The day is July Fourth, 2016. I am so excited. To me, fireworks never get old. Every year, ever since I could truly see, fireworks were one of my favorite activities. Seeing so many colors at once; it’s breathtaking. And I owe it all to my fiance, the love of my life. I am so thankful I met her, all those years ago. I remember it just like it was yesterday. *Memory*
I had just moved there, “So this is what New York’s like.” I thought, it is not as exciting as you think it would be. Just less manners, more taxis, and a lot of busy people speed-walking up and down town. I walked down the street and turned, there stood my new high school; as boring as the old one, or so I thought. After finding my locker and getting my schedule; I hurried off to class, and just like in the movies, I arrived late. “And you must be our new, late addition. Mr. Rutter, I presume?” asked a woman who I assumed was the teacher. “Yes, Mrs-” “It’s Ms. Blakely. I don’t go by Mrs. anymore.” she sadly paused, “I haven’t in a very long time…” There was a moment of silence. There always is for anyone who lost their love. I hear it is the worst feeling- losing someone you love. Because not only do you lose the person, but you lose your color as well. It’s quite simple, actually, you’re born colorblind, you fall in love and suddenly you can truly see, but if your love dies, so does your light and color. I know, it’s like a big, sappy allegory for love and loss. At the time I had never fallen for anyone, so I couldn’t understand how amazing and mysterious love and true sight is. “Alright then,” Ms. Blakely said, breaking the silence, “Since you have already interrupted the class, you might as well tell us a bit about yourself.” “Umm,” I stuttered, “My name’s Ethan. Ethan Rutter. I used to live in Kansas.” I looked from face to face around the room, until I saw a girl with dark hair and light eyes. “And now I live here.” “Thank you for that very… Very interesting fact. “ Ms. Blakely said sarcastically, “Who would have assumed you live here?” The teacher rolled her eyes. “Take a seat.” As I sat, I glanced back at the dark haired girl and for a second, I could’ve swore her eyes looked… Blue. How I knew the color blue, I can’t tell you, even today. But I knew it was the color of a brand-new life. One very different than the dull hues I had been living in. I snuck another glance at the girl. She had… Brown hair. Yes, brown. Well, more like a shiny brown. A bronze. She caught me looking at her and smiled. “Penny. ” she mouthed. I nodded and mouthed back, “Ethan.” She replied, chuckling, “I know.”
*End of memory*
The rest is history. Now, four years and an engagement later, we still spend every second together, enjoying the sky (Who would’ve thought it would be blue?), flowers (They aren’t all the same color, crazy right?), and so much more. Penny gasps. The fireworks have started. Sparks scatter across the sky painting it red, then blue, and finally white; decorating the dark, cloudless canvas. Then the sparks fall down, disappearing behind the stars. Until the next thundering noise fills our ears and the canvas is covered once more, in different green and blue hues. After the firework show ends, we go on a walk. It’s about nine o’clock. We have some time before we have to get back to our dorms. So we walk, hand in hand, enjoying each other’s company. “I’ve missed this.” Penny said, dreamily. “Me too.” I replied. It was true, I had missed her a lot. We haven’t had much time since she was busy becoming a therapist, while I was training to become a doctor. In our own ways, we both just wanted to help people. Penny stumbles, her rich, brown hair falling in her face. “Woah, are you okay?” I ask, my eyes begging for assurance. “Ouch.” she says, sounding slightly dazed and dizzy. I tried to shake it off. Everyone loses their footing or gets dizzy every now and then, right? “I’m fine,” she continues, seeing my worried expression, “Really, Ethan. Calm down.” She yawns. “I think it’s about time we go back. I’m kinda tired…” she says. “That’s a good idea.” I agree, “But are you sure that you’re okay?” “Yes, mother.” she says tauntingly, “Let’s go before I fall to sleep. Then you’ll have to carry me.” I roll my eyes. “Then let’s go.” I say, while turning on my heel. With that, we leave just as we came; hand in hand.
*Page break*
“Good night, Penny.” I say. We had walked back to her dorm together. Even though she didn’t want me to be, I was worried. There was just something about her falling like that, I just couldn’t put my finger on it. It was as if the life left her eyes, and the color left her skin. She was almost cold at the touch. “Stop worrying about me. I’m fine.” she says, reading my expression. “Okay.” I reply, trying to just forget about it. I try to put on a convincing smile, but it turns into more of a pained grimace. “Go, Stutter Rutter.” she chuckles at my nickname, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Alright, I’m going…” I smile as she gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “I love you.” we say in unison. She tiredly smiles as I leave.
*Page break*
I wake up to the annoying sound of my alarm clock screeching in my ear at 7:30. I grunt in response and roll out of bed. “Another day of stupid college courses. Yay me.” I sarcastically whine. Then my second alarm clock blared. 7:45 already? I get dressed, brush my teeth, comb my hair- the normal stuff. After that, I go to my nightstand to check my phone and groan when the red battery appears, letting me know it’s dead. Great. I look at the clock: 8:00. “Crap! I’ve got class in fifteen minutes!” I gasp as I run away from my phone, completely forgetting about it. I fly down the stairs and out the door. Thank goodness I live next to my English class. Running up the stairs (Would it kill them to spring for an elevator?) and screeching to a halt in front of the door; I check my watch. Three minutes late. Mr. Sage is gonna kill me. With a sigh, I turn the handle and tiptoe in. “How kind of you to grace us with your presence, Mr. Rutter.” he says with a bitter tone. “Mr. S, I can-” “Ethan, I am telling you for the hundredth time. My name is Mr. Sage. I don’t do abbreviations. You’re generation is too hard to keep up with and I don’t see what the point is anyways. No one will care about “Tyler Swift” or “emojoes” in a hundred years, anyways!” He must be in a really bad mood today. I sigh and take my seat. After hearing Mr. Sage drone on and on for the past four months; I have developed a talent for tuning him out. As I tiredly blink, Mr. Sage’s blue shirt flickers to grey. “What? I must be seeing things...” I say to myself. I shake my head to try and clear it, but when I open my eyes, Mr. S’s shirt is still grey. Something must be wrong. Whispering under my breath, I say, “I need to check on Penny.” When I suddenly have a flashback to last night. Her skin wasn’t just pale. It was white. It was colorless. “Penny!” I breath. I stand up and start sprinting to the door. Something is definitely wrong.
