The Pictures We Paint/ #wattys2019

9

At sunset the beach was a pageant if colour, high sprung sky of turquoise tinted with crimson and gold stretched magnificently across the opulent land.

The soft trembling sand slipped off my foot at I padded against the shore, barefooted, salty droplets splashing against my face as the tide kissed the shoreline only to retreat again.

The sun shimmered as it sank slowly against the pale western gold as though reluctant to let the moon take its spot. I breathed in the misty air, scanning the area for Julian.

Then I saw him. He sat crouched on the sand close to the raging ocean, his eyes gazing out far, arms wrapped around his knees. The murky red sun outlined his body in a way that made him glow.

I walked towards him, my dress flying out behind me, strands of hair obscuring my sight. I sat down, his long, windswept hair almost tickling my cheek.

We sat in a delicate silence, till the sun finally set.
Fiery streaks darkening from the sky till the moon appeared in a clear brilliance bringing along elusive stars.

I lay down to gaze in wonder at the exquisite site, the sweet smell of night drifted in the air, a mixture of fresh trees and a salty ocean.

"You see that star," Julian pointed with his finger, "the one with amber outlines and white silk, the one that shines brighter than the other, pulsating with a delicacy not know to man. Beaming with grace and fragrance, simple in its beauty but stark in its solitude. The one that makes you feel as though anything is possible and all you have to do is believe it, that one, can you see it?"

"No." I replied

"I can't either but if I close my eyes," his eyelids fluttered close and a small smile played in his lips. "Ah, now I can see it,"

He dropped his arm and turned to me, "Amelia, tell me, what do you see when you close your eyes?"

"Well, oh- I see myself as a seven year old girl, sweet and free. I can see I'm wearing a blue summer dress and my hair is in plaits. As I run, the ribbons slip of my hair and they begin to unravel." Julian's breaths gently beside me and I know he's listening to my every word.

"I enter the forest which at first is sweet and elusive, the branches raise their arms to prevent scratching my small face, pebbles roll out my way and create a path for me, the leaves curl to allow to warm sunlight to beam through. But as I run deeper into the undergrowth, the canopy tightens and begins to cut off the sunlight, the air turns cold and dark, branches start to tear at my arms, vines wrap themselves around my ankles causing me to stumble. The wind spirals towards me howling like a monster, taunting me as I run. I trip over a giggling rock, rolling down until-" I faltered, my voice dying away.

"Until what?" Julian asked

"Until I open my eyes and realise I'm lying on beach, safe, with you." I glanced at him and a lock of dark hair drapes over his forehead and I notice a small scar above his right eye.

The tightness in his jaw softened, without a word he slipped his hand into mine and I give it a squeeze. The guarded look from his emerald eyes melted.

"You know my father has my whole life planned out, from birth to death." Julian said bitterly.

"Well at least your safe from failure and guilt, you have a safety net and a promising future, others aren't as fortunate," I sigh as I think of my own.