Chapter 1 A New World
Chapter 1
When I look through the mirror, I can see the world I long to belong to. But the truth is, I can never leave this world I’m trapped in. My whole job revolves around keeping the existence of our realm a secret from humans. Yet every time I peer through the glass, I see him—the man I know I can never have. He has no idea I even exist, or that I’ve existed for as long as I have.
I watch with wide eyes as he gets ready for his day. I rest my palms against the cold surface of the mirror. I’ve seen him laugh and I’ve seen him cry. I’ve even accidentally seen him when he wasn’t dressed. But no matter how close it feels, he looks straight through me as if I were nothing but mist. Today he is preparing for what looks like a very important interview. I silently wish him good luck. If only I could step through into his world for just a moment.
I love you, I say in my head, even though I know we will never be together. My heart has been broken countless times as I’ve watched him bring different girlfriends home. I tell myself I need to stop looking, but at the same time, I can’t bear the thought of not seeing him at all.
“Bella, stop watching him,” I hear my mother call out from behind me.
“But I love him,” I protest.
“You don’t love him—you don’t even know him,” she replies firmly.
“I just wish you could understand how I feel,” I say.
“Just let it go. You will never get to know him or meet him. Walk away from the mirror,” she advises before leaving the room.
As I’m left alone, I start wondering—would he like me if we ever met? Would he ever kiss me? I suppose I will never know the answer.
