Osmophobia. Chapter 3. The Bracelet. The wolf
skidded to a stop a few steps away, hands raised
instinctively, Jade's bracelet dangling from
his paw like a proof of innocence. Huh, you dropped
this, he said, winded with a slight laugh. I
saw you walking from it and, um, sorry, I didn't
mean to startle you, he said with a tired smile.
She stared at him, just... Stared. Stunned. The
wolf continued smiling, holding out her bracelet.
Silence. Oh, she said softly. A moment passed.
Then another one. The wolf caught his breath
and swallowed. I just, I can, uh, I can leave
it here if you want, or, you know. She blinked.
Once. Twice. His smile grew awkward. It's, um,
uh, a stunning bracelet. That's jade on it, right?
It's beautiful. Wouldn't want you to lose it.
You ran after me, she said, as if testing the
words. Yes, he replied, seemingly relieved that
she finally spoke. I saw you get up and left
it. The bracelet caught my eye and, well, here
I am. He laughed awkwardly yet warmly. He reached
out his paw right in front of jade to give her
the bracelet. That earned him a look, a small
one, but curious. Jade's eyes sharpened. It's
really nice, he added. The green suits you. Jade
is a lucky stone, you know. You, um, like Jade?
It's my name, actually. Jade reached out and
took the bracelet from his hand. Jade, I mean.
My name is Jade. The wolf smiled and his posture
relaxed after all the running. Oh, how beautiful.
Your name and the bracelet. I guess you were
both lucky today, he softly laughed. They lingered
for a moment too long. Jade slipped her bracelet
on her left wrist while eyes were fixed on the
wolf. I honestly wish I had a name as cool as
yours, he said. I'm Rick. Well, Cedric, but everyone
calls me Rick. I guess Cedric is kinda a cool
name, but meh. I've got nothing on Jade. He smiled
awkwardly. Jade stared at him like he'd just
spoken another language. Not to be weird, she
finally said. But why did you... He tilted his
head in a curious way. She continued. I mean,
you're close to me. Her eyes grew wide. I mean,
no, no, like, you walked up to me. He didn't
flinch. Didn't look like he made a mistake. Just
looked confused. Are you okay? He asked genuinely.
Jade snapped out of her stunned trance and realized
she was having a conversation. Oh, yes, yeah.
It's just, wow, um, not many people walk up to,
you know, me. Cedric chuckled. Well, bracelet
lost, I found it. Here I am, with bracelet. He
grinned. Sorry if I worded you out. No, no, no,
Jade jumped. It's just... Thank you, she said,
looking at the ground shyly. Of course. I thought
I lost you around the bakery with that crowd.
I don't see many skunks around the city, though,
so I could spot you pretty easy. I don't know
if it's weird to say, but I love your tail. So
cool. Jade almost lost consciousness. Cool? She
laughed. Most people look at it like it's a horror
monster. He laughed lightly and grinned. Nah,
you just got to rock it. You got this, Jade.
No one in the city can stop you. Jade's face
flushed. Anyway, I'll stop bothering you. I'm
sure I'll see you in the park. If you lose your
bracelet again, I got you. He said with a slight
wink. Cedric ran off with a wave and a smile.
Jade existed for a moment. Why? What just happened?
For the first time in a long, long time, she
felt unafraid. This has been Osmophobia. The
story continues.