A Place Beyond All Kingdoms

The Boy Behind the Gates

Chapter 4

Snow:

I lookup, and make eye contact with the ice blue eyes. Electrifying me deep in my bones. It happens every time I look in the mirror.

My reflection, always haunts me. Not because I look unusual, because I remind myself of a ghost. My short, curly, pale blond hair. My skin white than snow. More like ice...

My eyes are the worst, though. They're haunting, they seam to look as if I'm pearing into someone's soul. The other people here, look relatively simular to me... only the eyes.

Their eyes are just light blue, mine, are like blue ice. I get that I'm unusual, strange, unwanted by anyone... even my parents.

Except for..... well, I've never seen him before. But, I know he's from the Fire Kingdom. My opposite, but he makes me feel good about myself. I don't know his name, but, every day; at precisely five o'clock. He and I meet, near the electrified gate blocking the Ice Kingdom from the Fire.

The gate blocks us from other Kingdom, it's aligned in white, dry, fogged ice on my side. On his, the hottest fire... it's a wonder why the ice hasn't melted yet. But, that's just one of the many mysteries of the kingdoms.

I apply a light amount of mascara. Maybe, today, we'll be able to see each other. Never once in my life, had I seen anyone without pale skin, blue eyes, and blond hair.

I can only hope that one day, I will. The big hand on the clock, goes to twelve, the small one to the five. I smile and run out of my house.

Sprinting down the street, toward our spot next to the gate. Hidden behind an abandoned shaking. Which people are convinced is haunted. Ridiculous,

Maybe another reason I'm unpopular...

I settle myself comfortably in the snow, Leaning my head against the ice of the gate.

"Are you there?" His smooth voice, sounds like a melody to my ears.

"Yea I'm here."

"How are you, this fine evening?"

"I'm alright, I guess. Everything's normal, still hated and awkward."

"You're not awkward, and I don't hate you."

"But everyone else does."

"Don't listen to them, they're just jealous."

"Jealous of me?" I snort. "Right."

"You're beautiful, on the inside. And I bet if I could see you, you'd be quite a sight. Something marvelous... something enchanting. Gorgeous."

My heart flatters, I can feel my face heating up. "You- you really think so?"

"Of course I do. If I could be with you for just one moment, even if it means me losing my life. I'd do it."

I say nothing, my pulse quickens, my face gets hotter. I get butterflies in my stomach. Not the nervous kinds the kind it says princesses feel when talking to their prince, in storybooks.

"Was that kinda, cheesy?" He asks.

"No, it's just no one is ever all that nice to me. I think-"

"What?"

"I think I.... um," bell chimes ring in my ears. "I've gotta go!"

I sit up on my knees, and stare deeply into the ice. I can see some of the flames on the other side. I stare closer into it.

"Bye," I say placing my hand on the ice.

"Goodbye," he says.

I don't know if it's all in my mind, but through the ice and fire, I can swear. I saw the side of a face. And through the barriers, bright fire like orange eyes, staring back at me.