“Basically,” Ren replied. He took the opportunity to enjoy his caramel apple pie. With a small, silver spoon, he ate his dessert, savouring its sweetness and its delicate texture, along with its chilling temperature.
“Did you draw all of this from memory alone?” Tanford looked sharply at the artist sitting in front of him, nonchalantly eating his pie.
“Yeah, I guess,” Ren responded, without realising the gravity of his achievement.
“You’ve lost it, man,” Tanford said, lightly shaking his head as he surrendered the notebook.
“What?” Ren responded hesitantly as he put down his dessert and accepted the pad.
“This must be seared into your mind for you to bring it back this vividly,” Maves said, explaining how impressive Ren’s ability to depict his memories were.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Ren rubbed the back of his neck. “Honestly, I can’t seem to think about anything else,” he explained, as he drew his pencil and shaded the still pair of eyes that with so much modesty glanced at him. With quick graphite strokes, the irises of the girl grew more defined and delicate as they adopted a spherical shape and with a faint glimmer, rivaled the memory they depicted.
“This has to be because of the soulmate thing,” Maves declared, neatly carving out a piece of pancake with his fork.
“My dreams?” Ren asked, looking up from his drawing.
“Probably,” Tanford agreed, sipping on his coffee.
“Well, we are at that age,” Ren affirmed, returning to the delicate pair of eyes in his notebook, with a soft smile.
“I’m not sure I’ve heard of dreams connecting people before though,” Maves said, uncertain if it was linked to the phenomenon. “But I have heard of stranger things,” he admitted, settling for an estimated answer.
That means… Ren thought, withdrawing the graphite tip from the lined paper and gazing at the humble lenses that so sweetly gazed back. She’s real. He exhaled a heavy breath, letting his head fall back.
After taking a moment to entertain the idea of the girl, in his dreams, being real, he returned the withdrawn graphite tip to the paper, and with excitement fluttering in his chest, he shaded his work. Through the trivial conversations he exchanged, he was finally able to finish it, however, the hope that it wouldn’t suffer from the same shortcoming as his previous pieces was quickly render naught as he realised a flaw. The fault couldn’t be recognised from the illustration alone, but rather from the moment it depicted.
He bit his lips as he gazed at the soft pair of eyes. He closely scrutinised them, but it seemed impossible. It was as though the defect lay under the surface which one could only hope to scratch.
“How’s it going?” Tanford asked, noticing the frowning artist.
“Terribly,” Ren replied, picking up his phone. “Anyway, I’ve got to go to work now,” he let out a deep sigh, closing his notebook and throwing it into his bag.
“Okay,” Tanford replied.
“See ya,” Ren said, rising to his feet.
“See ya,” Tanford and Maves said.
After their small exchange, Ren left the café and made his way to his workplace. The vexing thought of his inability to capture the essence of his memory, remained and troubled his nerves. The moment, the magic—it all seemed so out of reach. It was as though anything he did would result in the same outcome. A picture that perfectly followed every outline, silhouette, shade and texture, but failed where it counted. An image that failed to excite the heart, while entertaining the skill of the one that illustrated such a breathtaking scene.
With his mind hosting a series of thoughts and wonders, he arrived in front of a well-designed building. It housed a set of tall windows, where one could see into the intricate interior. Lights hung from the ceilings and lit up the floor, where many tables and chairs stood, occupied by moderately high caliber people. From table to table, waiters walked across the smooth surface so elegantly and seamlessly. The huge window panels allowed a glimpse into the French restaurant where Ren worked.
Without taking a second to look at the familiar building, he walked in and quickly navigated to the dressing room where he changed into his work clothes. Wearing a black shirt and a red tie, along with black pants, he appeared at the bar.
“Oh good afternoon, sunshine,” said a woman, wearing the same uniform as he did, from behind the auburn bar counter.
“Hey, Mrs. Quist,” Ren replied and manned the bar alongside her. She had long black hair tied up into a ponytail, and sharp blue eyes, along with a thin pair of lips. “How are you?”
“Me?” Quist replied. “Well, I feel like the bomb today,” she explained, grinning at her colleague. “How about yourself?”
“Good and bad, bit of both,” he replied.
“A lot on your mind?” she asked.
“Something like that,” he answered, omitting the reason for his tense muscles.
“Well, you’ve got a tonne here to wash away your sorrows,” she uttered, gesturing at the huge glass shelf behind them, completely filled with different types of wines, beers, liqueurs and hard liquors.
“You know, I’m underage, right?” he raised his eyebrows, wondering if she had maintained her sanity.
“I’m kidding,” she replied. “Don’t worry, things have a way of working themselves out,” she said, with a smirk on her face.
“Hey, we need a mojito at table six,” said a waiter, smoothly walking by.
“Done,” Quist replied. “Ren, you’re up.”
Before her words had been ejected from her lips, his hands had already begun moving. He retrieved everything needed for the flawless cocktail: white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint and soda water. The ingredients followed closely behind one another, drizzling onto icy rocks inside a highball glass. The drink was topped off with soda water and finally garnished with a slice of lime and a straw. And just like that, Ren had produced the ordered cocktail.
ChapteR 9
His name—Kaori thought. Her eyes snapped open and captured the inviting world. I talked to him, she realised, as she felt her face grow warm and flustered. An unshakeable feeling took root and flourished through her entire body with each heartbeat that pulsed in her chest. An unbreakable smile grew on her face and remained, even when she tried to bend her curved lips back. Her body seemed so tingly and fuzzy as she was taken on a riveting rollercoaster through her memories, where she witnessed the glimmering ripples and the boy who she had spoken to. I talked to him! she affirmed, giggling and snickering while she covered her face and tried to muzzle her yelping voice that escaped her lips. She kicked and turned, expressing the overwhelming joy within her.
What was his name? she came to an abrupt standstill. She had failed to remember such a vital piece of information. She jerked upwards and sat up on her bed. Although her eyes were open, she gazed inward and ventured into the memorial records of her mind. Her dream was replayed and the boy’s lips moved, but no sound was emitted. His eyes were sweet and remained unaffected by the distortion, while the rest of his face faded into the nothingness and blurred with every passing frame.
Her squeaky joy from her chest, left only behind an empty void that was impossible to fill. She yearned for what she had lost, but failed to pinpoint what she sought. Her wonders and questions that were swirling about were all put on hold when her phone rang. She reached for the device and noticed that her alarm had gone off.
Oh right, I’m supposed to be at the train station in two hours, she thought, I should get up now. She mustered up the necessary energy to get out of bed.
After a little while she appeared in the kitchen wearing a casual sweater and a pair of jeans.
“Good morning,” Kaori said, taking a seat at the table.
“Good morning,” Aiko replied. “Where are you off to so early?” she added.
“Oh, I’m going to Trine with Nora and Mei,” Kaori explained as she served herself some breakfast.
“How exciting,” Aiko commented with a wide grin. “Maybe
you might meet the boy of your dreams.”
“Maybe,” Kaori replied, without fully realising the words that her mother had said.
“Oh,” Aiko raised her eyebrows and chuckled.
“Wait! What?” Kaori exclaimed, finally comprehending what she had replied to.
“Don’t worry, I’m crossing my fingers for you,” Aiko said, beaming at her flustered daughter.
“Ugh…” Kaori grumbled and forced her food into her mouth.
“Anyway, what are you planning on doing in Trine?”
“I don’t know,” Kaori answered. “A little bit of everything.”
“Okay, that sounds like fun, but just don’t be out too late, okay?” Aiko replied.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back on time.”
The breakfast table was soon emptied as both Aiko and Kaori finished their food and put away their dishes. Kaori returned to her room and got ready. She brushed her hair and expelled its untidiness in front of the mirror. Somehow, the reflection compelled her to remember her dream and the boy who had played a part in it. For a moment she remained still and relived the instance until her phone went off, shattering the experience. She was drawn from her inward screening back to reality. She picked up the device and noticed the time—only fifteen minutes between herself and her appointed meeting at the station.
She quickly dispelled the dream and fixed her hair, wearing it in her usual way. After packing a small handbag, she jolted from her room and arrived at the door.
“You’re going already?” Aiko asked, walking into the corridor. “Yeah, I’m supposed to meet them in ten minutes,” Kaori replied, wearing her shoes.
“Cutting it close, are we?” Aiko uttered with a smirk on her face. “Probably too busy thinking abou—”
“No—no, I wasn’t,” Kaori dispelled the notion and rose to her feet.
“Have fun!”
“I’ll be back later!” she said, closing the door behind her. Under the warm solar glare she made her way to the train station. She walked passed the many buildings on the same route to school which only deviated with a single turn at the crossing. Instead, she walked in the opposite direction of the crossing. Shortly after that, she found herself in front of a huge glassy building with the reflection of the Pented tower in the panelled mirror.
“Good morning, Kaori!” Nora exclaimed waving to her.
“Good morning,” Kaori replied.
“Just in the nick of time!” Mei said.
“Yeah, sorry, overslept,” Kaori noted.
“Come on, come on, the train is going to leave soon,” Nora grabbed them. They quickly navigated through the interior of the station and found their platform. Before them was a bullet train ready to sprint across the land on iron rails. Without a moment to waste they got on and sat down.
Kaori sat next to the window with Mei next to her and Nora across the aisle.
“Ahh, we’re going to Trine!” Mei exclaimed with her head bobbing.
“What do you guys want to do first?” Kaori asked, with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Mmm,” Nora pondered on the idea.
“There is so much to do,” Mei began. “But what to do first?”
Kaori sat patiently and watched her friends take on the difficult task. The decision was vital and impossible to ignore.
“I’ve got it!” Nora exclaimed.
“What? Really!” Kaori and Mei gazed expectantly at their friend.
“How about we start our little day trip by going to a café?” Nora uttered with her shoulders back and her chin up.
“A café?” Mei repeated as she was quickly absorbed by the thought.
“But which one?” Kaori asked a question equally difficult to the one prior.
“I’ve got just the—” Nora paused to operate her phone until she reached the screen, she wanted. While turning the phone around she said, “This one.”
Displayed on the device was a picture of the café interior she wanted to go to. The room was covered in dark flooring that supported all the white chairs and the wooden, white-legged tables that stood on it. Behind the open seating plan was a section at the back of the picture where huge arches made of stone stood enclosing a seating area. Finally the ceiling had small lamps hanging down giving a nice, cozy dimly lit atmosphere.
The girls were quickly drawn into the picture. The trio, without wasting a single second, were able to reach Trine and swiftly find their way to the café. They sat around a small table near the centre of the popular establishment.
“It’s so cosy here,” Kaori uttered, looking around, admiring the interior design.
“I know, I wish my room could feel like this,” Mei added, doing the same with her lips parted.
“This place really is amazing,” Nora said. A waiter came by handing them a menu each. “So what are you having?” she asked, skimming through it.
“I don’t know, they all sound so good,” Kaori replied, unable to choose, just one.
“I know what you mean,” agreed Mei. “But I think I’m sold for the maple pecan pie,” she said, closing the menu decisively as though any further reading might sway her decision.
“So, Kaori have you made up your mind?” Nora asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” Kaori frowned. “It’s either—you know what I’ve decided,” she said, putting down the menu surely, without taking another look at it.
The waiter came around and took their orders, and after a short wait, they received two cups of tea and one coffee, along with three plates. Mei was given a flawless pecan pie garnished with whipped cream, sprinkled with nutty flakes on a delicate white plate. In front of Nora was an identical plate with a couplet of mini cakes and ice cream, decorated with raspberries, blueberries and slices of strawberry. Lastly, Kaori was served Belgian waffles iced with sugar and glazed with chocolate sauce and garnished with slices of banana and strawberry along with a scoop of ice cream and blackberries.
“This looks amazing,” Kaori said, beaming at the desserts that occupied the table, while quickly reaching for her phone, as did her friends. Without a moment’s notice the trio quickly photographed their pastries, and just as fast put away their phones and picked up their cutlery.
Without any further delay they took a bite of their desserts and enjoyed the sweet flavours. All three of them basked in the wondrous tastes that resided on their plates.
After taking a moment to fully appreciate their desserts, Nora asked, “So Kaori, how did it go with your dream guy?”
“Oh uh,” Kaori said, avoiding eye contact.
“Oh yeah, did you talk to him?” Mei leaned in closer.
“I did,” Kaori answered.
“And?” Mei persisted with her head bouncing on her neck.
“I remember us talking, but I can’t remember what we said,” Kaori explained, looking down at her dessert with a bitter smile.
“Oh,” Mei’s shoulders sunk.
“Don’t worry Kaori, it’ll come back to you,” Nora assured her. “It’s just a matter of time, until you meet him again.”
“You think so?” Kaori asked, looking up.
“I do,” Nora replied. “He’s probably some cool Trine boy,” she added lightheartedly.
“Aww, I also want to meet a cute Trine boy!” Mei grumbled.
“You probably will,” Kaori said, grinning.
“But before that… what should we do next?” Nora asked. Her words lit a spark in her company and enveloped their thoughts in a special kind of excitement. While enjoying their desserts they thought about Nora’s question.
“Want to go to the mall?” Kaori suggested, looking across the table.
“The mall?” Nora repeated, glancing at Mei, wondering what she thought of the idea.
“We’re going to the mall,” Mei said decisively, leaving no room for debate or question.
After they finished their desserts and drank their warm beverages that so perfectly complemented their pastries, they were ready to leave.
�
��Shall we go to this one?” Nora asked, showing a picture. The scene captured on the phone displayed a fountain carried by a trio of statues and another three were frozen on the light blue watery surface, praising the women holding up the central fountain structure. Around them was a circular enclosure with pillars parting the different stores on the diamond patterned floor. They quickly left the café to get to the medieval-style mall.
After a little moment of navigating through the city, they reached their destination.
“Wow,” Kaori uttered, standing in the plaza where the picture they’d seen had been taken. She twirled in place, soaking in the environment.
“That’s crazy,” Mei said, looking up at the domed ceiling that displayed an artificial sky, which slowly shifted from its daytime atmosphere to a mellower, more dusky environment. It was a replicated sunrise and sunset of blue tints and rosy hues to compliment one another, like night and day.
“C’mon we’ve got stores to go to,” Nora said, dragging her friends away from the wondrous architecture and the ever-changing ceiling.
“But Nora, this is amazing,” Kaori said, wide-eyed with Mei nodding in agreement.
“So is this,” Nora said, presenting a shop.
The two girls quickly lit up, when they saw the dressed mannequins on display. Looking at the clothes, they quickly envisioned themselves in them and just like that their spree began. They marched into the store and quickly looked through the fashion on display, grabbing the things that seemed interesting. Once they went through everything with a fine-tooth comb, they went to the changing rooms to try on the items they had picked up.
“Ready?” Nora asked from behind the curtains to one of the changing rooms.
“Ready,” two consecutive responses came from Mei and Kaori. In one go they stepped out of their individual changing rooms wearing different outfits. Nora was clad in a near see-through, light blue blouse with a black tube top underneath and a rugged pair of shorts. Mei found herself in a short black dress with a white frilly shirt behind it, along with a blue blazer. Lastly, Kaori stood in cream colour tunic with black details, along with a pair of dark pants to complete the outfit.
String Theory Page 5