The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over June's room. She woke up in a state of confusion, her mind grappling with the remnants of a perplexing Illusion. "Who are you?" she muttered, trying to recall the elusive figure from her subconscious. "Who was he? Who was who?" Her thoughts spiraled into a haze of uncertainty, and she felt like pieces of her memory were slipping away, leaving her with an unsettling blankness.
Blinking repeatedly, as if to dispel the fog in her mind, June questioned her own sanity. "Am I out of my mind?" she scoffed, unable to comprehend the reason behind her mental disarray.
But amidst the fog, one name emerged—Charles. His name brought clarity and purpose to her thoughts. Deciding to call him, she slowly got out of her disheveled bed, her attire from the night before still intact, and the red scarf hugging her neck as a constant reminder of the mysterious events.
Before picking up her phone, she made an effort to tidy up her room, seeking a semblance of order in the midst of chaos. She carefully added the book her Aunt Mary had given her to the bookshelf, just above the pillow—a place of honor in her little library.
In need of a fresh start, she went to take a shower, cleansing herself of the perplexing night. Her mind still buzzed with questions, but the warmth of the water provided a momentary respite. Once refreshed, she prepared a simple breakfast and brewed a mug of warm coffee, finding solace in the familiar routine.
Seated in front of the window that overlooked the road descending the hill, June contemplated calling Charles. She hesitated for a moment, feeling a sense of guilt for her absence the night before. Yet, she mustered the courage to dial his number.
"Hey...? What's up...?" Charles answered with a single tone that conveyed his intrigue and concern. June's voice was soft as she apologized for her absence. "I'm good, and I am so sorry about yesterday. I was so tired," she explained, her voice tinged with remorse.
"It's ok, not a problem. But you owe me for making me wait all night in the dark," Charles playfully joked, though his tone suggested a hint of melancholy. June couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him.
Inquiring about his well-being, June asked if he was feeling unwell. Charles brushed it off, assuring her that it was nothing serious. But then, his voice wavered as he tentatively broached a different subject. "Um... um... hey, I had a movie ticket my friend gave me. Would you mind...? I mean as a friend, it's not like I am asking for a date. We can bring some friends along..." His voice cracked, betraying a hint of vulnerability.
Realizing that she owed him an explanation and a chance to make amends, June agreed to meet him at noon, embracing the opportunity to spend time together.
As the call ended, June's attention was drawn to the world beyond her window—the bustling city below and the distant hum of life. A voice outside caught her attention—a familiar sound she had been searching for. Without hesitation, she rushed to the door, ready to offer food and water to the creature she sought—a stray cat she always looked for.
However, her attempt at caregiving was interrupted by a somber news report on the television. Two people found unconscious near the train station—a story that sent shivers down her spine. Her empathy connected her to the fear and vulnerability of the victims, reminding her of the dangers of the vast city, especially for someone living alone like her.
Fighting the unease, she turned off the news and sought solace in tending to the blooming flowers on her rooftop. The vibrant colors and delicate petals offered a soothing balm to her anxiety.
Meanwhile, Charles found himself immersed in his own thoughts of a night before. He felt an emotional rollercoaster as he waited for June. The city shimmered with the celebrations of Christmas, but his heart felt heavy with uncertainty.
Charles, filled with nerves and excitement, waited patiently on a bench across the road from his family's coffee shop. This night held the promise of confessing his feelings to June, and he felt a mix of hope and apprehension in his heart.
Two hours passed, but June didn't arrive, leaving Charles' courage shattered. He tried calling her, but there was no response, and he couldn't help but worry about her well-being.
With her house situated at the top of the hill, he contemplated going to her apartment, but the idea seemed intimidating. Seeking assistance from his friends Liam and Mark, he weighed his options, but they couldn't offer a solution.
Restless, Charles found himself pacing back and forth along the pitch road, kicking tiny stones as a form of distraction. The street light above cast a comforting glow, guiding his thoughts amidst the darkness.
[flick~flick...flick~flick]
The coffee shop, their sanctuary of friendship, seemed to be a metaphor for his current state. One of the dim lights was almost broken, yet still, it shone its light, much like Charles himself—scarred but resilient. He found solace in Juno, the one who had unknowingly taught him how to love, and he longed for her to illuminate his life even more.
[Brr....]
Interrupting his musings, the sound of mountain bikes rushing uphill broke the silence. It was Liam and Mark visiting for a sleepover calling for him to come inside, bringing him back to reality. Charles took a deep breath and headed towards his home.
Morning arrived, and Liam inquired about Charles' parents. The room, decorated with dark blue walls, bore witness to Charles' interests and memories. The posters, newspaper clippings, and maps adorned the walls, each holding a story of its own. The sliding glass window allowed a view of the balcony, with a swimming pool below, where Charles had spent time contemplating the events of the previous night.
As Charles laid on his bed, eyes on his phone, his friends playfully challenged each other, exchanging laughs and teasing remarks.
The eve of Christmas had arrived, and the city of Whitedale was bathed in a breathtaking display of celebration and merriment. Charles, filled with nerves and excitement, waited patiently on a bench across the road from his family's coffee shop. This night held the promise of confessing his feelings to June, and he felt a mix of hope and apprehension in his heart.
Two hours passed, but June didn't arrive, leaving Charles' courage shattered. He tried calling her, but there was no response, and he couldn't help but worry about her well-being.
With her house situated at the top of the hill, he contemplated going to her apartment, but the idea seemed intimidating. Seeking assistance from his friends Liam and Mark, he weighed his options, but they couldn't offer a solution.
Restless, Charles found himself pacing back and forth along the pitch road, kicking tiny stones as a form of distraction. The street light above cast a comforting glow, guiding his thoughts amidst the darkness.
[flick~flick...flick~flick]
The coffee shop, their sanctuary of friendship, seemed to be a metaphor for his current state. One of the dim lights was almost broken, yet still, it shone its light, much like Charles himself—scarred but resilient. He found solace in Juno, the one who had unknowingly taught him how to love, and he longed for her to illuminate his life even more.
[Brr....]
Interrupting his musings, the sound of mountain bikes rushing uphill broke the silence. It was Liam and Mark calling for him to come inside, bringing him back to reality. Charles took a deep breath and headed towards the door of his home.
Morning came, and Liam inquired about Charles' parents. The room, decorated with dark blue walls, bore witness to Charles' interests and memories. The posters, newspaper clippings, and maps adorned the walls, each holding a story of its own.
Charles found himself standing on the balcony, marveling at the transparent thick glass that separated him from the world outside. The metal railing at the top provided a sense of security, yet the view beyond was unrestricted. Just below the balcony lay a sparkling swimming pool, its waters glistening in the morning light.
His heart pounding with nervous anticipation, Charles reached into his pocket and retrieved a small blue box. Opening it with delicate care, he revealed a necklace in the shape of a tiny moon. This precious gift had been with him since August, back when June was still in a relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Despite the circumstances, Charles couldn't resist buying it one night as he passed by a jewelry shop. The necklace had caught his eye through the display glass, and he instantly knew it was meant for her.
As he held the necklace in his hands, he imagined how it would grace June's pale skin, accentuating her beauty and elegance. The moon's delicate crescent shape symbolized his desire to be a guiding light in her life, a steady presence through both darkness and light.
Lost in his reverie, Charles was suddenly jolted back to reality by the ringing of his phone. In his haste to answer the call, he nearly dropped the precious gift, which teetered precariously close to the pool's edge. With a sigh of relief, he managed to secure the necklace and brought the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" he greeted, hoping it was June on the other end of the line.
It was indeed June, her voice filling his ear with warmth and excitement. They chatted for a while, making plans for a movie outing later that day. Charles's heart soared with joy, knowing that he had the opportunity to spend more time with her.
After the call ended, Charles carefully placed the moon-shaped necklace back in its blue box and tucked it safely into his pocket. The thought of gifting it to June filled him with both excitement and nervousness. He wanted to make sure the moment was just right, a perfect reflection of his feelings for her.
With renewed determination, Charles prepared himself for the day ahead. The promise of sharing a movie and creating memories with June gave him the strength to embrace the magic of the moment and take a step closer to revealing the depth of his emotions.
His heart skipped a beat as the phone rang, and he answered eagerly, hoping to hear June's voice on the other end. She cheerfully agreed to a movie plan, though for a moment, it seemed like he might be rejected. Nonetheless, he had secured a chance to spend time with her, and his excitement soared.
Rushing to secure an online ticket on the central row, he reveled in his victory. As he planned to head out, he heard a voice from the kitchen and joined his friends. Concealing the necklace in the blue box, he returned it to his pocket, keeping the cherished gift close to his heart.
The day held the promise of a beautiful encounter, and Charles couldn't help but smile at the prospect of spending time with June.