Seize A Lost Identity

Chapter 10

Jules stood behind the counter, her hands resting on the freshly polished surface. For a couple of hours the gang of teenagers had broughtthe cafe to life again, but now the cafe was still with only the discrete buzz of the fridge for company. Yet her thoughts weren't calm. They came round to the child who had stayed behind after his friends had gone.

"Xio," she whispered, trying the name aloud. It tasted bittersweet, like a memory she couldn't quite grasp.

Her heart felt heavy. She wiped her hands on her apron and sighed. "It's just a coincidence," she told herself. "Xio was... he's gone."

However, the flicker of recognition could not be extinguished.

The Streets of Siberia

Xio walked aimlessly, hands shoved deep into his pockets. The streets were empty now, bathed in the soft orange light of lampposts. Snow crunched under his boots as his breath came out in visible puffs.

He didn't know why he had thanked her. Words rarely escaped his lips, especially ones that carried any weight. Yet, there was something comforting about the café—about her.

He stopped walking for a moment and looked up at the sky. The stars were barely visible, but they were there, twinkling like faint echoes from afar. A strange ache settled in his chest.

Jules, he whispered, and the word flowed out of his lips of its own accord.

Startled, he froze. Where had that come from? He shut his fists in a state of frustration at the holes in his memory which wearied him at each turn.

The Next Day: School Antics

The next morning, Xio sat in the classroom, head resting on his hand as Nadia chattered away beside him.

"I'm telling you, Xio, if you don't show up for karaoke night tomorrow, I'll personally drag you there, she threatened with a grin.

"I don't sing," he said flatly.

"Perfect! That's exactly why you need to come. Everyone loves a reluctant singer—it's the ultimate crowd-pleaser."

Dmitri leaned over from the next desk. "Don't listen to her. She just wants to have a laugh at her botched readings of her own favourites," etc.

"Excuse me?" Nadia gasped, feigning offense. "I have the voice of an angel."

Angel who's been smoking for about 30 years," Igor said, trying to smile slyly.

The whole room erupted into fits of laughter and even Xio's lips quivered a barely perceptible grin.

"See that? Xio's finally starting to understand our humor! Nadia exclaimed, pointing at him dramatically.

Xio shook his head but didn't deny it.

Lunch Break: Small Connections

Lunchtime, the assembly met in its usual spot in the cafeteria. Nadia was engrossed in her food, talking between bites.

"So, Xio, do you have any hobbies?" she asked.

He hesitated. "I don't know."

"How do you not know?" Nadia looked genuinely baffled.

Dmitri interjected, "Maybe he hasn't tried enough things yet. You can't know what you enjoy, if you never tried it.

"That's deep, Dmitri, Igor said, pretending to wipe a tear. "Truly inspirational."

Ignoring the teasing, Nadia nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, then. Xio, this weekend we're trying something new. Ice skating!"

"I've never skated before," Xio admitted.