This Dull World

Chapter II

I'm not sure how long I've been walking, honestly.

Maybe thirty minutes, maybe two hours. 

I don't really care either.

There's not much to see in this world. Everything looks the same- black, white, something in between. But it's calming in a way I couldn't even begin to describe.

Somehow I've ended up in the busy part of town- I usually try and avoid coming here because I can't stand people. Well, maybe that was harsh. But I'd prefer to be home and read a good book, maybe even watch a movie, than be out in the city.

People scare me a bit, too.

Especially those girls who can be just so social all the time. Like doesn't that just exhaust you? I could never. 

The more I walk I notice a place that my mom used to take me as a child. Ardellio's. And their logo, have you had a hot slice lately?

I remember when my mom and I last came here. Her and dad were only married for maybe ten years and I was about nine years old. That was the first time I asked about the colors. My mom was shocked to hear my ask, because it's outlawed to even discuss them, but she answered anyways, as quietly as she could.

She met my dad here, this is when the colors came to life in her world.

I wish I could see what she saw.

I went in, deciding to get some pizza and a drink, perhaps I'd reminisce in that memory here with my family even.

"What can I get ya' today?" The dark skinned girl asked me behind the counter. Her hair, so curly. I envy that.

"Just a uh..." I took a look at the pizzas behind the glass. Anywhere from plain cheese pizza to a steak and mushroom pizza. But of course- me being plain as can be, "I'll take a slice of cheese, oh, and a water bottle." 

She took my money and I waited for my order to be ready.

I wonder what Cliff is doing? 

Suddenly, I heard a crash. Papers flying everywhere, and a large cardboard box on the ground,

I rushed over to help.

"Oh god- this is embarrassing." A boy said. I assumed he was the one holding the ridiculous amount of papers. He began to pick them up.

"Here-" My voice insisting. "Let me help you." I began to pick them up with him.

His eyes met mine. They looked pretty, even in black and white. I thought maybe if I could see them in color they might be as beautiful as my mom says the sky is. She tells me it's bright blue. almost crystal like.

"Oh, you don't have too. It wasn't your clumsiness." He laughed a bit, but I still continued. 

Some time went by as we both cleaned up without speaking. If my order was ready, I didn't know. 

"Last one." I confirmed, offering a genuine smile as we both stood. 

"Thanks!" He laughed a bit as he spoke, but in a nice way. A thankful way.

I put the last paper on top of the piles of papers in the box. "You got it."

He smiled as he gave me a nod, and walked away.

I walked away too, but in the opposite way.

He touched my hand so very slightly, and probably accidentally, as we passed each other, and suddenly-

My whole world lit up.

I was seeing the colors. This was it. This is the world in full make up.

God- it was breathtaking.

I wasn't sure which one was red, or blue, or green but I knew that is was exquisite. 

The pizzeria was lit up with all these warm colors- some dark and some light. 

I looked at the large sign that read Ardiellios above the counter. My mom told me that it was red. And god was it breath taking.

The color looked warm, maybe even hot, a color that seemed so festive for so many different things. I wonder how many of my clothes are this color- I wonder if my clothes have color at all?

I looked down at my shirt, it was cool. Almost electric looking. But my god did it shine.

I immediately ran outside to look around. Everything was lit up, everything living up to my moms words.

I looked at the sky, and just like my mom explained, it was crystal like. The color looked similar to my shirt, I figured that my shirt must be some different form of blue. I love blue, I think.

I ran back into the pizzeria to see the boy I'd just helped get papers off the floor standing right next to the door.

I gave him a hug. Maybe he didn't know why, maybe he has already seen the colors?

I looked at his face when I pulled away.

And yes, his eyes were like the sky.