✧𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞✧

꧁𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟕.𝟏꧂

                              𝒢ℴ, 𝒟ℴ𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃！

A new school week had started. The spring sun shined, lighting up the streets. Dorian was walking to school, while also drawing. He stopped once in a while to cross roads and check he was going the right way.

While he was walking, he felt a soft hand rest on his shoulder.

"Morning, Dorian." A worn out voice mumbled. It was Gina, her hair was all over her face and she looked like she had rushed.

"Morning." Dorian mumbled back. "You sound tired."

"I had to rush out of the house this morning, I accidentally slept in and lost track of time! I didn't realise until Seth burst in my room and told me once I was dressed. Thank the stars I pack things the night before.."

"I get like that." He chuckled.

Gina giggled with him as she tied her hair up into a rushed ponytail.

"Art competition today, right? Have you got everything?"

"Tablet, stylus, stand." Dorian mumbled with a worried tone as he checked his bag, it soon changed to a smile as he closed it shut. "Yep, all there."

"I don't get why it had to be digital art and not traditional art." Gina questioned. "It'd make more sense for a place like that."

"It's easier for some to draw digitally, I suppose. Pens and paint can be messy at times, and it's easier on the school money-wise."

"Fair, fair." Gina nodded. "You nervous?"

"A bit." Dorian sighed, packing his drawing equipment back into his bag, along with the picture he had started. "Competitions like these can be very nerve wracking, but I think that's what makes them fun."

"You have a lot of confidence in your talent, I admire you for that." Gina smiled warmly.

"Thank you."

They both soon made it to the school gates, and saw Holly wave at them.

"Hiiii!" Holly giggled, running toward them.

"Good morning, Holly." Dorian did a small wave, soon holding her hands once she reached them.

"Parker and Willow are waiting for us at the garden. You're later than usual today!" She showed a cheeky smile whilst speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Sorry, Holly!" Gina let out an exhausted laugh, playing around with one of the keychains decorating her school bag. "Curse revision and making me stay up late to do it!"

"And curse art block." Dorian chuckled.

"You're fine!" Holly giggled reassuringly. She let go of one of Dorian's hands to rub Gina's shoulder in comfort. "Let's go meet the others, and what say that I braid your hair for you before the bell rings?"

"I'd like that." Gina giggled.

The three all linked arms and ran to go meet Parker and Willow.

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Parker was sat on a bench near Willow, who was watering some flowers nearby.

"The flowers here are so beautiful.." Parker smiled warmly as he walked up to Willow to admire them up close. "Do you water them every day?"

"Without fail." Willow laughed quietly. "It makes the school look pretty."

"It's nice to see such beautiful flowers after being cooped up in a room learning for hours." Parker giggled. "And it's even nicer knowing that someone as caring and kind.. And not to mention pretty...is making that all possible.." He mumbled shyly, a lace of pink blush resting on his cheeks.

"Y-you're too kind.." Willow stuttered, that same pink blush slowly made way onto her cheeks, too. "But if not for your kind words and your gentle presence I don't think I'd be able to be in such high spirits about.. well anything."

"Thank you.." Parker laughed quietly.

The duo soon heard some rushed footsteps as Holly, Dorian and Gina approached.

"Good morning, you two." Gina waved.

"Oh, good morning." Willow waved back. "Please, take a seat!" She motioned to the bench nearby and the three sat down on it.

Holly immediately took out Gina's ponytail and started to comb her hair, ready to braid it.

"The school's art competition is always so crazy." Parker chuckled. "We get to miss an entire day of learning so we can see some amazing art instead!"

"Good luck with it, Dorian. I think you're going to do it very well." Willow encouraged him, placing her watering can down and going over to the three on the bench, Parker soon following.

"Thank you all for being so encouraging, I really appreciate all your support.." Dorian sighed. "I got very nervous about it last night, so it really helps to hear all these reassurances from you.."

Holly soon finished Gina's braid and tied it up, she turned to Dorian and wrapped her arms around him in a reassuring embrace.

"Dawww.. it's okay, Dorian!" She giggled. "It's normal to be nervous about something as big as this. But take it from me, I KNOW you're gonna ace this, and we'll always be there to cheer you on!"

"Thanks, Holly.." Dorian chuckled as he hugged her back.

Soon, the school's bell rang, echoing across the entire campus. The competition was ready to start.

Dorian and Holly let go of each other and stood up along with the others.

"It's competition time." Dorian eagerly smiled as they all made their way into the school hall.