Silver Shadow

Volume 1 Chapter 1

Roze's eyes were heavy, the cleric's sermon threatened to make her fall asleep. It was supposed to be a rest day. A break from work and studies yet she was here for an hour listening to a boring sermon.

Roze believed in the Maker as much as the rest of the villagers. But she had little patience for the weekly sermons. It was something the Clergy had decided, not the Maker.

Roze glanced to her sister beside her, and stifled a laugh. All sleep now forgotten.

Her older sister had already fallen asleep and had the most hilarious sleeping face. The older sibling had an expression of pure bliss on her face, with some drool dripping down from her mouth.

Ruby was already leaning forward, almost falling over. Her head kept bobbing up and down. And Ruby's long red hair acted as a curtain, preventing the cleric from catching her. But her light snoring did attract the attention of nearby listeners.

Roze elbowed her sister, waking her up. The communal chant was coming up, and the cleric was always strict on making sure everybody participated. Ruby mumbled thanks and wiped her mouth as the cleric asked them all to stand. The cleric started reciting the chant with all of them repeating it afterwards.

The sound of the door opening interrupted the communal chant. The cleric glared at the girl that interrupted him. She smiled sheepishly and quickly made her way to a nearby pew. It happened to be the one Roze and Ruby was in. Roze glanced at the girl and blushed.

Roze knew she wasn't normal in matters of the heart. She couldn't understand when girls of her age would talk about boys. Roze never found anything attractive to them, preferring instead other girls. It wasn't something publically known of course, only her sister knew of it.

The young redhead always felt strange when around members of the same sex. There was just something appealing to girls her age. And this was no different.

Roze found herself staring at the newcomer. Her cobalt blue hair reached the nape of her neck, framing her small face. A small portion was braided on the side, giving her a cute look.

When the cleric asked them all to hold hands for the final part of the chant, Roze blushed harder as she held the mysterious girl's hand. The girl's soft hand perfectly fitted with Roze's. It was like fate had planned them to meet.

Roze managed to recite the chant without making a mistake. And she hurriedly let go of the girl's hand when it was over. But she found herself stealing glances to her pretty neighbor.

The sermon ended soon enough. The children were the first to bolt out of the door, eager to play around in meadow nearby. With their older siblings rushed after them with resigned expressions. The adults stayed behind, chatting with one another and sharing the latest gossip.

Roze watched as the girl stood at the doorway. Her amethyst eyes darted to and fro, deciding whether to join the adults or kids. She looked like a small animal that just learned to walk. It made Roze giggle.

"Hey, she's pretty cute." Ruby whispered into Roze's ear. She jumped in surprise and turned to the sight of her sister grinning. Ruby threw an arm over her shoulder. "So is she my little sis' new crush?"

Roze pushed Ruby off, she ignored her sister's laugh. Roze watched the girl step out of the church, the girl's dark coat trailing after her like a living shadow.

Roze stood there, contemplating on whether or not she should follow her. It would seem weird right? A girl just suddenly decided to follow another girl that she didn't know. And what was she going to do? Roze couldn't just go up to her and say, "Hi, I'm Roze and I think you're pretty." It would be weird and creepy.