"Okay. I've never shared this with anyone, not even my friends. But... I recently managed to break free from a bad phase I was trapped in."
"Did you receive some kind of help or intervention?"
"No, nothing like that. Let's just say it involved some... 'immoral' activities."
"Immoral? What!? Wow! I mean, you? Were you involved in that?"
"I'm not proud of it. It caused me a lot of problems— a tarnished reputation and a lot of unwanted attention. Like that loudmouth from poetry night."
"Was that guy from the café one of the people you were involved with?"
"As I said, I'm not proud of who I was. There are even rumors about me at school."
"But I haven't heard anything directly about you."
"They only talk about it in the girls' bathrooms or during gym class when they think I'm not around."
"I find it hard to believe you were like that. I mean, I've known you since we were eleven. Even though I've been away for a few years, you've always given me the impression of being a classy person. I'm sorry, but I can't bring myself to believe it."
"I understand. You've only seen the surface. Back then, my family was going through a rough time."
"My parents were constantly fighting. Their love had faded long ago. They only got married because my mother became pregnant with me. Even though they loved me and assured me that their issues weren't my fault, deep down, I knew I was an unplanned child."
"It wasn't until I was fourteen that things completely fell apart."
"My mother discovered my father was having an affair with his secretary. The fights escalated to physical altercations."
"I had to cope somehow. That's how I ended up in that world."
"I managed to break free when my mother found out. I'm still in therapy, but the consequences of my actions will linger forever."
Lincoln noticed Haiku's saddened expression and reached out to hold her hand. "Okay, Haiku. You don't have to carry this burden alone. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. I won't judge you."
A small smile tugged at the corners of Haiku's lips.
"They both moved closer, but then paused, realizing the moment they were about to share.
"Oh... I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overstep," Lincoln apologized, looking away as he scratched the back of his neck.
"Don't worry. Nothing happened." Haiku covered her head with the blanket, her face turning from pale to fiery red, hiding her embarrassment.
The moment was very embarrassing. Lincoln had to say something to break the tense silence. "I wonder if the storm has passed yet." Lincoln opens the "improvised paper door" slightly. Not only has the storm not stopped, but it is stronger. "No. It's still going." The wind and rain lifted Lincoln's hair and exposed his eyes.
"It's windy outside."
Upon seeing the boy, a blush invaded Haiku's face again, and she was left speechless.
Lincoln sat down in front of the fire to shake off the wind chill. "Oh. There is nothing like a warm fire during a storm. It reminds me of my first year in Canada."
Haiku didn't respond, lost in her thoughts.
"Haikou? Are you okay?" The boy noticed how she was staring at him. "Oh. Obviously. I get it." Lincoln placed his hands on his head and let his hair down to cover his eyes again. "Ready. I think Lucy forgot to mention this about me. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
Haiku placed one hand in Lincoln's hair, stroking his bangs so she could see his eyes. "They are more beautiful than Lucy described."
"Hey? Wait. You knew that already."
"Lucy told me. But. The words I use cannot describe her beauty."
Beautiful obsidian mirrors. "Black as the darkest night."
"She said that? Oh... Haiku?"
Lincoln received no response. Haiku is still staring at him.
The boy knew what was about to happen. He had lived through it so many times that he had practically developed a sense of foretelling when it was about to happen.
Haiku slowly approached, but Lincoln moved away.
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you this, Haiku."
"Something wrong?"
"I don't want you to think I'm like those people before me. I value you and our friendship. I don't want you to change the way you think about me."
"You're right, Haiku. I didn't just do this to my sisters. My friends Ronnie-Anne, Polly, and Tabby."
"It seems like you are also trapped in this situation."
"No, it's not like what happened to you."
"You had your reasons. You had to deal with difficult things, and that's what made you do it. I'm just a pathetic submissive who can't say no."
Haiku places her hand on Lincoln's cheek.
"Lincoln, we're both trapped. Mine for the past. You for your debts. We're both pulling heavy chains. But tonight, let's forget it. Let's forget the past. Let's forget the debts. It's just the two of us."
"Haiku," Lincoln said, looking into the girl's eyes; they were so big and bright. For the first time, Lincoln noticed their color. A beautiful purple shade reminiscent of wine or perhaps amethyst. A comfortable and elegant color. "You do have beautiful eyes, Haiku."
Finally, they both joined in for a passionate kiss.
Lincoln took off the blanket that covered Haiku's hair and then began kissing her cheek, all the way down to her neck. The perfume she was carrying mixed with the scent of the surrounding environment.
For her part. Haiku could also smell Lincoln's deodorant. Aroma combination between pine and mint.
The boy broke away from the Gothic. She pulled her hair up, then turned around and put her hands behind her back as she unhooked her bra.
On her back, Lincoln could see that she had a tattoo as well. It was a spider extending from her neck to his waist. Which made it look more beautiful.