A Trepidatious Canvas

The Unknown girl

After his thrilling victory at the festival, Ivor was basking in the celebration, but his attention was captured by a girl across the crowd. Her presence was magnetic, and he found himself repeatedly glancing in her direction, but she soon disappeared amid the throng of festivities. Determined to find her, he scoured the crowd, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Later that evening, during the after-party, Ivor spotted her again. She was sitting with a group of students, engrossed in a game of cards. The girl seemed completely absorbed in the game, her laughter and the ease of her interactions contrasting sharply with the excitement of the festival.

Ivor, intrigued and eager to get to know her, attempted to get her attention. He tried to join the conversation and engage with the group, but his efforts went unnoticed. As the party drew to a close, Ivor noticed the girl leaving with her friends. Unable to let the opportunity slip away, he decided to follow her discreetly, curious about where she lived.

The route to her home was a shortcut that led through a quaint, wooded path flanked by tall trees and gentle streams. The path meandered through a small, picturesque village that lay just outside the sprawling grounds of Aethon Academy. Her home was a cozy cottage nestled at the edge of the village, with a welcoming garden and a rustic charm that contrasted with the modernity of the academy.

Ivor lay in bed, eyes wide open, unable to sleep. Thoughts of her swirled in his mind, her face lingering in his memory like a vivid dream. Her glance , still puzzled him, but it was her presence that captivated him most. The way she moved, the sound of her laughter-it all felt magnetic, pulling him deeper into an obsession he couldn't explain. As the night wore on, sleep remained elusive, and by the time dawn broke, Ivor was wide awake, determined to see her again.

The next morning, Ivor and Venece decided to take the scenic route past the girls house on their way to Aethon Academy. The path was a hidden gem, a narrow trail winding through the outskirts of the village, lined with vibrant red flowers that seemed to sweep over the landscape like a crimson carpet. The early morning sun bathed the scene in a golden hue, the light filtering through the trees, casting long, soft shadows. The distant sound of a river flowing added a calming melody to the picturesque surroundings.

Venece, taken aback by the beauty of the route, glanced at Ivor and asked with a teasing grin, "Why didn't you take me this way before? Holding out on me, huh?"

Ivor, distracted by the thought of her , smiled absentmindedly. "Just discovered it recently," he replied, his eyes scanning the road ahead as if searching for something-or someone.

They continued walking, the conversation light but Ivor's thoughts heavy. As they neared the familiar bend where her home stood, Ivor's heartbeat quickened. Then, as if fate had arranged it, the girl appeared. She was walking a few steps ahead of them, her steps graceful and confident. The sunlight caught her hair, making it shimmer like gold, and the gentle breeze played with the hem of her dress. She moved with an elegance that made Ivor's breath catch in his throat.

He stumbled slightly, trying to keep his composure, but Venece noticed his sudden change in demeanor. With a sly smile, Venece leaned in and whispered, "She's cute."

Ivor, his gaze fixed on the girl , barely heard him. "Truly," he murmured, almost to himself. Then, almost in a daze, he added, "She's the lily I wish to have in my vase."

Venece raised an eyebrow at the poetic remark. "Do you know her?" he asked, half-joking but genuinely curious.

Ivor shook his head, still staring at her , his voice soft but firm. "No, I don't know her."

Venece chuckled, nudging Ivor with his elbow. "I got you, my friend. But you better tell me what's going on."

Ivor sighed, realizing he couldn't keep this from Venece any longer. "Okay, but promise me you won't tell anyone."

Venece placed a hand on his chest in mock seriousness. "Of course. I will carry this secret to my grave."

Reluctantly, Ivor began to explain. "I first saw her during the festival, right after I won the final game. She was in the crowd, and I couldn't take my eyes off her. She had this... presence. I followed her after the after-party, back to her house. I know it sounds crazy, but something about her just... drew me in."

Venece nodded, listening carefully. "So, my brother likes younger girls," he teased with a smirk, earning a glare from Ivor.

"Shut up," Ivor muttered, though there was no real anger in his voice. They both laughed, and Ivor's tension eased a little.

As they followed her at a distance, making sure she didn't notice them, they kept to the shadows of the path, moving quietly. Ivor couldn't help but feel like he was walking a fine line between curiosity and obsession, but he couldn't shake the feeling that was somehow important-a mystery he needed to solve.

Venece, ever the loyal friend, walked beside him, offering support without judgment. Whatever this strange infatuation was, he'd be there to help Ivor figure it out, even if it meant sneaking around the academy's grounds to do so. As they neared the gates of Aethon, the two boys shared a look of determination-whatever came next, they were in it together.