《WHY LEAVES FALL》


 Chapter ( 1 ) : Wilhem Bridge

    It was a cosy summer morning. It was obvious that was hotter than usual as the sun was shining more brightly. The breeze coming through the windows made the curtains floating lightly.


    Contrast to the outside peaceful environment, the bedroom space was a bit messy scattering with manga drawing accessories. We could see turn-on drawing tablet and a bunch of torn papers. Besides there lied, the notices papers, probably gas and electric bills notice papers.


    The sounds of steam kettle boiling from then kitchen passes through the bedroom door and this woke the owner of this house getting up from her deep sleep.


    Laelynn Venwiska hurriedly jumped down from her bed to turn off the boiling kettle. She hurried down the stairs and went straight into the kitchen.


    After turning off the kettle, she prepared to make some coffee. Even Lacey could stay up without taking any meals, there was one thing she couldn''t skip and that was a coffee.


    She brew the coffee patiently, the sweet scent of coffee filled up the kitchen.


    "It smells nice" she murmured.


    Soon she sat in front of the window in the kitchen, sipping her coffee and looking the outside world through her window. As her house was located on the top of the hill, she could probably see the entire town from there.


    Sipping the coffee and feeling the summer breeze touching her face Lacey murmured something in a low voice.


    "What a nice day to leave this world"


    She took a nice bath and wore her favourite mini white dress and put on some casual make up. She went into her bedroom and took an envelope she kept in her drawer. On the envelope were two letters, "To Mom". She also put some money to another empty envelope she took out before and on that one she wrote "Bills".


    She put that envelope on the table in her living room, took her favourite beach sun hut and walked towards the door to leave the house. Before she left she took a quick glance to the house she was leaving for years.


    "Goodbye" she said and walked out of the house.


    She walked down from the hill towards "Wilhem" bridge that built across Saint Howard River located in the town outskirts.


    Legend had it that the Wilhem bridge was built in a remembrance of a little boy who drowned himself when crossing the river to find herbs in the mountains to make money for his sick mother. So when Wilhem drowned, everyone pitied the little sweet, clever Wilhem and built a bridge for him.


    "Why bother building a bridge with his name without giving the helps he would need when he was breathing perfectly" Laelynn would often thought like that.


    "Oh my! Isn''t it Laelynn"


    Oh..  the usual nosy person in neighbourhood Mrs. Norenda.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Hello, Mrs. Norenda, how are you doing?"


    "Oh, I am doing perfectly fine Laelynn. Oh yes, have you heard of it? The new high school teacher is moving to our town today?"


    "New High school teacher? But isn''t it summer right now?" Laelynn asked.


    "Oh yes, he is more of doing volunteer job as Mrs. Thompson, science teacher''s health has been deteriorating greatly due to her pancreatic cancer. Oh my lord, please save Mrs. Thompson"


    Laelynn looked blankly at Mrs. Norenda who was praying to god for Mrs.Thompson. For Laelynn, this is pointless as she had lost faith in everything.


    But not to make Mrs. Norenda awkard, she stayed smile and silent.


    "See you later Mrs. Norenda as I have some errands to run today"


    "Yes, yes Laelynn! Don''t forget to come over to my house this Saturday between! Our little Joyce will be 6 that day so I am planning to throw a small part for her!"


    "Sure Mrs. Norenda"


    But this is probably the last time you will see me, Laelynn thought.


    On her way to her destination, she would see children playing joyfully and lively town filled with busy people. Raylendar town may be a small town but due to its century old history and the beautiful views surrounding it, this town attracted tourists'' attraction alot.


    "Why do I feel so empty even thou seeing this lively town... is my will for living really had been disappeared like a dead candle" Laelynn murmured.


    Ignoring all those joyful views, Laelynn finally reached to her destination.


    She went near the bridge and looked down the water flowing aggressively under the bridge. Due to the bright sunlight, the water in the river sparkled a lot like diamond sparkles.


    "Finally .... I will be leaving" she whispered to herself. As she prepared to climbed onto the bridge she heard a voice behind her.


    "Excuse me, do you know how can go to St. Louisian High school from here?"


    Without even looking back, Laelynn could sense this person must had a happy life due to his cheerful voice.


    "How much I envy those who led happy life!" Laelynn kept a thought to herself.


    "If you go straight down this road at the end of it, you will see traffic lights in front of the book store. There, you turn right and again go straight down the road. By the end of it you will see a local football field. The high school you are looking is at the back of that field" Laelynn said without looking back.


    "I see.... too bad I am not good with directions... How about this? Please show me the way and I will treat you a coffee. Sorry for bothering you but really I am so bad at finding places"  the stranger said.


    Laelynn became frustrated. "Why the hell is he hindering with my plans?!" she thought.


    "Look, I don''t care if you are good or bad with directions. But if you don''t mind, would you get away..." saying those words Laelynn looked back the person.


    He was wearing a white T-shirt with blue jeans. His yellow hair sparkled due to the sun light and bright blue eyes felt like his gazes were piercing through her. Above all of that he was no stranger to her either.


    He was none other than the popular prince of their high school Eden Luwosiki, and her first love.


    "Oh... it is really you" Eden said.


    "If I remember correctly, you are Laelynn Veniska right?! Nice to meet you again desk mate!" Eden greeted cheerfully.


    The unpopular girl with ebony black curly hair and bright green eyes standing in front of the blue eyed yellow hair, it felt like the time itself had rewound to their very first encounter.

 Chapter ( 2 ) : Envy

    The clock stroke at 3 in the morning but Laelynn hadn''t slept a wink.


    She was recalling today events and analysing how her big plan had been crushed down by someone she hadn''t met in a long time.


    Somehow, earlier today, Laelynn ended up showing him the way to school. On the way there, Laelynn was amazed how Eden was still chatty after all this time. Eden Luwoski was admired as the prince of their high school all thanks to his good looks and charisma. Every time Eden was appeared, there was a flock of girls following him around. Everybody loved nice, cool boy.


    But Laelynn didn''t fall for Eden because of those reasons. There was a certain event that made Laelynn fell for Eden. But all of those were past as Laelynn didn''t feel anything for him now.


    "So Laelynn, how are you doing now?" asked Eden.


    "Hmm..  so far so good I guess", answered Laelynn.


    "I thought you would continue staying in Landoser, it was really surprising to meet you here Laelynn and I am really glad for meeting with you again" Eden said.


    "I see" Laelynn answered shortly.


    "So... you still drawing webtoons like back then?" Asked Eden.


    "Hmm... not really. I think I had lost my passion for drawing"


    "Oh..  is that so?"


    The situation became very silent and awkard as two individuals walking side by side without making a sound.


    "Pfft.. haha! Haha!" Suddenly Eden broke a laugh.


    Laelynn looked Eden with surprise.


    "Are you alright?" she asked.


    "Nah..  I even shed a tear. Is this some game you are playing Laelynn?" Eden asked.


    "No... I am not playing anything... why do you think like that?" Laelynn asked annoyingly.


    "Well....the you from before was quite a chatty one. You never stopped talking once you had found some topics and we all had to stop you. So, I thought you are playing me a prank by staying silent" Eden said.


    Laelynn stopped walking.


    "Laelynn?" Eden looked back.


    "Have you heard a saying that time changes everything?" Laelynn asked.


    "Not everyone in this world is guaranteed to live happily all the time. Yes, of course, I may be a chatty person or even more lively before. But what should I do? I am not someone you used to know before. I changed Eden! I have changed! This world had made me changed!"


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Eden remained silent listening to Laelynn''s words.


    "By the way, thanks to you, I had to let go of my plan that I have being determined to do today!" Laelynn shouted with tears in her eyes.


    "So, Goodbye Eden. If you continue walking down this street, you will reach the school"


    Laelynn turned away.


    "Are you feeling better now?" Eden asked.


    Laelynn paused her steps.


    "If yelling at me could ease your suffering, then I am glad" Eden answered calmly.


    In fact Laelynn also knew herself. Eden was not at fault for anything. It was herself. Even though she was determined to end her life today, she was still hoping that someone would stop her from behind.


    After all, the courage that required to make this decision was too hard. She had to muster and muster up her courage again and again. In the end, even if Eden hadn''t come, she would still fail today.


    Another reason Laelynn being angry at Eden was because she envied him a lot. She used to envy his life before and still envied his light also at the moment. Actually, it was more appropriate to say that she was jealous of Eden.


    Eden life was perfect in Laelynn eyes, and still perfect even after they met again after 10 years. Eden was still Eden. After meeting with Eden again, Laelynn began to feel that she was the only one who was suffering from this miserable life.


    She left her house to persuade her dream, left behind her family to make her dream come true. But every effort she used for her dream became in vain one by one.


    "Goodbye Eden and I am really sorry for before. For a moment I have lost myself. The people in this town are nice. As you are a cheerful person, there is no doubt that people will become friendly with you in a mean time. Best of Luck, Eden"


    Laelynn said those words and walked away.


    Eden was staring at Laelynn''s back as she was drifting further and further away from him.


    =========================


    It was 4 am in the morning. The small dorm room was being messy with all the papers and books and clothes. Eden was sitting by the window and looking at the moon that hadn''t went down yet.


    He lighted a cigarette and had a smoke. On the table, there stood a photograph distinctively. It was a photo of a boy and a girl in their high school sports wears. It was taken during their sports festival of their high school.


    "Finally I have found you, Laelynn" whispered Eden.