Forever Yours

BeforeEverything

Rosa

I met Julian when I was only thirteen at a mechanic garage.

I had come with my dad to have his car tire fixed.

I still remember what that felt like, even how I was dressed.

A short red flowery dress. With my new laced flat heels.

Julian was the new assistant, who was standing close to the delivery truck while trying to offload some orders.

He stood out without even trying. Tall, low sandy hair and a little visible mark on his upper arm, I had already liked him before even speaking to him.

I suddenly became aware of my surroundings, more of myself and how I looked.

When he finally turned and our eyes met, it was like my soul had found its home.

And I couldn't help myself from staring up at him.

He didn't stop staring either. And since I couldn't move, he walked up straight to me.

His voice was calm, but still somehow firm.

"Hey, are you from around here?" he asked, reaching for something.

"My... my parents and I just moved in not so long ago."

I said, barely able to keep my voice from going completely flat.

Then he did something unexpected.

Grabbed my hand for a shake.

And for a second... everything else faded.

His... eyes were the most beautiful green ever known to mankind. It was the kind that would stop you in your tracks like a wonderful artwork.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable just now."

"No... no, of course not, sorry for staring at you like some freak."

That made him laugh a little.

And at that moment, something felt different.

"Please don't say that, you look perfect to me," he said, taking off his other glove. "I'm the freak, shaking a stranger's hand without her permission."

"Please, I definitely don't mind that at all."

"My name is Julian Cruz," he said, officially extending his hand this time.

And I just stared at him for a bit, before realizing what he was doing.

"Oh, sorry, my bad. I'm Rosline, but I prefer being called Rosa," I said, while I felt my feet tremble.

"Rosy, that's a cute name for a beautiful girl like yourself."

He was the first person to ever call me beautiful.

"Hmm, thank you."

He just simply smiled at me.

"Should I be expecting you at school by Monday?"

"Yes. Most definitely."

"Very well then, Rosy, see you Monday."

As I watched him walk away, I felt strange like I couldn't even explain it.

"Rosa, come, my dear, time for us to leave."

I heard my father yell from within.

I didn't want to leave.

I didn't want to leave him.

I glanced at him one last time and at my father waving me over, before finally leaving.

Dinner that evening was like a passing, because I couldn't stop thinking about the way he spoke to me and how he looked and smelt.

Monday was definitely something I was looking forward to.

"Sweetie, who was the young boy from earlier?"

My dad's voice brought me back.

Hmm...

"I said who was the young boy you were so captivated by at the garage."

I almost choked on my food when he said that. Was it that obvious that even my own father could notice?

"Earth to Rosa."

"....It was no one, Dad, just some random kid that came to say hello, that's all, no captivation going on here."

I said, a bit nervous.

"You know, honey, if you found yourself a friend, even if it's a boy, it's okay."

"Mum, no, he is not my friend, alright."

"Okay, my dear, whatever you say."

Dinner was over quickly and back on my bed. Still reminiscing about him.

Why couldn't I stop thinking of him?

I don't even know, well other than his name.

"Julian Cruz."

I muttered it slowly like my lips and tongue wanted to remember every alphabet.

And as I slowly drifted into sleep, he was still on my mind.

By Monday morning, I was up before anyone.

Too excited, never thought a day would come where I would be this happy on a Monday morning.

But here I was, ready before seven.

"Honey, you almost ready?"

I heard my mother call from downstairs.

"I'm ready when you are, Mum."

As I glanced towards the clock, it was now a few minutes past seven, finally.

The road to school was quick, and my mother's constant reminder of how I need to put my head down but still stand up for myself, conversation made things move even quicker.

"We are here, I'm so happy you are taking this new school of yours with so much positivity."

"Yeah, Mum, me too."

I waved her goodbye, heading for the school reception for my schedule.

And with a glint of hope that I might get to see him.

But nothing. The whole day went by, no sign of him.

Never been so sad before.

"Who or what are you looking for?"

I immediately glanced up at the voice. And above me was a pretty dark-haired girl holding her book in one hand and her soda cup in the other.

"Nothing..."

"Now come, I have been watching you for some time now, you keep looking at the entrance like you expecting someone to come through them.

So it either that or you are planning your escape move. If it the other thing, don't leave me here."

She whispered quietly.

She seems nice.

"Well, it's neither, I'm just a bit bored and new."

"Then thank your stars you found me."

I laughed a bit.

"I'm Lena. Lena Rogers."

She extended her hand and I took It without no hesitation.

"And I'm Rosline Jacobs, but I rather you call me Rosa like everyone else."

"Not a problem, Rosa, so you want... to really tell me why you are not totally staring at the entrance?"

Resilience, this one was.

"Fine, if you must know, I'm looking for someone."

"Who might that be?"

She asked while sitting across from me.

I like her.

"His name is Julian Cruz, don't know if you heard of him."

"Who hasn't? That's more like what you should be asking."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Firstly, that boy is nothing but trouble, and secondly, he and his family are a bit famous or should I rather say infamous for their, you know... ways of life."

"What does that even mean?"

"Okay, you asked. A few years back, there were these military government people that came to town recruiting some young boys back then, and Julian's brother happened to be among those boys.

He went, but when he returned, he was different, well, that was the story flying around town back then. People said one night he woke up and killed his mother.

And ever since, people have been going missing or winding up dead, and we believe it has something to do with them."

By the time she was done, I was left speechless, but what didn't add up was why the town thought they killed those people.

"Why did people believe they were responsible for all the missing and dead people?"

"Well, you see... those people were always linked to that family before either winding up dead or going completely missing, like wiped off the surface of the earth missing, so you need to stay away from Julian if you want to have any form of social life at all."

Hmm, I hear you.

That was all I could say.

But I knew that was never going to be possible.

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