One Summer's Day

Spirits? Spirits

<Chihiro> you don't have to watch the video. Just listen to it while you read.

The best night I've slept in years. But when I wake up I know I'm not in my bed and in my world. I remember everything. Well, everything from last night. All the workers crowding around me. Waiting for me to recall everything from those years ago, but never being able to do it.

I found out the boys name. Haku. It fits him, clean and sharp. He left me a note in my room telling me to eat something, signed with his name. A bag of what looked like red jelly beans sat beside it. I only ate one, I felt too awful to eat more.

I sat up and stretched. As my eyes got used to the light, I turned to see the woman from yesterday, lying asleep on my rug. I look around the room looking for something different, or some kind of clue to why she's here.

Nothing's changed, so I pull off the covers and kneel down beside her. I gently shake her shoulder.
"Miss", I say. "Wake up."

She jolts awake, rolling away from me and then sitting up.
"Oh you're awake!"
I just nod. She looks so excited and happy like when she first saw me yesterday.
"What are you doing here? You look exhausted", I tell her.
"I'm so happy you're up. I spent all last night making a plan for today. It's gonna be great."
Even though I can see the adrenaline rushing throughout her body, she looks so tired. She falls forward but I catch her and she opens her eyes.

"I'm sorry I'll try to.."
"Don't worry", I interrupt. "You need sleep right now. Okay?"
She nods and leans down again, making herself comfy the floor. I stop her.
"You'll sleep in my bed."
I help her up and lead her to the bed.
"Haku said there's breakfast for you by the balcony."
I don't say anything. Compared to our conversation last night, I don't know what this morning will be like.
I pull back the covers for her and she snuggles in. I can see the pleasure on her face when she feels the mattress beneath her.
"Ahhhhh", she says satisfied. "I can't remember the last time I slept in a bed.
We both giggle and smile at ourselves. I turn to leave the room to eat and then I realize something.

"Miss?" I say
She turns to see me.
"What's your name?"
She smiles that warm and bright smile again.
"Linn", she answers.
I smile too. A short and bold name.

I don't have to wander too much before I can find the balcony set up for breakfast. Haku is there, already eating.
I take a deep breath in like I'm preparing for battle, which is foolish. I'm just eating breakfast with a boy I'm supposed to know but can't remember but still have a strong feeling toward him.
This is a battle.

I sit down across from him and pour myself some tea.
"Morning", I say, trying to be as friendly as possible.
"Morning", he replies, his face not changing as he continues eating.

My tea is a delicious flavor but it's too hot and burns my tongue. As I blow on it, I turn to see over the balcony. Water completely covers the ground, and I can still see the train tracks beneath it. But the sky is the most magnificent morning blue. The clouds making beautiful shapes and patterns. I can't help but want to draw the sky. Just looking at it though makes me smile. And delight fills my heart. It's the first time I've felt happy in this strange place.

I stare at the sky for minutes until Haku interrupts.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
I shrug my shoulders and look down.
"Did you eat the beans I set out for you last night."
"One", I tell him.

He sighs in dissatisfaction, and makes me a plate.
"Please eat. I made it myself. I think it's quite delicious", he says smiling and complementing himself. He makes me smile too, but then all too quickly we go back to silence. I hate it in this moment. Because all I can hear are the numerous thoughts going through my head, and I'm sick and tired of it.