I doubt that this will stay on the site for long. (♥♡⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘♡♥ for timeskips) Protologue: Two birds (TW: Blood, death, light romance) The day of our deaths. We still remember it all. -Maya- I skipped into the park, beaming as I kicked up chickpeas. “Hey there Xander!” I waved him over, still smiling. “Hi,” He said, waving back. “Anything on your mind?” I shook my head slowly, blinking. “No, not really. It’s been a normal day so far.” He made a clicking sound and crossed his arms, hugging them close to his chest. “Don’t jinx it.” I laughed, shoving him on the side so hard he almost toppled over. “Oh, be quiet,” I teased. “What could possibly happen?” “Everything, actually,” Xander grumbled. “You could die in a car crash tomorrow. You could fall down the stairs and break your neck. You could-” “Ok, okay, I get it!” I laughed. “But seriously, the worst thing I can think of is that when we go get ice cream, the shop gets closed early. Be real here, Xander.” He shrugged, the summer sun turning his brown eyes amber. “I’m just trying to keep you safe.” I turned around and bopped him on the nose. “That is sweet, but you know I can do that myself, moron. I’m really strong.” “I wish I thought of you like that,” Xander muttered. I shrugged. “Your mind, your thoughts. I don’t care. Now, are we going to get the ice cream or not?” He smiled, and I knew that was a rare sight, even though I got the sweetness every day. “Of course. Let’s go.” “Hello, welcome! Can I get you anything today?” The cashier asked, looking down at the tablet. Xander nodded. “I would like chocolate, please.” The cashier tapped something on the screen. “Anything else?” He looked in my direction. “What do you want, Glowworm?” I shrugged. “Vanilla, I guess. Also, my name’s Maya!” Xander ignored my last comment. “Vanilla as well.” They nodded. “Right.” As Xander paid, I looked around. There was a small line behind them at the parlour, and people were talking and laughing with each other. A mother with twin boys was trying to stop their fight. “Maya?” I shook myself and looked at him. “Hey, Xander. Cha’ done?” “Yup.” He smiled and turned around. “Come on!”
♥♡⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘♡♥ A month later -Xander- I sat outside on the bench. Freezing cold. I sighed, my breath billowing white in the cold air. How long is Maya going to take? I watched the red leaves flutter down from the trees. I stuck out my foot experimentally, crushing the leaves with a satisfying crunch. I grinned. Nice. “Xander! Xander, I’m here!” Maya ran up, finally. And panted out the words breathlessly. “Sorry to keep you waiting!” “It’s alright,” I told her gently, pushing away my resentment. Stop being so judgemental! Your feelings don’t matter! “I’m just a little cold.” Understatement of the year… Standing up on frozen legs, I forced a grin and hopped sideways, trying to warm up. “So… what do you want to do today, Glowworm?” Maya looked at me intently. Please stop trusting me… “What do you want to do?” I froze at her words. “M-Me?! Er… how about we go to the beach, then?” She shrugged. “Sure.” She tilted her head up at the falling leaves. “Odd autumn came so soon, eh?” I nodded, relieved to have a conversation where I wasn't the main topic. “Yeah, but school’s starting in just a few days. I can’t believe we’re graduating in only a year. This’ll be our last year in middle school.” Maya beamed. “I know! Isn’t it exciting!” “Yeah.” I wish I could see the world as she does. “So… let’s go?” She asked inquisitively. “Ah. Yes, right.” I started to walk away when I remembered something. “Wait! I saw this really weird place, you wanna come?” Maya grinned, hopping from side to side. “Of course! Where is it!” “Follow me!” I said, empowered by her energy as I ran off. ♥♡⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘♡♥ Later -Maya- I stepped into the forbidding alleyway, shivering from the cold. “Are…are you sure this is safe?” “Er… not really. But that’s what makes it fun, right?” Xander grinned. I looked around. “But something about this feels wrong.” He winced. “Look, I just wanted to see what was here, alright? You could leave if you want to.” He sounded genuine, but I knew he wanted me to stay. I sighed. “Fine, then.” Xander smiled and stared into the darkness. I followed him warily, as we didn’t know what was there. What is waiting for us? Creak I jumped, stumbling into Xander with a yelp. “Hush, Glowworm!” He hissed. There was anger in his voice, but his eyes betrayed how he felt. He’s just as nervous as me. We kept on walking, side by side as if we were stuck together with glue. “Are you sure this is safe?” I whispered, my trembling voice echoing on the dark bricks. “W-Well not really-” Xander froze, like someone had just pressed a freeze button on him, his mouth agape, the ghost of his words barely on his tongue. “Are you okay?” I asked, bracing for the worst. His voice came out, sort of like a rasp, “I see someone. And they see us too.” They see us too? I squinted into the darkness, looking for a humanoid figure. “Well, hello there.” [____________]
