Day 21

Maiden

I can never leave this island. That’s what they told me on my eighth birthday. Happy Birthday, they said. Then, you can never leave this island, Guardian Maiden. Their exact words. How was I supposed to take all that in?

I didn’t bother opening my presents.

I stayed in my room all day.

What was I supposed to do?

Eight years later, sixteen years old. I watch the ferry come and go. Days like this, I skip school. What’s the point, I often thought. I’m stuck here, for the rest of my life. That was, until I met him.

He came off the ferry, lost like most newcomers to the island. He could have talked to anyone at the port, but instead, found me.

“What are you doing up there?” I heard him say.

I was in a tree, leisurely watching the ferry. “Nothing, do you need something?” I glanced down.

He was looking up at me, grinning from ear to ear. “Looks like fun.” That’s when he started to climb up the tree until he reached my limb. “OOOh!” He exclaimed. “That’s a nice view!”

Least to say, I was annoyed.

“Ah,” he said. “Same uniform!”

Of course, I thought, there’s only one school on this whole damn island. Then I thought, he’s a high schooler? He certainly didn’t look like one.