Love Began with the First Meeting

The night winds blew gently. She didn't care if he was happy or not.

The tears she shed flowed like water.

She buried her sadness in her heart, and denied her own feelings.

Molly cried for a while. And sobs racked her body. That was when she realized that she and Eric were too close.

Angrily, she pushed him away. She turned to glare at him with tears in her eyes.

Eric was a little miffed, but he shrugged and put on a smile. "Done crying?" He pretended not to care so that she wouldn't be able to figure what he was really thinking.

Molly glared at him again.

"Wow. Ice queen over here!" Eric grumbled. Then he raised his eyebrows and asked,"Are you hungry?" Before Molly could answer, he added,"How does the South Street Alley sound?"

Molly looked at Eric suspiciously, a little surprised at his suggestion.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Eric sulked,"I'm bored of fancy restaurants and it's time for a change. Besides, the food there is quite good and delicious."

Molly breathed deeply to compose herself. After wiping tears from her face, she typed a string of words. "I'm exhausted and hungry and tired of crying."

Picking up the phone, Eric glanced at the screen and smiled. "I don't know what to do with you sometimes."

Molly blew her nose and typed on her phone again. "When I'm happy, I laugh. I cry when I'm sad. That's normal. No need to hide who I am. Unlike you, I can't smile when I'm not happy. You're such a hypocrite."

Eric smiled resignedly and thought, 'She would be so cute if she could actually say that out loud.' When he thought about this, he didn't feel upset anymore, but happy.

right." Eric shook his head and drove to the South Street Alley. He talked all the way through, and Molly was listening

speak, Eric was upset, but he kept this hidden behind an even expression. He wondered if Molly's throat would ever be healed. He felt extremely sad at the thought that she might never utter another sound again.

road, attracting everyone's attention. People started to talk,

"We couldn't get here

Eric asked doubtfully.

and pouted,"Never mind. I'll eat

his lips. Seeing that Molly was still upset, Eric

Eric and walked with him into the bustling night market.

time they visited the place. They sat in a stall,

the crowd they ate happily. No one paid attention to what they were doing, because everyone else was doing it too. They were quite happy. And it was a good thing to just laugh without

Eric leaned his seat

didn't like it? So why did you

and pursed his lips as if he didn't know what Molly's words meant. He handed her back the phone

eyes. She knew Eric would never admit

had her fill, sat up straight and pointed at the road,

he glanced at Molly and noticed the necklace around

his palm. The little

why you can't talk..." Eric looked Molly in the eye and said,"Have

Eric, then looked at the shell on the necklace and didn't answer. She

asked,"Are you

before.' Thinking of this, she hesitated, but eventually typed,"Yes, I'll keep it with me. This is my first gift. You gave it

going on, other than he felt something he had never felt before. He was a little happy, a little excited, a little hesitant and worried. The feeling was indescribable. Eric stared at the words on the phone. He didn't take his eyes off

turned his head to Molly and gave her an uncertain smile.

sounded a little off, but she didn't think about it too much.