Weiβ Traum - White Dream

Chapter 1: Verloren - Lost

"Hey you!" a voice called out behind me, almost panting as if the caller was running, "Wait!"

I didn't look up. I don't really have many friends in school or in my neighborhood, that is why I don't expect anyone to notice me and it's very rare that someone would call out as well. I'm sure they are calling out someone who might be a few steps behind me, so I kept on walking my head down as I read through the latest manga that I just bought. Some people might think it's lonely to be me, but I don't mind at all. I got used to it; I have a lot of peace and quiet time for myself.

I was startled when a hand grabbed my shoulder and whirled me back, making me drop the manga that I was reading. "I said wait!" A boy wheezed out. He bends over and picked up the manga that I dropped and held it out to me. "Here!"

What does he want? Why is he talking to me? I looked at my manga that he was holding and noticed his hand. He has an unusual scar below his thumb at the back of his right hand; it's heart-shaped and too pale in contrast to his tanned complexion. He has long and delicate fingers, too feminine looking for a guy, and nails that are almost non-existence, he might have bitten it quite often.

"Here take it." He pushed the manga to me along with a binder and some cash. "You forgot your change and your stuff at the store. You're such a scatter brain, Otaku-girl!"

I took the binder along with everything else and looked at him. Now I remember, this smiling boy was the one who works at the bookstore, I stole a quick glance at his name tag, and “Hi, my name is KYLE" was embossed in red. This boy, named Kyle, with a permanent dimple on his left cheek and freckles on his nose started working at the bookstore 2 years ago a week before Christmas day. I know because I always stop by at that bookstore almost every day. Since it's along the route I take walking home from school, it already became a habit.

Kyle seems friendly enough, though I don't talk to him but whenever I stop by, he would try to strike simple conversation with me. He would say Hi, what's my latest fave book or what not. As if he wouldn't know his the one who would ring my purchases up anyway. Despite his friendly approach towards me, I would only smile back in return. Now I just noticed his hair is not brown like I thought when his inside the store with fluorescent light on. Under the sun his hair is more of sandy blonde and he has a few specks of freckles on his forehead as well.

I was studying his face and his features when we locked eyes. The smile he gave me was so adorable that I was dumbfounded. I could feel heat slowly creeping up and planted themselves on my cheeks. Seriously, I'm blushing just because a boy smiled at me. I must be out of it. Honestly, I'm not a total outcast nor am I a prude. I've conversed and mingled with boys though not on regular basis... mostly with family members. But that's not the point. Anyway, I'm not sure if he's expecting something back since we stood there staring at each other for a few minutes with my face getting redder by the minute.

"Well, anyway, bye!" he ruffled his already disshelved hair, the few minutes of silence between us might have been really awkward for him. He walked away without any backward glance. Then I remember what I was missing, I was supposed to say thank you.

"Tha...nks..." I called out but he already turned around the corner back to his shop.

I'll see him tomorrow, I'll thank him then.

Hugging my stuff to my chest, I continued walking home silently cursing myself for losing my manners. Once I got home, all thoughts about Kyle was pushed to the back of my tiny head, I'm excited to finish the manga I bought and I also have tons of homework to do. Midterm tests are only a few weeks away, so every teacher thinks it's the perfect time to bury us with tons of school work. I'm just lucky I did half of our work over the weekend just for fun. Yes, I do not have a life but I really does enjoy school and homework, don't judge.