Narrator's pov
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The grass moved as a heaven-weaved quilt of the earth
There were daisy flowers of the sweet meadow, their petals as sails in an ever gentle wind
They adorn both the earth and the sky they stretched into
The sun rays illuminated heaven bound highways for the lightest of feet to travel
Beautiful creations went about their way through the concrete path of the park
Pink colour cotton candy were clutched by the hands of children who walked alongside their parents
The smell of frying sausages and melting cheese filled the aroma
Ember smiled to herself as her forest green orbs dazzled across the atmosphere
Her eyes were tightly shut as she inhaled, they've been shut for such a long time that it was starting to pain
But she knew the misery she'd face if she only opened her eyes
She didn't even know what the park looked like, it was simply in her own mind that she pictured what was happening from her surroundings
The pain of opening her eyes would sink in immediately and reality would crush her soul
So she sat there on the late summer for what has been an hour. An hour of her eyes tightly shut and her imagination running wild
The grass moved in steady waves, those long heads of golden seed as calming as harbour waves
There was something about it, their movement synchronized yet independent, their hues so close yet unique
And while they danced in that way, came the song of crickets and the chirps of birds content to be warmed by gentle rays
Beautiful, simply beautiful. Her imagination was vivid and had always been. The constant pressure from her parents at such a young age had helped her imagine scenes in her peaceful mind so perfectly
It was just a shame how badly she wanted to live in her mind, sometimes she couldn't tell reality from her fantasies
So she sat there on the park grass with her eyes closed for an hour, allowing herself to be free from the tortures of her reality
And as much as she wanted to hold onto the world she created, it had to come to an end one way or another
But what better way to break her from her trance than to be blessed with heaven's gift to earth. A sound pulled Ember from her thoughts, her eyes finally peeled open to the sound of a voice so blissful, coming in waves as it rolled over a crowd
A crowd that had been gathered in front of her for the same hour she's been there. The voice of music left the blonde girl's throat, such a soft and inviting warmth, almost as a hug to the soul of those who listened
Ember smiled once again listening to the girl's singing, it was the one thing that could settle her emotions when she felt overwhelmed
Gabrielle had always had such a control over the girl with her music, it never failed to bring a smile to her face and it never failed the crowds too
She had an audience around her as usual. Ember brought herself to her knees, her smile as wide as ever as she found her path through the crowd
"Excuse me" Ember mumbled, pushing her way past a few people to reach the head
Gabrielle stood by the familiar tree, the same pink stain on her cheeks that Ember loved so much. Gabrielle's smile reached her ear as her voice echoed through the park
Ember rocked on her heels as she watched the girl preform. She didn't care how busy she was, she would always find a way to stand in front the crowds and support the girl
"Thank you so much" Gabrielle squeeled to the crowd, ending her song with a small wave
Her audience cheered as usual, raising their hands above their heads and applauding but eventually they all scattered to leave, going about their day
But only one would ever remain, the forest green eyed girl who always stayed standing applauding even when the blonde would be fixing her guitar in the case
Gabrielle chuckled at the girl, knowing she was her biggest supporter
"You know, the show's over right?" Gabrielle laughed
Ember's smiled suddenly vanished from her face, Gabrielle furrowed her brows at the girl at her sudden reaction
Ember's applauses ceased mid air as well, her face turned immediately into one of panic
In her everyday of visiting the park and watching the blonde girl sing, she had never found it within herself to speak to her
"Are you okay?" Gabrielle asked
Ember's head fell low as her hands reached behind her back, fidgeting with her fingers, she gave a small nod to the singer. Ember had to hide the fact that her face was starting to turn beet red and the smile was starting to reach her face again
She couldn't bring herself to look at the girl, her smile radiated like the sunrays, her golden crust eyes were captivating, her only thoughts when she thought of Gabrielle was her beauty
Her crush on the girl would show if she continued standing there a blushing mess
But a girl like her would only be with her in her imagination
"I see you everyday in the park and yet I don't know your name" Gabrielle said
Little did Gabrielle know that had fully met in Ember's mind
"E-Ember" The girl muttered
"Well, Hi Ember" Gabrielle smiled, starting to approach the girl
The brunette immediately took a step back, her internal panic was starting to kick in
"You sure you're okay Ember?" The singer asked
The brunette nodded quickly and hung her head low again
"You're a little shy" Gabrielle giggled
Shy, Ember hated that word. She never wanted to be shy, she hoped the version of herself that she pictured was the complete opposite. Someone so bold, outgoing. A person who wasn't afraid to be herself, express herself. Do as she wished
You see, since Ember was a child, she's found herself in the attic. It was the once place she felt calm, a place of her own where she could let her imagination run wild
She's always been a vivid day dreamer, her fantasies felt like reality and her reality was hell
The reality of never escaping, never finding her voice and leaving her parent's abuse. Maybe one day she hoped it would happen. One day. But for now, she allowed her imagination to take control
Her wild imagination where she runs the hospital that her parents own, she has the best person to her side, a bestfriend who brought out those laughs she never got to experience, and a girlfriend so perfect that it hurts
"Hey babe" a man approached
Henry grinned at the blonde hair girl as he hooked his arm around her shoulder and brought her in for a small kiss on her cheek. Gabrielle flashed a small smile before returning her gaze at Ember
The brunette turned her attention to the grass under her soles, a stinging pain rose to her heart and squeezed tightly around it. Gabrielle wasn't hers to have but in her mind she was
"Hey, I know you" Henry said, catching Ember's attention
"You do?" Gabrielle asked
"Yeah, Aren't you that hospital girl?" he asked
"Hospital girl?" Gabrielle questioned
"Yeahh, I've seen your face somewhere on one of those posters. I think her family owns that Atkins hospital in the city"
"Ugh god, I hate that place, its so damn expensive" another voice scoffed
"Hey Falls" Gabrielle smiled to the boy approached
"Hey girl" Fallon smiled, approaching his bestfriend
Ember sighed deeply, it was starting to get overwhelming seeing the faces of so many in one place
"Who's this?" Fallon asked
"Ms Atkins!" a voice called from behind
All eyes turned to face the person approaching
"Ms Atkins I'm sorry to interrupt but your parents have been calling non stop for the fast few minutes and they demand your arrival home. There is some... business for you to handle" The driver announced
"Oh shiit, you got a personal driver, seems as though i'm best friends with the wrong person" Fallon playfully glared at Gabrielle
"Boy, shut up" She chuckled
Ember nodded at the driver and turned on her heels to follow behind
"Hey-" A warm feeling wrapped around Ember's body as she was gently tugged back
Her eyes landed on her wrist to see Gabrielle's hand wrapped around it
"You're leaving?" Gabrielle asked
"Y-yeah" Ember mumbled
Gabrielle's smile came forward, her smile was the sunshine and the birdsong, it was the silencing of the clocks
Ember found herself captivated once again by everything Gabrielle did
"See you around" Gabrielle grinned
Her hands finally released from the girl's wrist as she gave her a small wave
Ember stayed quiet, nodding before turned on her heels again and heading towards the car parked just a few feet away
If only her imagination could become reality. If only she had enough confidence back then to break away from her parents control
Maybe just maybe, her life would be the way she imagined it
But this was reality. This was her reality. A tragedy on a loop she had to live every single day
She was a quiet mouse being controlled by her parents and worked endlessly until her knuckles bleed
That's the Ember Atkins she really was
The girl slipped into the backseat of the car while the driver closed the door
Her eyes glanced out to the car window before it started to move. In the corner of her eyes she could see the people who she wanted in her life
The life she wished to have
Gabrielle's smile as wide as ever and Fallon being the goofy being that he was
Ember's nails sank into her palms aggressively, squeezing as tight as she could
She refused to cry, it was just another stupid one of her day dreams that came to and end
And although it felt real inside, it made an impact to her heart which she'll never forget
Gabrielle was her favorite fantasy but that is what she'll always be
A fantasy
Maybe in another world they would have met, who knows what could have became of them if things were different
And so Ember made a decision on spot, a decision to never return to the park. It would hurt her too much to see her face again
The face of a lover she created in her mind
With one final glance through the side mirror, Ember exhaled deeply before muttering under her breath
"Maybe in another life"
------The End------
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A/N
Shameless plug, new book 'tempted to touch' is now out ð have fun with it
It's been a journey, I love every single one for you and I know you probably hate me rn ð I'm sorry I love you
We end another book, it's been awesome writing these characters and bringing them to life everyday. Thank you so much for all of your support
I hope you're looking forward for more books in the future because here at the French fries industry, we don't stop the entertainment
It brings me joy that everyone falls in love with these characters and grow attached to them. I broke my own heart with this book but I knew it had to be different from the others
I hope you'll forgive me and respect my choice to end it in this way 𤺠or else I'll seek Aelia's dog on y'all ð¤ºð¤ºð¤ºð¤º
I love you for the final time
Goodbye French fries â¥
~Sarah