Wise Teenage Barbies

┊i. one

 Annika's P.O.V

    Upon perusing the letter, a feeling of astonishment did overwhelm me, causing a slip of the hand and the missive to fall to the ground. My imagination was stirred by a torrent of speculations. Might her intentions be to mock me openly? Such musings conquered my mind like a sea of doubt, whispering their inquiries. Ophelia, being finely attuned to the intricacies of emotion, perceived the state of my thoughts. Though she was of a sensitive nature, her ability to discern emotional undertones led her to intuit the presence of some contemplations within my mind. She stopped walking and asked me, "Might I ask, are thy spirits currently lifted?"

  "Verily, I doth confirm that I am currently in a state of well-being."

   "Doesn't seem like it." chuckled Ophelia, she gently placed her palm against my forehead, in the act of checking on the heat that may be emanating from it. In doing so, she did express a degree of concern through a vigorous shake, and her gaze reflected the worry.

  "Am I supposed to be frightened?" I laughed blithely as she did withdraw her palm from the act of checking upon me.

 "No, Lady. And pray, what is it that you fear I might be concealing from you, my dearest chuckaboo?" uttered Ophelia and pinched my cheeks,

 "Not at all a modicum! Cut it off!" I gave her a light shove and dashed through the garden with a mischievous grin. My laughter echoed through the air, my full-throated voice bouncing off the trees.

 "I'm gonna catch you!"

  Ophelia bounded after me and we frolicked like children, blissfully ignorant of the expectations and responsibilities that loomed ahead. Ah, the irony of youth! 

   I mused upon the innocence of our laughter and our youthful spirit, yet my thoughts were marred by the realization that our destinies were shaped to meet the path of matrimony. The idea of Ophelia, who was so vibrant and full of life, becoming the wife of another man seemed inconceivable. No way, blazes! She stood as a sister to me, and the thought of her being embraced by another was utterly astonishing.

  Ophelia, light in step, did remove her dainty shoes aside, then chased me, barefoot and fleet.  She drew a deep breath, then ran like a cheetah untamed. Until at last she captured me, in her nimble-footed game.

  "You're so quick," sighed Ophelia and took a long deep inhales and exhales.

   I looked around and saw some horses nearby, they're from outside. Their coats a perfect match for our own locks, a sign of destiny, it seemed. I grinned from ear to ear and pointed it to Ophelia. Although, she was catching her breath, she looked at what I pointed. Her eyes lit up in joy as we spoke the same thing, "Equestrian,"

   I squinted my eyes outside as she did as well. I sighed and looked down, showing remarks of melancholic emotions. She looked at the brick fences that covers the whole land of our academy. Despite feeling despondency, she still smiled and held my hand like a big sister.

  "Let's play there next sunday!"

  "I can't. I have a family to see, and I must be with my brother to travel home." I sighed, showing signs of disappointment.

   "We'll go there someday, Ann." 

  Ophelia (despite of being a bookworm) admired horses. She put her palms on the sky, as if she's touching the horses. I giggled at what she did and poked her, "Let's head back."