19 Days Under The Sun

Shaping the Unknown

The sun was already high in the sky when Lila awoke, the light streaming in through the open shutters of the villa. She stretched lazily, feeling more rested than she had in days. There was something peaceful about sleeping in, about letting go of the pressure to rise with the sun. Today, she wasn't chasing answers or forcing herself to feel anything. Today, she would simply exist, allowing the day to unfold naturally.

In the distance, she heard Raine humming to herself in the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee drifted through the villa, mingling with the salty ocean air. Lila smiled, rolling out of bed and padding toward the kitchen where Raine was busy stirring a pot of oatmeal on the stove.

"Look who decided to join the land of the living," Raine teased, flashing Lila a grin. "I was about to come in there and make sure you hadn't melted into the bed."

Lila chuckled. "I guess I needed the extra sleep."

Raine poured two cups of coffee, sliding one toward Lila. "Well, you picked a good day for it. I signed us up for something fun—no beach involved." She reached into her bag and pulled out a colorful flyer, handing it to Lila.

Lila's eyes scanned the paper. Pottery class: Learn the art of creating with your hands. Her curiosity was piqued. She had never done anything like that before. "A pottery class?"

"Yup," Raine said, popping the 'p'. "I figured it'd be something different. A little hands-on creativity to shake things up."

Lila sipped her coffee thoughtfully. "I like it. It sounds relaxing."

"That's what I thought too," Raine said. "Besides, it's in the village, so we can explore after. I saw a café down there that looked cute. We can grab lunch after we get our hands dirty."

Two hours later, Lila and Raine arrived at the small pottery studio in the heart of the village. The studio was tucked between a florist and a quaint bakery, its entrance marked by a weathered wooden sign that read Artisan's Haven. The windows were filled with beautiful handmade ceramics, each one unique and imperfect in its own way. Bowls, vases, mugs, and figurines lined the shelves, and Lila felt a spark of excitement at the thought of creating something with her own hands.

Inside, the studio smelled of wet clay and faintly of lavender. The walls were adorned with colorful paintings and shelves of glistening pottery in various stages of completion. Lila felt a sense of calm wash over her as soon as they entered. There was something about the atmosphere—the gentle hum of conversation, the rhythmic sound of pottery wheels turning—that made her feel instantly at ease.

A woman with curly hair pulled back in a messy bun greeted them. "Hi there! Welcome to Artisan's Haven. I'm Elena, your instructor for today." She smiled warmly, motioning for them to follow her. "Go ahead and take a seat at any of the wheels. We'll get started in just a moment."

Lila settled down at one of the wheels, running her hands over the cool, wet surface of the clay. It felt strange under her fingers, both firm and soft at the same time. She looked around the studio, taking in the sight of other participants already working on their projects—some were molding small bowls, while others were focused on intricate vases and pots. The studio buzzed with quiet energy, and Lila felt a strange mix of nervousness and excitement.

Elena began the class by demonstrating the basics of throwing pottery, her hands moving fluidly as she explained each step. "The key is to let the clay guide you," she said, her voice calm and steady. "You're not forcing it into a shape. You're working with it, letting it evolve as you go."

Lila watched, fascinated, as Elena's hands transformed a simple lump of clay into a beautiful, symmetrical bowl. The movements looked easy, almost effortless, but when it was her turn, Lila quickly realized it was anything but. Her first attempt was shaky—her hands felt awkward and clumsy as the clay wobbled under the pressure of the spinning wheel.