Marked

Chapter 2: Saf

Saf is a very reserved person, so to speak. She doesn't have many friends, and likes it that way, even though it can be a bit lonely at times. Saf would never change the life she has. After all, she is attending her dream school in Iceland next fall.

As a young child, Saf enjoyed hiding under her bed covers with a flashlight and scribbling whatever she felt like drawing on some construction paper. Her family often attempted to coax her out of her little studio, whether it be to "get some fresh air" or to "play with her siblings," However, they failed nearly every time. Saf just wouldn't budge, showing off her stubborn side. The only way her parents or siblings could persuade her to exit her sanctuary was if they offered her sour cream and onion chips or Sprite. Obviously it is not a good idea to give a young child Sprite and chips everyday, therefore Saf's family rarely lured her out of her paradise.

As Saf grew older, the time she spent in her bed continued to increase, causing her parents' anger with her to increase. This persuaded her parents to give her the desk her great-grandfather crafted especially for Saf. Saf's great-grandfather constructed it for her when she was born. He knew that he most likely would never have the chance to give it to her himself, so he left it with Saf's parents to give her "when the time is right." Her parents believed "the time was right" at this point, when she was only six years old. Saf's mother and father both were irritated of her practically suffocating herself everyday, so they decided to gift her with the special desk probably much earlier than Saf's great-grandfather intended. After only a few days, Saf started utilizing her desk. She loved the smooth curves on its legs and the intricate patterns carved throughout it, making merely looking at it better than hiding under her covers.

The beautifully-crafted piece of carpentry seemed to inspire her art. She often drew sketches of the desk, and then pretended to give it to the great-grandfather she never knew. It also inspired her writing, once she learned the basic structure of poetry. Saf often wrote poems to her great-grandfather, thanking him for the beautiful desk. However, the thankful poems only lasted until she became a teenager. That's when she changed.

Growing up, Saf never had many friends, keeping at most two at a time. Even as a young child, Saf had no true friends. Only acquaintances. This is why she spent most of her time hidden in her bed. It brought her comfort when no one else would. Her lonesomeness never really improved as she became older. In fact, it worsened tremendously when she entered high school. Although she appeared to have a few friends, to anyone who paid attention to her, those so-called friends were actually just some girls who wanted to take advantage of her. They often offered Saf drugs or alcohol. Although she was lonely, she wasn't stupid, and she always refused the offers. Sometimes, it was extremely challenging, because the girls threatened anything and everything they knew Saf cared about. This included her family, her friendship with the girls, and even her beloved cat, Puffball. However, Saf knew the girls never fabricated real threats, so she always responded with a firm "no." These instances inspired most of the artwork and poems Saf created in her teen years.

It was only after Saf finally ditched her horrible "friends" that she realized she couldn't imagine living a life without arting and writing daily. This occurred when Saf was sixteen, a time when she began truly pondering the permanent tattoo on her left shoulder. It read, "I'm sorry. It'll get better." All she knew was that it would be the first sentences her soulmate tells her. A secret romantic, Saf frequently visualized scenes of meeting her soulmate for the first time. She thought the sentences her soulmate would say were a bit strange, but she knew it would all work out. After all, everyone has a tattoo. And the tattoo is always right.

However, when she finally does meet her soulmate, it's at a time when Saf doesn't expect it. It's also the one scene she doesn't visualize happening. But the meeting comes at a perfect time. Although she doesn't know it at first, the journey they embark on together will last a lifetime.