A decade has passed since Operation Strix began. The once volatile tensions between the East and West have calmed, thanks in part to Loid Forger's relentless efforts. However, rumors of a new program designed to reignite the hostilities have started...
Anya and I became friends shortly after. We would play mind games in class whenever we got bored. Most of the time it was Anya reading my mind and I trying to trick her, but she read right through my tactics. Though she was able to read minds, she wasn't exactly the brightest.
There are a lot of things I learned about Anya. On our 8th grade field trip, our school took us to a history museum to show us the artifacts saved from the war. Coincidentally that same day our prime minister attended the museum for an event. There was much commotion, it seemed like another political argument from my point of view. The grown men were shouting at one another pointing fingers, the students in our class got scared at the hostility. I for one was used to all this, my father delt with much of this at home, I could hear the conversations outside the door.
"D-Damian..." A soft voice called next to me,pulling me out of my thoughts. I turned around to face the voice. It was Anya, she was bleeding from her nose, her eyes closed as she pulled her hair with her hands. "make it stop... please.. it hurts " she whimpered. I couldn't react fast enough, I picked her up bridal style and ran, she was so light.
I ran outside the museum looking for a more isolated area. I noticed the beach a couple feet away, there was a small bench close to the edge of the water, perhaps the breeze will help her. I carry Anya towards the bench, gently placing her down. I grabbed my handkerchief and wiped away the blood from her nose.
"Are you okay, Anya?" I ask worriedly.
She looked at me with tired eyes and gave me a weak smile.
"Yes, I feel better, thank you Sy-on boy. I'll just rest for a bit," She said closing her eyes enjoying the breeze. After a couple minutes of silence she stood up. "I know, a nice cold drink will do the trick! " Anya said heading towards the venting machine. I turned to face the ocean, watching the waves grow and diminish slowly into the shoreline. It was so peaceful here.
"Here Sy-on boy! I got you your favorite." Anya hands me a grapefruit flavored soda. She had chosen a strawberry flavored juice for herself. She takes a sip and sighs contempt with her drink. I couldnt help but chuckle at her. She remembered my favorite drink?
"Thanks Stubby Legs, but you sure you're good?" I ask.
"Oh yes, this was very helpful, thank you. I'm sorry for all the commotion, this tends to happen when I'm with big crowds. Especially hostile environments, people tend to think louder and it gets too much and I begin to overstimulate. There's been times where I pass out, but for the most part, Papa or Mama take me outside and that helps!" she says with a smile.
"Well, I'll be by your side if you need anything, just let me know if it becomes too much for you" I say taking a sip of my drink I don't want to see you getting hurt like this.
Anya gives me a big smile and nods. After a couple minutes of silence, she turns to face me,
"Let's go walk by the water Sy-on boy!" she said as she proceeded to grab my hand. She pulled me towards the beach and began walking by the shoreline. I followed her lead as she walked in front of me. Her hand felt warm, I have this weird feeling and I don't know what to do, I don't know what this feeling is, all I know is I don't want her to let go.
I try to distract myself so I don't think anything absurd, I must remember she can read my mind! Looking towards the water, I see a small fish swimming towards the shore.
"Look shrimp, this fish looks like you" I say to her giving her a smirk. She looks at me with an playful expression.
"Oh yeah? Well look that bird looks like you! Stupid!" she says. A screech came from the bird Anya pointed out, its claws sink into the water grabbing the fish I pointed out. It took the fish with it and flew away.
Anya and I looked at each other in complete shock before bursting out in laughter.
"Looks like I ended up taking you with me" I say to her with a smirk. Her cheeks turn a light pink as she punches my arm playfully. We continue walking along the shoreline when I stumble upon a peach colored seashell. It had little hints of gold and green. This shell remind me so much of Anya. She was crouched over something a few feet away from me.
"Hey Anya," I say as I stopped moving. She looked at me confused as she walked closer to me. The sun had begun to descend, the sunset casting its rays along the water, making the sea become shiny and pigmented. I took Anya's hands in mine, they were so tiny. I placed the seashell gently in her hands. The breeze began to increase making her hair fly towards her face. I gently grabbed a strand of her hair and placed it behind her ear.
She gave me a big smile, she put the shell in her pocket and fished something out, she grabbed both my hands and placed something warm inside. I look down to see a green colored shell with hints of gold and pink.
"and this reminds me of you," Anya says brightly. I put the shell in my pocket and pat her head.
"We should go back to the museum... We'll get in trouble if the bus leaves without us..." I say looking away. My face felt hot, I couldn't let her see me like this!
"Okay Sy-on boy, I'll race ya" Anya said as she ran towards the building. I would let her win this round, I needed some space to think... I pulled the seashell from my pocket and looked at it closely. The colors were beautifully ingraved in one another, though it was natures doing, I wonder if we too could make something as beautiful.
I couldn't deny it any longer... As I looked up to the beaming pink haired girl, her eyes shinning with excitement, her smile radiating positive energy, her laugh so intoxicating, I couldn't help but think to myself...
I'm falling for you.
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