WHO: Raphael and Jaks WHEN: December 31 WHERE: Wandering through school WHAT: Reunion. And it's NYE so who knows! RATING: F for FEELS.
The fact that it was New Year's Eve didn't exactly register to Raphael. Sure, he'd read enough posts about it and heard enough students buzzing about parties, but those were background noise to him. He had no reason to celebrate another year passing. It was another year alone, another year without her. At this point, he was beginning to wonder if he'd ever see her again. Had he just imagined it all? Raphael wasn't sure anymore. All he had to go on were memories, faded photographs in his mind that teased of a time when he'd known true happiness. Had her eyes really lit up, brighter than any light or tree that was so rampant during this time of year, or was it an illusion? Had her skin really felt softer than any velvet against his skin?
Had their love even really existed at all?
Forcing the thoughts aside, as it wouldn't help him tonight, he focused on getting back to his dorm. The wind bit at his skin, spreading goosebumps along it despite the leather jacket he wore. Raphael still wasn't used to the fact that his dreads were gone either, as his neck felt exceedingly frost bitten and bare, yet he resisted the urge to run a hand over the short dark locks for the millionth time that day. He didn't need to remind himself they were gone. Mother Nature did a good job of that all on her own. What he needed was to hole himself up in his room, alone like always, where he could let those faded memories lull him into a sort of empty sense of calm. So long as he could remember, whether they were real or not, Raphael could continue.
He was so focused on his destination that he didn't see the figure in his path until he felt a solid form connect with his own. Stepping back, his hand immediately went to his head instinctively. The lighter weight reminded him that his usual habit of running a hand over the coarse dreads would be somewhat unsatisfying, but he'd spent too long doing it to stop now. "Sorry," he managed, not looking up right away. There was a scent in the air now, teasing his nose as it floated by on the chilled breeze, and its familiarity wiped away everything else. It stirred the memories he'd been tormenting over during his walk, but also pushed aside the logic to figure out it was coming from right in front of him.