Chapter 3.
The shiny raindrops hit the window of Liv's house. They created a pleasant atmosphere in its interior. Arabella and Liv sat on a comfortable windowsill, filled with a million cushions. They had a view of a beautiful plain that stretched behind her house. Looking at the most beautiful wildflowers that she owned, they exchanged various conversations that they had left out during these days.
– I met that boy, whom almost all the old people almost despise, on the way to your house – said Arabella.
– Anddd... - Liv said it as if she thought she knew about the latest news of this planet.
– Well, nothing... I just met him... Where did he come from?
– I thought that you were know about the news, but I remembered that it is you after all and that you are excluded from all the events of this planet, because you are absolutely not interested in them – Liv said.
She was an extremely social creature and knew about every happening on this planet. Although she was sociable, she did not have many close friend. Actually, she only had Arabella. But, knowing many creatures, she came up with the latest news and gossip.
– Basically, Orion will now be a resident of this planet – she continued.
– How is that possible?
– You know he was originally a resident of Scylla. They say that he has now turned eighteen and that he ran away from home, because of hatred for his family. And so he decided to continue his life on the planet where his life actually began.
– Yeah. Now things have become clearer to me.
– And yes, his parents lived in their house on Scylla throughout the war. He went to war against her and when the war was over, he came back to live there again.
– But why does it all work? – Arabella asked
– No one knows that yet, but I believe he came here for a reason...
– What kind of thing?
– There are various rumors, but he is unpredictable...
The night was completely peaceful. In the darkness of her room, Arabella thought about today's conversation. Orion didn't seem to her at all as described. She had the feeling that there was a completely different story hidden there. Not long after, she suppressed that feeling and slowly drifted off into dreams. She wanted to believe in him, but she remembered that she lived in an environment where the creatures were still, to some extent, corrupted.
With the help of various pots and noise, Liv tried to wake up Arabella. After a while, she succeeded.
– Come on, stand up already Arabella... – Liv protested angrily and loudly.
– Mmm, why are you waking me up so early? – mumbled Arabella sleepily.
– Maybe because a riot broke out on the main street of Syrinx! – said Liv quickly.
– Just stop interrupting my sleep.
– Arabella, I am the most serious at the moment. It's chaos outside, things are getting out of hand.
– Yes, just five more minutes – she stretched lazily.
– Come on, get up, five minutes have already passed, and you spent them resisting.
– Ughhh, what's so important that you wake me up this early and break into my house? – asked Arabella, getting up from the bed.
– We have a gathering on the main street, where Orion is giving the main speech!
– What should be so important? – she yawned and asked her curiously.
– Maybe it's that Orion is rebelling against your rule and winning the people over to his side. It imposes on them the opinion that they need a new leader.
– What nonsense are these?
– Come with me and you'll see!
Arabella and Liv headed for the main square. At its center, next to the huge and luxurious planetarium, she saw Orion. Strands of black hair fell over his eyes as he held a discussion with the large number of assembled creatures.
His face was extremely serious and gave the impression of confidence and security. His posture was firm. Dressed in a black t-shirt, black baggy pants and black boots, he gave off a sense of coolness and shrewdness. With his black combination, he highlighted his good physique, which confused the minds of all the female creatures present. His every move showed how sure he really was in what he was doing and how much confidence he possessed.
Observing only a small part of the discussion that caught her off guard, she decided to head in Orion's direction. She stood right in front of that center, looking so tiny compared to it. Absorbed in the speech, Orion suddenly noticed her presence, right in front of him. He looked at her. His cold gaze was fixed on her face, especially her violet eyes. The coldness that he was currently showing her caused even more aggression in her.
– What kind of gathering is going on here right now? – she asked Orion, giving him a cold look.
– Is this the girl you really chose to be the leader of this planet?– Orion addressed the crowd, completely ignoring Arabella's existence.
The people unanimously and complexly shouted: "YES!" - At the same time, she was chosen as leader only because she is "good and nice" and none of you wanted that title? – he continued.
– Could you please answer my question? – she said sharply.
He returned a cold look at her, approaching her only a few centimeters, then said: – I'm just laying the foundations for progress, which you didn't lay! – he whispered in her ear.
Then they stepped back and said loudly: – This planet needs a new leader!
– I wouldn't really agree with that! – she answered him, facing his eyes.
– However, I suggest that we hold several meetings, where we will all make an equal decision about who will be our leader in the coming period – suggested Felix. Felix was one of the well-educated creatures, an activist who fought for equality. With his round glasses and eyes that seemed to gather some new knowledge every second, he looked like a genius.
– We will hold meetings, now go back to your regular activities! And try to calm down, we will solve this – said Arabella, after which Orion gave her a reproachful look and went around.
The creatures slowly began to disperse and the situation began to calm down again. After a few days, a meeting was called, which was attended by the entire nation. It was held in one of the official rooms of their main building, which consisted of four floors. Various actions, projects, meetings and monitoring were carried out there. Each floor had a function. All, except the fourth, were intended for the creation of various projects. The fourth floor was used to monitor the events in the cosmos. There was only one huge room with various gadgets and satellites. The meeting room was on the second floor. Right before the beginning of the meeting, various loud noises came from it. The people were full of unrest and caused an uproar which was interrupted by Arabella's voice:
– Dear individuals, I hope you are well and that these events did not disturb you. Now is the time to start the meeting, calm down the situation and bring it to the benefit of all of us!
Orion sat across from her, giving her a sullen look. He was separated from the crowd, reluctantly observing the situation.
– We are holding this meeting because there were many complaints about my rule and how the leader was chosen – she continued, and Orion just rolled his eyes.
– So, this meeting is our first in a series of scheduled ones. You will all have your objections. We will consider them later. In the following period, we will establish solutions to eliminate the problem.
– Can we skip that unnecessary speech, because we all know why we are here! – Orion interrupted her.
– I would ask you to be polite and wait your turn to speak! – she answered him.
– Is there no difference between the leader and the rest of the population on this planet? – he asked her provocatively.
– Of course not, but there is the difference between cultured and uncultured creatures right now! – she replied, giving him a provocative look.
– It's not uncultured at all, I'm just trying to save time.
– Can you two stop arguing so we can continue the meeting! – Liv interjected.
– Some things need to be said! – Arabella said and continued to lead the meeting.
In the next period of time, the people expressed their opinions. Orion's position still had an influence and most of them were in favor of choosing a new leader. They could choose between Arabella and Orion. With this conclusion, the meeting ended, which continued to flow quite peacefully and with only a few arguments between Arabella and Orion.
The previous two had a calmer atmosphere, but the relations between Orion and Arabella gradually became tense. The last meeting, the fourth in a row, was crucial for the entire people.
– So, this meeting will be the last one we will hold and thus end all the problems that...
– Cut it short! – Orion interrupted her.
– I just want to introduce the creatures present here nicely to the beginning of the meeting – she looked at everyone present in the room.
– Let's move on to the vote. We will choose the leader by the opinion that will prevail.
The vote began. The situation was tense.
In the end, Orion defeated Arabella by just one vote. She was assigned the role of assistant.
After that, the creatures slowly left the room where the meeting was taking place. Orion and Arabella were left completely alone.
– Are you satisfied now that you got what you wanted? – she looked at him reproachfully with her purple eyes.
– I am extremely satisfied! – he reveled.
His gaze on each feature of her face was a little longer than usual. After that, he coldly walked around her, disappearing behind the large sensor door.
The next day, to take advantage of her free time, Arabella decides to visit her sakura tree. It was tucked away in the main park and had a perfect view of the moon. In the cool and pleasant breeze, its branches would scratch his vulnerable surface. They always possessed a mesmerizing pink color, unlike the other sakura in the park. Her act of eternity made this hidden part of the planet more beautiful and special than the others. However, that sakura was invisible to everyone else and that made it magical and unique. Arabella discovered her when she was the only creature outside the house during a meteor shower. While that rain was going on, she was in the park watching numerous meteors hurtle through the cosmos. Everyone thought they were dangerous, but she enjoyed them. They were beautiful and masterful to her. While she was watching them and walking in the park, a collapsed part of the meteor crashed in front of her. This caused particles of black dust to fly all around her. She realized she was stuck in a dark vortex. It was like falling into an infinite hole, from which it was difficult to get out. After a short period, the vortex disappeared. The particles began to slowly disperse and a huge sakura tree appeared in front of her. That scene seemed unreal to her. She was charmed by her beauty and automatically fell in love with her. She was her escape and refuge from everything. With her, she left her thoughts, emotions and numerous other things that made up her creation. She fed that tree with the deepest chambers of her heart.
At last she came to a hill from which she could see him. When she was only ten meters away from him, she noticed someone sitting there. She took a few more steps closer and saw Orion. She was confused by his presence. She thought she was the only one who knew about that sakura.
The hood of his gray hoodie covered his tousled black hair as he leaned against the sakura. He was engrossed in his own thoughts. His pensive and slightly sad eyes directed a warm look at the moon. Arabella was taken aback by the sight and the warmth she saw. She slowly moved closer to him.
– Huhh... How did you get to this place?! – she asked him.
– In the same way as the others.
Silence reigned.
– Actually, I want to take this place all for myself! – he challenged her.
– But, now I will be good and I will leave this place to you because you destroyed my peace with your appearance! – he said, slowly getting up.
Standing up, he moved just a few inches closer to Arabella, stroking her hair.
– This is just the beginning, honey... – he said it in her ear quietly.
She looked deep into his dark eyes. He caught her eye, holding it for only a few seconds, then slowly disappeared down the winding path.
Arabella was now alone with her sakura. She took the place where Orion had been sitting a moment ago and started reading her book. She was sinking into her own world again. She ran away from reality and lost herself in time.