Day 1

Greggy was waiting for me as always by my locker. But today, I noticed that he was a little anxious.

"Hey man! what happened?" I asked.

He pointed at something next to the entrance.

Someone.

As we live in a small town, new students are like rain without clouds. Well, it might happen in a million years. But there was a new student in our school. And it was a BOY.

Older than us, maybe 19. His jeans jacket had both sleeves folded just above his wrists. Wrists full of bracelets. And on the right side of his pants hung a type of chain, that fell to the middle of his thigh and went up, forming a bright U. His pants were black, and it contrasted the chain; but more than that, his sneakers were so white it could blind...

But strange thing was not what he was wearing. Actually, his admirable taste for men's fashion could be totally ignored, as he could visibly rip out all that covering and walk naked.

Wait what I just said?

Suddenly, Mr. Unknown turned his head to the hallway Greggy and I were, checking a piece of paper. Was that my impression or he had like a superior gaze? How can someone possibly think he is superior in a strange place full of strange people?

He put the paper away, and started in our direction. All I could think was that I needed to look away as fast as possible, because that man was coming. He wasn't going to stop and ask us questions, right? Not for us.

"Hey, couple, you know where the locker 190 is?"

That was his voice, something I'd never listened in my life. It was attractive, not so husky, but not thin at all, and as soon he finished the sentence he left my ears wanting more.

He had said couple. But his eyes were directly and exclusively turned to ME. And speaking of eyes... wish I was buried at some spot in the middle of Chinatown.

They were the most beautiful greenish and lustrous darkness, like a forest made of old pines and crocodiles. I could stay watching those eyes until my death.

Can I scream it out loud?

We stayed in silence for some seconds or hours, until Greggy muttered something like "Go to the end of that corridor and turn left". Mr Unknown then nodded gratefully, and walked past us.

And I felt his smell.

The air actually felt heavier as I breathed it, not wet, as it does before and after a rain storm, but heavy with frost and crystals and sharp cold. It's a distinctly different smell that I could never put a finger on, one that is best described as feeling like "carrot-nosed little guys and warm woollen mittens", perhaps? It brought up memories of red toboggans and Christmas mornings. A smell that, if you close your eyes, can whisk you off to winter for one fleeting moment.

•••

Things got a little weird since Mr Unknown stepped into our school. I can still feel his smell.

PEOPLE CAN NOT SMELL SNOW. I didn't even know snow had a smell, first of all. And worse, he made me feel strange things all over me. Do you think I can possibly be in love with Mr Unknown? God, no, he is only a good looking stranger. And besides I love William Gray... All I wanted was a memory potion, to forget every little piece of Mr Unknown, including his blouse, his hair, his eyes and his smell.

I didn't have a memory potion, though, so William Gray might help. Careful not to make any sound, I slowly unlocked my secret drawer, which was full of junk. Useful junk I mean, like photos, journals and my precious toys. Lego characters, to be more specific. I'm used to building people I miss, like my father, and the friends I wish I had.

I know it sounds ridiculous and I really need a psychologist, but... To be honest these toys were better than Greggy.

After a little digging in the messy drawer, I finally close my fingers around Lego William Gray and hold him carefully. It is the most handsome Lego I own. Okay, I've tried to buy better clothes but the shopping mall is too far, and mom wouldn't spend money buying toys to a 15 old teenager. So I stared at my love, beautifully settled in my hands. I could see William living, studying with me. Being my boyfriend.

I stare. I imagine. My eyes blur. We will be together. "NO!!!" I throw the toy across the room with all my straight. "We WON'T be together!! Can't you understand??" Tears filled the corner of my eyes. "Why can't you live your life? Why can't you be happy?"

TUMP

Something crashed. I could hear the sound but my vision was all blurred. What happened? Was it my cellphone? Please not the cellphone.

I blinked fast and wiped my face with the back of my hand. The first thing I see is a pair of male shoes on the other side of my bedroom. Weird because I don't have a father, or any brothers. I kept looking up, and more body parts appeared. Legs, chest, arms, and a face... William Gray.

His shape looked at me, eyebrows up showing surprise, and dark pupils showing fear. I blinked, but he was still there. Blinked again. A few more times. At the other side, William's arms touched the wall behind him, his eyes still fixed on me.

Am I out of my mind?

Or... Am I really INTO my mind?

    I want to touch William Gray. Can I touch?

Angelina stop being an idiot he is not real.

I took a breath, inhaling, exhaling. And he opened his month.

"Umm hey freak girl, don't have any idea what's going on can you open the door?"

No way! I didn't know what was happening either, but I couldn't let him go. William was my past, present and I wanted him to be my future.

        "The door is locked, William."

I SAID HIS NAME. Yes I did, obviously. Everything was happening too fast.

"So you can UNlock it, Angelina" He breathed.

He said my name. More tears were about to come out of my eyes.

         "Man!" he added quickly, "I swear didn't know your name five seconds ago. It just blew up in my head... So Angelina is your freaking name?"

"Stop calling me a freak because YOU are the only one who shouldn't be here!" My eyes were two professional pickpockets, stealing everything to store in my mind.

William didn't answer, and I mentally thank him for that.

He is so handsome.

Does he think I am beautiful?

He smiles. And my brain hurts. Why is it hurting? 

"Yes you are, Angel. You are beautiful."