It was seven in the morning, and spring was in full bloom.

  Already up and about, I opted to get some fresh air. I'd never been familiar with my city's yout, but tely, I had taken to exploring it, going off the beaten path of my daily college commute.

  The advantage of getting out so early on the weekends is that the streets are empty. I've always found it very rexing. You do see some people, but it's retively uncommon at this time of day, even more so on a Sunday. That's why my eyes lingered on the girl crossing the street before me.

  She was wearing a light blue summer dress and ballet fts. I didn't get a good look at her face from behind, but her silver hair with its metallic sheen soon caught my eye. Long and silky, it gently flowed in the morning breeze, making her stand out even more. Her porcein skin added to the dream-like impression she gave off. And while I could only see her back, I already knew she was way out of my league.

  She approached a sedan parked on the other side of the road. I thought it was her car; how wrong I was.

  Folding her legs, she gripped the bottom of the bodywork and stood up. The left side wheels left the ground as the two-ton vehicle creaked under its weight. I watched, astounded. This was impossible. Hell, she didn't even exert herself. I was stuck in pce, questioning my lucidity.

  "Everything is so light..." I heard her decre as the car was about to tip over. She had yet to notice my presence. I took the opportunity to try and slip away. That girl intimidated the hell out of me.

  I walked to the end of the block, pretending I didn't notice anything. Running would have given me away. Before I took the turn to the adjacent street, I heard the squeak of the car's suspension and the muffled sound of tires hitting the asphalt. I turned around to ensure she hadn't chased me; the car was back in its pce, and I couldn't see the girl.

  "God, that was reckless but so amazing," I muttered.

  I didn't have time to react; the impact came half a second ter. I found myself on the ground, crying out in pain. It felt like I'd run into a rge pole. I pced my hand on my head. There was no bleeding, but it was already swelling up, and a big headache was coming on.

  I went to get up, humiliated. "It's a good thing nobody saw me," I said carelessly.

  The girl who introduced herself to me the next second made me eat my words.

  "Oh, sorry... I hope I didn't hurt you there. Are you alright?" She asked, some concern in her pretty voice.

  I nodded and hesitantly took her hand. My surprise was evident when she effortlessly pulled me back to my feet.

  She was about my height; we stood eye to eye. I was awestruck, and my face betrayed all attempts to hide it. The girl silently sized me up and down with an inquisitive smile. I would've been a stuttering mess if I had opened my mouth.

  "So I saw you, and you were totally curious. You were looking at me as I toyed with that car, eyes wide and lips parted like it was the best thing you had ever witnessed. You even said what I did was amazing!" Her eyes were shining.

  I stared at her, mouth hanging, too embarrassed and confused to respond. She didn't wait for an answer.

  "Do you want to be friends? I'll never hurt you, I promise!"

  I couldn't find my words.

  "It may not seem like it, but I wouldn't hurt a fly!"

  She answered with confidence, staring at me expectantly.

  "Uh... I-I'm a bit hesitant after what I saw you do." I managed in response. Her "promise" was disturbing.

  That's when it struck me.

  This girl looked unreal. Describing her beauty as anything less than spectacur wouldn't do her justice. She had a cute upturned nose, big sparkling eyes with vivid red irises, and silky-smooth skin. Her supple pink lips curled into a light smile.The glow her skin and hair reflected felt almost too healthy to be natural. Everything about this girl was overwhelming.

  She giggled.

  "Doing... something like this?"

  She smmed her fist into the property wall next to us, shattering the concrete and sending dust and debris into the air. My ears rang from the impact as rubble hit the asphalt.

  Okay, she was crazy. I had to escape, and I took off right away. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

  I gnced behind me. She stood there, watching me with a confused expression that turned to worry. Her eyes never drifted from my running self.

  Three minutes ter, I reached the train station. I climbed into the first carriage just before closing time. Breathing out, I was too nervous to sit down. The adrenaline of the sprint only served to fuel my fears. I tried to calm my nerves as best I could, reassuring myself.

  "She won't find me. I'll never set foot in this neighborhood again. She's crazy, but she didn't chase me. She'll attract attention soon enough, and the police will take care of her."

  It almost worked, and I started to rex.The next stop was announced—three more to go before I was home.

  The doors opened, and as I turned back, our eyes met again.

  I could feel the panic taking over. I was frozen on the spot, clutching the support bar so tightly that my knuckles turned white. My eyes were riveted on her, and cold sweat was assailing me.

  She boarded the car with a smile, without any apparent malice. She grabbed the support bar and stared at me worriedly before speaking.

  "Sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to frighten you... I just wanted to blow your mind. Sometimes, I forget that my reactions aren't everyone else's. I'm so sorry."

  Still petrified, I nodded slowly, and she continued.

  "I saw you were protecting your ears. Are they okay?"

  "Th-They're fine," I said, unsure what she wanted from me. She didn't look hostile, at least.

  "How did you follow me? I was sure I'd lost you," I stammered back, trying to conceal the stutter in my voice.

  "The rooftops. You looked behind you but never up there." She motioned up with her head.

  Dumbfounded by what I was hearing, I focused and got straight to the point, asking her what she wanted from me.

  Her smile faded for a moment.

  "I saw you before you saw me. I knew I wasn't alone when I was messing around back there. I enjoy scaring people, but I don't oft—I never hurt them, I promise!"

  Speechless, I let her continue.

  "People see me releasing some steam; they get the hell out. That's typically what happens. But not with you! So, curious, I nd in front of you, and you bump into me. You realize I'm there. I expect you to scream, call for help, or something along these lines. You proved me wrong again. You were scared, but I could sense admiration and awe as you looked me up and down. I didn't feel stared at or vilified. I felt respected, accepted, and even liked. It's all new to me." She blushed, her gaze flickering.

  "...And I loved your little comment on my performance."

  Suddenly, I found the floor very interesting. I answered her as I stared down, not trying to hide my face at all.

  "Wh-What about your friends? Your family?"

  She sighed, gathering her thoughts.

  "I've lived alone for two years now. Before that, my foster family neglected me. I never knew my real parents, but anyone would be preferable to these people. My 'mother' and 'father' treated me like dirt, and I returned the politeness. Maybe it's because I'm different. That said, despite their alcoholism, those two knew their limits, and we never came to blows. Who knows why?" She projects a mischievous smile.

  I felt a knot form in my gut. Perhaps I'd been too hasty in judging this girl.

  "In high school, I was a pariah. It's partly my fault; I'm impulsive. One day, some girls made fun of my hair color, supposedly reserved for grandmas. They made fun of my pale skin. I got called a ghost, a ghoul, even a zombie. Soon, these kinds of insults became my daily routine. that was until one day, when a few idiots thought raising my skirt in public would be funny. I failed to contain myself. See, I was used to getting insulted and verbally humiliated, so I didn't feel that anymore. But when it got physical, I snapped." Narrowing her eyes, she recalls terrible memories.

  "Ultimately, I wasn't excluded or incriminated because nobody believed the other kids. After that day, everyone kept their distance from me—for fear of ending up in the emergency room."

  I could definitely rete. I had known bullying myself, and I felt deeply sorry for what she had to go through. I guess part of her impulsive nature might have stemmed from that toxic environment she had to face every day. The apathy in her recollection of events struck me as odd yet a natural consequence of never-ending harassment.

  She straightened up.

  "Do you understand? I'm on my own. Always have been. They say my real parents dumped me as soon as I was out of the womb—who knows why? Maybe I was the result of an unwanted pregnancy. I have no family and I have no friends. Life spits in my face, but I care for myself as best I can. All my activities are solitary, and sometimes I go out like I did this morning to express how fed up I am, to release all the pent-up tension. It's very cathartic."

  "And in case you're wondering, I don't give a damn about public damage~," she whispered pyfully in my ear.

  I misjudged her. Her proximity made me blush, but I kept my cool.

  "I'm sorry. I definitely overreacted. I know what it's like to be bullied; it can ruin your life. Want to be friends? You strike me as a good person... I mean, when you manage your impulsivity."

  Her eyes lit up, and she perked up at the request.

  "You... want to be friends? With me??"

  She said, both confused and excited, with ragged breath. She put a hand to her chest, and the brief fsh of muscle as she moved her arm had me wondering about her sleeper build.

  I nodded as I took out my phone and motioned for her to do the same. She lifted her dress, revealing a thigh strap with multiple pockets. I averted my gaze, wondering how lifting up her dress every time she needed her phone or keys would be a good idea.

  We exchanged numbers. I was surprised to learn we went to the same college.

  "Miya, huh? I like it. I'm Anon. Summer vacation's coming up, so we'll have time to spend if you'd like."

  "Of course! I'd love that!"

  She nodded enthusiastically, perhaps too many times, as the train slowed down to the next station.

  "I get off here. See you, Miya," I said, trying to sound casual.

  "Y-Yeah! See you soon, Anon!" She beamed out, her smile a little too wide, her eyes a little too intense.

  I broke eye contact as soon as I could, but her persistent gaze made me anxious as I got off the train. She was all smiles but also a bit too manic. Did she even blink during our exchange?

  The doors slid back. As the train screeched, I still felt her eyes on my back.