Chapter 7: Reasons
"WHAT GENRE do you want to write?"
The two of them are on the balcony in front of her house. Both of them are sitting on each single wooden tuscan chair— parallel to each other, in between the round glass table.
Just a single laptop, two notebooks, sticky note pads that are in different shapes and colors, black and red markers, highlighters, two pencils, erasers, and three black and two red sign pens scattered around the table as they keep on discussing their opinions about the upcoming collaboration.
"Since we're both into romance, surely we'll put it there. And since I am just into general fiction and you are in fantasy, I think we will be able to do it." she said.
"Yep. Are you into witchcraft and that?" Hex asked and she slightly shook her head.
"It's not like I don't like but I have no time to study about such weird crafts."
"And why is that?" She stops her fingers from typing on the laptop and fully faces her partner.
"What's your reason why you are writing, Jinx?" she asked. The latter went silent for a second before putting both of his hands to the pockets of his black loose fit jeans, leaning on the chair and answering her question.
"First, as I said you can call my name." she just shrugs her shoulders.
"And my reason? Actually it's not that deep."
Now she's curious. She lightly touches the middle of her round silver glasses and waits for him to speak.
"Obviously, I'm just a go-lucky person. I'm not into the others like they write for fame? Or for blurting their feelings out— it's just me. Instead of following my father's path to the military, I found myself writing."
He sighs. "I was seventeen years old when I became a writer— underrated actually. I was a fan of fantasy films."
"But yeah, I was so engrossed about fantasy that I even want to start making my own. I read manga and comics to learn how to write and even went searching on the internet and books. That's how crazy I was back then."
"Are you a nerd?"
"Nerd? Uhh, maybe?" he slightly laughed. "But it's fun. I engaged myself through writing and decided to pursue it until such time, I became who I am today."
"You have a peaceful journey as a writer, eh?"
"Maybe? But I experienced mental blocks, frustrations, and anxiety before. It's not inevitable anyway."
She nodded. "Yeah, I agree." After hearing his story, she felt a little bit of jealousy. His life is just shallow. No drama and such. Just chill, and how she wishes her life was just like that.
"And also because of A'Nian whom I treat as my real sister. She loves to read so much. She's important to me because she changed my brother for good and be mature to his life right now."
She smile softly That girl can really caught someone's heart instantly and she's one of them.
"It's my turn to ask."
"Hmm?" She's back from reverie.
Hex heaved a sigh and met her brown honey eyes before asking her the same question.
"What's your reason why you are writing, Ms. Lu?"
She stilled and went silent.
Her thoughts suddenly went back to the old days wherein she's just a girl who had nothing. She's alone. No friends at all that can lean on, her family— she stilled.
How does it feel to have a family anyway? Her mind is slowly drowning to her past as she can hear some laughters, giggles, stomps from the running kids, and the sound of splashing waters probably came from a river. It was so calming to hear that made her relax a bit until in just a snap, all of those bright noises became a nightmare.
She can hear shouts, groaning, sobbing— crying as if everyone is in pain. Everything seemed in chaos and it made her wince in pain.
"Hey, what's the matter?" she stilled again and sighs. She started massaging her temples gently and shook her head slightly at him.
"I'm fine."
"You are, really?" he asks with a hint of worry in his deep and husky voice. She nodded.
"Just a headache, I guess."
"Okay but be sure to take medicine after eating your dinner." She smiled.
"Thanks."
He sighs and looks at the surroundings. "I think the sun is getting down. I should head back home now.
They both stand up from their seats and walk towards the outside— just a few steps away from the balcony.
"I'll be back again tomorrow?" he asked.
"Yep. We'll start writing tomorrow since we've finished outlining the story." she said.
"Hmm.."
A few seconds of silence interrupted them for a bit.
"See you then, Ms. Lu."
She chuckled. "Lu Xia."
He grinned. "Lu Xia."
She nodded. "Bye." and raise her hand for a bit to wave at him.
The latter just smirked and turned around to walk away. She was about to go back to the balcony to gather the things but then, she heard some footsteps from behind. It was Hex who suddenly came back.
"What is—" her words left in the air when he stopped right just an inch away from her. Their body went close and she stilled because of their closeness.
"Uhh.." she stepped back awkwardly but to her shock, Hex raised his hand to pat her head before messing her hair.
"Hey—"
"'Till next time, your highness." he playfully said before running away from her, leaving her in so much awed.
..
.
SITTING DOWN on her bed while combing her hair softly, unconsciously, she touches her head and remembers what he did.
She scoffed and shook her head. "That jerk."
Putting her comb on the side table before laying down on her bed to cover half of her body with the comforter, she stared at the ceiling.
As the scenes of earlier flash into her mind, a smile eventually crosses her lips and says.
"He's not that bad, eh?"
She shook her head again and positioned sidewards before closing her eyes and went to her deep slumber.
As her thoughts went black and she's drowning in her sleep, the moon outside her window showed a bit and it penetrated her room and laid down to give her again the same dream-- making her meet the man in her dreams.
And there, she met 'him'.
***