This was the only way to get her to open up.
I rose to my feet and hurried to her side. Her eyes were still wide as she stared at me. I offered her my hand, but she stayed put. When she didn't respond, I gently took her hand myself. She didn't protest, but her eyes were still on alert.
"Come on," I whispered, and pulled her to her feet. Serena didn't resist, so I led her out of the somber hospital wing to the campus gardens.
The air was chilly and foggy; winter was starting to set in. The cold wind pinched my cheeks, and I shivered slightly. "It's cold, isn't it?" I glanced over at her, and she gave a small nod, her eyes downcast. I frowned and stopped in front of the flower bed our class was tending to.
It was mostly Mallow's department, but I visited often. Flowers, as cringe as it sounds for a guy, always remind me that despite their fragility, they have a profound impact. I crouched down and looked up at her. Her gaze was fixed on her boots.
Talking wouldn't melt her icy silence, but maybe actions could. Gently plucking one of the dandelions, I started, "Hey, Dandy, remember me?"
Of course, there was no response, and I wasn't foolish enough to expect one. "I'm Ash Ketchum, the world's most pessimistic person. Don't mind me for plucking you. I just want to make a wish."
I reached for the half-white flower. "No, don't!" Serena's voice was soft but urgent.
"Why not?"
"The petals will fly away on their own when the time's right."
