She Says Dogs Don't Bite

When Mimi was five, she learned not to speak.

When Mimi was twelve, she learned not to cry out in pain.

When Mimi was fourteen, she learned to smile: loudly, exaggeratedly, in a way no one could see through.

When Mimi was sixteen, she met Zhou Yanbai.

He never asked why she didn't speak, why she was always covered in injuries, or why her eyes didn't crinkle when she smiled.

He simply placed a piece of candy in her palm every day.

Green apple flavor. Her favorite.

She loved dogs. He was afraid of them.

She asked, "When will you be able to pet one?"

He said, "I don't know."

She said, "I'll wait for you."

Eventually, he did pet one. The dog didn't bite him. Neither did she.

Later, she went to find him. On the way, she was in a car accident.

Later, he stood on the rooftop and saw a green butterfly.

"Mimi, I'm sorry. I came too late."