A Tiny Light From My Messed Up Life (but Still Messed Up)

Part 1: Short Story

Today is my 19th summer, 6am. I'm Brigilla Marigold. A girl who will start to go to school in a university the next semester.

My parents let me live in the capital city of our country while they stayed in the province, to give me a better education. I have two friends which I thought I would have until forever; one's a girl and one's a boy. We're like, a nice gang. BEFORE. Not after I confessed to him. And the girl's my loyal bestfriend, we grew up together and now we're here to enroll in a famous school in the country: The Don School. But unfortunately, she's living with her Aunt on the next area.

Speaking of her, we're gonna meet up at the Central City's fountain today at 9am. It's my first time in this city to meet her. Just how excited do you think I am to have fun strolling or shopping or going to amusement park?

I dragged my feet on the ground and started to do my morning routines. I had made my bed, had shower, and had breakfast. I dressed up a little fancy, knowing that in this city, people dress up nicely to make a statement. Then, off I go.

I wasn't used in this kind of environment. People here are too busy, the transits are always crowded and most buildings are huge. I grew up living in a simple city, a friendly village where the people I see are always stress-free. And this city is a total opposite.

As I hurriedly entered a Women's Transit (There are transits for every gender.) It's like, I'm inside a can full of sardines. But it wasn't even hot in here, the air conditioner they have are max-pressured and has max temperature, suitable for this crowded train.

It's quarter 9am now. I went out of the Women's Transit with a map in hand since this is my first time in the city.

I see couples having a sweet talk in a classy cafe as I passed by. Then, then as I checked on department stores, I often see 'them' hanging out together.
Why do I see people in relationships when I'm single? I asked myself.
This reminds a lot of my dreamed self. Bruh.

Later on, I've reached the unusual stalls. Deep within the Central City, I've reached the great fountain.

A kid is cupping his hands and drink from the fountain. Meh, why is his mom not scolding him. He might get diarrhea.
The mom noticed me staring at her kid, so she looked at me. Before that happened, instinctively, I glanced at the sign board. It says, "Spring water".
Ohh, cool. I should try it, too. I cupped my hands and as I am gonna sip it..

"Brigilla!"

I looked around finding the person who called my name and at my watch.
It's already 8:10 in the morning.

Must be Kristi.

"Brigilla! Over here!"

At last, I saw her waving at me in a stall named Create Your Scent. The stall's name is familiar. And as I come closer, I saw her holding a small glass tube.

"Heyy, Bri! You shouldn't try to drink the water in the fountain area using just your hands. And look! I made 1/4 Pun Berries, 1/2 Indian Glassi, and 1/4 Jont Blues."

"But it says, "Spring Water". Even the kid drank from it while his mom's beside him. And.. what in the world is that, Kristi? "

"Just don't. This place is public you can't be so sure. Well, move back to the topic, Have you forgotten? This is the stall I've once mentioned to you before when we were emailing! I love this mix I just made, it's like a dreamy scent. Try it!"

She sprayed me the so-called 'Dreamy Scent' she had made. It smelt wonderful, too bad I don't wear perfumes and she knows it. But I'll let it go for now. We just met for the first time in a long time.

We went into a common restaurant to have lunch beside a river with a beautiful scenery. There lined a one kind if a tree grew to shed handsome leaves on the river to flow with.

"So, how's Daniele? Are you two still speaking up? I'm really sorry after what happened. My aunt needs me so bad. " she broke the silence.

I don't know what to answer.

Should I tell her, 'forget about it, past is in the past'? or Should I tell her 'as if I didn't need you SO BAD'?

"It's okay. It's the right decision you've made. I handled myself well. Look at me, have I not moved on?" I put on a wide smile. I know it's dumb but I do not know anymore. I don't want to break our precious friendship. Though, I get mad sometimes remembering what had happened 2 years ago.

"I'm really sor---"

"Come on! How about we find the amusement park!?" I cut her out. Of all the things I've experienced, being dramatic is soo wrong. Also, it looks lame. Sorry, I may be dense but I don't care.

It took an hour and a half travelling from Central Town to Amusement Park by a transit. We have never spoken to each other in the transit. I pretended being dissolved into a game in my phone. I felt dizzy so I sat up in a bench near the entrance.

"Are you okay? We are just getting started here. Haha." she said, clearing awkwardness.

"No. Wait. I felt dizzy, I just wasn't used to this transit-transit thing." I replied, which is partially true.

"Oh, okay. Wait here I'll buy us snacks at the West. Ice-cold coffee with Vanilla ice cream on top? Got it!" I sighed. A relief, I still haven't moved on her topic a while ago.

At least the awkwardness' gone now to her. But I can adapt. And she's a bit back to herself.

I looked at the booths available. I stepped towards them one by one. And some people stare at me. Many told me before, my looks are above average. So, some maybe attracted to me. MEH. Or I'm just simply ambitious.

I've spotted some people with normal and above average looks, too. But I am neither attracted to any of those looks on opposite sex.

About after 5 minutes, I received an unexpected text from Kristi.

"Briiii 😣 Maybe I'll be back after half an hour. I'm sorry to the nth time 😥😢 I always make bad decisions. Really. I jst checked the stadium with a large crowd and suddenly they announced that there will be a great event limited for the first 100 pips only and I'm counted in. I can't back off for now. We were really asked to participate. Plsss enjoy yourself rn. Be back later. I promise, I'll pay you for the lost time we supposedly needed to share today. -Kristi💙" Okay, I take back what I said. Maybe. Just maybe. She felt my slight avoidance to her. Or maybe I'm just Judgemental towards towards my old bestfriend. People change, too, considering the two years without seeing and contacting each other.

I wander my eyes around the area. There is a puppet show in the left side of where I sit right now. Many laughed on the show. Half confused, half hypnotized, I come closer to see it.

But, Indeed! The show's fun. There was this funny little traveller who likes to answer people, when asked, in like a riddle or a metaphor but people take it too literally.

Uncomfortable with the position, I turned my back on the show and gaze at the side where there are no people.

I saw a guy passing the exact moment I turned my back on the crowd and the show. I almost knocked my feet off.

I cursed accidentally.

"Sorry." he muttered softly.

It seemed like he really did not mean it. I looked at him longer that I shoudn't have.
Normally, I've already averted my gaze.

He was wearing a white tee with simple black prints(I guess?)
Also he's wearing a knee-length black short. He's slim but he's not too thin. He has jet black curly hair, too. He's unique and different. I can feel there's something interesting in him.
What the hell am I blabbering?

"Kristi's not here so maybe I could follow him." so my other self got me an impact.

I got carried away and followed him secretly.

--
AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Super pure fiction. I hope you can get along with my imagination :)