The Star Who Loves Me

Saw her again

"I'm dead... I'm dead... I'm dead...", these words kept echoing in Ralph's mind.

He can't hear anything, and it feels like he's alone in the world, with no one and nothing.

His body laying and curled up in a corner, with both arms covering his head and face.

He saw it clearly. A delivery truck is coming straight towards him and will absolutely hit him. At that moment, he thought of his mom. Thinking he would finally be with her, he closed his eyes and accepted his fate.

"Third prince, are you okay?"

'Huh? Who is this girl? Is she dead too?', he said to himself, still not moving.

"Third prince..."

He felt a gentle poke on one of his arms.

'It feels like I've heard her voice before...', he said, unaware of his ridiculous and awkward position.

"Hey..."

"Lady grim reaper, can you leave me alone for a while? I don't want to go to the purgatory yet.", he said softly. He's still in the middle of processing his untimely demise.

"What purgatory?! What are you talking about?", the girl asked, surprised.

"Whatever, we humans call it purgatory.", he replied without moving an inch.

Teague tried to suppress her laughter. Did this guy think he's dead? She decided to go with the flow.

"No, I will not bring you to the purgatory, you've already passed that phase. I'll bring you to Satan instead.", she said, changing her voice from sweet to gravely.

All though, a little stunned at the girl's statement and change of voice, he remained in his position.

"Why would he want to see me?"

"I don't f*cking know, why not f*cking ask him?!", she acted skillfully.

"Why you-! "

"You know, there are plenty of dead that I have to attend so I don't have the f*cking time to chatter with you. Also, I'm not a f*cking receptionist. Just ask your s**t to him directly.", she hoped she sounded effective.

Those lines made Ralph quite taken aback. Grim reapers from movies sound dignified with deep, low voices but this grim reaper does not only sound undignified, she also swears a lot.

Feeling annoyed, he stood up, and faced her.

"How dare-... You? ", he was, he can't describe it. To say that he was dumbfounded is an understatement.

It was his blue-haired classmate. Is she the grim reaper? Is that the reason why she kept on pestering him earlier in class? But his other classmates also saw her, does that mean that they are all going to die too?

But she doesn't seem to qualify for a grim reaper. Her eyes and hair don't look dreadful. Her small body looks too fragile. And she's wearing a white hoodie and pink jogging pants! Aren't grim reapers supposed to be wearing an all black ensemble?

With all these thoughts running in his mind, Ralph did not notice the quick and naughty smile from the girl.

She cleared her throat before speaking.

"Come, I'll take you to him."

He looked at her with a frown.

"Is that why you came to the academy? To fetch me?"

"Blah blah blah... You ask too many questions, just get your ass going and follow me!", she held his arm and tried to drag him but he resisted so she stopped.

"Wait! What is this place?", he roamed his eyes in the area and was dazed. He was... In Rosefield park. The central park of the city. Was he dreaming?

The confusion in his face amused her. Is this really the third prince? She really wanted to guffaw because of his silliness which is surprisingly cute.

'What's going on? I'm dead right? Or... Am I not?', he seems to be disoriented with what's happening. He touched his arms and face. Then he jumped to see if he's floating or not.

"I'm... I'm... Alive...", he said in an almost inaudible way.

"How is this possible?"

"Oh, so you finally figured it out. Congratulations!", she sneered.

He did not give attention to her mockery and prank and continued talking to himself, as if he was alone.

"But, I saw it clearly. I was hit by the truck in that uncanny road...", his eyes were enlarged again upon realizing yet another piece of the puzzle. He was shocked for another reason. He was in a scary road, how did he get in here and too fast? It was like he was there and in the blink of an eye, he was in this park!

What on earth is going on? Was it just hallucination? But it seemed so real!

"How did I get here?"

"You flew.", she replied.

"Will you stop messing with me?! It wasn't entertaining!", he yelled.

"But... "

Ralph closed his eyes and deeply breathed to calm himself.

"Just please... Just shut up. I'm really confused about what happened to me earlier and what's happening right now.", he looked at her with pleading and freaked out eyes.

"Oh... Okay... ", she could only answer this way.

Seeing him like this, she suddenly felt guilty. This poor guy can't seem to put two and two together. Well, she can't blame him.

She tried to comfort him after a while.

"Hey, it's all right... ", she attempted to hold his shoulder but he quickly dodged and stepped away from her.

"What are you doing here?", he asked after recovering a bit from his incomprehensible experience.

She shrugged. "Just went out for a walk."

"A walk? At this time?!", he said, unconvinced because it's already half-passed one.

"Yeah, can't I?", she said casually like she has been doing that for years and not knowing the dangers of walking alone in a dark park.

"It's dangerous for you to go out alone at this moment!", he said like an over protective boyfriend.

"Aaaawww... You're concerned, that's so sweet!", she giggled.

"What?! Don't think too highly of yourself, I'm not concerned about you!", he sounded defensive.

"Okay... Okay... I was just joking. Ugh! So grumpy.", she pouted. She turned around and started walking away.

"Where are you going?", he abruptly stopped her unconsciously.

"I'm leaving."

"Why?", he asked with a trace of worry on his face. He doesn't want her to leave yet but doesn't want to admit it.

"Because you seem better than earlier. ", she softly said.

The thought of her staying until he feels better is heart-warming. It's been forever since someone has shown him genuine care. And he wants to feel more.

"How sure are you that I'll remain better after you leave me?"

She stared at him in wonder. "Did you just asked me to accompany you?"

His eyes widened. "What?! No!", he lied to protect his ego.

She chuckled. "Liar."

"I didn't tell you to stay.", he firmly defended himself.

"Yeah, but your eyes say otherwise.", she said with empathy. Anyone could tell that he's scared and vulnerable by just looking at him.

Still, he denied. "What eyes?! You saw wrongly."

She shrugged." Okay, if you say so.", she turned away and walked again.

"Hey, I'm not done talking to you!", he called.

She looked back at him and smiled. "See? I told you, you want me here."

"I don't. You just assumed."

She sighed and shook her head. "You behave like a girl. In denial but clingy.", she whispered to herself.

"What?!"

"Oh nothing. Are you hungry? Do you want to go grab a bite somewhere?"

Coincidentally, his tummy made a hungry sound making her laugh and making him ashamed.

"Haha, I'm such a genius. Let's go!", she dragged him out of the park without waiting for his reply.

They headed to a 24-hour service pizzeria.

After entering she offered a seat and made him sit which made a few customers look at them. It was a bizarre sight to see a woman who is not even a crew nor a personal assistant, not even a close friend, serving a man.

"What are you doing? I can sit by myself. No need to serve me.", he whispered with embarrassment.

She rolled her eyes. "Don't mind them. You're still the third prince. You deserve to be served.", she answered with an unbothered smile.

"Wait here, I'll order.", she added and she left without even asking his food preference.

He was dazed. It was the first time in his early adult years to be served in public. He was used to do things by himself and it is also his first time to eat with someone unrelated to him outside.

At the same time, he feels a little disappointed upon hearing Teague's reason for serving him. He thought she served him because she wanted to but it turns out, she's only doing it because he's a royalty.

'Why would she genuinely care for you? You're not close and you're even rude to her!', scold his mind. With that he quietly cursed himself.

After fifteen long minutes of sitting, Teague returned with a tray full of food and drinks.

'What the hell are you looking at? Help her!', yelled his mind but his legs were not able to move.

"Here you go.", she happily announced as she puts the tray on the table for two.

Ralph cannot believe his eyes upon seeing the food she ordered. All of them are his favorite comfort food.

"H... How did you know that I like these food?", he said in wonder. There are two supreme pizzas, two large fries and two large iced red tea.

"Uhm... Instinct? Hehe... ", she gave a not so convincing answer. It was her fault for not asking what he likes just because she knows everything about him.

"Pretty accurate instinct.", he said with doubt.

"Just eat. So that I can take you home. They're probably worried about you for not returning yet.", she said and shove a handful of fries in her little mouth, startling Ralph.

"I thought I was the one who's hungry... ", he commented, pertaining to the way she eats.

"Nah, I'm not like you. I don't have weird rules to follow. And I don't have to use the fancy utensils that delay my gluttony.", she replied while chewing.

With that he smiled.

"What a cute smile.", she said which made him blush.

He immediately stopped smiling. It was silly. He focused on his food.

"How ironical, I just praised your smile for being cute and now you stopped smiling?", she pouted.

"It's just... It's... It's been a while since...", he stammered and cannot finish his sentence. He doesn't want to talk about his past.

"So you should practice smiling often. It's good for your health.", she smiled brightly.

"Whatever. Eat. I need to go home. And you as well."

"Okay!"

***

"Are you still not going to send some guards to find him? It's already two in the morning and he's still not here yet.", Cayle asked worriedly.

"He'll come back. He does that all the time.", her father lazily replied.

"But what if something bad happened to him?"

"Then let the media find him and just inquire to them about your brother's state.", he said without a single trace of worry or concern.

'What kind of father are you?!', she wanted to burst but the fear for his father is stopping her.

"Is there anything else? If none, then get out. I need to rest. Don't disturb me again.", he stated then covered his body with his blanket.

She could only get out his father's room sadly.

She went to her eldest brother's room. She knocked many times on the door but didn't get any response. She tried to barge but it's locked.

Not giving up, she went to Mair.

"Mair, are you awake?", she asked after knocking on the door.

"Yes. Come in."

Her face lit up after hearing his voice. She entered and sat beside him.

"Hasn't he returned yet?", he asked.

She shook her head. "I've been trying to call him but he did not answer any of my calls."

He put his arm on his sister's shoulder and pulled her towards him. "Don't worry okay? He'll be fine. I think it's best to leave him alone to calm down and think."

She sighed anxiously. "I'm afraid... I'm afraid we'll lose him like how we lose..."

"No we won't.", he firmly stopped her without losing his gentleness.

"Stop overthinking and get some rest. He'll be here in no time."

"You think so?"

He smiled and nodded to reassure his sister.

***

"Are you sure you don't wanna take a cab? This place is pretty far from your home."

"No need. I want to walk and enjoy the breeze.", he had a good alibi. Because the truth is he wanted to be with her more.

"Aren't you sleepy? It'll affect you in school later.", she said full of worry.

"It's okay. But if you want to go home I can walk by myself.", he replied, silently hoping she won't go home yet.

"No. I'm afraid something might happen to you again."

He raised an eyebrow. "Again?"

She looked him in the eyes. "Yes. Aren't you in a mess earlier?", she dropped a hint but he didn't get it.

He lowered his head in embarrassment and tried to change the topic. "Let's go.", he started walking.

She followed him and contemplated on whether she'll tell the truth or wait some more for the right time.

"You know, about you being there at the park... "

"Ugh, I don't wanna talk about it.", he turned to look at her. He wanted to forget that shameful experience.

She sighed. "Sure.", she replied with a disappointed way. They continue walking with Ralph ahead of her.

The wind is cool and crisp. Good thing they're both wearing hoodies. Majority of the establishments are closed but the streets are complete with lights and there were a few vehicles passing by.

"So what's your real reason for being out so late?", he asked after some time.

'To look out for you... ', she wanted to say. "Stargazing.", she said instead.

"You went out just to gaze at the stars? You can do that in your house."

"It's better outside. I always do that when I miss my family."

He suddenly felt sorry for her. Are all her family members dead? It must be hard for her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

She looked at him in wonder. What is he sorry for? Wait... Did he just misunderstood her? She smiled awkwardly. He must thought that her family is dead when the truth is the stars are her family.

"It's all right." she replied with a light smile.

They carried on walking, side by side this time.

It was a nice feeling for him. If they could only be like this...

Wait what? Is he serious?! It's only been a day since they met and here he was, acting all dreamy and romantic. This is crazy, no, he's crazy!

"Is everything okay?", she asked. His unsettled facial expression is disturbing.

He snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her. "Huh?"

"You seem bothered with something."

"Oh it's nothing. Let's get going.", he said when a few cars stopped before them.

A few men went out and approached Ralph. They were the royal guards.

"Third prince, the king is asking you to return to the palace immediately. ", one of the guards spoke.

Before he can answer, the door of the last car opened and someone stepped out. It was Cayle.

"Cayle, what are you doing here?", he was stunned to see his sister here.

"I think that question should be asked by me.", she said full of worry. "You've been out for so long. I thought something happened to you."

He remembered his frightening but unexplainable experience earlier. Something really did happen to him.

"I'm fine, I was with someone."

"Someone?", she looked around. There's no one.

"Yeah.", he felt a little excited. "This is...", his excitement disappeared. Where is she?

What in the world?! Where did she go? They just talked a while ago.

Seeing her brother in a confused state, she tugged him. "Let's go home."

He resisted. "But she's here... How did she go so fast? We're just talking and..."

"Ralph, it's okay. You should rest.", she's afraid that her brother might be seeing things because of his loneliness.

If it weren't for his sister, he might resisted more to find Teague. He went inside the car puzzled. He just gotten over a mind-boggling encounter at the abandoned road and here he was, baffled again on yet another mystery.