bluebells : lashton

3~ Aesthetics Aren't Everything

**ASHTON**

I stood beside my mother as we waited outside the church among the other families. Everyone was wearing black, of course. My mum was talking with the other mums, I was awkwardly stood near her fiddling with the bouquet of flowers me and Luke had collected.

I couldn't stop thinking about him since I returned home a few hours ago. I sighed and ran my spare hand through my hair.

"Hey," I heard a familiar voice say.

I looked up to see Calum smiling brightly at me with a boy stood behind him who I'd never seen before.

"Hi.." I trailed off, looking at the stranger.

He was quite tall and muscular. His hair was dirty blonde and his skin tanned, his green-blue eyes met mine.

"Ashton, this is James. He's the new priest's son." Calum introduced me to him, James smiled at me in acknowledgement.

Through the crowd of mourning townsfolk, I could see Michael staring at James in curiosity. When I caught his eye, he came wandering over.

"And who is this?" Michael asked, staring James up and down.

"I'm James, the priests son." He stated, he sounded a little wary.

"Our priest is dead." Michael spat harshly, he gestured around with his hands, "This is his funeral."

"No- There is a new priest. He's very kind, very considerate, very sure in his belief in God." Calum gestured to James, "This is his son."

Michael folded his arms, eying James suspiciously, "You and your father, where are you from?"

"Dorset," He answered, "Beside the sea, it's truly beautiful."

"Then why move here?" Michael interrupted, "If it was so beautiful, why leave?"

James licked his lips, "Aesthetics aren't everything, my father heard word of the death of your priest. He thought you may be in need of a new one, so we packed up and moved."

Michael stroked his chin with his thumb and forefinger, "Huh.."

The sound of chattering suddenly stopped, silence fell upon the crowd of people.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and glanced around, what happened? My eyes landed on the entrance to the churchyard, I felt my heart sink in my chest when I realised who everybody was staring at.

Liz Hemmings was walking down the path that lead to the church doors through the yard, and of course, Luke was following closely behind.

I could tell he was trying to keep his head down, it wasn't really any use seeing as the entire town had their eyes on him.

A few people gasped when they saw him, Luke hadn't been to church for years. This would have been the first time he stepped foot in the holy building since he was around ten.

"What is he doing here?" A hushed voice said.

"He doesn't belong here." Hissed anothother.

Luke looked up, he made eye contact with me. I gave him a small smile, he smiled back subtly and pulled something out of his pocket swiftly. My breath caught in my throat when I saw what it was. It was the bluebells I picked for him, he tucked them behind his ear again, causing some people mutter disrespectful things.

With that, Luke and Liz disappeared into the church through the large wooden doors.

As soon as they were out of sight the crowd began buzzing with chatter again, all about Luke, of course.