Reflecting
It is warm spring day. The cart moves slowly towards the white magic capital, Saillune as the rain gradually slows down to a light drizzle. The rhythmic pounding of the horses' feet on the ground grows fainter as my heartbeat increases. I sit up in the hay; languidly stretching and observe my surroundings. Now, we have arrived at Saillune's main gate. As the driver gets clearance from the guards, Lina blinks awake, running a hand through her slightly damp fiery-colored hair.
“Morning, Zel!” she chirps, in a cheerful mood as she elbows Gourry to alertness.
“Good morning, Lina” I reply back, looking away. I can’t let her see how uneasy I really am.
“Huh? We’re here?” Gourry asks with all of his usual tact, while rubbing his eyes sleepily.
I pretend to be absorbed in watching the townsfolk while Lina yells at Gourry, people starting to stare as they argue. Quietly sighing and pretending not to know them, I turn my thoughts to the person that we’re travelling to see…Amelia. Part of me wants to run away, but part of me wants nothing more than to see her once again.
Despite my feelings, I’m almost ashamed to face her after the last time we saw each other. I was so cold to her, so heartless. Ever since the day she first openly uttered those three dreaded words, “I love you” to me…I’ve been apathetic, almost uncaring to her at times. I glance back at Lina and Gourry. They’re engrossed in looking for a restaurant. I reach into my cape and pull out what has been my only link to Amelia for four years. I turn the wristband over in my hand, looking at the symbol on it…..
* Rain starts to pound down in sheets. I pull up my hood and start to walk away, but something lands in my hand. I turn back around, to see Amelia standing there; smiling at me. I sigh and shake my head, about to hand the wristband back to her. But something in her eyes stops me from doing so.
"Amelia....." I start to say, but before I can berate her; she interrupts me.
"Now you have to come back to Saillune...to return this to me!" she calls; giggling and runs off into the crowd of people. I can hear her start to cry, and it almost breaks my heart. *
“..Zel..? ZEL?!” I blink suddenly, realizing Lina has been calling me for some time now.
“Oh..sorry, Lina. What is it..?” I ask, maybe a little too hastily. She must know that something’s wrong now.
“Look! We’re almost at the palace!” she exclaims, then looks at me closely.
“Zel…are you alright?” Lina asks, her voice showing a hint of concern.
I think about telling her, but quickly shake my head to dismiss the thought.
“No..I’m fine. Really” I smile slightly, trying to deceive her into believing it. She raises an eyebrow when she notices the wristband and nods slightly; turning her attention back to keeping Gourry from eating a cake she brought for Amelia’s birthday. The cart slowly rumbles up to the palace, as we jump off of it.
Lina throws the driver a few gold coins, and I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around, seeing Xellos floating behind us; wearing his usual secretive smile. I tuck the wristband into a fold in my cape and follow the others into the palace, hoping I have enough courage to face Amelia..and maybe tell her how I really feel.