Burning On

July 1, 2018

What joy filled the summer air! The whole world seemed to be on the edge of its seat, quivering with excitement. Kasumii skipped along the well-beaten forest pathway, sunlight turning her raven-black hair a deep shade of violet. She knew that she was being childish, but she didn't care. Today was a day for celebration! No longer would she have to spend hours every day in a high school building; she was free! The graduate's skipping turned to running, and the trees blurred as she flew past them. Her light jacket slapped her legs as she ran, turning corners and rounding bends. A melodious laugh split the air, as if her excitement had bubbled up and overflown with the sound of a wind chime in a gentle breeze.

Eventually, the initial cheer wore off and Kasumii stopped, taking a deep breath. She had run all the way to the local park. Kasumii flopped down on a park bench, out of breath. She closed her eyes and let the sunshine warm her face and amass her thoughts. Reaching for her sketchbook, the graduate studied her surroundings. Leaves rustled softly while children shouted, playing their games on the playground nearby. A small boy was chasing a silver squirrel, which promptly disappeared into a nearby elm in a leap and a bound. The boy groaned in disappointment as he watched his animal friend vanish in the foliage. His mother took his hand and led him over to the playground, pointing out the things he could do.

She was beautiful, but appeared to have a strange sadness behind her dark brown eyes. Kasumii tried not to stare, but it was difficult. Pulling out a pencil, she began to sketch the young mother's beautiful face and guarded expression. First she drew out the eyes, the windows to the soul. Then appeared the slender nose, and smooth lips. Kasumii studied her art. Something was missing.

Kasumii jumped as someone sat beside her. She dared to sneak a peek at the person, hoping her action wasn't noticeable. What she saw nearly made her fall off the bench. The newcomer was tall and slender, with skin much too pale for the amount of sun that had beat down that summer. He had chocolate brown eyes and a messy mop of black curls. But that wasn't the shock.

The boy was wearing long dress pants, short boots, and a leather jacket studded with pins and buttons. His collar was turned up and despite the heat, he was wearing all black. Just like Kasumii. She gawked at him and he turned to face her.

"Is everything all right?" he smiled, chocolate brown eyes looking into her ice grey ones.

"Uh... uh... yeah!" Kasumii tried to look away, blushing. How embarrassing that this handsome stranger had caught her staring!

An awkward silence fell like fall leaves. Out of the corner of her eye, Kasumii could see that the boy was watching her curiously. She blushed harder.

"What's your name? I'm Jakob," said the boy, offering his hand.

"Gloves in the middle of summer?" Kasumii thought, observing the black skeleton gloves that covered the boy's arm from hand to elbow.

She put her small pale hand into the large gloved one and shook. "Kasumii," she whispered, barely audible.

Her heart nearly stopped as he leaned closer to hear better. "I apologize, what did you say?"

"I'm Kasumii," she said, a bit louder.

"Well, Kasumii, that's an amazing shirt you've got on!" Jakob complimented.

She looked down at her old MCR T-shirt. "Oh, this? You like My Chemical Romance too?"

"Like doesn't even begin to cover it!" exclaimed Jakob. "It's got to be one of the greatest bands of all time!"

"It really is! What's your favorite song? Mine's Bulletproof Heart," Kasumii answered, finding her voice at last.

"Hmm, that's hard," Jakob mused. "Maybe Disenchanted?"

"That's a good one. It really makes you think about life and how you treat others."

Kasumii continued to converse with Jakob. She found that he was very similar to her indeed. They discussed deep thoughts, praised bands, and celebrated the freedom of being out of school. Jakob had graduated an year earlier. An hour later, Kasumii found herself asking the question she had been wondering during the entire conversation.

"Jakob," she began. "I was wondering, why did you care to talk to me? Why didn't you just pass by? I know you said you were on your way home."

"Honestly, I don't exactly know," he responded with a laugh. "I just saw you, noticed MCR, and thought I should at least stop and compliment you." He shook his head. More seriously, he added, "I'm glad I did."

Kasumii was at a loss for words. Her thoughts buzzed like a hummingbird's wings. When she finally spoke, she simply said, "I'm glad I met you as well."

Jakob smiled at this and got up. He slipped one hand in his pocket, and offered the other. "Goodbye handshake?" he inquired, making what Kasumii assumed was his attempt at a puppy face.

"Sure, why not?" she grinned, taking his hand.

Like a flash, Jakob whipped out a pen. Seconds later, he was walking away as Kasumii looked down at her hand.

"364-941-3956. Text me:P"

She smiled down at the message. Perhaps this summer she truly would have a friend.