Love is a choice. That's what I've always grown up believing. It's a decision you make, you chose to see one person in the best light, to care for them even in the darkest of times.

But sometimes....love choses you. Sometimes even when you feel there's no possible way to care so deeply for someone, it still happens.

That's what happened to Mono, and that's what happened to Six. This, is their story.

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It was raining again, as it so often did. Mono walked along the sidewalk, hands in his pockets. Water dripped from his wind tussled hair, making him blink to clear his eyes every now and again. It was cold but he never minded it. The rain always helped him think.

He'd been doing a lot of thinking. Especially recently.

As he reached his street, he paused for a moment. He knew once he stepped inside he'd have to remember. He didn't really want to remember....

Still, he unlocked the front door and went inside. The house smelled stuffy, it had been closed up all day. He closed the door behind him, walking to the living room. His dad, Tomas, laid against the couch, several cans of beer empty at his feet. Mono stared at his father sadly.

He'd been drinking almost as much as Mono had been thinking, but Mono understood. He'd probably drink too. Putting an arm around his dad's waist he helped him stand, taking his weight as he guided him down the hallway. Reaching his dad's room he laid him down in bed, covering him up before returning to the living room.

He opened the windows and began cleaning up, throwing away the cans and clearing away the trash. When he stepped to walk to the kitchen, his foot bumped into something. Looking down he seen it. A picture frame.

He knew the photo it held without looking at it, the picture vividly in his mind. A tall man dressed in a deep blue suit hugging a woman in a dress the same color. Holding the woman's hand was a little boy in a brown suit, a giant smile on his face, dark eyes shining with innocence.

But that boy..his innocence was taken. Too soon. And the woman...well she was but a memory now.

Picking up the picture frame Mono dusted it off, then set it on the table where it belonged. For Mono it was best to forget, at least until night when he was able to cry alone.

So, for the next two hours he busied himself cleaning the rest of the house and preparing dinner. While he did so, he heard the shower start up, a telltale sign his father was awake. Setting water, painkillers and dinner on the table he continued washing the dishes.

A few minutes later his dad stumbled in holding his head.

"Good evening sunshine." Mono spoke lightly, looking back as he sat down t the table.

"The sun doesn't have a migraine.." Tomas groaned out as he took the painkillers, starting to eat.

"I told you not to drink so much dad.. you're gonna make yourself sick-."

"I know, I know. I just...started thinking of her and..." Tomas's voice trailed out and Mono turned off the water, drying his hands before sitting down beside his dad.

"Look I...I get it..I know it's hard..but, I need you ok dad? So..slow down on the drinking for a while.." His voice was gentle, and his dad looked at him sadly. Tomas looked exhausted.

His eyes had bags under them, his face thin and pale. He looked like you could tip him over if you blew air on him too hard. But, he reached out to ruffle Monos hair.

"Alright. I'll be more careful."

He looked at the time.

"I have to go. They're expecting me at the office in a few. Make sure you lock up ok?"

"Will do. Be safe."

"Always."

Staring at the table for some time after his dad left, Mono felt hi throat tightening. He hated it, because that meant he would cry if he didn't do something fast. So, he cleared away the table, grabbed his headphones from his room and climbed out the window onto the rooftop. It was still raining but he wore his jacket this time.

He put in his headphones and scrolled through his phone for a moment before selecting one of his favorite songs.

Hints, by José Gonzalez. He had memories of hearing that song play quietly during the long car rides he and his mother would go on. He'd be half asleep in the back seat, the sound of the song, the rain, and the car engine like a lullaby.

He closed his eyes, letting the rain fall, and lost himself in the memories.

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"For the last time I cant wait till next month! I need the money now please. It's impo-."

"And I'm telling you no! You barely met quota this week Sasha. Meet next weeks and you'll get paid. Now get out of my office."

Sasha "Six" stared at her boss in anger. How could she be so stuck up! Before she spoke out of line however, Six quickly left the office, storming out into the factory where she worked. A butcher shop. Twin Chef Meats was owned by, you guessed it, the famous twin chefs, and had been around for years. It was the best shop in the city and paid decent, but it a was harsh place to work.

Six was a small girl, and that made her a target for the largely male workforce she was in. She could count on both hands and feet how many times she'd been advanced upon by men, told she shouldn't even have been given a job, she was supposed to be at home, to fetch them an item or two like they owned her.

It was toxic...but she needed the job. Her mother had been in an accident...a bad one..and it had damaged her face to the point where she chose to wear a thick mask to hide it. She never went out anymore, she was constantly in pain and she had even more constant mood swings.

So, Six took it upon herself to get a job. She was only seventeen, would be eighteen in a few months, but she was still able to work. She tried to do school but it was hard with the hours she had. So, she left her old school and started up at one just a few blocks from her job, at least it would cut down the time it took to get there.

It was raining as she jogged home, pulling the hood of her raincoat over her long black hair. Her shoes were horribly soaked already, and were just about as useless as her being barefoot anyway. Maybe if she was able to make enough in the next week she could get some new ones.

Climbing the stairs to her small apartment she opened the door, stepping inside before stopping. Littering the ground was shattered glass, the hallway mirror in her sights broken.

She felt her heart drop a bit, stepping carefully over the hazardous glass to find her mother sitting on the floor. Her eyes were dark and blank, her mask held in her bleeding hands. Six gently took the mask and set it aside, wrapping her arms around her mother.

"It's ok mom....its ok..."

She felt her trembling, but Six held her steady. She helped her up, guiding her back to bed. Sitting her down she took the first aid kit she always had on hand, cleaning and wrapping her hands up. Sixes mother, Gina, barely felt any pain anymore. Most of her nerves had been damaged in the accident anyway. But her pain wouldn't come physically regardless of that. It was all in her mind.

Some days she would seem ok, then she'd relapse to a silent blank eyed state for weeks before a sudden outburst of anger. Then she'd be ok again. It was a cycle. It had been for a while. Although it seemed useless Six still had conversations with her mother...at least to keep herself stable.

"I'll be getting paid next week..I start school tomorrow as well.."

Her face never changed, but Six knew she heard.

"I heard it's a good school Mom. Maybe I can sign up for cross country.. maybe the dance club. I may even make friends..who knows."

Six helped her lay down, covering her up. She turned down the lights and kissed her mom goodnight before leaving the room. After clearing up the glass she went to her own room and took off her jacket, showering and slipping on a blue sweater and gray shorts before climbing into bed.

As she laid there, she looked at her hands, small cuts and old scars from mishaps at work covered them. Reaching into her nightstand she took out a lighter. A plain silver box lighter, dented and a little rusted but nonetheless special to her. It had been a gift, previously her uncle's.

She flicked the wheel and watched as a small flame ignited, giving her darkened room a little flickering of light. Six liked watching the flames, for some reason it made her feel safe, the way it danced about.

She stayed that way until her eyes grew heavy, then she put it out. Staring out her window at the dark sky, and watching the rain fall, she fell asleep.

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1591 words my dudeeees. So, this is off to a slow start but don't worry, just laying out the groundwork. Want you to get familiar with their personalities this time.

Alike, but couldn't be more different as you'll see here in a bit. Anyway I hope this is interesting already, and be on the lookout for chapter two coming soon.

Stay safe, drink water, and get some rest. I'll see you soon my friends. Mono out.