Embers. Chapter Two. Part Two

Instructions

Chapter Two: Weary, I flung my weighty bookbag onto my bed and retrieved my pencil from my pocket. The world seemed to spin around me, leaving me bewildered and unsure of what course to take. Thus, I turned to the solace of my sketchbook, whereupon my pencil danced upon the pages, bringing forth a sense of serenity within my heart. The act of creation felt as natural as breathing, and a smile graced my countenance as I poured forth my imagination onto the paper. However, my respite was abruptly interrupted by the incessant buzzing of my phone. My dreams forged through the realms of my imagination shattered, and the throbbing ache in my head resurged. Fuming with frustration, I snatched up the device and powered it on, only to discover a flurry of messages from Ash. Art thou well? I doth beg thy pardon for stating thou wert in peril. I do not believe thou art, but thou art free to hold thine own beliefs. My leg hath mended, and hence, I shall venture to the skating rink at the sixth hour of this day. I yearn to spend time with thee. I entreat thee to join me... - Ash I doth suffer from a headache at present. I shall consider... - Royalty As much as I didn't want to be near Ash, I couldn't deny the feelings that had been growing inside me. Every day seemed more difficult without him, and our once joyful conversations and laughter had become distant memories. We were both caught up in our own separate worlds—Ash healing from his leg injury, and me consumed by schoolwork that seemed to be overwhelming me more and more. Nothing felt "okay" anymore, and I longed to feel comfortable in my own skin and regain a sense of greatness. But gradually, that confidence slipped away, and I couldn't understand what was happening to me. Until it hit me—I realized that I had developed feelings for Ash. It all made sense. Ever since Ash broke his leg, everything had changed. I felt sympathy for him, but I was also frustrated that he had stirred up these emotions within me. I wanted to scream into my sketchbook and disappear into a corner, but deep down, I knew I couldn't avoid him forever. He was my friend, and I would do anything to support him. So, I made up my mind—I was going to the skating rink. I changed out of my school uniform and put on some casual clothes, trying my best to look presentable. I fixed my hair for what felt like the hundredth time that day and adorned it with a pearl hair clip. Grabbing my house key, phone, and lip balm, I tucked them into my pocket. I was ready to go.