Sincerely, yours.

Canvas Of Emotions

Adrian invites Lyra to spend the afternoon with him and the others after school, her parents were gonna be home late, so she had time. The rest of the group came too but Dorian noticed Lyra spending quite some time with Adrian, Sophia noticed this too. Adrian had bought everyone to an Art exhibition since he knew Lyra loved art. Of course, Dorian picked up on this too. Lyra and Adrian engage in deep conversations about life, art, emotions, creating a strong connection.
"You always have a way of making the ordinary extraordinary!" Lyra smiles as they share thoughts on a particular painting. Dorian, is keeping a close eye on the two of them, he cant help but feel a pang of jealousy. The complicated dynamics  within the group becomes more apparent as he watches them. "What are they talking about?" Dorian wonders to himself, feeling an ache of discomfort . Sophia notices Dorians discomfort and smirks, sensing the tension.
"Adrian and Lyra seem to be having quite the arty adventure. Jealous, Dorian?" She teases, earning herself a skeptical look from Dorian.

During their outing, Dorian seems to be somewhat acting different towards Lyra. Adrian notices subtle changes in Lyra's behaviour throughout their walk around. He gives her a tap on the shoulder, then taking her away from the group so that no one else can hear them. He senses that there might be more connection with Dorian than she'd like to admit.
"Lyra, there's a certain tension in the air. Is everything okay between you and Dorian?" Adrian inquires, is eyes studying her. Lyra gets caught off guard by the question and  confesses the confusion she has about her feelings for Dorian. Adrian listens attentively, offering both empathy and artistic wisdom to help with her feelings.
"Sometimes, the canvas of the heart is a maze. Its okay not to have the right answers." He responds, Lyra smiles at him and thanks him.

Dorian notices how Adrian took Lyra away from the group, he sees them talk and also sees how Adrian seems to be comforting her, but what for?
"Hey, what's the topic of discussion? Artistic masterpieces or the mysteries of the heart?" He asks, mumbling the last part. The three of them then engage in a quick conversation before returning to the rest of the group. When they reunite, the air feels charged with unspoken emotions. Mia suggests planning another night out, sensing the need for some sort of fun distraction. Dorian, still processing his emotions, agrees with a forced smile.

They all sit down at a near by table next to the exit of the gallery, 
"Should we go to lake or look for somewhere else?" asks Noah,
"Lets try to go somewhere else, try something new for Lyra to experience," suggests Luna, a cigarette in her mouth,
"I agree with Luna." Says Mia,
"Looks like we're going somewhere different, any ideas?" Dorian asks.
"Oh, I have an idea!" Sophia speaks excitedly, "lets go to the forest that's behind the lake, you know how to get there right?" 
"Umm, yeah I do." He responds
"Great! looks like we're going for an adventure in the forest!" 

The group chats for another couple minutes before leaving, Lyra begins to walk home, feeling slightly anxious about the forest. Dorian, soon catches up to Lyra.
"You seem quiet." Dorian speaks,
"Mhm? do I?" she asks him, as she continues walking,
"Yeah.. is something wrong?" he inquires,
"Just nervous about the forest, first time.." she mutters,
"First time, ey? It's not that bad." he says, in a soothing, calming voice. "About earlier, at the gallery... with Adrian." he begins to talk, his tone sounded agitated.
Lyra looks at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "What about it?",
Dorian hesitates, then continues, "I just... I felt something... weird. I mean, you and Adrian seemed really deep in conversation. Is everything okay?"
Lyra sighs, looking down, "I'm just confused." 
He looks at her,  "What about?"
"How I feel about you-" she blushes, Dorian's heart sinks, feeling slightly upset, but he wasn't sure why. Not yet.
"Okay- well uhm, your house is right there- I'll see you tonight." He says, waking right off. Lyra was left confused.

Later that evening, as they gather near the entrance to the forest, Dorian manages a forced smile. Sophia, always perceptive, nudges Dorian playfully, "Everything alright, Dorian? You seem a bit off." Dorian shrugs acting as if nothings wrong.
"Just thinking about the forest." He uses a clever lie, Lyra notices that something was wrong with him but really couldn't put her mind to it, was it about what had happened earlier? he group heads into the forest, and Lyra, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension, walks beside Dorian. As the group continues to walk inside the forest, noises could be heard that spooked Lyra out quite a bit. Dorians earlier words echo in Lyra head, she steals a glace at him, unsure if she should explain her feelings.

"Okay guys, we're gonna play a game of spot light! I got flashlights for us. We're gonna have two people beings the seekers and six people being the hiders, got it?" Luna says, looking around at the others, they all nod in response. "The groups are, Sophia and Ethan, Luna and Adrian, Me and Noah, and Lyra and Dorian." Everyone agrees to the group. Mia and Noah were the seekers.

The pairs all receive their flashlights, and the seekers begin counting down. Dorian leads Lyra thought the forest but she feels a little on edge about it, Dorian notices Lyra's unease, and he takes her hand out of comfort. The subtle intertwining their fingers together adds an intimate touch to it. He slows his pace down and they walk through the edgy forest, "You alright, Lyra?" Dorian asks, looking at her, his eyes, gentle and caring make her feel like she could melt then and there. She nods, "Yeah, just not used to being in the forest at night. It's kind of spooky." she says squeezing his hand tightly. Dorian grins, "Don't worry, I'm here with you. It's just a game, and we'll have fun." his voice is soothing and is almost like a whisper in her ear, it sends chills down her spine. After awhile They eventually find a hiding spot and in a few quick minutes they hear the seekers yell, "Ready or not, here we come!"
Sounds of trees moving and animals rustling in the bushes could be heard which put lyra on edge, "Hey, its okay." Dorian says to her, noticing all of the discomfort she must be feeling. His arm wraps around her in a protective manner. The two watch as the seekers get close after awhile they get found, Dorian and Lyra look at eachother, giggling. The rest of the night went well, the told stories, Dorian sang a few songs and they all had a great time. 

Lyra gets home, sneaking back into her room again, she was so glad she hasn't been caught yet. The night goes how it usually does, she gets ready for bed and then grabs her journal, writing in it.

" 4/8/1986 Day in the forest

The group and I snuck out again, we went to a forest this time, I was quite on edge most of the time we were there, but lucky for me, Dorian was there to help me. We all played a game of Spotlight it was fun, Dorian and I were teamed together and it was great! We held hands! I still don't know if I have crush on him. Earlier today I made him upset, I had told him that I didn't know what I felt for him.. When I told him that, he made up an excuse to leave, and right before we entered the forest he seems upset too, but he was better once I began to talk to him. I know that he admitted his feelings for me yesterday, but I don't know if its exactly true or if he was just saying that.. 

- Sincerely, Lyra "