January

Chapter 5

Place like graveyards still gives her the creepy vibes. Back then, the first horror movie Erine have ever watched was set in an olden times cemetery, and it struck fear into her. The corpse's grisly hand sticking out of the mud, a chunk of flesh hanging from their empty sockets, the shocking imagery kept her awake almost every night.

At this moment, however, it looks pleasing to the eyes, it almost feels like a vast garden surrounded with native flowers, in turn attracting not only the guests but also butterflies. Sure, it was far from the gloomy and frightening graveyard, but one must still pay respect whenever they pass by each gravestone.

Some tombstone, especially the old ones, are covered with thick grimes and cracks, partly damaged by war and natural disasters, but even with this state, the caretaker must have tried all means to bring it back to its' original appearance. And Erine was already satisfied by it.

All that matters is that she finally was able to visit her grandmothers grave. It's been a long time, if she considers her past life, especially, those years of marrying into the Hildebrand family, it took at most 15 years to finally be able to see her grandmother's grave.

Erine had carefully placed the anemone flower on top of the tombstone, her fingers gliding on the name gently as she crouches down. Resting her chin over her knees, she let out a grin as the wind carried every strand of her hair, both eyes closing involuntarily as she remembers how her grandmother's warm hands felt touching her temple.

"Grandma, I've brought your favourite flowers. It's been a long time I wonder if you're happy with grandpa."

Erine whispers as she swayed her body in a soundless rhythm. Now that she's in front of the gravestone, all those sentiments she gathered and been wanting to tell in front of her grandmother were in complete shambles, not knowing where to start.

However, all these stories,  mixed up in confusion, none of it came up. Instead, the most ridiculous and recent occurrence came into her mind, it made her laugh then.

"I travelled back in time." Chuckling and smiling, Erine placed a hand on her forehead, thinking why'd she chose this as a great topic. "Many things have happened, I have two children, Embry and Eros. They are all sweet. But selfishly, I went back in time and I have to live for another twenty years to have them again."

Even if there are many things she wanted to say, she couldn't bring herself to do so.

When she's done procrastinating, Erine stood up from where she was sitting and patted her skirt clean. After saying her farewell, Erine expressed another smile before she walks away. It's been two hours, she hadn't realized that she had stayed there for that long, just staring at the tombstone, as if expecting her grandmother to just magically rise from six feet under the ground, which is a little creepy, to be honest.

The graveyard is located miles away from town, pathway roads is in the middle of an endless forest with a fence separating it apart, it was secluded from the city, probably a deep compound hidden in a certain part of a huge valley. So, you could definitely how perfectly quiet it always gets when night comes. And that's one of the things Erine avoids, going home at night.

The reason lies in how rare taxis travel on the place, if there were any which is likely ever going to happen, it would only mean that people other than Erine must have come to visit. On the other hand, you walk at least one kilometre in order to get to the bus stop, and it'll be dark even if Erine decided to run for it.

Normally, people ask for a hitchhike, which can also be dangerous if you happen to ride with a serial killer.

Though she could just walk down the mountain until she gets to the road where taxis drove through, it's definitely not ideal to walk on heels. In worst-case scenarios, she'd have to walk with budding blisters and thigh muscle pain, and it'll happen before she's half-way through her destination

Erine has just regretted her decision of not asking for their driver, at the same time, a voice that appeared of nowhere caught her attention. Though she must have heard it once, or at least twice, she wouldn't have this much trouble recognizing whom it belonged to. Erine turns her head behind. It took quite the time, she needed to thin out her eyes first, an old habit of having a blurry version at age forty. And she has completely forgotten that she was in her teen at the moment.

Unexpectedly, the sticking blond hair of the boy easily gave it away. Making her nod in realization, ahh, it was the rude college student.

The rest of the week, she did indeed tried not to run into him, but when they did by accident, it's either they'd just take the longest route, or one has to glare with great passion.

Just like the few times she met him, he's mood seems to be awful, and at the moment it was directed to the anonymous caller. Erine didn't mean to eavesdrop, but the volume of his voice suggests otherwise. At first, she thought that it was his friend or something, but when he mentioned, mommy, the sigh that went out of her are similar to an old woman, especially a mother who's already bypassed this rebelling age.

But she is not one to judge when she doesn't know the whole picture.

"Huh?"

Erine was just thinking of the past, times where she has been called rude. At that time, the court had just decided against her father's defence. It took exactly nine months, and it was the longest nine months for Erine. The image of her mother and father standing at the opposite side made her feel confused and terrified.

Nothing is really clear, but Erine could perfectly see how her father's expression changed. Even though the verdicts decision didn't faze him a bit, the resentful words that came out from her mouth made him recoil in pain.

Often times, Erine thinks of it, like a cursed branded mark inflicted in her. Just like how she remembers it at this moment, and just like always, she always shrugs it off.

Setting all these thoughts aside is it just her, or is she hearing stomping sounds, and it's getting louder.

She felt as though her vision takes a sudden turn of 180 degrees as she felt a hand grabbing her by the arm. It wasn't that painful, though it surprised her enough to wince. As if the culprit got burned, the arm around her shoulders disappeared instantly.

When Erine turned, she had expected it to be the rude blondie. And when her guess turned out to be true, Erine tried to back away smoothly, swiftly stepping back while maintaining a bright smile that brought pain to her cheeks.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded, eyes not meeting her gaze for a while.

"Visiting."

As soon as she answered, the rude blondie start meeting her gaze once again. And just when she thought that he wasn't going to snap at her, he went and hissed at once.

"Who are you visiting?! You said you don't know anything!"

Erine just watched the child gritted its teeth, and glared at her even more. And she didn't know why but seeing him acting like a rebellious child made her snigger, which isn't a really good choice. It only angered the rebellious child more.

"Oppss...I'm sorry." Erine just said as she puts her hand over her mouth, still shaking with suppressed giggles. "It's just that you looked like a child having a tantrum, and you are  already grown up."

At first, there was no reaction, but as her words slowly sink in, Erine could see the changes in his facial expressions. Somehow, Erine could already predict his reaction.

"What?!" As expected. "What's so funny, huh? You think that I'm just joking? That's why I hate you!"

That was too direct, and anyone who hears this would get easily affected. Erine was in truth affected, but other than that, instead of feeling frightened just like she did before, she wondered why she found him funny.

"Okay, okay." Erine nodded continuously. "I get that you hated me. You don't have to repeat it over and over again." Then she placed her hands over her back. "What's your name? I believe I haven't get them."

"Are you serious?! Why would I tell you my name?! Haven't I made it clear that I don't want to meet you?!" He burst out like a popping balloon only to just settle down once all of his anger is out.

It reminds her of a squishy doll she had once at seven, that once you squeezed it'll expand and swell, and when she let's go, it'll turn back to its original state. And the person before her is exactly that way, switching from rage and into a tamed puppy.

As much as she wanted to stay and chat, she really needs to be going now or her mother will nag her all day for not travelling by their car, and she's even going to go home late.

"Then I'm going home now and I will not appear in front of you ever again." Erine held up her hand as if to make an oath. "Even at school."

Erine didn't know how hard he reacted to her promise or did he ever believed her. she had already turned on her heels and started walking away, her hands on the air, waving goodbye.

"Wait!"

Obviously, she had heard him very clearly, even the few people who were present at that day turned their head on his way, their face scrunched up in disapproval, but couldn't do anything but to let the boisterous young man be. Indeed, he was acting immaturely, and Erine wanted to get away as much as possible.

Just walking a few meters, Erine could already feel the sole of her foot getting sore from walking. But it's already too late to complain, besides, she's already old for that, even though she's at a young body now, her mentality was still the same as her age from the future.

Still, how could she think of travelling in a mountain with her heels on? She could have chosen her sneakers, converse would be fine too.

"Screw it." Erine said before finally kicking her shoes off and gathering it by her right hand. Just vibing in her own improvised melody, not minding whether anyone sees her. There is rarely any passerby, even in the morning, in this kind of secluded area. It gives creepy vibes because of the quietness it brings. It's too quiet that you could even hear any vehicle at a far distance.

Speaking of vehicle, Erine starts to hear a loud roaring sound of a vehicle, too loud to be a normal car, probably belonging to the sound of a motorcycle. Erine would have ignored it, as it gets louder and louder, she couldn't help but look at it.

When she finally see the source of the sound, Erine felt that the motorcycle is slowing down, until it came into a stop in front of her. She was confused then, did she know someone who owns a motorcycle?

If there weren't any? Is someone asking for a direction? Or is it a free ride? If it's the latter, Erine would have gladly taken the ride, but it'd be smarter to reject it, who knows what motive does the driver has. Besides, she hasn't ridden in any motorcycle before, it's too dangerous. Whoever owns one must be stupid, they're endangering their own life. Just look at how it is designed, you can't even ride it without knowing a thing about balance.

She swore, if Eros grew up, she would never give him a motorcycle.

The driver turned the engine off and kicked down the brake pedal to the ground.

Erine thought that this was very familiar, a heroine looking at the hero in his motorcycle. And whoever inside that helmet must posses, if not a handsome face, a gorgeous flowing hair as he takes it off, not to mention a slow-motion filter, once the beauty inside was revealed. Though if you're lacking in the face, then expect the fangirls to prefer you with the helmet.

It somehow reminds her of a viral picture in the past, a guy who was wearing a helmet with only his eyes exposed, because his eyes remarkably resemble a celebrity at that time, the social media went haywire. Demanding to reveal the unknown look-alike's entire face. Erine didn't really follow through on what has happened.

Maybe they had so much expectation for his face, that when he already revealed his entire face, which doesn't meet their standard, that person received various hate comments. They must have felt betrayed, but Erine thought they reacted rather immaturely.

Well, none of that matter at the moment because it's time for the unveiling. Erine doesn't really feel comfortable that a stranger is about to talk to her but at the same time, she was curious. How beautiful would his hair fall once he takes off his helmet?

All attention was at the unknown man who was removing his helmet, slowly, heart-poundingly, suspenseful. And when the helmet was finally off, Erine couldn't react for a moment. Until she finally said an unenergetic oh.

"It's just you."

That was all Erine said before continuing with her earlier walk, as slow-paced as she could manage.

"What do you mean it's just me?"

Erine could hear the engine starting once again, but he was only riding slowly to match her speed. When she didn't give any answer, the man in the motorcycle only groaned, she could almost feel him disheveling his own hair.

"Let me give you a ride home."

Erine only smiled and said, "Why? I thought you hate me?" It still left a big impression on her, and she hates to admit it.

He only averted his gaze and pressed his lips together, he almost looked like he was pouting. With this, Erine finally thought, whose parents is this child? Why did they leave him loose?

Erine had to stop her giggles by covering her mouth.

"Are you laughing at me?" He demanded.

"No, sir. Not at all." Erine denied, shaking her head quickly. Coughing for quite a time, she straightened her back when she made sure that she could suppress her laughter. "But you must know that I don't ride with strangers."

He had to spit his words, "Strangers?" He said ridiculously. " How can we be strangers, we're schoolmates."

Erine agreed by nodding her head, "Yes, I don't know someone whose name I didn't even know."

At that moment, Erine could feel the murderous intent he was throwing at her. Seconds went by, and they stayed still, wondering who will first make the move. Would Erine just walk away again or the stranger from school would just reveal his name so that he could offer her a ride?

Surprisingly, the least she thought was what happened, "Prince Reeve."

Erine had to stop for a moment before the name said can finally sink in. Then her loud laughter echoed through the aimless forest, the sounds were lost, fading deeper into the forest. And all Prince could do was stare.

"Just what the heck." Erine said, tears pooling from her eyes as she laughs continuously, her shoulder shaking, her smile wider. She wondered then, how long has it been since she laughed so heartfully like this, to the point of tearing her eyes over something so low and simple.

"Are you done?"

He was sulking again, now he was averting his gaze, proof that he was already losing his patience, but he never left.

"No, it's just that..." Erine struggled to say something. "I mean what kind of name is that?"

Prince shakes his head, his mouth still on the thin line as he says, "I don't know, it must be a middle schooler who named me."

That's when Prince finally became less stranger to Erine.