The Missing Piece of History

Chapter 1 CATHY: A WEIRD DAY

It was exceedingly pleasant. The setting sun was so warm that it was tending my pale skin. My hands caressed the grass under my palms and I was able to feel the tiny water particles of the grasses brush against my toes too. The gentle evening breeze swirled around carrying the scent of the grasses with it and blew into my long black hair, which was tied back in a ponytail. I closed my eyes and breathed in the scent. I was able to hear the chirping happy sounds of the birds. I looked towards the sky and lay flat on my back in the grasses below. The orange shade was slowly creeping up on the sky. The color was so beautiful. Such a lovely evening it was.

"Cathy?" a voice startled me. "Can we leave now? It's about time," I was so deep in thoughts that I forgot we had other plans too.

"Just thirty more minutes, Angel," I replied looking at the brunette girl sitting on the lawn beside me.

"Thirty more minutes!? That was exactly what you said about half an hour ago. Come on, Cathy. Our plan will get ruined. We can't just spend our entire time in this wonderful Blake garden sitting under this gigantic . . . whatever tree it is," I sensed a spark of irritation in Angel's voice.

"A gigantic eucalyptus tree," I said.

"What?" Angel's brows furrowed.

"This tree," I pointed to the one behind me. "It's a eucalyptus tree."

"A eucalyptus tree?" she paused staring at me. "Actually, you know what. I don't want to know about it. All I care is that we can't sit under this tree forever."

"Actually, we can, you know," I smiled at her.

She let out a frustrated groan. "When will you learn about the fun in going to rides? At some point you'll lose your patience spending your entire time sitting idle under a tree. Oh, I forgot. You are the nature's person, right? But that doesn't mean you can ruin our plans. Now, get up and lets visit the rides," Angel got up in a haste and adjusted her blue crushed skirt.

I really didn't want to leave that place. It was so refreshing, both to my physical and my mental self. I loved staying like that.

Seeing that I did not get up, Lisa, who was quiet till now, spoke up in a kind voice, "Let's go, Cathy. If we have enough time later on, I promise you, we will come here again."

I thought for a minute. "Alright then, to the rides," I looked up at Lisa and stretched out my hand. Her pink lips broke into a little smile and she gave out her hand for me to take it.

"Is this for real? How come you never argue with her?" questioned Angel.

I smirked at her, "That's because she knows how to be sweet unlike you, Angel."

"Cathy!" Angel screamed but was shushed by Lisa.

"Guys, stop it already. Angel, you did say we must go to the rides, right? Then let's not waste our time fighting, okay?"

I smiled to myself. But Angel did not argue again. With a stern face, she started to walk forward.

It was always great to fight with Angel. She usually gives a good argument but at some point, she would lose to me. Lisa was a totally opposite person. She wouldn't involve herself in any of the fights and she would face any problem with such calmness. Those were my two best friends. Great contradicting characters they were. And I really loved spending time with them. But no matter how we fight, Angel always had my back. And she knew I had hers too. With a small smile curling in my lips, I followed them.

Suddenly, the calm breeze turned even calmer. The voices of all the children rushing towards the near-by ice cream shop zoomed out. Only the whooshing sound made by the trees against the calm breeze was heard. I closed my eyes and blocked my ears with my hands, doubting that something was wrong with them. But nothing changed. I was still not able to hear anything. I looked at my friends walking before me. They were speaking something hilarious because Angel was crunched over laughing madly, but I couldn't hear their talk.