Chapter VIII: Raindrops

Zilch tried calling Nix after a couple of days but to no avail. She knew Nix wanted some time alone to think because Zilch sensed some tension between Nix and Yxir.

Zilch walked down a cobblestone path, just near the riverbank. She and Xavier spent a lot of time there, but they're just friends now. She sat down Indian style on the grassy area and looked up the sky. She sighed.

"Don't sigh at the sky," Trent said, breathing heavily and looking at his feet.
"Don't sigh at the ground," Zilch said, tapping the space beside her, motioning for him to sit down.

"So what's the problem?"
"Well, Nix and Yxir are in a daze again. I don't know what to do. Onmaen seems happy with Lexi... And I'm left all alone,"
"You're not alone. We're two of a kind,"
Zilch smirked at this and continued to stare at the sky. It was a hazy mixture of grays and blues, like it came out straight from an artist's palette.

"Would you mind if I hold your hand?" Trent said, looking at her intently.
"Um, it's okay," Zilch said nervously, a hint of red staining her white cheeks.
His much bigger hands gently held hers, fingers entwined. He smiled at this.

Thunder echoed from somewhere near. A storm is most likely to approach their area.
"The spaces between my fingers are meant for yours,"
"What?"

She never got to hear the answer to her question as his lips collided with hers. A seemingly sweet yet addicting intoxication spread out their bodies. Love, they thought at the same time as the first droplets of rain crashed silently on them.

Chapter VII: Blinded...

“And why are you both here?” Onmaen said giving emphasis on the word both. “Well, we heard the wonderful melody by?” Nix answered.

“Lexi, you’re Nix, aren’t you? Thanks for the compliment.” Lexi said getting a little pink on her cheeks. “Nice meeting you. Yxir, Lexi. Lexi, Yxir.” Nix continued.

“You play the cello. Am I right?” Onmaen asked wanting to start a conversation. “Yeah, but I’m not really good at it. I’m better in playing the piano.” Nix answered proudly. “Hey, can you teach me on how to play the piano?” Lexi is so kind. She’s very gentle and sweet. “Maybe it’s better if Yxir would teach you. He’s my maestro.”

“I would be glad to teach you.” Yxir said. “Thanks.” Lexi said plainly. “Uhm, Nix, may we go now? I have something to tell you.” The boy is very serious when he told Nix so she didn’t bother to ask more questions. “Okay. Onmaen, Lexi, we got to go now. Have fun!” Nix said her goodbye to the lovebirds.

Then they departed. Silence was echoing on their way to The Schneere Manor. Yxir wanted for them to stay there because he’s apartment was a mess.

“So, what do you want to tell me?” Nix broke the silence. “Uhm, after having been away from you for a very long time, it was very hard of me to be happy. But now that I’m with you, again, I’m the happiest man in the world.” Yxir started. “I just want to ask you something.”

“What is it?” Nix was surprised by what her ex-boyfriend said. But she was more surprised by the very serious face that Yxir showed her for the very first time.

“Can we be, you know, us, again?” Yxir got a small red box from the pocket of his vest. “Will you be my girlfriend, again?” He said while opening the box containing a ring. A ring that moved Nix’s eyes to produce tears. She cried because of joy. “No, please, don’t cry.” Yxir gets worried. “I’m just happy, Yxir. Don’t worry so much.” Nix managed to show a smile between the tears that flowed on her cheeks. “Okay. So, will you?”

“I don’t know, Yxir. I’m sorry. It has been to long and I admit I still have feelings for you. But that’s not easy. Give me time to think about it.”

“Okay. Please give me a chance to prove my love for you, Nix. Goodnight for now. Sweet dreams.” Yxir said wiping the tears on Nix’s face and leaving a passionate kiss on it.

“Goodnight. Take care.” Nix replied with ‘the smile’.

It has been too long since these lovebirds broke up. Almost 3 years now. But love really battles with time. Before Nix went to bed, she thought of giving Yxir one more chance hoping that he was the one.

“A very beautiful day this is.” Nix smiled after closing the main door of her manor. She wants to go to Yxir’s apartment to surprise him.

Nix stopped by a small store on her way. She bought pasta for Yxir and her to share. When she reached Yxir’s apartment, Nix was stunned by what she saw. The door was slightly opened. Yxir never leaves his door open. Oh well, it has been too long. The elapsed time was sufficient for someone to change. So, she pushed the door lightly and was more astonished by the scene she witnessed.

“What the—.” Nix said in awe causing her to drop the bag she was holding. Yxir was kissing with a girl, a beautiful girl, she admits. He was topless and his arms were wrapped around the girls curved body.

“Nix, I can explain.” Yxir said. “No, you don’t have to explain anything.” Nix said in between tears. “It’s not what you think it is.” Yxir was getting worried.

“No, I’ve seen it already. So, who’s the new girl? May I see?” She replied moving a bit to the right of the bastard to see the face of the girl. “Tera? Is that you?”

“Yes Nix. Oh my, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” The girl sobs as she leaves the apartment.

“YOU’RE SUCH A BASTARD!!!” Nix blurted out. “I know.” Yxir answered plainly.
“Do you want to play with my feelings again!? I thought you already changed Yxir but I was so stupid to think of that.” She continued not allowing Yxir to speak. “Maybe I was blinded so much by love. I HATE YOU!!! You kissed that bitch! The bitch that ruined my life!”

“Do not call her a bitch!” Yxir can’t didn’t have a control on his words.

“And now you’re shouting at me. Don’t ever show your face to me again, you bastard!” Nix ended leaving a red mark on Yxir’s face.

“Nix. I’m sorry.” Yxir responded dropping a tear.

Nix went back to her Manor and played her favorite melody on her cello. Tears rolled down her face. She was crying terribly. Nix saw a knife on the Music Room. She wanted to kill herself for being so stupid. The only thing she managed to do was to slice her skin like a fruit. Nix slept in the same room with cuts on her arms and legs.

Chapter VI: Strings of Life, Sword of Pain

"So... Umm... Where do you wanna go?"

Her voice was mellow. Lexi was wearing a black dress, not really formal. Her eyes were of a shade of gray at first look, but if you inspect them more carefully, they have a green hue to it.

"Anywhere you want to." I replied. "Okay then... Let's go to the playground. I love to go there." she replied with a cheery voice. "Sure. Why not?"

After a long walk, we finally reached our destination: the playground. The playground is a wide, grassy field. It has two swing sets, two see-saws, and the like. It is a paradise for children, I guess. Too bad we're not children anymore. "Onmaen, right?" she asked innocently. "Hmm... Hey, I wanna show you something."

I didn't notice that she was carrying something. It somewhat looked like a bag, but after a closer look, I realized it wasn't just a bag. It was a violin case.

"You play the violin?" I asked. "Sure do." she replied with a smile. "Wow... What a coincidence. I play too." I replied. This time, her smile widened, and I couldn't help but smile as well.

"Here. Listen to this."

She took out the violin, and started playing it. Each note almost perfect as she strums it. The song was a blur to me, it sounded familiar. Then I realized it sounded somewhat like a sad, depressing and slow song. It sounded like "My Immortal" by Evanescence. Her music was really memorable. It felt like every note had a story behind it. She was really good.

"Wow. That's amazing!" I shouted as I clapped my hands.

"Yeah. That was awesome."

I turn around to find that Yxir and Nix were at our back.

Chapter V: Regrets and Romance

Zilch pushed open the glass doors of Mayhew Cafe, a gust of cold wind greeting her. The large man with an apron was easy to locate and she asked him where Trent was. "He's not here, miss," he answered politely. "You mean he's absent from work?" Zilch asked. "No," the man chuckled lightly. "He doesn't work here, he owns the place."

Still a bit shocked from what the apron man told her, Zilch left the cafe with a tall mocha latte. She passed by the old playground and saw Nix hanging out with Yxir. There was something in her smile that was so... genuine, like only Nix could have that in her smile. This was not common with Nix, either she was really happy or she was trying to be but Zilch could tell this one's true. She'd never seen one of her best friends happier than before. She decided not to ruin the moment and called up Onmaen to meet her at the ice cream stand near the river.

"Hey," Onmaen huffed as he ran from the bridge towards the stand. She handed him a cone of Cookies and Cream, his favorite. "So here's the deal, Onmaen. I called up a friend of mine and she's gonna hang out with you. You better act nicely if you want her to like you," Zilch said, handing him another cone which was Strawberry flavored. "What?" Onmaen asked, he was totally oblivious of this, um... date.

"Hi Lexi! This is Onmaen, Onmaen, this is Lexi," Zilch said upon the arrival of a beautiful lady about their age with wavy, dark hair and mysterious gray eyes. "Oh, this is for you," Onmaen handed Lexi the Strawberry ice cream. "Thanks," she said as she took it.

"Look at the time, I have to go to um... The Art Conference," Zilch said. "Zilch, it's a Saturday, there's no Art Conference today," Onmaen said through gritted teeth. "No, they made an exception so I could leave you two lovebirds," Zilch said as she sped off. "Bye!" she waved back.

Zilch giggled to herself as she thought about her two friends waltzing through the music of love. Okay, scratch that, that was really cheesy. Anyway, she was just happy at the thought of her two friends enjoying the day. The sun was about to set, and it cast an orange glow on the people that passed by the park. Zilch took a deep breath and was mesmerized by the setting sun.