You Versus The Universe

15.

I honestly believed this would be a short story when I first started writing it. :]
That seems to happen a lot now doesn't it?
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><>2nd person POV<><
::: Previously: Your new name was decided to be Andrea Cobblestone, the supposed little sister of your former self. Not too long after reawakening again, you found it had been four years since you -- Cody -- had died. You heard from some older ladies, who had found you laying in the middle of a meadow and picked you up, tell you that Cartersville, the town you woke in, was founded by none other than your old pal, Carter himself. Last on your mind; you were just leaving to meet him. :::

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     You follow the kind lady down the new streets of the small town, Cartersville. With curiosity and an ounce of excitement, you look around at the young town spring with joy. Most of the buildings along the main street are made of stone and wood, to decorate mostly, while many of the more hidden buildings are either in the middle of being built, or their lots are occupied by a few tents in the time being. This however doesn't stop the children from playing in the streets and between buildings. Shop-keepers are still able to sell many goods to newcommers or visitors like yourself. The place is thriving pretty well for being so new, and you love how it keeps up the same energy and joy the old town did. After some time, you pass by a statue you recognize quite well, made of bronze and iron.

     The lady catches you eyeing the statue and smiles solemnly. "..Yeah, that's your brother right there. He saved almost as many as our founder had, before giving his life to save his.. He truly was a great man." The pose Cody is in is of him holding a sword to the sky victoriously, riding his stallion, "Prince," into battle. The lady lowers her head in respect. You do the same. It is almost strange having to pretend you once knew, yourself. But, you know that will help a lot if you ever accidentally say something only you or Carter would have known. It is best to make these connections from the beginning.

     After a short moment, you two continue walking away, neither having anything to say. The lady escorting you makes small talk with the other towns people as she passes by, to a few even mentioning that you are Cody's younger sister, who had just arrived. By the time you two reach the large building right outside the center of town, your new identity is pretty much common knowledge. In fact, you don't even need an introduction when Carter steps out the front door with eyes directly on you, a small but genuine smile on his face. And boy has he grown up. For one, Carter is miles taller than you last remembered him. His hair is even lighter than before, and his overall self looks like he has been outside a lot more than before the old town burnt down. His face still holds that boyish look he always had, and his hair has managed to grow it's way into a few curls. His outfit definitely says buisness, but not so formal that it makes him look like a snob compared to everyone else. But it's the new posture that surprises you the most, because now he looks like someone who knows who they are and what they want to do. He stands tall and strong before you, so tall in fact that the little visible muscle makes him look a little twig-ish.

     "Welcome! So glad to see a sister of an old friend!" Carter welcomes with open arms, literally hugging you once you step close enough. You don't remember being exactly friends with Carter, but maybe the whole saving his life had made him think that highly of you. Also, remembering back, you had called him a friend, hadn't you?

     "So glad to be here. I guess I got lucky and ended up venturing right into the perfect town!" You smiled, patting him on the back awkwardly as you two broke away. 'Wait, that's just just a guy thing. Or is it?'

     "Perfect for what?" Carter chuckled blissfully, probably not even paying full attention to you, but instead to other businesses or memories. With the portion of your mind not thinking of how to answer, you looked around for the lady who had escorted you, glimpsing at her figure walking away as she talked with a few other ladies.