THE VOID

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖

{{Friday, noon. The sun shines high in the sky, Hero looks out across the open water while sitting on the freshly cut grass}}

Hero: ((begins writing in his journal))
If only I could feel what others do. To many this must be one of the most enchanting views in the world. The garden rich with colour, from the emerald straw-like grass to the magenta stained leaves that cover the trees. The sky exhibiting that dreamy light blue that you usually only see in hollywood movies, the way the sun hits the water and it sparkles, sparkles like nothing I've seen before. It's an obvious beauty, the kind that slaps you right in the face and yet I still don't feel it, I see it, I mean of course I see it. You would be a fool not to, but to feel true beauty that is something I am yet to encounter.
Here I sit on the over side of the world, in one of the most alluring parks and yet my simple mind still can't comprehend what real beauty is. I must sound ridiculous, but I'm on a quest, a quest to find something that sparks something within me. Four years of travelling with my family, and here I am the day of my 18th birthday and I'm still hopeless.

((Placing his pen in-between the pages and closes his journal, he stands up and with loose footing he slightly stumbles backwards))

Josephine: "Hey, be more careful. You could hurt someone" ((she says with a slight chuckle, placing her hands on his back to steady him))

Hero: "And what if that was my intention?" ((he replies, turning towards her a smirk plastered across his face))

Josephine: "Well if it was, I wouldn't be that loud about it. Since you know, it was executed so horrendously" ((a small smile emerging))

Hero: "What if that's the point? Maybe I wanted to deceive and manipulate people into thinking I'm 'horrendous' at it but secretly I'm a master" ((he responds, clearly intrigued by the blonde girl standing in front of him))

Josephine: "If you were truly a master, you wouldn't have revealed your whole dark and sinister plot to the first person you saw" ((her smile widening with every word that is uttered))

Hero: "Hmm, well played. Well played. That's a good point" ((he says, miming an overly dramatic bow))

((Josephine begins to laugh, and as she does Hero's eyes widen slightly before retorting back to normal))

Josephine: "This view right? Amazing" ((she says, while walking closer to the water))

Hero: "Yes, that's one of many words that could be used to describe it" ((he slowly follows her lead))

((They both stand for a moment taking in the sight. Josephine's eyes never straying from the water, Hero's never leaving her))

Josephine: "Look at how the waves manage to be so calm but on closer inspection you can see a battle brewing between each of them" ((she takes a step closer))

Hero: ((his eyes follow to where hers are, but only for a moment before he darts them back to her)) "May I ask you a question?"

Josephine: "Sure, I mean since we're complete strangers and all" ((a small smile, yet again playing on her lips))

((He takes a step, so that they are now standing right beside each other))

Hero: "What do you feel? When you look out, out there?" ((he says, hand pointing towards the water))

((There is a small fraction of silence, while she ponders the question))

Josephine: "I feel calm, it's something about the water, like as if just by looking at it my troubles float away" ((she takes Hero by the hand)) "close your eyes, steady your breathing, try to clear your mind of everything"

((A few moments pass))

Josephine: "Now open them, what do you feel?" ((She asks her eyes fixated on Hero))

Hero: ((takes another breath, eyes wide pointed forward)) "I feel, I feel..nothing. Absolutely nothing. I look out and I can see how divine it looks but it erupts no emotion within me" ((he turns and faces away from the water))

Josephine: "That's not necessarily a bad thing" ((she responds with optimism in her voice, looking down at their intertwined hands)) "maybe this isn't your thing, find something else, something that erupts a rainstorm of emotions within you. Don't let this deter you from finding it"

((Hero's eyes dart down to see what she is looking at, and with that he slowly let's go. Just as he feels his phone begin to vibrate. He takes it out of his pocket))

Hero: "I have to go, there's a party I'm a little late for" ((he can't help but feel awkward for this whole situation))

Josephine: "Right, I was on my way somewhere anyway. Nice to meet you" ((she turns, clearly also feeling just as embarrassed, she starts to walk away))

((Hero can't help but watch her leave, and all of a sudden it hits him..))

Hero: "WAIT! WAIT! HEY! I didn't get your name!" ((He shouts, ridiculously loudly)) "My names Hero" ((he adds))

((Josephine spins and looks back, she takes a moment to take in the figure of the boy, she just met))

Josephine: "Langford, Josephine Langford"

((Hero doesn't look away until she has completely disappeared. He turns and begins to walk, his mind repeating the name he just heard over and over, as if any minute he could forget it and her along with it))