The Morphing Dusk

Sierra sat on the highest spot on the terrace of her apartment. The sky stretched into a vast, dazzling sphere all around her, the view unblocked by the skyscrapers that lay beneath. She could apparently see every element and colour of the tranquil sunset as she portrayed it on the canvas propped in front of her. Her hands worked steadily and delicately as the paintbrush stroked the canvas while her heart was filled with a strange curiousity and apprehension.
Her belongings lay packed in various bags in her room. She was leaving for a prestigious university the next day and it was her last day at home. She wanted to spend it in solitude and she sat at the only peaceful place she could think of. Also, she was keen on avoiding those traumatic farewells. She did not want to shed her tears in front of anyone.

She had loved that high spot, ever since her childhood. She could read, paint for hours up there, without being disturbed. Having perceived that she wasn't permanently returning for three to four years at least and she wanted the place to be with her, to console her and to make her feel home, just in case anything bad happened. So, she sat, painting the sunset as she was sure that a glimpse of it was enough to restore her memories of the captivating place. She had been working on the painting for over a week, capturing different phases of the evening sky on different days. It was almost complete and it did look like the way she wanted, realistic and nostalgic.

And she did feel nostalgic now. She had a strong feeling that she was going to feel homesick on the very second day at the university. Also, she was going to yearn for the company of her closest friends. But more than anything, she was going to miss the band and their long rehearsals. Being the band leader, she wondered what they were going to do without her. She was the one who made them practice seriously, in between the breaks (it should have been vice versa). They would just spend entire days laughing and fighting without her, she thought.

But apart from all her nostalgia, she was very excited to go to the university. It was one of those universities that every student wanted to go to. It was grand and exquisitely decorated.The classes were huge, unlike her college ones. But most importantly, it had a prodigious library, the type you saw in those old movies. She had gone crazy at the sight of the library and had decided that the university was perfect for her.

"Hey" someone said. She had been too lost in thoughts to realise that Jace, her childhood best friend was standing behind her. He was a year older than her and she had known him ever since her childhood. They hadn't met for about a year until a few days back, when he had returned from his university for the holidays. He was also a band member, an accomplished pianist.
"Hi" she said, and turned back to the sunset.
He stood there for a few moments and then decided to take a seat besides her.
"What are you doing up here?" He asked, settling himself.
"Finishing this" she said, showing him the painting.
His eyes widened.
"Whoa! It's beautiful" he said.
"Yeah" she shrugged. "It needs some detailing though". she added.
He nodded.
She continued to paint in silence while he gazed at the sunset, occassionally looking at her painting, trying to guess which part of the sky she was working on.
"You're leaving tomorrow." he said, after a few moments.
She nodded, not looking at him.
"You should be out there, saying goodbye to people. And you're here, brooding...and painting"he added as she turned to glare at him. "I mean, you come here only on two occasions. One, when you are really sad and two, when you want to do something very important. Which one is it today?"he asked.
"None I guess." she sighed  "I just want to escape those heartbreaking farewells."
"Heartbreaking farewells!" he said, mocking her tone. "So you are going to miss everyone?" he chuckled.
She had been claiming since the last few days that she would be too occupied at the university to miss anyone. But she had been doing it just to stop him from mocking her.
"Terribly. I don't know what I am going to do without everyone." she said finally.
"Even me?" he asked, grinning.
"Umm yes." , she confessed.
"Inspite of those awful pranks I played on you when you were ten? his grin widened.
"Well....killing you for that is still on my to-do list."she retorted, smiling.
"Your to-do list for me must be long then."he laughed.
She had a hearty laugh too. They just sat silently for a few minutes. She had completed her painting. After contemplating at it from various angles, she asked,
"Is it good?"
"Yeah. Even more charming than before." he replied. My presence does have an effect."he added.
"Shut up."