And Everything Was Gold

I awoke startled, gasping for air. Not having any clue where I was, what year it was, or hell, even who I was. I wipe the sleep from my eyes, hoping to get a better grasp on anything. I raise my hands above my head, examining the details on my arms and hands. Freckles dance across my skin, leading to small, soft hands. The room slowly comes into focus. Soft pink walls, fairy lights across the ceiling. A dresser. Table. Light. Smaller bed on the floor, surrounded by a black fuzzy carpet. Pictures of people who I assume are my friends and family. We’re all smiling. God, I wish I knew who these people were.

I sit up, as the sun starts to light up the room. Gently embracing me with its warmth. I groan as I decide its time to remove myself from the comforts of my not so foreign bed. I feel as if I’ve been here before. I’m not afraid of where I am. I saunter over to the vanity. I am here, I know I exist, but who am I? I sit in front of the mirror, only for a stranger to stare back at me. Shoulder length black hair. Freckles across my nose. Blue eyes. I run my fingers through my disheveled hair. Ahh, bed head. It has always been my favorite, right? Why is that feeling so familiar.

As I poke my face, trying to place it, I smell coffee. I...thought I lived alone? Or did I think that. I only assumed from my room. Do I call out and see if someone answers? Maybe they’ll know me. Give me some answers. I make my way to the kitchen. Almost as if I’ve done this a million times before. But how? Everything in this place seems so right, so comforting. I reach for a mug. I grab one in the shape of a Fox. I smile as I trace my fingers over its face. Laughter swirls around me, as if touching this mug jolts my memory of a time. But I can’t quite place it. I shake the feeling, reaching for the pot of fresh brewed coffee. I pour myself a cup, and stir in light cream. I raise the cup to my face. Closing my eyes as I let the aroma embrace my senses. I walk over to my little nook. A bay window with blankets, pillows and a little stand. I sit down and notice how the groove of the pillows hugs me. As if I have left parts of me in this spot to be molded, waiting for my morning return. I gaze out the window, familiarizing myself with the surroundings. But they don’t feel unknown. I wish I could place them.

Suddenly a knock shakes me out of my trance. How long was I zoned out for? Shaking my head, I head to the door. I open it, expecting someone or anyone who could help explain what was going on. But instead, I find a golden box. “Open me to make sense of everything. Or don’t. The choice is yours”. Confused, I bring the box inside. I set it on my kitchen counter, staring at it as I sip my coffee. What is this? Who left it for me. I continue staring at the box, trying to make sense of everything. What did I do last night? Did I bump my head? Am I in a coma? I try thinking back on last night, but everything just comes up...blank. After a few more minutes pass, and I finish the last of my coffee, I slowly reach out to open the box. My fingers shakily fumble with the lid. I finally muster up the courage to open it and then...

Everything is touched with a golden hue. We were sitting on my back stoop, sharing a smoke, embracing the way the sun felt on our skin as we sat underneath it’s golden touch. Your laughter filled the air as we talked about forever. I gazed into your big brown eyes, that sparkled with bits of gold dust when the sun hit them just right. You ran your fingers along my cheek, across my jawline before pulling me close to you. You whispered that you loved me against my lips, and my body covered in goosebumps as your words crawled across my skin. I pulled away, looking at you and responded with and I love you. Forever and ever. To which you replied and ever and ever. From this lifetime until the next. The summer air hung heavy with our words. The world around us didn’t matter in that moment. It was just us. Surrounded by gold.

I look at you, but your eyes changed. You were talking, but I couldn’t hear what you were saying. Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice could be heard, but not seen. Everything went dark around us as it spoke. “You live in a world where reincarnation is common and expected, but it cannot happen unless your past life has faded from living memory. Last time you were alive, you fell in love with an immortal who swore they’d never forget you...”

I crash back to reality, with tears streaming down my face. I’ve been reincarnated.