Just Another Mess || on-going

Prologue || a story of seasons

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P R O L O G U E:

a story of seasons

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My best friend, Amelia, once told me a story about seasons. She learned about the motherly love of Demeter, the ancient Greek Goddess of Agriculture, towards her daughter Persephone and how it welcomed the fresh bloom of spring and the harsh gloom of winter. Greek mythology has always been one of her favorites.

I don't remember the specific details of the story but I remember the sparkle in her eyes and the way they widened when she relayed the important scenes.

"So Hades already got her into eating six Pomegranate seeds so she'd always be connected to his realm," Amelia said, her green eyes wild and bewildered. She told me about how winter comes when Persephone is in the Underworld for part of the year and spring comes when she's back with her mother, Demeter.

"Cool story," I said with a grin.

Amelia rolled her eyes then. "It didn't interest you one bit, didn't it?"

I could merely give her a shrug that time. It didn't but she loved talking about it and I liked listening to her talk about it.

"But you see, there's a realistic beauty in that myth," she said, "Demeter didn't get to be the happy the whole time even when she got Persephone back, she still loses her at some point of the year."

"Where are you going with this?" I asked, my brows scrunching together.

"Don't you see, Roxy," she said, "There's a time for sun and a time for rain. A time for spring and summer and autumn and winter. A time for blooming and wilting. A time for joy and a time for sorrow. That's life."

That's life.

Her words echo in my mind as I watch a leaf fall from a branch. I begin writing on the pad on my lap before I can stop myself.

This autumn season, a leaf has fallen. Predominantly green with healthy veins.
Stem, however, brown and brittle. A foundation to collapse.
A leaf that fell too early for the season it's meant for.

"Are you sure about this, Roxy?"

Amelia's voice has been replaced by my brother's voice. I turn to find Asher gripping the steering wheel tighter than he should be. The usual boyish grin is gone and the worry in his eyes is obvious with how they keep darting towards my direction.

"You don't have to deal with this town and – "

"It's not about the town," I say, "It's about Oma."

"Oma's going to understand if – "

"It's not about her understanding, Asher."

Asher glances at me and his lips form into a thin line. "I don't want this for you, Rox."

I cover his hand on the wheel with my own and feel it soften slightly against my palm. "I can't hide from Glennville forever."

"It's not your fault."

I fake a smile. "I know."