Unmatched

Wilmer Castle

(Maya) I was in awe at the beauty in front of me. Even in this cold weather it was so verdant, with peaks of colors from its blooming flowers. I could hear birds chirp by the trees further back, and squirrels scurry down from them. It looked like something a painter would capture.

If there was something I genuinely enjoyed, it was nature.

We stood at the foot of the garden filled with violet orchids, yellow lilies, and white daisies. I looked further out and a quiet smile drew on my face. In the middle of the garden were my favorites, Harebells. Even though I focused on drawing people, a few Harebells lived in my journals. They were an overlooked flower, and I didn't know if it was because of their fragile appearance, but a part of me felt like they needed someone to see them.

I looked over at Caterine who was focused on listening to our tour guide, an older English gentleman, probably in his 60's. She wasn't around anyone specific, not that anyone was specific to me, so I quietly stepped to her side. She quickly noticed me and threw me a warm closed smile before facing our tour guide again.

Within a few minutes we begun our walk around the garden, and through seeing all the different types of plants, flowers, and trees, I begun wondering if I should start using colors in my drawings.

Drawings.

Sketching was a better term for what I did. Drawing used colors, oftentimes pastels or color pencils. I only used charcoal, pencils and sketch paper. My friends often told me to use color but I was hesitant. I didn't want anyone seeing my art and think "Oh she's just a beginner" solely because I didn't understand color theory. But...maybe I'd try on this trip. No one knew me anyway, their opinions wouldn't matter.

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Though I knew most of it, I was enjoying our tour guide enchant us with the history of Wilmer.

I looked over at the people in our group. Some faces focused on the story, others at the garden around us. I turned, facing our tour guide again when I felt a buzz from my phone. 

I reached into the pocket in my pants and looked at the screen,

"Call me soon."

My face tightened. I told Anna I had to step out for a second, and my interest in wherever I was disappeared. I walked to the corner of the garden, a spot that looked like it wasn't tended to as much.

The call was quiet for a few seconds. It was a battle on who would break silence first.

"Kallias", he said with his militant voice.

"Hi to you too dad" I replied.

"Where are you?"

"Wilmer Castle"

Silence.

"Have you thought about what I asked you?...You know I need you to support me for that meeting"

I folded my arm against my chest and looked down, noticing all the little rocks, "Yes, dad."

"So, what is your answer?"

"I..." I paused and looked up.

"I don't think I can. I'm busy over here and Luca might need me that week for hi-"

"You can skip that."

"No dad, I can't. You also can't not talk to me for a month and suddenly call me when you need something."

He stayed quiet.

"I'm not going to that stupid meeting, find someone else to take." 

I didn't hear him say anything back in the quick seconds that I hung up. That was his usual move, no reaction. 

Asshole.

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We were midway through the garden when I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Kallias walking towards our group.

He looked grave faced. His usual warm eyes looked dark, angry even.

If anyone had caught him with that look, along with his height and haircut, they'd think he was a bully. Add a few tattoos and he'd be up there.

I turned back, looking up at the trees. Their long branches weaved in and out of each other as if it were a dance.

"They're pretty aren't they?" his familiar voice said behind me.

Kallias stood next to me, his eyes focused on the trees. He looked his normal self again.

"Yeah" I replied, looking up at the empty branches again.

He didn't say anything else so I turned to him and asked, nodding towards the corner where he had come from,

"What was that about?"

"Oh, what? That phone call? Nothin, just a few worried parents making sure their son is alive."

I blinked a few times. "Right."

Our group had walked a few feet ahead of us so I headed their way, and looked for Caterine.

It eventually became time for lunch which was great because my stomach had growled probably 3 times in the past 10 minutes.

I had no clue where the other groups had gone for their excursion. They all were in the bus by the time we walked out, eagerly chatting with each other that I didn't bother to ask anyone.

It had only been two weeks since I got here. Since we all got here. I wasn't expecting to have a friend, never less friends, but looking at how everyone got along with each other...

I shook it off. I would find my people. I'd "branch out" as my dad put it.