A Spark of Hope

Chapter 11- Why Did You Do That?

Layla ran a bit ahead of Hope, knowing exactly what she was going to ask. They were headed towards their usual meeting spot. 

"Layla! Talk to me!" Hope begged, managing to catch up to her.

"I told you! There's nothing to talk about." Layla rolled her eyes, turning away from her. The problem was, there was everything to talk about.

"Why didn't you do it?" Hope stopped, causing Layla to turn towards her.

"Do what?"

"Claim it as yours! You're the artist behind that masterpiece." Hope exclaimed. "I'm all for being nice, but this is too far."

"Maybe I just didn't want to deal with it." Layla muttered, "Maybe I didn't care who got the credit." That was one of the biggest lies she had ever told.

And Hope picked up in it right away. "Don't lie to me, I know you cared. I know how excited you were to finally be proud of something you made."

"Just stop Hope!" Layla shouted, irritated by how right she was.

"No! You won that competition, not Jasmine! You deserve to be credited as so." Hope crossed her arms, not willing to back down.

"Just drop it! I kept my promise, can't you just be happy?"

"No! I can't be happy until you are!" Hope yelled.

Layla paused, looking at her best friend sadly. "I'm happy as long as your with me."

Layla held out her hand to her friend, a habit they had created over the years. It was meant to calm the other and just remind them that they were together no matter what. Hope hesitated before touching her hand to Layla's.

In an instant she ran into Layla's arms, hugging her tightly.

"I'm sorry... I really thought you would win. You should have won." Hope whispered, gripping her jacket tighter.

Voices echoed in her mind, like they always did. 

"She's lying to you!"

"She's pitying you!"

"You're no artist!"

"No one would have believed you!"

"Why did you try in the first place?"

Layla felt herself shrink at their comments. 

Hope suddenly pulled out of the hug, looking at her best friend with concern. "Layla? You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry." Layla tried her best to shrug it off. "I didn't mean to zone out."

"Promise me something." Hope said out of nowhere making Layla groan.

"Another promise?"

"Promise me you'll keep dreaming, keep painting no matter what. That you won't just give up. Especially when I'm not here to support you."

Layla rolled her eyes playfully. "Sounds more like a demand to me. Besides, you'll always be there."

"Just promise." Hope urged, her eyes locking on Layla's.

"Fine... I promise."

"You know you still won, right?" Hope commented.

"Can we focus on something else?" Layla begged, not wanting to think about it anymore. She didn't want to think of Jasmine winning.

"Okay... tell me about Hercules." Hope said, finally agreeing to drop the subject.

"I'm not really-"

"Please? You know it's my favorite." Hope put on the puppy eyes that Layla, of course, couldn't say no to.

"Fine." Layla sighed dramatically earning a laugh from Hope. "Hercules is the most well-known hero in ancient mythology. He was half-god, half-mortal which is why he is a hero. He is most known for his twelve labors, the twelve things he was required to do in order to pay for the crime he committed. These tasks were impossible, so no one ever thought they could be completed. He killed the invincible Nemean lion, snuck past the snake dragon in order to steal Hera's apples, and even destroyed Hydra, the many-headed snake. All of these burdens were impossible, yet he still achieved them. In recognition of his success, he was offered a place among the gods."

Hope leaned back in the grass, since they had finally reached their meeting place. "Do you know why he's my favorite?"

"Why?"

"Because Hercules belongs to the Orion family, so our favorite constellations will never be apart."

Layla laid beside her. "Imagine if the constellations never existed."

"No!" Hope exclaimed, mortified by the mere thought. "Without them we would never have met! I never want to even think about that!" she paused, calming down a little. "It is pretty amazing though."

Layla glanced sideways at her. "What? Hercules?"

"Well yes, obviously." Hope smirked. "But to think that people looked into the stars and saw stories in them."

Layla nodded, "It is amazing. I still think Orion is superior though."

She waited for a response, something sassy like always. But she was only met with silence.

Layla looked towards Hope to see she had completely froze.

"Hope? Are you okay?"

"I-"

Hope collapsed, her body going limp.

"Hope!"

-------------

Hope you liked it!

Hope you have an amazing day!

-Snowy