Rhythm Of My Soul- Chapter 2

After debating with myself for what seemed like forever, I decided not to run away. Someone was hurt and knowing that this place was abandoned, no one would be able to hear his cries for help.

Holding my breath, I looked around and finally found him behind the big oak tree. He was wincing in pain, holding onto his ankle. I recognized him as the new student that has recently transferred from Canada.

How long has he been there, watching me?

"Can you please help me?" he pleaded, his eyes looking as big as a puppy's that I almost melted.

Yes, there goes my initial plan of shouting at him for secretly peeking at me.

For the first time, I see him up so close and I have to admit, he is really good looking. No wonder the girls were following him everywhere as if they were his shadows. I silently wondered where were his shadows now. How ironic that they chose to disappear just when he needs them the most. Before I can control it, I could feel my cheeks burn when our eyes met.

Wait, am I blushing?

No, it's just the heat...I think.

I quickly looked away and took a deep breath,. I don't know what's wrong with me today. My heart beat literally felt as fast as the bullet train in Japan. It's his eyes....they were so beautiful....almost like Shawn's. At the thought of Shawn, I immediately snapped out of my trance. I shook my head vigorously, scolding myself mentally for feeling the way that I'm feeling now.

"Are you okay?" he asked, worriedly.

He's worrying about me when he's the one in pain. Isn't that sweetest thing ever?

Arrgghhh! I've got to snap out of this!

"How long have you been here?" I said, coldly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to watch you secretly. I...I just didn't have the heart to interrupt" he explained quickly.

"Interrupt what?" I asked, defensive.

"You being yourself, Chelsea" he answered, casually.

Who does he think he is? We don't even know each other and yet, he's here talking about me as if he knows everything about me! I felt like slapping him or better still, just leave him there by himself. I was so prepared to leave him there when a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

I've never heard anyone calling my name before except the lecturers in my class. Everyone else prefers to 'worship' me as their Snow Queen. He couldn't have known from the lecturers either because we were not in the same classes. Guys like him just wouldn't know her name, let alone remember it but he did.

Chelsea....

Gosh! My name sound so nice when he said it.

"Or do you prefer me calling you Snow Queen?" he teased, with a chuckle.

"How did you know my name?" I asked, my smile instantly turned into a scowl.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out" he replied, with a wink.

"You are so going to walk out of this place by yourself" I said, turning away.

I heard him trying to get up a few times but he never succeeded. Hearing him wincing in pain was enough to make me abandon my initial plan of leaving...again. I heaved a sigh and reluctantly helped him up. When he put his arm around me, I could feel my cheeks burning again.

I looked away from him and made a pact to myself that I will not speak another word to him. I've only met this guy for a few minutes and already he's making me feel really uncomfortable. There's just something about him but I was too afraid to find out what it is. They walked back in silence, neither speaking a word.

"Look, I'm really sorry for spying on you but I only wanted to return this to you" he apologized, breaking the silence.

I turned around and saw him holding my pink notebook. He quickly explained and I was surprised to know that he was actually the person that I've bumped into earlier. He had tried to call me but I've ignored him. Come to think of it, I did hear someone calling my name. He was left with no choice but to follow me in order to return the book. I snatched the book from him, still keeping my mouth tightly zipped.

I know that the only reason he was even speaking to me was because I'm the only person here who can help him. Guys like him and girls like me just don't become friends. We're from two different worlds.

If I had not bumped into him

If I had not dropped my notebook

If he had not followed me

If he had not gotten hurt

But wait...isn't this Fate? I couldn't help but to wonder silently.

"What? Not even a word of thanks? Look, God has already punished me for this so I guess you can forgive me now, right?" he asked, hopefully.

Silence.

"Chelsea, you can stop pretending that you're that Snow Queen that everyone talks about? You may be able to fool everyone but you can't fool me" he sighed.

Silence.

Usually it takes only a few minutes to reach the campus but today, it seemed as if we will never reach. I quickened my steps but soon I had to slow down because I was too tired. He was definately heavier that I've thought. He kept trying to strike up a conversation but I showed no interest.

I know it was really rude but I really didn't want anything to do with him. In fact, all I want to do now is to run as far as I could away from him. I was afraid of him because of the way I'm reacting to him. The whole blushing and heart skipping a beat thing is just too weird.

Without any warning, he started tickling me. I was so surprised that I jumped away from him, screaming. In the process of doing so, I dropped him hard on the ground. He screamed out in pain as his hands grazed on a sharp stone. I panicked when I saw blood oozing out from his hand.

I quickly took out my handkerchief and applied pressure onto his wound. Although I know it was only a minor cut, I was worried. I checked and rechecked his wound and asked him numereous times if he was feeling okay. Suddenly, I realized that he was staring at me so intensely. I quickly let go of his hand and stood up abruptly.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, looking upset.

"Is that how you treat an injured person? Dropping them everywhere?" he teased, almost at the same time.

I almost let out a smile but no, I'm so not going to let him win.

"It wasn't funny" I said, coldly.

"Sorry, I just can't stand the silence any longer. Hey, at least I made you speak. This is all worth it" he replied, showing his now injured hand.

"Let's get you back to campus" I sighed, helping him up again.

"Why do you always act so strong and cold?" he asked, curiously.

Silence.

"Do you want me to cut myself again to make you speak?" he challenged.

"No!" I cried, horrified that he could even think of such things.

"Chelsea, it's okay to make friends you know" he said, softly.

"I know but I just can't" I replied, shaking my head.

"But why? I don't understand" he asked, concerned.

"It's a long story" I sighed, forgetting my earlier pact to keep silent earlier.

"I have all the time to listen. Go on..." he urged, softly.

"I....."

Before I could even finish my sentence, we were suddenly surrounded by a group of his friends who had stayed behind to wait for him. Apparently, he was supposed to give them their rides home. I suddenly found myself wishing that the walk from where we were to the campus was longer. It was funny because just a minute ago, I was wishing the other way round.

I've never spoke about my past since that day Shawn left me but here I was, on the verge of spilling out everything to this unknown stranger. He is the first and only person I have spoken to in a very long time. I don't know why but I felt as if everything would be okay if I just told him the truth.

When his friends saw him limping, they immediately came to his aid. I let go of him and was pushed away from him. No one even seemed to notice that I was there. I felt like grabbing him and chuck him into my bag and run away so we can be alone again. Luckily, I managed to stop myself from doing that because I'm sure he wouldn't fit into my bag!

I burst out in fits of giggles with that thought but quickly stopped myself when I realize that everyone around me suddenly fell into an awkward silence. Great, everyone now noticed me but in all in a wrong way. No one was smiling, except him. It was as if he knew what I was thinking.

We were standing just inches away but suddenly, I felt as if we were separated by an ocean. He started to say something but I quickly walked away, not giving him a chance to say anything. Just before I turned into a corner, I turned back, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. I really didn't want to do that but it seemed as if my body and head suddenly have a brain of its own.

Our eyes met but only for a second before he was pushed into the car.

He's back in his own world

And, I, back into mine.

This will be the last time we meet.

Boy, how wrong I was.

Rhythm Of My Soul - Chapter 1

"Snow Queen is coming!"

I shuddered and felt my blood boiling when I heard that. Snow Queen used to be one of my favourite books when I was a child. Now, I'm beginning to hate Hans Christian Andersen for even coming up with the character and more so, for publishing this book! Yes, for if his book is not published, I wouldn't have gotten this nickname. Silly blaming the author, I know, because deep down inside, I knew it was my own fault. I just needed someone else to take the blame and who else is better than Hans Christian Andersen. Yes, apparently, that made me feel a little better.

As I walked down the busy hall after my classes, I ignored the staring and whispering from others. Apparently, the more I wished to become invisible, the more I stood out from the crowd like a sore thumb. Everyday, for the past week, as I walk down the halls, everyone would pretend to be frozen at their spot and then broke down in laughter after I walked passed. I thought that the prank would die out within days but instead it got bigger as more students started to join in as well. Even those whom I do not know was joining in. It seems that annoying me is the new pink...haha....what an irony, since pink happens to be my favourite colour.

I felt so stupid when the tears started brimming in my eyes. Over and over again, I told myself that I would not cry but it was beyond my control. I was deeply hurt and it was always worst when I saw my friends among them. Or at least, they used to be my friends. Not that they were entirely to be blamed since I was the one pushing them away. If they only knew that it was for their own good.

I realized that I've quickened my steps and before long, I was running out of the college. Tears were flowing freely from my eyes but I no longer cared. I was either not looking at where I was going or my tears were blinding me when I ran straight into someone. More laughter erupted from behind and I wished the floor would just open up and swallow me in. I just wanted to get away from here as soon as possible.

Mumbling a quick "sorry", I got up and ran off again. I heard someone calling my name but I ignored it. I just ran and ran until I have no energy left. Mind you, it wasn't easy running and crying at the same time.

I finally collapsed on the ground and cried so hard that I could feel my body shaking. It's been a while since I've cried so hard. It took a few minutes before I finally calmed down and wiped my tears away. I don't know for how long I can take this and if weren't for my studies, I would never ever want to come back here again. I finally picked myself up and walked slowly to my favourite hideway. I've accidentally come across this place not too long ago. It used to be a park but it became neglected after the college built a new one on the other side. Nobody comes here anymore which suited me just fine.

I sweep away the dried leaves with my hands before sitting on the bench. I was careful to sit on it gently because it looked as if it is going to give way at anytime. Every single time I sat on it, I knew I was risking my bum hitting the floor. I imagined falling on my back with my two feet sticking up in the air. I laughed to myself at that thought. Luckily, no one was around. If not, they would think that I have turned bonkers for laughing by myself. I have enough nicknames already, I do not need another one like Looney Chelsea or anything like that.

Heaving a sigh, I took out my favourite comic book, The Archies. Yes, I may be 23 years old but that does not stop me from reading it. I love the book, so much that I have bought every single issue. I could read it over and over again and still, I would not get bored. Retreating to my own little world, I zoned out the moment I open the first page. I was suddenly no longer Chelsea, the Snow Queen because for the next 30 minutes or so, the abandoned park came alive with my laughter.

Yes, surprise, surprise, I do laugh after all.

In fact, I laugh a lot.

I was so absorbed into the comic that I did not realize how quickly time has passed by. It was beginning to get darker. I quickly packed my things and was about to leave when something stopped me dead in my tracks. I heard someone cried out in pain and a loud thud, as if he or she has just fallen down hard on the ground. After that, it became completely silent again.

I was not alone.

Someone or worst, something was there with me.

No, I'm not being dramatic.

What? Who said ghosts doesn't exist?

"Who's there?" I ask, my voice trembling in fear.

Silence.

"Show yourself now!" I said, louder after mustering all my courage.

Silence.

I took a deep breath and started walking very quickly away. Suddenly, my hideaway is no longer safe. I silently wondered if I can ever come back here again. I may not be afraid of anything but all these supernatural stuffs are freaking me out. I still remember the movie that I've watched where the girl went missing in the woods after an encounter with a ghost. My life may have no meaning but I definately do not want it to end this way!

Maybe, it was just in my imagination. Yes, that's it. My imagination. I must have been alone for too long now that my mind has started to play tricks on me. There was no one else but myself there. Just as I've finally convinced myself with that theory, everything fall into pieces again.

"Help, please" a weak voice finally spoke up.

I stopped, not knowing whether I should stay to help or run for my life.

Rhythm Of My Soul -Forewords

"You are the rhythm of my soul"

I can still remember those words clearly as if I had only heard it just a few minutes ago. His deep, muscular but yet gentle voice as he whispered into my ears. Before I could ask him what he meant by that, he started nibbling my ears playfully and that made me laugh so much that I nearly tumbled out of bed. I was so happy and evrything was just perfect.

That memory made me smile but that smile vanished almost instantly when I thought about what had happened next. Within a second, everything was taken away from me. From a girl who has everything, I became a girl who has lost everything. Shawn was gone and there was nothing I could do to bring him back. In losing him, I have lost myself. I was just never the same person again.

I never allowed myself to be happy since that fateful day. Unknowingly, I silently tortured and punished myself for what had happened to him. It was my fault. I had let happen even though I already knew what the ending would be. He assured me otherwise and I actually believed him. I thought that it would be different this time but again, I was wrong. Because of that, I've lost him forever.

I began building a wall so high and thick to make sure that no one else ever comes this close to me again. I am determined to live this lifetime on my own. I have always been alone, I was meant to be alone. The reason? It was simple. I would rather not have any loved ones than to have them and then lose them. Enough is enough.

This time, I would not make the same mistake again.

My name is Chelsea

And I believe that I am cursed.

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Rhythm Of My Soul....

What exactly is the rhythm of my soul?

Is it the soft gentle music that your neighbour played on the piano everyday?

Is it the loud heavy metal music that is popular among the teenagers nowadays?

Is it the humming of the birds that can be heard early every morning?

Is it the sound of the waves that splashes on the beach?

Is it the sound of laughter that we shared with our loved ones?

I never had the chance to find out.