Chapter 1
December 11th.
Another normal day on another normal Monday, I sighed. I took one step after another as the weight of my backpack threatened to drag me down. On either side of the narrow side street rose giant gray buildings that disappeared into the bleak sky above.
The overwhelming aura of the unwelcoming buildings swallows me as I made my way to school.
As I turned the corner into an equally narrow street, I nearly tripped over the hunched form of a girl. She bowed her head in a silent apology as I quickly side-stepped around her. The girl was kneeling in front of the corner of the wall with several pieces of paper strewn on the ground in front of her.
I gave her an odd look before sighing and turning away, continuing on my way down the street.
This new phenomenon in my life went on for several days later.
The things the girl brought with her for the next 30 days differed from angular rulers to coloring books to even giant pails of paint. It was so odd and subconsciously, I began to look forward to walking past that corner street to see what else the girl has brought. And without me knowing, my dreary life became just a bit brighter.
January 15th.
I hurriedly threw my shoes on and was out the door with my backpack hanging precariously off of one shoulder.
Yesterday, the number of paint pails the girl brought increased in number and she has begun to paint the corner of the building a pastel pink color. Surprised as I was, I had looked forward to this morning to see what else she’d do.
The minute I rounded the corner, the first thing I noticed was the girl lying on her side in front of the pink that had grown in size. As the scene came so unexpectedly, it took me a moment of hesitation before I dropped my bag and rushed to her side.
I shook her shoulders violently as I called out. To my immediate relief, her eyes slowly fluttered open to stare at me with warm brown orbs. I released an audible breath of air and relaxed.
“Miss, are you alright?” The girl sat up and held a hand to her head before giving me a small smile.
Then in a soft voice, “Yes, I’m alright. Thank you for the trouble.”
I watched as she picked herself up to sit in front of the wall again. Unconvinced that she is completely alright, I went to kneel next to her as she picked up a giant paintbrush and dipped it into the pink paint.
“I see you here everyday, what are you doing?” I asked. She gave another smile without turning away from the wall, the swishing of the paintbrush being the only sound for a few seconds.
“I like your hair,” I gave her an incredulous expression at the sudden change in topics. Her smile widened slightly as her eyes creased, “it’s long and beautiful.”
“T-thank you.” I stammered out. I watched her paint aimlessly before getting up. “I have to get to school now. Tomorrow... I’ll stop by again tomorrow.”
She didn’t reply but the smile continued to remain on her face as I walked away.
