Snow White and Black Coal - Shaded Unity
#1 of Snow White and Black Coal
Snow White and Black Coal - Shaded Unity
Here I am, looking up at the moon through the window of my little old apartment. Tomorrow's the big day for May and I. As far as everyone's been led to believe, I'm as happy as can be! I've got the girl of my dreams after all... sadly I can't seem to lie to myself. Don't get me wrong though! If anyone, it should be... and I'm truly glad it is... May... but no. At the same time, if truly anyone... Well, if truly anyone, it might be no one. I can't say anything for sure anymore. I mean we promised to be friends that night, but our pact seems to have been overshadowed by the fact. I hardly see him anymore. I can't tell if it's him or me doing the hiding. Probably neither, or rather both. I don't know. I'm feeling dizzy just thinking about it.
I did call his place the other day to inviting him to the wedding. There really isn't anything wrong with inviting a good friend, right? Well either way, I got the answering machine, and haven't heard back from him. I suppose I can't blame him, of course, but I can hope for a call or something, can't I? I really miss him... and looking into the window, which reflects the visage of me... or what's left of me... seemingly my ruse can't be mimicked into my unwashed, unkempt fur, sad, tired eyes and apparent loss of weight.
But what am I saying? I'm only tired. Yeah. I'll be fine! Really I will be. Really...
. . .
Moonlit nights like these... they remind me of where it all started; where we started. Fond memories those are. As I close my eyes and fall backwards onto the old mangled sheets of my bed, I remember the first moonrise in my life.
And as I finally fall from reality into the hazy darkness, my mind wanders through the memories, as if I were back living in those innocent days once more.
* * *
I was late for a lot of things when I really thought about it. Now and then I'd get distracted by someone or something and be late for class. The guys would make plans to go to the mall? I'd be told the time minus an hour, or simply be left behind, because otherwise I'd be late. Homework? Who does homework? Late. Errands? I'd forget. Late again. And of course in early grade ten, I was once again late to learn about... well... you know. And if you don't, ask your mother. Or in fact, don't. You're better off not knowing, and she's better off not knowing.
So once I realized it, and she's ruled out, I had to wonder: Who do I talk to about this? Somehow, I get the feeling my friends might not take the news very well. I mean...
"Did you hear about that Roger kid?"
"Yeah! What a total queer!"
...Yeah. No. Next! Guidance? Ms. Eyetwinkle? A poodle. What a horrible choice! She didn't seem to like me, or anyone for that matter. Her hair bun must have been tied a little too tight at birth, and left like that or something. Heh... but this was no laughing matter! I seriously needed someone to talk to! It didn't seem through all that week that I was going to be able to think of anyone who might be able to help without thinking me as either a freak or something... and whether or not I really was this monster was beside the point. Right now I just needed something... someone to do something and maybe shed some light on all of this. But running in circles of thought hasn't gotten me anywhere! There must be someone who can- -
"Excuse me."
And then reality snuck back from the bushes as I open my eyes. Somehow, I think I fell asleep. Not surprising; I was up all night after I figured it out, and again, if you don't know the what, don't ask. And while you're at it, don't ask the how either if you do. Of course as I was busy talking to myself, I heard the voice clear its throat. Looking up, I saw a tall, black-furred feline staring back down at me with amber eyes. For a moment I thought I had done something to make him mad somehow, else why would he be talking to me? Then I saw his lazy and care-free expression as he prodded me on the shoulder lightly, eyes moving from me and to the locker I had been leaning on all this time. "Hate to interrupt your sleep, but..."
"Oh! Right!" With a stand and nimble sidestep, I found myself safely out of harm's way and coyly replied, "Sorry about that."
He barely nodded as he began manipulated the sticky old lock in front of him. Meantime, I looked around me at the hallway, bustling with busy students going... wait. The busy hallway was anything from busy as I realized besides the newcomer, I was the only one here. My eyes widened as I realized: I was late again!
The black cat glanced over and chuckled at my distress. "I was about to ask why you weren't in class."
But I barely heard him as I lunged for my backpack in sheer panic, barely avoiding the locker I was about to leave a forehead-shaped imprint on. Soon, after ripping out and carelessly throwing nearly every book from the bag, I finally retrieve my planner, and begin fumbling with it in attempt to remember what day it was! As I flip through the days, my mind races through a thousand stupid questions: Why did there have to be nine scrambled days in a cycle? Why didn't anyone tell him sooner about his tardiness? Why did I have to fall asleep at a time like this? And why... Argh! Finally in complete frustration, my lips mimic my mind. "Why is this all happening to me?!"
Of course, he was still there, amused. "Well first off I'd take a guess because you're having a bad day, or you're a klutz. And second..." turned away, I hear a soft rustling sound, soon finding myself watching a small, laminated piece of paper land on my upturned pile of books. "This should solve one problem at least. Wait a few minutes, and if they ask, bus fifty-two. It's always arrives about now, but looking at you, I'd say you could pull it off easily with that innocent look of yours anyway."
In retrospect, he was right. I was as innocent as a newborn kit. I blinked a few times before letting my eyes slide to and from his friendly expression down to the bus slip. After a moment of waking up and assessing, I realize; this is wrong! It's a lie! Obviously this was obtained using bad methods, and now he's giving it to me? That would make this guy a bad person then? That being the case, I shake my head. "I can't use that!"
Now the rustling begins again as he resumes at his locker, idly replying, "And why not? It'll get you into class instead of that stupid late program." There was a pause as he scoffs. "Late program? They want us in class, so they make us rot in the cafeteria doing nothing? That never made sense to me."
I stood up again, staring at his back. He was still a head taller than me, so I'd assume he was at least a year older than me, but age doesn't always bring smarts, am I right? Still staring, I address his question. "Why not? Well uh... because it's wrong of course! It'd be lying." Of course, I did sort of agree with the late program thing.
The black cat shakes his head as he slams his locker shut with a firm shove, and locks it before it could protest, still looking away. "People lie every day, kiddo. The faculty lies to us every day by calling the slop they serve in the cafeteria food! So they can lie, but we can't? Either way, I figure if something's stupid, why worry about it?"
"W-well I suppose, but still! I mean... uh..." I looked down, knowing he won.
Turning around to face he, I finally catch his expression: a giant, amused, and slightly smug smile only a fellow cat could pull off. By the curl in his lips. he seemed to find the whole thing funny. I looked down mildly embarrassed. Then he turned once more, tail swishing almost elegantly with the motion. "Well, Mr Goody-two-shoes..."
My cheeks blazed. "It's Albert!"
"Al then! And you can call me Daryll! Anyway, it was nice chatting, but I have business to attend to, and a date in the cafeteria. Stupid late program... But if you ever need any more help with all these 'happenings.' Give me a shout!"
I looked at him, coolly disappearing into the empty hallways, back at the bus slip, then it clicked. "Cafeteria? Late program! Hey! Wait!"
But he was gone. I'd expect nothing less from a fellow feline. Slowly I recollect by books in my backpack after pulling aside my math books. Day five is double math. Ugh! Then I pick up the bus slip. "Bus fifty-two, right?"
* * *
Math class was boring. But it's almost over. I look to my watch, still synchronized to school time, and count down the seconds. "Five, four, three, two, one."
And then the phone rings.
Wearily, I open my eyes for a moment, back on the pile of twisted sheets in my old apartment. Peer across the room to the door, I remind myself that behind the wall beside it lies the phone. I should get up and answer it, but my body feels so heavy, I really don't feel like it. My eyes close on the fourth ring.
"Hi! This is Albert Verteuse! I'm afraid I'm not in right now, but leave a message, and I'll try to get back to you. Thank you."
The beep hurts my ears as it always does.
"Hi Al! This is - -"
Click.
"Hello? Daryll?!"
I find it amazing how fast I can get up with just the right inspiration.
* * *
"Who's that? Oh! Hello again, Al!"
I stare at him in the now busy hallway, steeled expression on my face. He stares back calm and composed. Soon, I bow my head slightly into a nod. "Thanks for yesterday."
"No problem." Having already tended to his locker, he turns once again to leave, but pauses, looking back. I was still standing there like a bronze statue. "Something else bothering you?"
I nod slowly, collecting the thoughts from the word jumble of a mind I carry. "I just don't get it. Why'd you help me like that?"
"Is that what you're going on about?" He turned around, crossed his arms, and shook his head. "It's called being nice."
"But..."
"But what? Does it bother you?"
"No, but..."
"Well let's get to the 'but' of the problem then." Laughing at his own joke, he sidestepped closer to the lockers and me to avoid the churning crowds of people. "What are you doing for lunch today?"
"Me? I guess I was just going to go buy something."
"Perfect! Meet me at Timmy's for lunch! You're buying! See you there!"
"H-hey! Hold it!"
But once again, he had disappeared, this time into the crowds. I was beginning to see a trend. As if on cue, the warning bell rang right into my ear causing me to flinch. For now, I had to get to class.
* * *
"A double-double with a maple walnut."
"I'll just have a bottle of peach juice please."
"Heh... You haven't changed a bit, Al."
"People keep telling me that."
As I held the bottle and followed Daryll to the table, I realized how little had changed. Tim Horton's was still Tim Horton's, Daryll was still himself and I was still as eccentric as always.
"So how have you been, Al?"
"Fine. You?"
"Getting by."
"Hmm."
Daryll took a sip of his coffee, wincing before lifting the lid to free the clouds of spiteful steam. Despite the awkward feel, I was still laughing. That much was good.
"So today's the big day then."
"Yeah."
"That May girl's a real looker."
"...Yeah."
Finally I twist the top off my bottle, and take a long swig of the sweet nectar, letting it quench my dry lips. Not to sound clich‚, but the silence was deafening.
"Hey Daryll."
"Yeah?"
"Remember last time we came here?"
"A little. How many years ago was that?"
"I don't know... five, six years?"
"Already?"
"Yeah..."
Another deafening silence. I look over and meet Daryll's eyes. A smile as always, but for once it didn't have that similar smugness.
"So have you met anyone since...?"
"Not really. I've been busy with work and family. My old man's been getting older you know. How's the old maid by the way?"
"Fussing."
"As always."
"As always."
The both of us found laughter, just like old times. Now wasn't the time to worry about all this. Right now, no one else, not even my dear old mother mattered. It was just him and me. May as well enjoy it.
As we continued to chatter, I remembered him, all those years ago, the last time we came here. That familiar smile came back to match his cunning yet carefree eyes, and I realized...
"Daryll?"
"Al?"
"You haven't changed a bit either."
The smile widens as he takes another swig of coffee. "I hope that's a good thing."
"I'd have you no other way, my friend."