Butterfly Mist

Part 2 - strange girl

It was the next day and I didn't want to move. I hardly slept last night thinking about all the memories I had of that day my mother left me when I arrived home from school. I got out of bed and almost cried as I remembered I had work in less than an hour and started to get ready, brushing my long dark brown, almost black hair and slipping out of my pajamas and into my work uniform which was an awful green coloured shirt with my black jeans, accompanied with my slip on shoes. I quickly ate some cereal and then left the house walking through the small village to my boring job. It wasn't too far from my house. everyone knew everyone in this small village. I smiled reluctantly as I saw my boss. it was a little old lady who spends her daily life selling her home grown fruit and vegetables to the town. "hello Sara. So nice to see you again" she greeted me with a smile on her face. "hello pam. a pleasure as always".

It was quite a slow day today. There wasn't many customers so I spent most of my time sat there bored looking out into the hills that took over half the town. I started to stare off into space when I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder, making me jump and squeal a little. I heard a small laugh next to me. As I turned, the first thing I noticed was bright orange hair and I instantly knew who it was. It was the new girl who I met last night. She had a beaming smile on her face, almost laughing. "Hello" she said looking me dead in the eye. I started to feel a bit uncomfortable the amount of time she was spending staring at me. "uhm, hello".

"what time do you finish?" she asked, picking up a potato and throwing it and catching it in her hand. I took it off her quickly making sure my boss didn't notice. She swiftly pit her hands to her sides and twiddled with her dungarees. "uhm, now actually" I said almost in relief. I stood up and started to gather my things as I said bye to my boss, collecting my small amount of wages and started walking in the direction of my house, the strange girl not far behind. She caught up to me and tapped my shoulder again, startling me once again. I wish she wouldn't do that. "hey, do you fancy taking me on a tour of the village?" she asked almost pleadingly. I felt a bit sorry for her. she obviously wanted company or she was bored and in need of a friend. I wouldn't blame her. It must be scary moving so far to a place where she doesn't know anyone and has left her old life behind with no friends. I cant really talk about friends though, I don't exactly have any myself. "yeah, sure".

As I showed her around the village and all the different shops she danced and looked interested in everything I said. I smiled at how much energy this girl had. the tour was very short and over in no time. We were now at the huge park. my favourite place. "WOW. such a beautiful place" she breathed out looking at the view and taking in a deep breath. As she did I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Her freckles were evident and her long lashed touched her cheeks as her eyes were closed. All of a sudden she opened her eyes and once again was staring me straight in the eye smirking because she had caught me looking at her. I could imagine I had a deep blush on my face. "This is my favourite place" I replied after a long pause, sitting on the long warm grass. She planted herself next to me, picking one of the flowers and looking at it closely, closing her eyes again as she smelled it and smiled warningly. "I like this pace" she stated. I smiled again, looking at her as she looked back. "so do I. Its my thinking place. I like to come here in my spare time. I don't have much to do living on my own". she looked at me in question and my eyes widened as I remembered I didn't tell her about my parents. "I mean, when my parents aren't here. That's what I meant" correcting myself quickly. She looked at me strangely nodding her head. I sighed and fell back onto the grass looking up at the clear sky, she did also.

As I continued to look up at the clear blue sky above me I realised I don't even know her name nor does she know mine. "I forgot to ask, what is your name? I asked her, closing my eyes. "Jessica" she replied. "And yours?".

"Sara".

we continued to lay in the grass for a bit longer, talking about everything. From the first day of school, to the first cooked meal we remembered as a child. I had actually grown quite fond of Jessica; in a weird way. She looked like a Jessica. It suited her. She was very clumsy and dopy, but I knew she was the kind of person who is down to earth and wouldn't hurt a fly. All of a sudden she shot up, once again scaring me, probably for the 1 millionth time today. "I'm so sorry! I have to go, my parents are probably worried sick about me. I should have been back hours ago" she started standing up and gathering her belongings together. I smiled and shook my head in understanding. To be truthfully honest, I felt a pang of pain. For the pure fact she has people who worry about her, whereas I have none. But I brushed it off. "Oh its ok, you go, ill see you soon" I replied, still sat on the grass. She smiled and came over to me, giving me a big warm hug. I froze, not being used to the sudden human contact. I felt completely out of my comfort zone but I knew she was waiting for me to hug her back, so I did.

"thank you" she whispered, still hugging me tightly.

"what for?"

"For being a good friend".

I smiled a genuine smile, which I hadn't done in a long time. "you're welcome. thank you too". We broke from our embrace and she asked me if I would like to walk with her but I told her its fine and that I would like to stay here for a little longer. She nodded and gave me one last hug before walking in the direction home, leaving me by myself. I sat there, looking up at the stars and smiling. I haven't felt this happy in a long time. There was something about that girl that I couldn't put my finger on, that made me feel like I'm not alone. She is also the first person in a long time that has managed to put a smile on my face - a real one that is. Although I only met her yesterday, it felt as though I have known her the majority of my  life. And I felt great.

I decided to go for a wonder down through the park. The street lamps lit up the park in an almost magical way. Fireflies were dancing amongst each other as if in a trance. It was beautiful.

I took in a breath of fresh air, lightly stepping through the grass. The wind started to pick up a little and my hair swayed almost in a rhythm. I closed my eyes, opening my arms as if the wind was just going to sweep me off my feet and drag me far away. Through the corner of my eye, I noticed that same vibrant blue I saw the other day. I opened my eyes and focused of where it was coming from and sure enough, it was the same magnificent butterfly. I smiled and felt a warm pit in my stomach. I wasn't sure why it kept appearing, but every time it did, I felt happy, I felt safe and I felt as though nothing could hurt me. It was keeping its distance from me, as if it didn't want to get too close and  hurt its delicate frame. It just hovered level with my eyes, almost as if it was watching me as I watched it back. I couldn't remove my eyes away from its beauty. It lit up like a newly energized lamp. I continued to watch its delicate wings flutter in motion as it started to fly away, but still staying close. I decided to follow it and to see where it would take me.

It ventured into the woodland area, with me not far behind. It lit up the way, almost making a path for me to follow - as if it wanted me to follow. We made a clearing, where the beautiful creature stopped and landed on a rather round, shiny rock. I walked over slowly, trying not to scare it away. I thought I was getting too close, so walked even slower, just inches away. I bit my lip nervously as I reached my hand out in front of me. I wanted to feel how soft its wings were. I thought it was about to fly away, but instead it still remained sat there in its same position. I very slowly and gently moved my finger across its body. The softness was almost as if it was non-existent. It felt so light. I smiled widely as it continued to let me brush my finger across its widened wings. It then flew and landed on my hand, fluttering its wings. This was amazing. Such a beautiful creature seemed to have so much faith in me. It was rather strange. It was still there for a few seconds before lifting off and flying off into nothingness just as it did the other day, its light and warmth vanishing, leaving me in the cold and now darkened woods. I started to shiver and make my way back through the path to the park where I could see the dim lighting of the streetlamps. I was almost out when I heard a sudden snap from a branch behind me, startling me. I shot my head round, shivering both from fear, and from the cold. I was sure I couldn't see anything, so I started to turn around but before I fully turned, I saw a glimpse of red hair and the most electrifying blue eyes. They were like orbs from another planet, glowing like two headlights. I stood there, staring straight into them and then just like that, they were gone. I shook my head laughing to myself.

I was just imagining it. It is late after all. I started to make my way home but for the whole journey home I couldnt help but think about what had just happened not only fifteen minutes ago. I must be dreaming.