The Pink That Lingered in My Eyes
Alicia, Alicia was reminiscing about the past. That first moment with Lily. Not the one right after starting high school. Actually, a little earlier. Back when Lily and Alicia were still middle schoolers. Strictly speaking, it wasn't even a meeting. If I had to pick the right word, it was a sighting. Or watching. Nothing more than that. Barely a relationship at all.
Middle schooler Alicia first spotted Lily purely by chance. On a street in another neighborhood, no less—not even the same school. If that wasn't coincidence, what was? The moment that pink hair caught her eye, Alicia stopped in her tracks and stared. She had no intention of spouting nonsense like love at first sight. Girls with girls? Please. It was just that the sight of this girl her age herding a pack of other girls around was pretty amusing, that's all. Sure, middle school girls often roamed in groups of five or six, but all of them fixated on one girl at the center? That was intriguing. She must have been something special, laughing so gleefully it looked like she might die of happiness. With her pink hair, pink eyes, and that whole pink aura, it was easy to see why the others stared like they were enchanted. Seductive might have been too strong a word for such an innocent, pure face, but that's exactly what Alicia thought anyway.
It was just a fleeting coincidence, nothing more. And it just so happened that her parents were starting a business nearby around then, dragging Alicia along as "educational experience," so she kept passing through that neighborhood. Pure coincidence again that, while waiting for her parents at the agreed plaza, she spotted that same middle school pack swarming by right on time. Coincidences kept piling up. Apparently, Lily's school route to the bustling streets went right through that plaza. Alicia wasn't the type to people-watch as a hobby, but she couldn't help catching sight of that pink hair that drew every eye around. You’d think Lily would notice being stared at so openly, but she never did. Was she oblivious, or just too distracted by the chattering girls around her? Probably the latter.
Well, it's not boring to watch. Their "relationship" was just crossing paths at the plaza—waiting on one side, passing through on the other. Some days their timings didn't align, and they missed each other entirely. Those brief intersections were surprisingly fun for Alicia. How many months did that go on? Right around when Alicia started thinking of it as her little harmless hobby, things changed.
Suddenly, one girl from the pack was missing. The one who used to stare at Lily with eyes that bordered on dangerous. And not even a week later, the whole group vanished. Were they avoiding this street now? Changed their after-school time? Alicia didn't lament it or make a big deal. It was just the end of a coincidental non-relationship. Or so she thought. But soon enough, they popped back into view—with a completely different vibe.
The next time they appeared, the looks they gave the pink-haired girl in the center had flipped entirely. These were hormonal middle school girls with wild mood swings, sure, but flipping like a pancake? Even now, Alicia couldn't figure it out. The admiration and affection for Lily turned to jealousy and disgust in an instant. The kind eyes and touches turned to bullying right then and there. No outright violence or cursing, but it was definitely harassment. Subtle digs, isolating her in the center while ignoring her. If anything, more vicious than plain violence. No one to cry to for help.
Even from brief glimpses at the plaza, it was obvious. And the rest of the time? Self-evident. What had happened? The weird part was, Lily's behavior hadn't changed at all. She still smiled brightly, like just being with them was enough. Alicia found it baffling. She had to notice the shift. How can you smile like that? Whatever happened, you shouldn't be smiling. Be sadder, or angry. Awkward, anything but grinning like that. Show some darkness.
That day, Alicia's interest in Lily deepened. But eventually, she vanished for real. After watching with such fascination, it was definitely disappointing this time. And just when Alicia had naturally put it behind her, coincidence struck again. This time, unlike before with her entourage, Lily was wandering the street alone with a black-haired girl Alicia hadn't seen.
Seizing the rare chance to observe up close, Alicia sensed something off. Strange. Something's definitely wrong, but what? It frustrated her not knowing. She might never have figured it out if a gust hadn't blown Lily's hat off, the one pulled low over her head. Oh, now that was interesting. Half of that cherry-blossom pink hair that had mesmerized her was shaved bald. No need to guess who did it. Or how it probably went down. And yet, Lily was still smiling like before. The black-haired girl ground her teeth in rage at the sight, but Lily soothed her, saying it was fine. You already chewed them out, right? It's in the past. No big deal. I just didn't know my place. Won't happen again. That smile looked a little self-mocking then.
Alicia was a bit immature back then. Born into plenty, even a tad arrogant. The world revolved around her—she took what she wanted, uncovered what intrigued her. Investigating Lily's school revealed the whole story easily. Predictably banal, almost boring. And that's when it started. Alicia began thinking of Lily outside the plaza. Closing her eyes summoned spring cherry blossoms fluttering in her mind. She'd sit blankly at that neighborhood plaza even without her parents calling her there, hoping for another chance encounter. Not stalking. At least, that's what she told herself. No plans to talk—just observing how things progressed post-incident. Stalking? Hardly. It did annoy her seeing that black-haired girl stuck to her like a "friend." Years later, when she'd clash with Dana—not quite a fight—she wanted to say, You call yourself a friend? Why didn't you protect Lily back then? But of course, no answer for "How long have you been creeping?" So instead, she'd drop a cryptic, I know more about you than you think. She couldn't imagine that future yet. For now, she just watched Lily for a while.
…She could've camped at the plaza all day if she could, but high school prep plus her parents expanding business lessons to another neighborhood left her too swamped for two bodies. Naturally, chances to observe Lily dried up. Alicia regretted it, but what could she do? Guess that's the end. Coincidences have limits.
But after a bit more time, fate played its hand. On starting high school. Meeting the girl she'd only watched from afar—in the same school, same class. Alicia decided it wasn't coincidence anymore. Connections overlapping that many times? No way. Your hair's grown out a lot. She stared, mesmerized, at the pink locks barely brushing her nape.
That hard-won first real encounter? Lily recoiled like she'd seen a ghost. Adorable, freaking out over nothing. Hiek! Bursting into chicken-shit tears. Whatever the reason, trying to flee because she hated her? It stirred Alicia's instincts.
"I really hate you. You, you're just…."
"But I like you."
Why say that? Alicia didn't know herself. She'd never felt "like" before. Just thought about that pink aura all day. But like a spell, when she blurted I like you, she was the one bound by her own words. First love hit just like that. Once spoken, her bland feelings erupted chaotically. Ah. So I do like her. This girl. I like her. Couldn't look away even standing still. Wanted to tease her just to see reactions. She accepted her emotions readily.
……
Alicia decided to stop reminiscing there. Because Lily appeared before her after classes ended.
"Lily. Hey."
"Uh…."
Today's Lily was off. Totally different vibe from usual, leaving Alicia staring blankly at her crush. Isn't she kinda hot? Not the thought to have with a classmate right there, but facts were facts. Every gesture dripped sex appeal. Where'd that usual airhead image go? Sitting primly with legs together, face flushed red—it looked damn convincing. Whispers around confirmed it wasn't just her imagination.
"Exams go okay?"
"Y-yeah, well, uh, I bombed…."
"……."
"Alicia…?"
Those moist pink eyes still swam with lingering excitement, thick as residue. She wasn't like this yesterday. What the hell happened overnight? Girls turning into ladies happens suddenly, sure, but this was extreme. So lewd. Alicia just blinked at her for a while. Any more, and she'd do something to Lily right then.