Chereads / MIDNIGHT SUMMER: THIS SMILE I'VE BEEN CHASING / Chapter 3 - 3: DO YOU WISH TO LIVE?

Chapter 3 - 3: DO YOU WISH TO LIVE?

Woken up by the timer and other natural noise makers again, I sprang up from the bed,...and I realised I just sprang up from the bed. So I went back to lie down. Five seconds later, I opened my eyes and sighed. Another day, another challenging college day. Oh! I just remembered. It's Saturday, .. good ol'saturday. No stress at all. So I just sat back to enjoy the cool breeze coming from the window.

Wait a minute,..... It's Saturday! It's finally Spring. Yay!

Dad and I used to love this season a lot. We would go on tours, he would teach me how to fish,which was so fun as I always ended up with one or two. We would go on a short trip to places and camp, drowning in nature's beauty. But ever since dad left us for the bigger world, my whole life and happiness turned up side down. I cried so much but noone could understand my pain, I became so inactive. Always in a state of shock or trauma just thinking of the accident which occurred when we were both travelling.

I still don't know what could've caused the fire outbreak and the absence of fire extinguisher in the car. I remember seeing him trying to protect me by pushing me out of the car. Unable to escape, he got burnt to death. I was so stressed out, and I became a victim of persistent high blood pressure and regular illness. So I became a fifteen year old girl with a heart disease called 'Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Heart Arrhythmias.

Spring's the worst! It took my dad away from me and I'll never forgive it. Though I've been so cooped up in this house since yesterday, and I'm starting to feel suffocated. I need some fresh air. I guess I'll just go out for a nice walk to ease myself a little. I wonder what Allie would be doing right now. Could she come along with me? I could really use some good company.

I got up from my bed and went to take a shower. I dressed, put on my jacket which had a hoodie, and my khaki jeans. So I went downstairs, and to my surprise, I found two couch warmers in my living room, watching a movie and eating popcorn, chips and guacamole.

"Mum!Allie! What are you guys doing?". I yelled. Oh right! Allie slept over. I totally forgot. "Relax bestie, we were just watching a very funny movie". Allie pitched out. "We've been watching it since last night. This movie's a hit, it's got a million reviews. It's pretty 'lit', don't you think?". Mum supported. "Ohh! Look at you being all young and fancy, Mrs Frost ". Allie blatantly complimented my mum, and they began laughing.

"BTW, where are you headed, Allie? Do you need me to come along?". I guess Allie was kinda worried. "Don't bother. I don't need some crazy company right now, so I'll have to pass. Anyways, bye guys! I'll be back".

Walking, walking, walking... left, right, left, right,stomp, jump! I counted my steps as I walked. The hoodie was all over my head because I didn't want to be noticed by people, considering the fact that they all know me: The Suicide girl, and also because of the brightness of the sun. The light was blinding.

Walk, walk, left, right, left, right, stomp, and jum..... Oh no! I slipped. I can feel myself falling over. My feet has lost it's balance..., I'm going to fall now. A strong warm hand suddenly gripped my waist, preventing me from falling. My eyes were solid shut, I thought I had already fallen. Slowly, gradually, I opened one eye to peek at who was holding me, only to see a young guy wearing a nose cover, sunshades, and a face cap. I opened both my eyes and began to stare at the strange looking guy.

I finally realised that we were being stared at, so I blatantly stared at the hand wrapped around my waist, letting him know I wanted to be released. "Sorry Miss, please watch your steps. And stop jumping while you're on the road". He said to me. Damn! He's got the voice of a thousand angels. The little bell he wore around his neck gave such a pleasant sound each time it rang. Who is this person? I wish to see him. "I have to leave now. Please take care of yourself. Bye". "Thank...". Gosh! He's gone. I didn't even get to thank him.

The sound of my ringtone suddenly killed the moment. Mum was calling. "Hello mum," I picked up the call. "Addie my dear, I just remembered you went for a stroll. Could you perhaps get some ingredients on your way back? I need them for today's lunch". She pleaded, sending me the list of things she wanted. " Alright, got it. Bye mum!".

Now that I really think about it, I remember I used to jump around the lakeside at this time of season when I was little. It feels like it was just yesterday. The water seems pretty nice, the flowers on the trees have bloomed and are looking very beautiful. I stood there for a while, looking at my favourite cherry tree which reminded me of the past. The whole moment had a nice ring to it.

Minutes passed by, I was still being dazzled by the calmness and decent flow of the water, and the sweet smell of the beautiful tree. I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something. Think .....think... think! Mum.... groceries..... That's it! I need to get some things for mum. Ugh! Damn! I'm so exhausted. Where do I go now? Guess I'll have to go to the market now, they have things cheaper and fresher there.

I arrived at the market fifteen minutes later,so exhausted. It's Spring, so why is there so much Sun? I thought to myself, but then I realised that the sun had been down some minutes ago. Anyways, it's not like I could take off my hoodie or anything. I should just get what I came here for, and leave. To the west, a man's shop resides. He had everything on the list, so I walked over to him.

"Hello Sir " I started, not being very good at conversations. "I need to buy some things". It's all thanks to Allie that I started relating again. After my dad's death, I became brain-dead. "Oh good morning, how may I help you?". He asked, giving me a calm smile. It was like he knew coming here was a first for me. "I'll need some vegetables, tomatoes, gourds, carrots, cucumber,.....you know what? Just give me everything on this list". I told him, handing my phone to him.

He checked it all, gathered everything in cardboard box, and handed it over to me, along with my phone."All done. That'll be forty five dollars. But since you're new here and I personally know your mother, I'll give it to you for thirty five dollars". He stated, giving me another gentle smile. I knew it! He saw right through me. And wait,..... did he just say he knows my mum? Now that I think about it, I recall mum telling me she has 'a guy'. What a coincidence!

I reached into my pocket to bring out my wallet, only to find out that I was ten dollar short. How cute! Now what was I supposed to do? I couldn't tell him I didn't have the complete amount, especially when he gave me discount. Mum gave me a hell of a list of things to get, without giving me a single dime. That woman! "Uhm,...I don't have the money with.....".

The sound of the bells, I could hear them jingling.It sounds.....rather familiar. I suddenly paused when a guy walked up to where I was. It was the same guy who saved me from falling. Though he still wouldn't reveal his identity. What's he doing here? I wonder. "How much does it cost? I'll pay up for her". He said to the man who was struck by surprise. I was too, with my eyes wide open and my jaw had fallen. "Is he your girlfriend?". The seller couldn't help but ask.

How great! "No. I don't know this lady over here". He blurted out. What a strange guy! "Alright then, it's only 35 dollars". He pitched. Well he paid the money and stared obviously at me. Using his hand to take off his cap, he chuckled. 'What a beauty!' He said to me. Does he even know who he's looking at? It's me, Addison Frost, the suicide girl. He knows that, doesn't he?

"Thank you so much for paying the bill. I'll be sure to pay you back". I bowed my head to thank him. He chuckled again. "Sure. No problem ". Soon he was gone. The bells jingled as he walked. Why DOES he wear a bell? There's probably something to it. I wonder. Anyways, it's best if I don't interfere. I don't want to get associated. Good grief! I better head home now, I've been out for too long. What would mum and Allie be doing now? Probably something stupid, I guess.

Walking back home, walking, walking, left, right, left, right, stomp, jump. I continued the madness. I reached the lakeside and stopped. Staring at it, staring, staring..... it's the same as always, but there are still some changes. I put the groceries down, squatted to stare at my reflection. It was staring at me back. I can't recall the last time I looked into a mirror. Is this really me? If only,.... just if only I could turn back time.

My phone rang. Allie was calling. I picked up the call to tell her I was on my way. She was worried so she asked me to come back quickly. I then stood up, ready to leave, when I heard the whispers of the surrounding people. They were gossiping about me, as usual : She's here again, isn't she? I'm not prepared to carry a dead body, so she better not think of it. Good grief! I should just leave.

As I turned to leave, I twisted my ankle, and found myself falling into the lake. 'There she goes again. She better die this time'. I still heard them talking. I didn't know how to swim, so I was drowning. 'Let her just die' That's all they ever say. Couldn't someone,.... anyone...lend a helping hand? Is that too much? Anyways, it's not like I wanted to be saved. I want to die. Dad must've been waiting for me for too long. I have to meet him already. I thought to myself, so I stopped struggling and let myself drown.

But then again,why should I? What about mum and Allie? I haven't thanked them yet, nor have I said goodbye to them. They would be so shattered. What would mum do without me? I still haven't given her the groceries... groceries.... groceries.. That's right! That guy..... that strange guy,.......I have to pay him back, don't I? So this is how it feels to die. Everywhere has suddenly become dark, did someone turn off the lights? Why is it so quiet?..... It's too quiet. What's happening? What's....Oh right, I'm dying. I'm really dying. But I,.....I can't die. I don't want to die. Someone,..... anyone..... please help.

Jingle! Jingle! Jingle! The ringing of the small bells, I could hear it coming closer. The angels are here for me, aren't they? The sound seemed rather familiar. I could see a familiar hand reaching out for me in the water. 'Do you wish to live?' These words echoed to me. I was glad. I also reached out for the hand and was pulled out of the water. The sight was blinding, as I stared into the eyes of this young man, and the cool wind played with his hair. He smiled.

#ADDISON'S POV#

His cute golden-coloured eyes were magnetising. His gaze was so caring. His porcelain skin was so mesmerising. His lips were bright red, like an apple. His blonde hair which complimented his eyes, was dashing. I finally understood why he hid his identity. No human should be allowed to look this beautiful. This guy ...was 'SIN' himself. He's sinfully cute.

# PRINCE'S POV#

She dresses so plain, and still looked like a goddess. Her naturally outlined cute blue eyes looked so innocent. Her long, messy bright red coloured hair, put a smile to my face. Her small red lips, her confused look, were all so cosmic. She was a disaster. A really beautiful disaster.