The Academy of Darkness

Chapter 8 - Time For Change

8. Time For Change

Four weeks had sure gone fast. I can't believe it's time to go already...

School had fled by and I think I'd aced my exams. Abbey and I practically spent the holidays glued to each other. We had to fit in every moment together that we could.

I would miss the beach and its open expanses. The forest behind us and the hikes we'd occasionally went on. I'd miss playing my guitar by the creek, surrounded by wild flowers; the cliffs and the lighthouse, taking a dip after school on those hot days. I'd miss the ice-cream parlour - that had the best homemade ice-cream I'd ever tasted.

Abbey and I went to the city, escaping our small country town for the day and browsing the stores. We came home with three shopping bags in each hand. We went to a couple gigs and might I add flirted with a couple of guys - the drummer and guitarist from one of the bands. We shared all sorts of fun outings before we had to part.

But time was a thing of burden; the day inevitably came to a finish as always.

So I had all my things packed; my clothes, my posters, my books, my guitars, my paints, notebook and photos - all the essentials.

We loaded up the car with my suitcases and I hoped in the front seat with Claire. I wound down the window.

"I'm gonna miss you so much!"

"Me too Abs" I sobbed.

Then she pulled something from behind her back. A present.

"Here, I want you to have this so you'll always remember the good times we had, but don't open it yet! Wait till you get there okay?"

Tears sprang to my eyes but I blinked them away. "I will - and you don't go forgetting me alright? I'll get in touch as soon as I can"

"That's impossible babe! As if I'd ever!" she laughed.

Claire said if we wanted to make it there by the evening we'd better get going now.

We said our last farewells, comforted by the knowledge that we'd visit each other soon, maybe a couple of weeks.

As the car started driving, Abbey ran alongside it for as far as her feet would carry her, being her usual spontaneous self. We waved and laughed and smiled and shouted till she got smaller and smaller until the scene behind us was nothing but a speck of green. I looked ahead and changed the radio to an indie-folk rock station.    

The sky was an inspiringly beautiful hue of yellows and oranges, fading into pink and purple, slowly silhouetting the trees.  

Something popped into my head then. Just came to me, as my writings usually do. All those feelings that overload me dance in the meadows of my mind with a word for their partner, each holding its own. I would have to make sure to write this down as soon as I could. My notebook is like my diary to me - it's where I write down all my poetry and lyrics. It's my way of expressing my feelings; my refuge, my disclose.

"The time for change is now but its bittersweet, lays the weight of the world upon my shoulders thin... and I'll rise in the morning, in the morning I'll rise. This December sun has set, and that's where I find my eyes - no last embrace will taint this guise I wear upon my face, 'cause tears will not suffice this burning fiery grace. In the night, I will return in Winter's glory."