Opera

chapter 1

FACES AND GRAVES

"The winds that sometimes take something we love, are the same that brings us something we can learn to love. Therefore we should not cry about something that was taken from us, but, yes, love what we have been given. Because what is really ours is never gone forever." - Bob Marley

A year later...

London, Car + Airport, Friday, 2:47 PM

Carter was listening to music while he took his father to the airport. He was listening to some horrible song but that was the last thing on his mind. His head was somewhere else. The holidays would be over by Monday and he would have to go back to Highgate High School, where the most mysterious and misunderstood students in all of athe world, in his mind, went to study. The boy liked the school and, even though he didn't talk to the people judged "right", he liked the students. He was going to the airport to pick up his cousin, who he hadn't seen for a while. She would be living with them for a few months as it was her dream to study in England. She was american.

Carter sighed when they got there. Even though excited to see her, he was afraid she wouldn't be the same girl he used to know, that he wouldn't recognize her.

"Sophie!" His father said hugging a girl with red sweatpants. Carter couldn't see her face, but he smiled anyways. Maybe he missed her more than he realized.

"Uncle John! It's so good to see you!" An excited voice said. "Nialler!" She went to hug him but the second he saw her face he froze.

"Soph?" He finally said. "Shit." He murmured to himself. Beauty wasn't his cousin's problem. She had an angelical face, childish and attractive at the same time. In fact, if you didn't notice her brown hair and eyes you could easily think she was... He tried not to think about her name. Maybe trying to get Sophie to go to Highgate wasn't a good idea after all. All he hoped is that he was the only one to acknowledge the similarities she had with Julie.

London, West Norwood Cemetery, Friday, 3:15 PM

He left the roses on the ground, in front of the grave. His eyes were already burning while he sat there by himself.

"Hey Julie," he sadly said, sighing, "it's been a year and I haven't seen you. Sad, no? I kind of agree... I've been thinking a lot about you. Everyday to be truthful. My father is in France and will probably be staying there for a while so I guess I'll be alone again." He paused a little, as if he was waiting for her to answer even though he knew she couldn't. She was dead. No matter how much he begged her to come back, she wouldn't. "I bought a new flat. Not too much. You'd love it. Spike misses you too. You remember him right? Yes Jules, even the dog misses you." He let out a little laugh after saying that but it only lasted a second before his face became serious again. "He still cries looking at the door, hoping you'll come back. I do too." By then Dan was crying compulsively, a thing he hoped he could hold in until he went home. Guess things don't turn out the way you want them to.

He looked around, making sure nobody saw him. Imagine how ironic it would be to see the biggest suspect in a murder crying over the person's grave. "As if anyone would ever believe I actually didn't kill her."

London, Lowden Avenue, Saturday, 1:37 AM

"There are some rooms up there. What do you say?" James said, affected by the alcohol and by the girl. They were in the middle of some party. The house was crowded and there wasn't anyone sober in the place. She had hated him ever since they broke up and he knew this was wrong but he simply couldn't help it: he still loved her.

"I don't know..." She said while pecking his lips.

"I know you want this as much as I do."

"What if I do?" Jade said, making an innocent face. This made him want her even more.