always ↬j. brandis

four

The soft, orphic breeze invavded the creme colored room and would emphasize the ideal nepenthe. Soft sunlit rays paraded the room and hit the blonde nymphs pale skin. Although the sun was out, the creak opening of her window blew a breeze that chilled her goosebumps. Natalia sat face fromt on her painting canvas in total creative appericativeness. "I'm cynical about it all anyways, I'll never be an elysian for art" Natalia remarked as she slightly ran her fingers on the rough paper.

"Maybe you will be the muse then" A female voice called out. It belonged to her foster mother Lilith. The sight of her mafe Natalia roll her eyes and Lilith sat down next to the now tense misunderstood adolescent.

"What is the matter?" Lilith asked in complete and utter concern. "Why do you care?" Natalia countered, glaring at the woman as if she was a complete stranger. "Natalia please, as your mother--"

"You are not my mother!" Talia fired back, making her jump. Natalia breathed out and blinked rapidly at the older woman, she felt her fingertips scrape the palms of her sweaty hands, she felt guilty. "I know Talia, It doesn't make me close minded and I love you" Lilith remarked.

"How can you love me? I'm not even yours" Natalia pointed out. "You're not loveless, the day we adopted you we fell in love. Talia you might not be ours yet family is so much more than blood" Lilith said, making the young girl turn her face to avoid further embarrassment.

"I'm going to the gazebo" Natalia said, getting up abruptly and leaving to go outside. She sped through the trees and clutched onto the gazebos rails and started to cry. She rarely was fazed by Lilith's cries of love and admiration. To be clear, she didn't hate her, but she simply didn't know how to love her foster mother back.

As no parent had loved Natalia. Daniel had always made it clear that his daughter caused the death of Vivian, and that she was indeed a threat.

Natalia went up the stairs and sat down, and completely oblivious to the figure standing by, just ready to plead pity.

Jonathan watched as the girl silently cry, was she always this emotional? She never striked that way, she was always cold and collected. Jonathan made this way to the white gazebo slowly, not trying to frighten her. He grazed the railings and peeked his head to see her clearly.

Her blonde hair dishelved and her pale face red. Her usual bright green eyes seemed darker if that was possible. The green eyes that was said to have been inherited by Vivian herself, the darkness told the inner conflict.

As he peeked closer, his leg hit the staircase leading to the entrance of the gazebo, making the girl shudder and look up. She furrowed her brows and stood up, almost losing her balance.

She looked so defeated, only her foster parents have seen her cry. Talia slouched, and closed her eyes as the tears followed.

"Talia-" Jonathan started but she raised her hand softly. "Don't speak, my head aches at such a voice" Natalia said, turning away from him.

"What made you so sad?" Jonathan asked impulsively. He thought himself so stupidly, what kind of a question was that? After all the girl had been through.

Talia turned back to him with a calculating face, completely unreadable. She opened her mouth to speak but only let out a painful laugh. "Sad isn't even the word to explain what I feel boy" She said, as the "boy" hit him in the mere chest.

Jonathan nodded and stared at his feet, not knowing what to say to the girl. "I saw you at the park, I thought-" Jonathan started.

"Whatever you thought isn't relevant" Natalia said, only making him wince. "Says who?" He challened, making the girl raise an eyebrow.

"Me, since it involves me" She says, inching towards him. Her very presence made Jonathan's breath fluctuate. He had never seen a woman more entracing and beautiful as Natalia Agnelli. He had understood why men like Daniel and Harvey fell at her feet if Natalia was the reincarnated version on her.

She was more than a little bird, she was cunning and cold, quite abnormal for a girl her age. Yet, it fit the environnent she was placed in. When she finally reached Jonathan she gave him a small smile.

Her smile was contagious, he couldn't resist mere reciprocation. However, this was all overwhelming for him, so he stepped back a few paces. This didn't faze Natalia though, she was used to being pushed away.

Jonathan knew this, and he wouldn't lose her mere trust. He spotted a daisy and picked it up. He grabbed Natalia's cold hands and placed the little flower in her palm. She looked up at him with curious and frightened eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but only soft, quiet octaves of her voice poured out.

He shook his head and gripped her hand tightly. "You're welcome" he took her thanks, and she genuinely smiled, a smile that neither child knew she had.

"I don't know what happened, and I won't ask to make you upset. Just know you have a friend in this town and you are thought fondly of, by me" Jonathan said honestly. He let go of her hands and started to walk back home. Natalia stood in her place trying to understand the encounter with Jonathan. She turned to him fast and wanted him to stay.

"Jon" She said, making him stop his tracks and look at her wistfully. "Thank you, you're so kind and clever" she said, earning a warm smile.

Autumn leaves started falling at the scene, the two teens said nothing and only started at each other lucidicly. This newfound friendship was sure to impact them, and they were not ready for it.

Jonathan simply gave her a curt nod and continued to walk back home. She looked down at the daisy still in her hand, she clutched it close to her heart.

"Talia" Lilith said behind her, this time Talia didn't push her away. "You're kind Lily" Talia said. Lilith was taken aback but didn't question Talia's epiphany.

"Nobody has called me Lily since I was a little girl like you" Lilith said. "I'll call you Lily then" Talia reassured.

"So be it, come child, you've been out here far long, sleep" Lilith said, guiding the girl back in the house. However, Talia's eyes still set on the gazebo.

Is this the sudden change?
Was this all I longed before?
Is my desire coming true?

Talia's thoughts were crowded with these mere phrases, yet the voice wasn't hers.

it felt repeated.

to be continued

A/N: lol its been awhile HEY! sorry senior year has taken its toll yet its almost over. ill be updating daisy chains later!

smolkey ✴