I looked up , just a little bit . The person held out his hand , and I recognised it immediately . I looked up into his face . It was him . He was the boy I saw yesterday , watching me as I went to get my family our monthly food , which wasn ’ t very much at all . He seems to watch me a lot , and I seem to watch him a lot as well . If I see him on the street , I give him a small smile . I know you ’ re not supposed to do that . Being friendly towards the enemy , but I just can ’ t help it . He is still wearing his grey and green uniform , with brown boots . It doesn ’ t seem to be very comfortable to be in this uniform all the time . He also wears a green cap , this cap is made for soldiers to wear when on duty around the villages . Unlike the ones , they wear when going to battle . The green cap has multiple holes in it , and black thread stitched all over it . Unlike the generals , who have shiny clean caps . On the street , he always comes for my aid . He could have let the soldier slap me , but he didn ’ t . He could have let the soldier who was threatening to take me away a few days ago , but he didn ’ t . I felt like I was starting to like him and I thought he had the same feeling , but I was wrong . Yesterday , when I was out I saw him speak to my twin , Xin Xin . I heard parts of it , as I approached them .
“ I really like you …. I know … But I ’ ll find a way …” When I approached them , he looked really confused . I remember him saying , “ You guys are twins ?”
After that , I practically dragged Xin Xin away from him . I remember Xin Xin asking me , “ Are you jealous ? Are you jealous that he picked me over you , well , you should be because I am a lot better than you .” We are sisters , but we act like we are enemies , in our own little war . Life isn ’ t great for me , until I met him . And now he ’ s gone too , and this is the first time I ’ ve seen him since .
Painfully , I pulled myself up unwillingly with the help of his rough hand , “ Thanks ,” I say to him politely as I pull myself up to face him . My English is quite reasonable , as one side of my grandparents are fully British and I ’ ve learnt it since a young age .
“ What for ?” he asked ,
“ Just for coming to my rescue again , thank you , ” I dipped my head at him , in respect . Then , I turned around and started to walk home . While I was walking home , I stopped in front of an old lady , who was begging on the streets . She seemed to be British , but I gave her a coin , which was part of my own pocket money .
Oh well , there goes my pocket money , I thought . At least , it ’ s going somewhere good and it will help others too . Although we are poor and at war . My brother works in another country will send us some extra money , half of it will usually go towards the army . Because the army seems to check everything belonging to us . Every single package , every letter . If they think it ’ s harmful , they ’ ll burn it . Along with all the other things they ’ re going to burn . As I passed her , I heard her calling out to me ,
“ Dear child , come here . There is something very important I need to tell you ,”
I paused , not knowing what to decide , but I retraced my steps and turned to face her , expecting this to be a trick and I would see a gun pointed at my chest , but her face was innocent , low spirited and heartbroken , like a young child I see on the streets with their crying family , when their other family members are dragged away . Her bare hands are smooth , but they are covered in scars and bruises , where she was slashed by a whip . She started to speak in a fast and hushed voice ,
“ Whatever you do , do not trust the young man who helped you today .”