Walking back while linking arms, we talked about all sorts of stuff, most of which where about what happened in this town and the world over the past year, nothing personal. Every time I tried turning the subject onto her, she would always find a way to talk about something she saw around the world.

Just before we entered the town, I stopped her, I wanted to know about her. Giving off a serious vibe, I asked her “what were you like when you lived here? Why did you leave this town in the first place?”

Sighing, she started to talk, “do you know what the bonds that tie you to this world are?”

She sounded serious, so instead of telling her that she is avoiding my question, I answered hers. “No I do not, why?” She has never been this serious before, it's almost as if I am talking to someone else right now.

“Give me you hands.” Holding my hands out, she starts tracing a circle around my wrist over and over. “There are two types of bonds, they are called the spiritual bond and the physical bond. You can think of them as strings that are wrapped around your wrist. The physical bond is on your left wrist while the spiritual bond is on your right. Everything that has a soul, will have these two bonds, because they are what tie you to life.” She then put down my hands. “I left because I did something that I should not have done, it took me a while to believe that I could come back, I needed to become someone the people I meet might be happy that they knew me, instead of disappointed.”

Grabbing her hands again, I desperately try to make her understand, “I could never be disappointed about meeting you, you will always be someone I strive to be like. You are the most kind human being that I have ever met.”

Looking down, she starts to smile, I can tell she was trying to hide this so I do nothing, but it was the most genuine thing she has done since we met. “Thank you for saying that.”

We stood there for a while, not saying or doing anything, but it was the best thing that we could do after that conversation. When she was ready, I told her that we should probably get going now. I am very glad that she trusted me enough to be able to tell me something so personal, and that I was able to help her with that. Walking back, not another word was spoken the rest of the way, she was lost in her thoughts and I did not want to disturb her.

After a while Ceceile was the first to talk. “I need to go now, goodbye, I hope to see you again.” She began to walk away but I would not let go of her hand.

“Wait, I won't let you go until you hear it again, I look up to you, you are the best person I have ever met.”

Touching my cheek, she whispers “thank you” and then walks away. Like the first time we met, I just stood there, watching her disappearing figure, my heart beating so much against my chest, I would not be surprised if you could hear it across town.