Lavender

πρόλογος • prologue

PAIN. Agony. Betrayal. Emotions were like a painting splattered across the canvas. A bland canvas turns into a mesmerising portrait. Each colour symbolises a new provoked emotion, balancing the others.

Feelings were a masterpiece hidden behind a sculpture. Hidden by many layers of clothing is a shielded beauty, shaped by the shadows. Behind all of the fake smiles is a pure treasure, showcased by many.

Octavia unhooked her family photograph off the wall. She wiped the dust with her thumb as salty water drowned the paper. She glided her hand across the edge and rubbed soothing circles over her brothers' faces. Octavia stared at the neglected beauty for a prolonged minute. She strapped her boots and firmly clasped her rose jumper. She smoothed her strapless shirt and fixed her grey pants. She tied up her smooth brown hair up into a tight ponytail and absentmindedly glided a lavender rubber band across her wrist.

Her heart clenched as it thumped in her chest; her brother, Caesar, the only person that genuinely cared about her wellbeing. The comedian of the family with a passive amount of affection. The only cordial person in her family and the one that had an infinite amount of faith in her, who would never in a million years let her down.

Her shoulders were stiff as her eyesight became blurry. Black ink smeared across her cheeks as it dripped from her eyes. Her dark lips trembled. She scoured a finger under her ocean eyes and flicked the remaining water away.

The mirror glistened in the warm sunlight. Her reflection deceived her reality. Octavia splashed cold water on her face and sighed deeply. She sniffed as unshed tears finally made their way down her heated cheeks. She harshly rubbed the specks of water that illuminated in the warm sunlight.

Octavia grabbed the last piece of fabric and zipped the yellow duffel bag. Her crystal eyes lingered at the door. She made her way out and cautiously shut the brown door.

Octavia hesitantly turned around. "Goodbye." A sombre tone evident in her voice. She briskly strided, only to be stopped by a deep voice.

"Octavia?" Caesar glanced at Octavia. His deep blue eyes scrutinised her outfit and bags. He was the only brother that had blue eyes similar to Octavia's; all of her brothers had inherited green eyes from their mother. His mind clicked as he stared at her in disbelief.

Caesar was Octavia's third oldest brother. He shared similar deep blue eyes, Octavia inherited from her father. He had dark blue eyes touched by storm clouds. She had always seen joy in them, but now there was heartbreak. They embraced the wind; a brief gust before returning to a calm sea. Octavia saw his well-built appearance slump slightly. His high cheekbones clenched and unclenched as he folded his large arms over his chest.

Caesar gave her a pained smile. He strutted towards her. "You would actually do that to me? Leave without me?" Caesar's faltering voice echoed through the hallway as he gripped her shoulders. She watched as his glossy eyes turned broken; a spark of emotional pain loomed over his heart. Caesar shook his head dejectedly as his silky brown hair swayed, side to side.

Octavia's heart crushed into a million pieces when she espied her cheery brother. "It's not like that, Caesar please." She pleaded guiltily and started to examine the floor. Her foot swiped the ground and swayed gracefully.

Caesar held her chin in a powerful grip, making her stare at his similar eyes. "I'm going with you." His authority dominated her feeble attempt to refuse.