We Are Stars And Shadows

SEVEN

Nellie,

Sometimes, I wish things never changed. How I shouldn't have told you what happened when we were in middle school and had lost my way. How I should have just pretended everything was going well.

But change is inevitable, isn't it?

Because then, I wouldn't have known the reality of what we shared.

Nylah

○○○

For some people reunions are never meant. They would have been within the premises of each other, walking along the borders of the other. Trying to avoid all kinds of awkward moments. Not wanting to bring back the past that ties them together. Yet fate loves to tangle the threads between them so that they untangle them together no matter how much they despise the other, doesn't it?

Crystal blues stand in my line of sight. It's cold icy stare pierced through my heart. Once, I wouldn't have used icy to describe those sharp orbs. Then, it felt like they craved love, those sky blues wanting nothing more than someone to be by their side. But now, they want anything but that.

" You know her? " I ask Aaron, whose name I had to learn from her out of all the others. I can't help but scoff at her direction. No matter whose fault it might be, hatred is formed when the other ceases to realise her mistake.

" I am surprised you don't know him, " she shrugs nonchalantly with no surprise evident on her porcelain face. Her blonde curls shine gold under the reflection of the sunlight.

I raise my brows at him while still hating the fact that we had to be on each other's throats today. He awkwardly looks down, nodding slightly while his hand goes to his neck. I don't know how to feel. Everything just seems too overwhelming. My mind begins to take its own path, leaving my body to be in a state of shock. What did I miss? What happened to me?

" Nylah! " I come back when Aaron shakes me, worry evident on his face. " You okay? " I hear Nellie sigh when I don't find my words.

" Look, I know the past has so much to do with what you have become, Ny. But please, you know this isn't- "

" Don't. Don't ever call me Ny while having a heart like yours. I'd rather be left alone to fight my war than have comrades who love to stab from behind. " I cut her off. Not wanting to hear any further of her excuses. Her face gets drained of any light that remained, almost wanting me to apologise. But like she said, my past has sewed me into who I am.

" No, please don't- " I pulled away from Aaron before Nellie could complete, pushing past her. Not caring to look back, I walk fast. My legs begin to wobble as they round the corner where the light casts the shadows. But what she had muttered remained in my head like an echo. " Shut me out. Again. "

My feet take me inwards to the dark side of school. Not many classes are taken here, though rooms are available. I sit by the stairs, somewhere students never found themselves often in as it's not exactly in a place that's seen much. Came by it once when I was hunting for some clues and ever since became mine for comfort.

" Here lies a million stories we could tell you, Nylah. "

" Listen to us and we will find for you what you seek in return. "

" Help us escape these void unseen bars and share us to all ears. "

I cover my ears from those voices. I try to occupy myself everyday to keep them at bay, from getting to me no matter how tempting. But in the end they find themselves heard more when I am at my lows and they know it. They know that only I can hear them, that only I can help them.

But it turns out to be overwhelming. It's like everything around me is shattering. All that I have ever built myself up for, glass by glass creating a barrier. Turn to dusts and shards. Tears almost betray me. Yet I still hold back. Trying to stay strong for myself. I bury my face in my hands, slightly rocking myself back and forth. Telling myself that all of it was in the past and just like them, this too shall pass.

When someone taps me on the shoulder. At first, I thought it might be Nellie again. Being persistent like always, I roll my eyes just thinking about it. Then they tapped again, but this time it was as if to look up. I didn't want to though, because if I did then I might break down. I didn't know how they found me or how they ended up here. Maybe fate wanted us to be there for the other or maybe they were just lost. Like me.

Then I felt strong arms wrap me like a blanket. Holding me tight but gently as if I could shatter into a thousand million shards. So small that it would be impossible to bring back its original form.

I slightly lift my head, only to be met with familiar blonde locks. Seeing the way he hugged me, it was as if he was asking me to let it all out. As if he knew everything that I have been through. But he couldn't have. Then again, I was too overwhelmed with everything that I couldn't hold back anymore.

And I broke. I broke into ten thousand million pieces of crystals. Into his arms, I had fallen like a million shattered stars in different shades. And somehow, deep inside I knew he would find my right pieces.

" Hush, my dear, " He cooed into my ears as my tears stained his heart. " Everything will be alright. Because this time I won't just watch. "

My eyes shed diamonds while he caught them. He didn't take it for granted nor did he throw it away. Amidst my messed up head I found myself catching glimpses of his hair in my memories. Always behind me. Watching me. So was he there, when I found myself in trouble. To be my guardian when no one else did.

I didn't get what he meant then. But for the first time since her soul was taken from my side, that was when I felt her heart. Her blood running through his veins as another yet of the same.