Harvey Goldshaw above ^^
(I used canva and pinterest, as I always do. So please tell me how is it? Did I do a good job?)
A week later, when Harvey had finished up with his circle geometry and was warming his fingers up for progressions, he saw quite a big ruckus by the bulletin board on the common ground.
"Pray tell me, what is it about?" Harvey asked a fellow student.
"Why, don't you know? It's a field day three days hence. We'd all be going to the town."
"A trip you say?"
"Pardon me, but I am occupied at the moment. I hope you find someone else to ask-"
And like that, Harvey decided to go take a look at the notice all by himself. It was quite a deal only for the first years. The seniors didn't suppose it such big a deal, for they did keep leaving the campus, time to time.
But Harvey, he did feel a twinge of excitement inside of him. Going out, leaving this campus after three whole months⦠the prospect was beautiful.
Maybe he'd get to eat something good, but some trinkets for his sisters, and just spend a nice evening with Ansel-
Ansel?
Yes, Ansel.
Harvey smiled as he made his way to the common grounds⦠he had told Ansel to meet him there, and the boy had obliged. Maybe for no reason at all, or maybe, Harvey wanted Ansel to meet his friends.
"Hello," He muttered softly as he sat down beside Ansel on a bench, and the shorter boy closed whatever book he was reading to look up at Harvey.
"Good morning to you," Ansel smiled back.
"It's a good day today, isn't it?" Harvey coughed, looking away when Ansel smiled all of a sudden, hiding his embarrassment with an awkward fit of cough.
"I agree. On days like these, I'd prefer to have warm tea, while I sit and watch the rain."
"Rain makes everything wet, I don't like that."
Harvey sighed in nostalgia.
"Ah- there he is, I was wondering where he'd go," Ansel craned his neck, and Harvey did it out of pure curiosity, looking at a blonde boy who came running to Ansel, hurriedly, with books tucked under his arm.
"You're late." Ansel shook his head.
"Yes I know, had a class back-" the boy stopped, looking at Harvey, "Who's this fellow?"
"Harvey Goldshaw," Harvey stood up himself, not quite liking the way this boy talked to Ansel. But both of them, ignored him.
"I'll pay you a pound, Dawson. I am in a fix here, help me out."
"Frank I said to you, I won't lie. If you are so desperate, why don't you write it yourself?" Ansel huffed, but he wasn't angry. He was just, mildly annoyed.
"Because you make it sound so convincing Dawson! If you write, then my father will surely think this is all true. And I see no harm in this, I just need some extra money!"
"What's going on?" Harvey asked, hesitant.
"Nothing dear," Ansel sighed, with a tired smile- it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Give me a minute?"
"So name your price. I'll pay that."
"I am not faking a stupid death letter to your fatherâ¦" Ansel rose his voice softly, "come for me when you want something else."
"Two pounds?" Frank still held his ground.
"You won't budge, won't you?"
"Nope!" Frank grinned, using an out of convention negation, while making a popping sound at the end- how vulgar, thought Harvey.
"Fine⦠but this is the last time I am doing this⦠might as well burn in hell for lying so muchâ¦" Ansel muttered, and Harvey realised that this surreal, dewy boy could have negative expressions too.
"I'll see you in a week then?"
"Off you goâ¦" Ansel raised his hand to wave off.
"What was that?" Harvey rose a brow when they were all alone again.
"That's Frank Connors." Ansel began, "he's in my year, and is a son of an earl. And he wants money⦠so he is threatening his father with a suicide letter for money." Ansel shrugged at the end.
"And you'll be writing for him?" Harvey rose a brow.
"I write for everyone, I can write for you too." Ansel smiled softly. "Although I don't prefer these sort of things⦠they are essentially lying."
"Then why do it?"
"My grandfather is old, pension is less, and I have to buy parchment and ink." Ansel bit his lip, before exhaling a soft laugh. "Sorry I said that, what were you saying?"
"I wasn't talking at all," Harvey muttered, frowning.
"Why don't you like rains?" Ansel looked up at the sky- his uncombed shaggy mane if brown locks falling on his face, and Harvey's hand instinctively reached up to touch them.
"I do, if you do."
Go read Love Potions! It's a self promotion. ð
(Or else I will sink your favourite ship.)