ghost of you. // luke hemmings au

0.1

ariadne

"you're cut from the program", were the only words i needed to hear before i practically saw my life flash before my eyes. since i was a child, i wanted to pursue my love for art, following in the steps of my mother, who was increadibly successful with her art pieces, mainly acrylic and tempra.

she was, and still is, the biggest inspiration to me, and it almost always brings me to tears when i remember shes not here with me anymore.

" ariadne, are you still on the phone with me?" the guidence counsler said, shaking me out of my trance. i cleared my throat,

" yes, thank you for informing me." i said with a shaky voice. i hung up without waiting for her to reply. my hands absent mindedly ran through my hair, getting caught in some knots on the way.

i murmered to myself as i stood up from my rundown couch. looking around at my tiny, yet cosy, apartment, i realised i should probably clean it. but instead, i decide against it and walk towards my bedroom to retrieve my laptop.

i go straight to my emails, and let my cursor hang over a email i was sent two months ago.

ARIADNE STELLINGS
Subject: ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ART SCHOOL OF AUSTRALIA

Ariadne,
I'm pleased to be writing this email to you, to inform you that you have been accepted to the Art program in Sydney Australia. Please reply to this e-mail by 06.07.18, so we can gladly hold a seat for you.

today was the 7th of june. i didn't reply to the e-mail because i was already in the best art program i couldve ever been in, until today that is. but as a person who's never had the most luck, i'm going to take this as fate, and think of replying to this e-mail before bed tonight.

the reason why i'm hesitant? i live in my moms loft in chicago. the loft where she would make art, while id be in the room playing with toys and watching shows on the small box tv on the dresser. it felt like itd just be me and her, forever. there's too many memories here, and i'm scared to leave it to make more.

i sighed for what felt like the millionth time today. i closed my laptop, leaving the browser open, and walked towards the door, grabbing my keys on the way. i turned to lock my door, and continued my journey to my car.

but of course, being the luckiest girl in the world, i bumped into the one and only, judeth.

" oh, hey ariadne! i made brownies inside just now, you want to come in and have some? i made it with my grandmas special recipe. i mean, my grandmas dead now but i dont think that matters- anyways you want some?" she rambled. i looked into judeths optimistic eyes with my dull, dead-looking eyes.

my eyes trailed up to her hair, which is now dyed a fresh coat of of blond. just last week it was strawberry peach. judeth has freckles crawling to her nose, and round plump lips, with a soft jawline.

"thanks, but no thanks." i gave her a closed mouth smile. "maybe another time" i assured her. her smile dropped.

she was annoying, but shes the most communication i've had since my mom passed. she's kind to me.

"oh, well okay then! shoot me a text." she quickly perked up at my last sentace.

"yeah, yeah" i mumbled under my breath, and walked to my white average nissan. shes a mom car.

i turned my car on, and she immediately roared music. turning the volume down, i leaned my head on my wheel while i thought of where i should go.

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i ended up in the cemetery. if anyone's going to help guide me to the right decision, it would be the women herself.

knowing the way to her grave with my eyes closed by now, i strolled towards the back of the gloomy place. my hands adjusting the gladiolus flowers in my hand. i never see her with out flowers.

AMANDA LIVINGTON
IN REMEMBRANCE OF A WONDERFUL MOTHER, FRIEND, AND ARTIST.
MAY SHE REST,
08.30.07.

i set the fresh set of flowers by her grave, and grabbed the old rotten ones from the side, throwing them in the trashcan near. i arranged the gladiolus flowers around the stone, until i was satisfied . she deserved it.

i give her gladiolus flowers every time i visit her because, they symbolize the strength of character, faithfulness, and honor. they represent rememberance.

" hi mom." i dust my hands off on my jeans and hug myself, feeling a chill coming on. "i hope everythings well." i pause.

"i was kicked out of the program." almost scared to say outloud. "i'm sorry to dissapoint. i didn't let them explain why. but i'm going to assume i just wasn't a strong enough artist to be in their ivy league program.

i'm not a good enough artist like you were ma." i shook my head.

"but, i was accepted into this other art program. if i take it, then i'll have to leave. i'll have to leave the loft you worked so hard in, i'll have to leave you. and i dont think i'm ready to do that." i sighed deeply, confused. as a young child, my mother always reminded me to look for the light in the dark, the positive in the negative. i smile at the memory.

"on the bright side, i dont have much here, and maybe i could meet new people?" i almost asked myself. "i dont know. i'm just so confused. i dont know what i should do." i frowned.

i closed my eyes for a few moments, before i heard leaves rustling from the left of me.

opening my eyes, squinting from the presence of light, i saw a tall figure. blinking a few times, i adjusted my eyesight and focused on the masculine body.

"Brian?"