Love #Wattys2016

Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

"We'll start with simple. Create something unique, yet straight-forward and perfectly understandable. Nothing complex, please, even if you are a great artist. It's all about expression with simplicity," Miss Campbell instructed.

Ace stared down at the blank sheet of paper in front of him, unsure of what he should draw. Beside him sat Ella, who was already drawing. Ace watched as she drew, her slender fingers working smoothly and quickly.

"Are you copying?" she asked, her eyes staying on the paper.

"No, no..." Ace answered quickly, finding it a bit humorous how she was so cold about everything.

Ella finished the line that was now complete in the shape of a heart. Ace observed it curiously. He always wondered how hearts looked beautiful even when they were drawn with a simple line, but Ella's looked rigid and meaningless, perfect in every curvature.

"Love," she spoke. "It's a curious thing, isn't it?"

Ace didn't really understand what she meant. Love was love; it was a waste of time and effort after the chase was over and rather boring in general. Nothing to be intrigued by, really. Nothing ever came of it.

"I guess," Ace replied, not wanting to offend her by speaking his true thoughts.

"I can tell by your expression you don't agree. It's okay, I don't really get offended by anything. In fact, I'd rather you told me what's on your mind," Ella explained to Ace's surprise. He felt himself being even further drawn to her in that moment. She was so truthful and raw in everything she said and did, it mesmerised him in the strangest way.

"Well, love is rather boring, don't you think? It's just a waste of time and it gets you nowhere when you fall under its spell. It's silly, in my opinion. I know a few people who've fussed over it to such an unnecessary extent that it broke them. Why would you bother yourself with another person's life when you could just worry about your own, right?" Ace spoke, revealing his thoughts as she wanted him to. He realised that it was probably the first time he had ever spoken about anything with a passion or interest since the death of his parents. No one had ever asked him what he thought of anything before - no one cared.

"But, isn't life in itself a waste of time? In the end, none of this matters. However, love can give your life meaning, the one thing every person yearns for. Then again, there's your side of it, too, it can be rather boring and troublesome when your lover's needs become your own responsibility. It's rather... curious, is it not?" Ella said.

Ace stared at her, completely entranced. 

She was so beautiful in the most unusual way in his eyes. Her words were so wise and hypnotising, and they swept him away. His stare traced her large eyes, the contours of her pale-skinned face and landed on her thin, pink lips. They seemed soft, yet cold.

He wanted to kiss them warm. 

He had never felt this way before, but he wanted to do it so badly that it pained him.

Staying silent, he turned away.

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"She's been behaving terribly since recently. Is it because of the incident? Is there something wrong?"