trouvaille

the beauty of art

(that's Saoirse in the design!)

Saoirse~

The sun peeked through the clouds as I sat on my favorite park bench, basking in it's golden warmth. It was still pretty early, but even so, Boston was already bustling with life. Birds chirped and twittered right alongside blaring car horns. Everything from squirrels with bushy tails to businessmen in fancy suits already rushing about to complete their daily tasks, forgetting to just stop and breathe. I smiled as I inhaled deeply, a strong sense of calm rushing over me. I was grateful for this moment, as I knew life would get progressively more hectic as the sun moved across the sky.

My phone dinged softly, alerting me and drawing my attention away from the world around me. I pulled it out of my bag and pressed my thumb against the screen, allowing the device to unlock and reveal the message in need of reading.

A small reminder sat in the notification bar, the word art supplies with three exclamation points and an address located in my favorite part of town. I smiled and locked the phone, sliding it back into its pocket in my small backpack and pulling the bag onto my shoulders. I pushed myself off of the bench and stretched a bit before waving goodbye to the birds that had gathered at my feet and making my way to the sidewalk that would take me to my destination.

People smiled and waved at me as I walked, young children giggling shyly as I returned the smiles with a small wave of my own.

I hummed and peeked into other shop windows as I went about my way, not needing to pay much attention to the path I was taking. I knew this route by heart, as I had been walking it since the day I turned 15. I still remember how nervous my mom was about letting me go out on my own, mumbling warnings in her rushed Gaelic and shoving a can of pepper spray into my hands before kissing my forehead and sending me off with a gentle, "fanacht sábháilte." Stay safe. When I returned safely hours later she greeted me with a hug and another kiss as I rambled excitedly about the wonders of our city.

"Saoirse!" A soft, but excited and very familiar voice called in a thick Irish accent. I turned quickly and found myself smiling brightly at the women before me.

"Mrs. Gallagher! It's so wonderful to see you! How are you today?" I asked, approaching the old woman who embraced me tightly once I was in hugging distance.

"I've been wonderful dear, better now that I've seen you! How are you and your parents?" She asked, holding my hands in hers gently.

"I've been good! Busy with school work, but doing well! Mama and Papa are doing well, they loved the pie you sent over last week, Mama can't stop talking about it." I laughed.

Mrs. Gallagher smiled at me.

"That's lovely dear, send your parents my love and tell your Mam I will make sure to send the recipe to her." She said. I smiled.

"Thank you ma'am, it was lovely to see you, send Mr. Gallagher my love!" I said, giving her a last hug before we said our goodbyes and departed, both continuing with our days.

I flipped my wrist to check my watch, gasping when I saw that the hands already read 1:30. I must've spent more time at the park than I had thought.

I picked up my pace, walking with more purpose towards the tiny art store where I would find the materials for my latest project.

After 20 minutes I arrived at the small shop, smiling at the worn sign and the pretty exterior. This shop had been one of my favorite places for as long as I could remember, and they always carried my favorite supplies.

I pushed open the door and smiled at the smell of lavender and paint, which pair together better than one would expect.

"Welcome to Casey's! Let me know if- Saoirse!" The owner, Casey, exclaimed, hoping off her counter and rushing to scoop me up in a hug.

"You haven't visited in forever, I was beginning to worry about you. Step back and let me look at you!" She said.

I rolled my eyes and stepped back.

"I was here last week Ms. Casey, It hasn't been that long." I giggled.

"Hush child, give me a spin." She said, waving her finger in a circular motion.

I rolled my eyes once more but did as she said, giving her a small twirl.

"Yep, you look as beautiful as always. Where did you get that skirt, it looks wonderful on you sweetheart."

I smiled, pushing my hair behind my ear.

"I picked it up at the thrift store on the corner of my street, I was really excited when I found it." I said excitedly.

Ms. Casey nodded.

"You always find the most beautiful things at those stores, I don't know how you do it!"

"It's just about knowing where to look." I said.

"Well, I have the things you ordered in the back room, wait here for me while I get them." I nodded and pulled out my wallet, taking out a few bills to cover the expense of the supplies.

Ms. Casey returned quickly, handing me a paper bag in exchange for the money.

"There you go sweetheart, I imagine I'll be seeing you next week?" I nodded and waved as I exited the small shop.

The air had warmed while I was in the shop, I pulled my sweater off and shoved it in my backpack to avoid getting too hot whilst I  wandered around the city.

I pulled out my phone and selected a playlist before connecting my earbuds and shoving them in my ears, humming along to the soft music as I walked.

Soon enough the streets began to fill and when I glanced down at my watch I wasn't surprised to discover that it was already 3:00. I needed to stop by the market to pick up some treats for Gnocchi before heading home, as she had chewed her way through all of the herbs that were grown for her. I looked down at my phone and got distracted by a new notification and before I knew it I was colliding with something that was definitely a person.

I gasped and looked up and the apology I planned died in my throat. I hadn't just bumped into a person. I had bumped into someone who was quite possibly the prettiest girl I had ever seen. Big blue eyes and rich brown hair, I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

I yanked my earbuds out and opened my mouth to apologise but the girl I had bumped into beat me to it.

"I'm so sorry! My maps app won't load, and- and- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to run into you." She says quickly in a pretty London English accent.

I feel my blush darken and curse the fact that I have such pale skin.

"I, It's alright!  I wasn't, uh, paying much attention either," I stammer, cringing when I hear the slight lilt of my accent that chooses to make its appearance at the worst of times.

She stares at me for a moment and I kind of feel like dying. Mission: 'don't embarrass yourself in front of pretty girls' was definitely a failure.

An awkward silence falls over us and I clear my throat nervously before remembering something she had said.

"You said you were lost? I'm from around here, maybe I could help?" I offer in a way that I hope doesn't come off as overbearing.

She smiles at me, and my blush darkens, and I wish desperately for death.