A Journey

Glimmer of Hope

"Come on over girly, what's with the serious expression?"Darren said, followed by a brilliant smile. It was hard to be this close to Ava since a long while ago. They had been as close as a male and female could be in high school while in two different grades and not raising suspicion in their town. Him being three years her senior made them drift after he graduated and started working. It hurt to think about how much time had passed without his notice and he wondered if she was lonely. He knew those bitches in the orphanage weren't real friendly to Ava, though he had no idea why. She was always doing right by them and took care fo most of them since they entered the place. He didn't understand women still, and he doubted he ever would.

Ava bit her lip as she went to sit nervously by Darren at the bench-table combo. After turning to him, she opened her pretty, pink cupid bow lips to speak only to be interrupted by Mavrik, "You're not in any trouble, are ya?" he asked with a quirk of his brow. Darren had to shake his head slightly to try and focus on something other than Ava's unmatched beauty. This was important; he had to remember. She had never come to him for help, and he knew she wouldn't have come unless it was essential. 

Ava let out a huff, not appreciating being out-talked. She wasn't sure why he would care too much if she were in trouble unless he was worried she would pull them into something. "If you let me explain, please, I will let you know what is going on," She expressed with a bit of annoyance dripping in her voice. After a bit of silence, she explained what she had heard from the man and the matron. Darren watched as the more Ava had talked about the conversation, the more she curled in on herself. He didn't like seeing his spitfire looking so vulnerable. He had an idea of how to help her but didn't know how to go about it. Mavrik was looking annoyed, as if her problems weren't their concern, while Byrin looked neutral. He had always been hard to read, even after the years Darren had known him.

The more time went by, the more Ava felt they would be of no help to her. She felt disappointed at first, but as Darren shifted to look more at her, she could see the gears turning in his head. It took a lot to keep quiet as he thought and hopefully made a plan. Mavrik, finally tired of the silence, spoke up," How is this our problem? why come to us at all?" He asked harshly as Ava's face heated up. She was thinking the same thing and wondering what possessed her to even think about this. Even though she had a, something, for Darren, and had thought he thought of her as a friend, did not mean he had to do anything for her. Darren's facial featured began to turn a little sour, but he fought to keep it under wraps. Byrin noticed the change, though and it made him all the more suspicious. 

His twin turned to him with a small frown," Come now, Mav, no need to be rude. What if we can help? It's not like she is asking us to marry her," He joked, though that just made Ava turn even redder. Darren loved the rose hue to her skin that showed in the form of her embarrassment. The mention of anyone marrying Ava, made his blood boil, for the obvious set of reasons. Mavrik just rolled his eyes in answer and huffed in annoyance. Byrin just gave her a small smile and nudged him playfully after looking over at Ava. Darren, taking a deep breath to calm himself of his myriad of emotions.

"I have an idea, but it will take time to get everything set up. In a week, meet me by the Grain Market," Darren said as he got up from his seat. Ava just looked up at him wide-eyed but nodded her head after a moment. She hoped she had a week, and the matron didn't jump the gun. "I hope I can trust you, Darren, because I just don't know what else to do," Ava said so softly he almost couldn't hear it. He did hear it, though, and it hurt to hear how scared she sounded. "I'll show you, Ava. You can trust me, "He replied slowly. He made a motion to the twins that it was time to go. They both got up and moved in sync to follow Darren. Ava sat there in the afternoon sun for a while, just observing all the families and children playing in the nearby streets and parks. She couldn't help the envy that bloomed in her heart as she watched them. Ava had wanted and still wanted what they had. It brought on thoughts of her unknown parents. She wondered what they were like if they wanted her or didn't. She questioned if they were dead or happy somewhere else. Only once the sun began to descend behind her slowly, did she start her walk back to the orphanage.

Ava was a block away from home, but she could hear the children inside. They were playing in the front yard, it seemed. Some were playing hopscotch, others tag, and some even doing one another's hair. She smiled softly and greeted each one as she passed. Ava went into the kitchen to help the matron with dinner this time. Dinner was always filling and a treat of the day. "What may I help with tonight, ma'am?" Ava asked after putting an apron on. The matron jumped, apparently not hearing her coming in. Ava's brown knitted at this behavior, but she guessed the matron was thinking hard on what had occurred earlier. The matron acted as if nothing had happened. She then started to direct Ava on where she needed her and what to do. Isabell had joined them only a moment after Ava had come in. They worked with a light conversation of what each of them had done throughout the day as they worked. Ava had done this with the matron since she was old enough to help in the kitchen. This tradition had a hand in building up their relationship. It was her favorite time of day if she was honest.

Once everything was done and had been dished out, Ava had Isabell gather everyone for dinner. Ava kept count as each girl took a seat, wanting to make sure no one was missing. Periodically some of the children do not want to stop playing, therefore hideout to continue their activity.  Sometime after everyone was sat down, Ava sat down herself along with Isabell for dinner. They did the nightly prayer per the matron's request then started in on the meal. This night's dinner consisted of potatoes, carrots, and celery with a broth of basil, beef cubes, and garlic.

Dinner was a very social affair for all the girls. Even Ava couldn't help but converse with the other girls. The fear was still there in the back of her mind, but just for now, she wanted to let it go and be free. It was nice to talk about games, boys, and gossip with everyone. She briefly wondered if everyone would be the same if they knew. Isbell didn't look in the least bit worried, though, and she did know. Once everyone had finished dinner, two of the older girls did the cleaning up. The other would wash the dishes in the morning after breakfast. Ava headed up the stairs to her shared bedroom once she knew the other girls would do their assigned chore. She felt exhausted with all the small life-changing events that happened today. Her face heats up at the thought of her going to Darren for help. She wondered where the courage for that even came from. Ava sits down in bed slowly and looks out the window a bit lost in thought. She had known Darren since she was younger, but she wouldn't call them great or close friends, though a bit closer than acquaintances. They used to pass notes in school to one another and would talk then, but since graduating, they didn't even speak unless passing one another on the street. She wondered why they had drifted from even that. The other girls giggling and coming into bed had shaken Ava from her thoughts. She smiled at them a bit, but as usual, they ignored her mostly. She got out of her dress, quickly placing it in her trunk by her bed. She then got into a pale, almost white looking blue nightgown that had small frills on the top. It billowed down to her ankles with ruffles at the bottom that lightly brushed her ankles.

That night in her sleep, all the worries plagued her. Ava had nightmares from the time her closed her eyes. One being about being forced to marry and becoming nothing more than a baby incubator for a man she cared nothing about. She woke in the middle of the night after that one, the bright waxing moon high in the sky. She sighed heavily, her body drenched in sweat. Slowly Ava got up, going over to the window and sitting on an old time-worn trunk by the windowsill. She looked up at the stars and began to wonder what her life would be like. She wanted to know what Darren planned to do and if it would even help. The nightmare making her feel less than confident. While looking up into the vast endless universe, Ava didn't know her destiny and her future were about to begin. In less than a week, her life would never be the same, but only time would tell if it was for the better or worse.

1712 Word. I know this is shorter than before. I wanted to get an update out a bit earlier and this is a good place to end it. Please give your feedback. Love you small amount of readers, Author Tori signing out!