A/N: I am re-uploading this short story of mine (I was forced to take it down due to certain conditions of magazines I submitted it to) in an attempt to receive more feedback to improve it. I've overcome the writer's block I've been suffering from for the past couple of months, and I'm writing again. Along with other works of mine, this piece is back in the editing process. Constructive criticism is encouraged and appreciated. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy. 

The Color Of Tomorrow

Smoldering dark green orbs.

Crystal clear transparent sapphire pools.

Mysterious, sparkling gray irises.

The possibilities were endless--any shade on the infinite color spectrum was at risk of falling victim to being captured by her pupils with each new arrival of the sun behind its shadow of darkness, an unpredictable occurrence.

At the first appearance of dawn, as our small blue and green speck transitioned from night to day, with it, Aura's eyes would morph. I made it my mission to ensure I awoke to view such a spectacular change, for today would be the last chance I would get to see it.

Despite the abnormality of her constantly-shifting eye color to society, the process itself held a natural nature to it. It started slowly, the current shade reflecting off her eyes fading, before changing into a completely new color all at once.

It was remarkable to watch, an event she rarely let me observe, so I shifted my position, my silhouette carved into her aunt's pristine cut lawn from falling asleep in the grass the night before. I turned over, watching Aura as her eyes fluttered open. She looked over at me with her lavender eyes of yesterday, before smiling genuinely.

"The sun is rising." She stated simply, her rosy lips faintly curved upwards as she sat up to admire it.

"Indeed." I agreed, smiling slightly at her awed expression.

We laid down in silence for a few moments, the buzz of someone mowing one of the grand lawns of one of her neighbor's mansions in the distance.

However, while Aura observed in amazement of the bright star as it's shadow casted over every place where darkness had creeped into, I kept my back to the scene behind me. Instead, I watched her eyes as they shifted colors.

"No two sunrises or sunsets are ever alike. Each one is different, like snowflakes, the hues they radiate blending together in a unique fusion that no man would ever even fathom mixing together. It's an orchestra only nature could compose, weaving colors in such a harmonious symphony of color."

"Like your eyes," I suggested, an immediate reaction, for her prose I could only compare to an exact description of her own radiant pools of purple.

But, I quickly regretted it, as the twinkle in her irises dimmed, before nodding solemnly. She clenched her tiny fists, her nails digging into her porcelain skin, and her jaw locked. However, it only lasted a moment, before she released her palm of it's piercing, and dropped her shoulders out of it's tense stance, resuming her previous state. Little crescent marks on her dainty hands were the only remnants of her moment of conflicting emotions.

"I suppose." She smiled sadly, before tearing away from the beauty of nature to lock eyes with me.

The distinct lavender that had marked her pupils before had vanished to an indistinguishable color. Traces of a new shade were shyly revealing itself, but it was too soon to determine what color they may be.

"What is your favorite color for your eyes to change to?" I asked quickly, unable to help myself.

It was selfish, and I despised myself for it. Crossing the boundaries she had created was disrespectful of me, however before I could correct my mistake she spoke.

"Black."

I hesitated, pressing my lips together.

"Speak up." She said suddenly, raising an eyebrow.

I paused, biting my lip.

"Of all the different beautiful tones your eyes shape into, why black?"

For a long time, she didn't say anything. However, just when I was starting to doubt whether or not she had heard me, she spoke.

"Black is plain. Black is normal. Black is boring. In a crowd of individuals each with complex stories beyond our comprehension, those with black eyes are the least likely to stand out. It's considered ordinary, generic, and the least desired of all eye colors. It's stereotypically considered dull, and unjustifiably discredited as the least beautiful. But, it is the one color my eyes cannot take the form of, the one color I will never be able to experience."

"I still don't understand." My eyebrows furrowed, as I struggled to grasp the concept she was getting at.

"Maybe you never will. Your eyes are black, and will always be black. Whereas, my eyes are constantly changing colors, and will never rest at one particular shade. I see black eyes alluring for the same reason society sees mine that way.

"Black is beautiful, to me, because it's an integration of everything and nothing. It's a representation of the unknown, both the good and the bad. It's misunderstood in that aspect-why must black represent death, why must it's darkness be associated with monsters, demons, and fear? Why can't it symbolize the beautiful night sky, unknown universes full of hidden wonders, or the exotic cultures of other countries? You look at black without really seeing it, and subconsciously molding in into society's definition of what black represents. It isn't appreciated for its true beauty, and the only way it can be is if you have experienced it free from social prejudices."

She opened her mouth, wary of continuing. I waited for her to finish, and when she finally spoke, it was quieter, her voice soft.

"To me, black is the future I'm chasing after. It's my hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow, of one where I'll be able to be proud of today. They may be misunderstood-looked upon as foolish, and unrealistic--but I'll aspire to reach the stars despite this because I know even if I can't fully see it yet, it's there somewhere. But, to find it, I need a new perspective where I'm no longer bonded by the chains of yesterday."

I remained quiet.

The silence was deafening, and I could sense her uneasiness. She fumbled with the hem of her maxi skirt, rolling her shoulders-a nervous habit of hers.

All of a sudden, like a light bulb flashing on, I understood.

I understood all of her metaphors, and the endless hidden meanings behind the conversations of all of the nights we lay in this exact spot with only the stars illuminating the shadow of our faces. But, most of all, I understood why she was leaving me, why she was throwing away the possibility of an us when we had just found each other.

She would drive away from this small town without a glance in the rearview mirror not because it was something she simply wanted, it was something she needed. No matter how much I disapproved, or held on to my emotions of anger and betrayal, I couldn't do anything to stop her, despite how much it hurt. I couldn't deny it any longer. She wouldn't stay, not for all the love in the world I could give her.

And because I loved her, because she deserved happiness in her life even if I wasn't a part of it-I let her go.

"I hope you find your black."

She sighed in relief at my response, before intertwining our fingers. I looked down at our hands, her dainty small fingers swallowed by my large, lanky hand.

It felt right.

As if they belonged together, two halves of a whole. As if they had been searching their whole life for a hand to fit so perfectly into theirs, and had finally found each other. As if they were created for this simple gesture of affection of young love. My heart swelled, and I looked up at her angelic face. It was then, as I soaked in her wide grin, that I come to the revelation her face reflected the exact emotion filling my hollow chest I couldn't pinpoint until now.

Happiness.

It was a strange feeling, one I hadn't experienced in a long time. True, genuine happiness. Not the mask of joy almost all individuals paint on their faces, not the façade of happiness we slip on with smiles that don't reach our eyes. It wasn't enclosed with conflicting emotions of sadness or pity or anger, it was pure. It was the kind that made you believe in wonderful things, and the sliver of goodness and wholeness in this world full of so much wrong and cruelty. Everything fades away-all of the things that used to matter don't in this single moment. It was freeing, and I felt as if I could soar up to the heavens, as high as my heart desired.

"Aura," I started, to which she hummed, "will you miss Azmar?"

"No, this town only holds memories I'd like to forget. Here, nightmares blur with reality, and my past clouds the possibility of my future."

"Oh." I frowned, disappointed.

"But, there is one exception."

"What is it?"

"You." She squeezed my hand, which she had been caressing with her thumb. She brought it to her lips, kissing it gently.

"I'll miss everything about you. The way your cheeks are naturally tinged with a pink rosy color portraying your vulnerable innocence. The way you daze off with an expression of an inexplicable emotion, looking out windows pondering deep thoughts about oblivion. The way you laugh wholeheartedly without caring what anyone else will think, throwing your head back as the sound vibrates throughout your whole body. I could go on, but there's an infinite number of small things I'll miss, and we'll be here all day."

I smiled at her, genuinely, trying to convey everything I needed to tell her but couldn't in the short time we had left. It was bittersweet, because just as the sun ascended the peak of it's climb in the now blue sky, all beautiful things come to an end.

She pulled back her hand, and stood up, looking up at me in despair.

"I have to go."

"I know." I smiled sadly.

She started to walk away, before I called out to her. She turned around, and looked at me. Her eyes had completed their transformation, a new color entirely from the purple. I grinned from ear to ear.

"Your eyes-they've changed colors."

She nodded expectantly, waiting for me to continue.

"The color of tomorrow."