The Girl Within the Trees | H.S

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A/N: Welcome to my story. I hope you enjoy.

"What do you think it was that changed you? That made you this person you don't want to be?"

"Oh, I know what changed me." I reply, looking at my hands.

"Well, what might that be?" She asks, bent forward and her hands clasped together.

"I fell in love with a man once." I whisper, while tugging on the hems of my sleeves.

"And, what was that like?" She asks in an even tone.

"It was... It was beautiful. Slow, gentle, and complicated."

"But?"

I smile and look up at her. "Now let's not get too ahead of ourselves. The 'but' comes after I tell you my story. Will you listen?"

"It's what I do."

~~~
I sat on top of a branch connected to my favorite oak tree, with my legs dangling off of both sides. I continued to sketch the variety of flowers just ahead of me as I hummed along to the to soft chirps of the birds. A small smile was graced upon my lips as I did so.

I added the finishing touches to my sketch and judged the final project.

"Hm... Seems kind of dull. Like there isn't any life in it," I said in a soft voice. "What do you think, Flounder!?" I asked, while holding up the sketch towards the stream.

After a few seconds, the small orange and brown fish leaped out of the water and dove back in. I looked back at the book.

"You're right. Just a tad bit of color will bring it to life. I'll do it when I get back inside."

I began to climb down the tree, but not to go inside just yet. When I reached the ground, I made my way over to the stream.

I sighed and lied down on my back, putting my book on my chest and my hands on top of it. I let out a huff of air as my eyes drifted shut.

The movement of the stream.

The whooshing of the wind.

The chirping of birds.

The--

"YOU SPILT IT ON MY DRESS, HARRY!" I was pulled out of my thoughts from the sudden outburst. I sat up straight with my eyebrows furrowed. Although our forest is our backyard, it's too big and noisy to hear anything outside of it. There was only one person that I know that is loud enough to be heard here...

"Penelope's home?" I questioned.

"IT DOESN'T MATTER! IT'S RUINED NOW!"

"Penelope's home." I confirm. I got up, dusted myself off, and grabbed my book. "Until, next time my friends."

I jogged my way out of the forest until I saw the little bridge that led directly to manor. I slowly walked over it, trying to catch my breath before I saw Penelope.

I came in through the back door and silently shut it. There were faint voices coming from the kitchen, so I hesitantly made my way there.