I Died When She Saved Me

Moon's Best Form

Io Atkinson

“I think it will be better if we have coffee tonight. Don’t you think so?”

“Yeah.”

I agreed even though I’m not a big fan of coffee. I can’t even remember the last time that I drink coffee. But, tonight really would be great if we have coffee.

The night was cold and it was now so dark on the outside. The only thing that giving us light is the moon’s best form.

I hugged my knees and put my chin above it. Even though I am covered by a blanket it’s still cold because of the cold tiled floor where we are sitting.

Rylai and I are alone in the darkness, guarding the night. We are sharing one blanket because we are short of blankets. It’s not like I am bothered with that, it’s just that every time our shoulders or knees will touch, it’s igniting a spark. And I bet, we both feel it because we’re both going to look up at each other then look away. And it’s pretty awkward.

“Then next time we go outside we should get coffees.”

I just nod at her and look up to the small portion of the moon that is visible on my n***d eyes.

Rylai didn’t speak more after that, like me, she’s just staring at the visible part of the moon.

I squinted my eyes to check the time on my wristwatch. This is the only thing that keeping us informed of the current time. There’s no flow of electricity so digital clocks are useless, as well as our cellular phones. The charge of it was already drained since yesterday. Seriously, we don’t know how tomorrow for us will come.

I suddenly remember the reason why I tag along tonight so I faced her and get a glimpse of how beautiful her jawline. You can slightly see the reflection of the moon on her eyes, and it was so beautiful to see. She has a small nose and small thin lips.

How can someone be this beautiful?

I never admire someone like this because I never saw someone as beautiful as her. She’s close to being perfect. If only perfect was existing she’s the best example.

Hearing me cleared my throat, Rylai looks back at me.

“Are you okay Io?”

I ignore her question.

“Rylai, I really wanted to say sorry.”

“What are you saying sorry for?”

“I’m apologizing about what I said yesterday. You saved me and still I acted like a b***h. I’m not even considering you as a friend or what. I’m-“

I didn’t get a chance to finish what I’m saying because Rylai put her index finger on my lips to shut me up.

“You don’t have to say sorry about that. After hearing from your best friend that she’s the only friend you have, I kind of figure out that you’re not good at socializing so I understand.”

Rylai said and removed her index finger from my lips.

“But still-”

“Io, I told you it’s okay. It’s okay if you’re not considering me as your friend yet, then I’ll just do everything for you to consider me as a friend.”

I smiled hearing that. She’s really is so kind. She’s not just beautiful on the outside also on the inside.

I don’t care if people kept insisting that no one’s perfect. For me, she is.

“That night, why did you stop me drinking that energy drink?”

Rylai asked and give me a puzzled look.

I sighed and put down my knees. I crisscrossed my legs and look back at her.

“Would you believe me if I say to you that I already see this coming? I mean, I already see that the world will turn into this because of that energy drink and I also saw how I was supposed to die on October 1, 2042. I knew that I’m going to be r***d and murdered by those guys. Would you believe me?”

Rylai thinks for a moment, trying to digest what I just said, and then smiled at me.

“Yes, I know that you’re not the type of person who will create stories for fame.”

“Thank you.”

“But if you already see this coming and also how you will die why didn’t you tell it to anyone or do something to avoid that happening?”

I felt guilty about her question. Until now, I’m blaming myself. It’s my fault why the world was turned into this because I thought that everything was just a dream.

“I didn’t believe it. I thought everything was just a dream. I never thought that it was possible to happen. I only realized that that’s not a dream on the second day the drink was released on the market when you saved me from falling that day. On the first day that it was released on the market, I’m wearing earphones so I didn’t notice nor hear the advertisement. Since that day I felt so guilty because I was given another life but I didn’t do any difference. The world was still starting to fell into someone’s hand.”

Rylai reached out for my hand that was placed on my lap and caressed it.

“Hey, it’s not your fault that the world was turned into this. If it was me who sees that, I also won’t believe it in an instant. Who would ever think that people’s greediness will reach this point? Also, you made a big difference. You are alive. You save me. You are the one who saves all of us. We are saved because we met you.”

“But-”

“Io, it’s not yet late. We can still save the world.”

“But what can we do? We’re only normal citizens and not even adult enough to do it.”

Rylai shook her head, not sympathizing with what I said.

“Because we’re normal citizens and not old enough that’s the reason why we’ll save the world.”

I lost in her eyes. I wanted to disagree with her. But when she’s the one who said that we can save the world. I want to believe her. I will believe her. 

I only smiled at her and covered myself again with the blanket.

Feeling safe on her side.

I suddenly get the feeling that I want to know her. I want to know everything about her. This is the first time that I got interested in someone and her life. I don’t know if it’s good or not but I really want to get to know her.

“Rylai what are you doing for a living when the world was still okay?”

“I’m a kickboxer.”

I looked at her, finding her amusing.

“Is that the reason why when the night you save me you were wounded?”

“Oh right. We just finished with my fight that night.”

“Oh” is the only word that I managed to say.

“How about you?”

“I’m a service crew in a fast-food restaurant at the same I’m on my 2nd year of taking Doctor of Medicine program.”

“Oh, then that means I should call you Doctor Io?”

Rylai said teasingly and I find her funny but immediately shook my head, not agreeing with the idea.

“No, I’m not yet a doctor.”

“But soon you’ll be a doctor.”

“But still no.”

“Okay, Dr. Io.”

Rylai said smiling from ear to ear, showing me her pearly white teeth illuminated by the moon. I gave her a bored look but deep inside my heart was flattering when I heard her call me doctor. I don’t know why but it sounds so perfect to my ears. It sounds like a perfect melody.

I just rolled my eyes and ignore her, forcing my lips to stop arching upward.

“Don’t you worry about your family?”

I tried myself not to be pissed on her question but my eyebrows move on their own, trying to meet each other.

I really hate it when people ask me about my family. I hate talking about it. I hate seeing they pity me. I hate those pitiful eyes. That’s the reason why I built a wall between me and the people around me.

“Hey.”

Rylai taps me on my shoulder, trying to get my attention.

“If it’s a sensitive topic. You don’t need to speak up.”

I looked back at her, shocked at what she just said. Normally, people won’t notice that I don’t want to talk about it. Maybe I was so obvious.

She gives me a reassuring smile then looked back to the sky.

“I really want to give a call to my family. I miss my Mom, my Dad, and my little sister. I wonder how are them right now. I wonder if they are safe. I really hope they are safe.”

I can see in her eyes how sad is she. I can feel how much she loves her family and how much she worry about them.

I never want to comfort people, only Savy. But this time, I want to do my best to comfort her.

“Hey, how about we risked our lives tomorrow to check upon them?”

Rylai smiled but it was still a sad smile.

“I really want to do that but they are so far from us. They are now in Los Angeles.”

“Oh. Pretty far, eh?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, we really need to save the world for you to see your family again.”

Rylai just nods. We spent the remaining hours of the night like that, we kept talking about random things, childhood memories, high school memories, and such. We didn’t even notice that the sun was already making its appearance.  

“Hey. Good morning.”

Treant said as he opens the front door. Treant yawned and rubbed his eyes, still feeling sleepy. It was only 5:50 am, can’t blame him.

“Oh, Good morning to you blockhead. The time sure flies fast. I didn’t even yawn for once last night. Thank you for accompanying me Io. I never thought you could be loquacious.”

Rylai said and stood up then offered her hand to help me stand up. I gladly took it and returned her smile.

Embarrassment started hitting my a*s. I never talk a lot, even if I’m with Savy, she still talks a lot more than me. But last night, I think, I talk more than her.

“It’s the least I can do.”

Rylai and I didn’t notice that we’ve been staring for too long at each other’s eyes.

“I’m still here.”

Treant said and fake a cough.

I blushed, feeling embarrassed and excused myself leaving Treant teasing Rylai.

“You like her, right?”

I blushed more when I heard Treant ask that.

Jeez. Why would Treant think that?

--

I yawned, still feeling sleepy but my stomach was already begging me for food. So I got up from the bed and stretched my arms and legs. Feeling satisfied when I heard my bones made a cracking sound.

It’s only 2:00 in the afternoon. I wonder if Rylai is already awake or still sleeping.

I found Savy and Hart in the living room. They are stitching some fabric. I wonder where they are going to use it. Savy waved at me on my way to the kitchen then continued on the work. Before I step inside the kitchen I even heard Hart yelled at Savy.

“What the hell Savy. You’re doing it wrong. You’re useless.”

“What are you saying? My stitches are better than yours.”

The two kept arguing about little things. They are more like tom and jerry but I find them so cute together. I wonder if Hart is into girls because Savy is, since she born in this world. She is so gay and there’s no chance for her to be straight.

As I step inside the kitchen I saw Rylai cooking.

“Oh hey. Hungry?”

I just nod at her and drink water from the jag we took yesterday.

After waiting for a few minutes, Rylai finally finished cooking and it’s- disgusting.

“Sorry, I’m not a great cook. I just try and make sure to follow Hart’s instructions but I guess I did something wrong.”

Rylai apologized while scratching the back of her head.

“If you want, we can just eat some bread here. Let’s just throw this.”

Rylai said and took my plate away from me but I take it back.

“It’s okay. We should save our supplies and also it’s not really bad, it’s just not good.”

“Come on don’t lie.”

“No, I’m not.”

Rylai just sighed and continue eating what she cooked.

“It’s so disgusting.”

I laughed at what Rylai said. Even though it tasted really disgusting, I kept eating and finish everything on my plate.

My mom taught me to be grateful. I'm just practicing it.

While we are cleaning the table, Hart runs inside the kitchen. Terror was enveloping her orbs.

“Four men were coming here.”