Colour Your Words

RED 

Symbolizes love, passion and fertility 

“Anddd we’re rolling!”

Lights flashed on Gilbert’s face, making him squint.

He sat on a directors chair that was placed in the audience area of an empty theatre, the stage behind him. A few cameras were infront of him and so were a few crew members, the interviewer smiling. 

“Gilbert Collins” she began. “A globally known danseur and actor, who opened his Ballet Academy just last year holds his first ballet recital at the Paris Opera Ballet. Nice to meet you, Gilbert.” She ended, a bright smile on her face.

“Likewise, Ada.” 

“Without beating around the bush, i’ll just ask you a question that several people, including myself, have been eager to know : what got you into the world of dance and acting?”

Wow, that was direct. 

Gilbert, though he’d been a dancer for nearly 30 years and had acted in the famous trilogy, had never really revealed to the public about his journey, unlike several others he knew. He didn’t deny or accept any claims people had made in the past about his life, most of them being wrong. 

“What was your first dream?” He asked her.

“Pardon?”

“Your first aspiration? When you’re younger, you’ll have the aspiration of becoming somethimg when you’re older. What was that aspiration for you, or were u always certain you wanted to be a journalist?”

“No, i wasn’t,” she admitted. She was in thought for quite sometime until she answered his question. “I wanted to be a singer.” She laughed after the answer, as if it were a dream she couldn’t imagine accomplishing-as if it were a mere wish.

He turned towards the man in a mask who was holding a camera directed at him. “What about you?” He asked, startling him.

“Me, sir?” He asked, hesitantly. “I wanted to become a doctor.”

Gilbert proceeded to ask every single crew member.

“It’s peculiar, really,” Gilbert thought. “The fact none you wanted to be apart of the tech crew. A few of you didn’t even want to be apart of the media. Sure, i don’t know know you all personally. Maybe you’re working towards that dream, or another, or the media turned out to be your dream.”

He gave them all a soft smile.

“I never really had one.”

Ada seemed intrigued. “You never had a dream?” She asked, not in a astounded way, but in a way that convinced Gilbert she was actually interested.

“Never.” He grunted as he shifted in his chair. “Ever since i was a young boy, my parents, friends, teachers, other older people i often didn’t even know would ask me : ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ i told them, i’m not sure. Being a child, that really didn’t bother them, i mean i had quite some time to figure it out. But what bothered me was that even after a few years i never knew what i wanted to become, or even what i enjoyed.

‘So i started trying out new things - painting, piano, woodworking, and countless others. They were frustrating at times, but i would be pleased with myself when doing it. It was, well, fun. But not encouraging enough for me to obtain a passion. One day, i was walking home from school, when i passed a giant window of a building. Classical music was coming from it. I stared at the words written on the window in a special font : Desmond Hillary’s Ballet Academy.

‘I’d pass by the building everyday, but it was only a month later i saw the students dance. It was.. exhilarating. The group of 16 year olds waltzed around the room effortlessly in a series of “ballet moves” as i recalled myself thinking. It was as if.. as if they themselves were a lyrics of the song playing and were simply expressing it through dance. When i’d pass by the store in the evening, i’d see these same dancers in their normal attire dancing along to pop songs.

Genuinely speaking, it wasn’t boring to watch them do ballet, unlike what a lot of kids my age thought. I couldn’t fathom learning ballet, i needed the proper training for that. So i started learning the hip hop moves i saw the dancers do through memory. My friends themselves started learning as well, a few of their older siblings teaching us as well. Three months later was when i realised who that old man who sat during recitals and taught the students. 

‘There were a lot of teachers, from what i observed. But there was a man who’d be there for each class no matter what. He sat on a stool at the furthest part of the room, and i could only see him if stood at the very end of the glass window. He had curly brown hair feathered with grey strands, and wore spectacles.”

“How’d you realise who he was?” Ada asked. 

“I had this friend of mine, Thomson. He was a wonderful friend, still is.  One day, as we walked to school and passed the ballet academy, he told me, ‘wait right here, i have to get something from my uncle,” and walked in. I was surprised, and followed him into the building. It was much better than i could’ve ever imagined. I jogged up to him, but stopped when he approached the old man, who greeted him with a smile. They exchanged a few words, and thomson came waddling back to me with a bag in his hands. He looked at be peculiarly, probably because a shocked expression was on my face. ‘What?’ He asked me, letting out a laugh. I looked at the man and then asked him, ‘He’s your uncle?!’ Then we left the building, the music beginning as we walked out.

‘Yeah he’s my uncle’ he told me. ‘I thought your uncle’s name was Harrison?’ I asked him. He then told me that the store was previously his grandfather’s, whose name was Desmond Hillary. That night I wondered to myself. Why shouldn’t _i_ start ballet?

‘It was a peculiar thought at first. I’d never thought dance as something i’d want to do, but the more i pondered, the more i realised i was most excited for when i’d get to meet and friends to dance. It was just for pleasure, something we could do when we didn’t want to play or wanted to show off to eachother. But that pleasure.. i didn’t get it from any other activity. I wondered, could i ask Mr Harrison?

‘It took me another whole month to decide whether i should tell Thomson. I eventually did, and he took me to his uncle after a day of playing cricket. We were just in time too. When we came to the building he was walking out, his hands in his coat. He was surprised to see me and Thomson.

‘He started telling his uncle about how we’d all begun to learn hip hop, and how i was the one who introduced it to them. His uncle stopped him mid explanation. ‘I’ve seen you all, Thomson.’ He said in a silvery voice. ‘Don’t forget you dance at the same place at the same time i’m on my way home. I’ve noticed you all.’ Thomson continued to say how good i was ay dance and finally came to that one question to which i was hoping the answer would be yes. 

‘Would you be willing to teach Gilbert?’

‘Now when i tell you, this man had no emotion at all in his face, i mean it.  He didn’t object to it, nor did he seem like he wanted to say yes. He looked at me. It’s a look i’ll always remember. He looked at me, and he said, ‘Do you know about the history of ballet?’ I was taken aback. I didn’t. Frankly I considered ballet to be like, a butterfly fluttering across the grass. Hell, i didn’t even know if i really wanted to do ballet or a different form of dance. All that was running in my mind when Mr Harrison asked me again, ‘i’m guessing you don’t. He signed. He continued asking me questions - what an arabesque was, or an en croix. Genuinely, i knew nothing, and Mr Harrison knew that. ‘Unless you SHOW me you want to dance, i cannot take you as a student’ he told me. He gave me a nod, smiled at his nephew and left. As simple as that.’

Ada nodded for him to continue. ‘And then?’

‘Well i did. I learnt whatever i could with a few books in the library, and i somehow managed to talk with the older kids Mr Harrison taught. Another month passed and i felt ready enough to show Mr Harrison i was actually serious about this. And he felt so too.

‘Every alternate day, after his session at the academy, i’d meet with Mr Harrison at Thomson’s house, for he didn’t want us to practice at his place. I never told my parents, and Mr Harrison didn’t ask about the money. I got better and better and soon he taught me after hours at the building i once passed by as a 10 year old. as the years went by, i got better, and eventually Mr Harrison let me join his team of elites, and that started everything - it made me who i am today. 

‘I performed for the first time at the age of 17. And that was the first time my family saw me dance. I don’t want to delve much into what happens next, because i’m pretty sure it’s already known by you all.” Gabriel chuckled

Ada smiled “You joined the Master Ballet Academy and learnt acting on the side. You started performing more and more, and not just ballet. You played the piano in Carniege Hall as well, didn’t you? Then you received your debut acting role.”

‘You say it so simply, Miss Ada.’

‘But it wasn’t?’

‘Ofcourse not. It was anything but simple. But that’s what i’m trying to convey. Nothing is easy. We all know that. But what matters, is your passion. That burning passion, to continue doing something though it’s hard, to do it, not for someone else, but for yourself. That.. that dream, to be great, at whatever it is you want to be great at, should be for yourself. For the part of you that feels the same way a little kid feels when they’re happy, for whatever reason that is.

If.. if that passion, for being great, for feeling joy, if that passion is ignited in you, you mustn’t allow anything to come in your way and quaver your path. It shouldn’t matter where you are, who you are, what others believe or think. All that matters, in anything you do, is passion.”

.

He bid farewell to the crew members, and looked athe stage, a broad smile on his face. 

“I’m proud of you, Gilbert. Greatness is yours.”

Those were another set of words from Mr Harrison. 

A set of words he shared to Gilbert through a call.

A call from the hospital.

Gilbert wiped a tiny tea that trickled across his face, trying not to feel anger at Mr Harrison for not telling him about his situation. 

“Thanks to you, Mr Harrison.”

BLUE

 GREEN 

Represents growth, renewal, and harmony with nature.

Every summer Anaisha would travel with her parents to Delhi. The capital was where the entirety of Anaisha’s mum’s family lived in. Her mother had a younger brother and an older sister, and every single one of the summer trips was centered around her older sister’s house. Why? Because, it was unanimously accepted that “her house was always the prettiest, biggest, and would hold the most memories as the kids grew up.” That was what Anaisha was told growing up.

Her aunt had no kids, but her uncle had two sons, one of them the same age as Anaisha’s sister, Gayatri, and the other a year older than her. 

Her father’s brother, was good friends with Anaisha’s aunt (maybe that’s how her mom and father met?), would also accompany them at her aunt’s massive house. His kids, a daughter and a son, were, again, older than her. 

Being the youngest, Anaisha would often find herself chasing behind the other kids, begging to be included without them feeling they were forced to. So the majority of her vacations, up until 7 grade(whcih was when she found herself being included more with her older siblings) she’d spend her time with her Aunt Shyla.

Anaisha still remembered several things the two would do together - discovering new recipes and trying them together, painting whatever came to their minds on a canvas, reading books Anaisha still loved. Her Aunt would talk to her about her adventures while travelling across India and Abroad. But what she really cherished, was her time spent in the garden with her Aunt.

“You see, Anaisha,” her aunt grunted. “Gardening isn’t easy. However, it can be so fun. Pass me the zinnias?” 7 year old Anaisha obliged to the request and gave her the new zinnias they’d purchased from the man who’s come till their house, hoping to sell. 

She watched as her aunt gently placed the zinnia’s in the pot, filling the gaps with soil. “Now we make sure to let the soil settle,” she said as she watered the soil. “We can’t suffocate this beauty, can we?” She asked, smiling. She picked up the plant, the 7 year old following her, and placed it in an area where the sun shone, but not as mightily as it soon in the other parts in the garden, which was also bordered by plants and flowers, the middle part for growing vegetables. 

Aunt Shyla related life to plants, how we needed balance in life just as plants did.

Several winters were also spent at Shyla’s home, but most of the time, the 3 families would visit a place suggested by her, hinting the need for them to reconnect with nature.

Anaisha always cherished the trips to hill stations. The cold comforted her, which several found weird. But she loved the times they’d settle around a fireplace for warmth, or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate to take their minds off the cold, or making fun of her older sister for feeling cold. The hikes they took were always the highlight of the trips. Coming back to the warmth after a day in the cold weather made her feel.. well, it was hard to describe. But her aunt felt it was a feeling of gratitude.

No matter how many years will pass, Anaisha was certain she’d always remember their trip to Rohtang Pass, with the lush green hills along with awe-struckimg views. While everyone took pictures, she took a seat on a hill beside her aunt.

“You really love being in the nature, don’t you, Aunt Shyla?” She asked, staring at her aunt who had a shimmer in her eyes. 

“It teaches you so much, Anaisha.. have you realised? It teaches one patience, how to face your fears. Like that time your grandfather left me in the forest near our old house and told me to find my way back. If some did that now, they’d be worried about the dangers in the forest, but the forest he left me in, though confusing, was completely safe. Safe for those who were aware about it. Was it intimidating? Sure. But it brought confidence. The monthly camping trips your grandfather took me and your mother and uncle on, and the ones i took you kids on, was to develop independence. To learn cooperation. You can grow a lot from a life spent in nature. I grew because of it.”

She turned to her niece. “No one was really, HAPPY with my decision to travel the world. But i’m glad i did.”

Anaisha smiled at her aunt. “Your filled with gratitude, aren’t you?” 

Her aunt let out a sigh as she looked back at the view in front of her - a sigh of relief. A relief that she was here. “So much gratitude.”

 

.

Anaisha stared at the picture of her 14 year old self along with her Aunt, the picture taken the same day they had that conversation.

It was a short one, and frankly speaking, it didn’t delve deep enough into what her Aunt wanted to convey. She never really had a way with words, but Anaisha understood. She understood how a life spent in nature affected you. How it helped one grow, how it helped one understand the reality of how.. the world doesn’t revolve around us. How minor problems can seem small when looked at a broader view. You gain a sense of gratitude for the simple luxuries of life. And a feeling to save the dying state of nature as well. 

So she set the picture on the mantel place of her aunt’s house. No one was surprised when the property went to her after the accident. It saved her from being in an apartment any longer.

She stared at the several boxes that filled the room she was in, and walked towards a painting that was sent against a wall. 

She raised it up and hung the painting of zinnias on the wall, the name Shyla and Anaisha signed at the bottom.

YELLOW 

signifies happiness, optimism, and enlightenment 

PINK

Conveys affection, tenderness, and playfulness.

It was the day autumn break began, and Faye was walking from an unbearable day of school. But, she was glad it was over. Atleast, for two weeks, that is.

She was listening to her music when she heard the rustling of leaves behind her. 

“Faye! Wait up!” 

She sighed and turned back to see a girl in a yellow dress running up to her.

Great, Faye thought.

“Hey Charlie..” she said, looking at the brown haired girl (the same one she’d known for years but never talked with) pant infront of her. 

“God,” Charlie started inbetween gasps. “You”re fast.”

“Oh! Hah..” Faye chuckled nervously. “Thankyou?”

Charlie looked at her, flashing her a smile. She then looked faye up and down, her face concerned. 

“Hey you okay? You’ve gotten pretty quiet these days.”

“Have i?” Faye asked, regretting it the second the words rolled off her tongue. She had gotten quiet overthe past few weeks, not as if she was talking alot before either.

“You have..” Charlie replied, her forehead creased. “It has something to do with your friend group.. doesn’t it?” Faye found herself clutching her knuckles. 

“What makes you think that,” she said in a low voice.

“For starters, they’re ignoring you-“

“What? No they aren’t, they’re just busy, and- HEY! LOOK AT TIME” Faye said nervously, “Gotta go! Bye Charlie! Nice meeti-“ She was cut off by Charlie grabbing her hand when she attempted to turn around. 

“Don’t avoid the question, Faye.”

Charlie looked so concerned, that even Faye seemed to want to tell her what was going on. 

She let the thought fase away as fast as it had entered her mind.

She pulled her hand away from her grasp. “Can we not talk about this?”

“If you keep avoiding the situation, it isn’t going to help you Faye.” Charlie told her, making Faye sigh. 

“Let’s just say.., i’ve been wrong about them for quite some time.”

There was a silence for about 3 seconds before Charlie gave her slow claps,  a slight smile on her face.

“About time you realised that!” She exclaimed. “They’ve been nothing but horrible to you, and we’ve all noticed it, like when that time yo-“ 

“Woah,” Faye held her hands in a stop gesture. “just because i realised it doesn’t mean i want to remember it again.” 

Charlie laughed, “True, but hey, that doesn’t mean you should stop socialising.”

Faye laughed weakly, “ I guess so..” 

Faye watched as she took her phone from her bag.

Was it that easy for people to get bored of her? 

She thought Charlie would bid her farewell and turn back, but instead, the chocolated skinned  girl looked at her with a vibrant smile. She shoved the device in Faye’s face, her brown eyes shining. It was a google page for a bowling alley. 

“Me and a few friends are going there tomorrow,” She said, shoving her phone into her bag. i’m guessing you already know Oliver and Brynn, and a few other kids we know.”

“Oh!” Faye said, plastering a smile on her face. “That’s awesome! I’m sure you’ll have tons of fun!”

Charlie looked at her. “You’re coming with me.” She told her in a stern voice, startling Faye.

“No it’s alright! I wouldn’t want to intrude on you’re time with your frie-“

Charlie shushed her, putting a finger on her lips. 

“You won’t be intruding on anything, okay?” Charlie reassured her (though it didn’t help). As if she could read what was running through Faye’s mind, she said “And the others wouldn’t mind it if you came, they’re gonna love meeting you.” 

Faye hesitated. This was random. What if Charlie was asking this out of pity? What if her friends didn’t like her? Or, after she left, asked Charlie not to ever talk with her again? Or-

“I’m not a mind reader, but it’s clear that you’re over thinking about this.” Charlie sighed. Her phone buzzed as she said “Atleast promise me you’ll think about it?”

“Yeah, i’ll let you know.”

Charlie flashed a smile and turned around as she answered the call. 

.

It was the next day, and, after finally convincing herself, Faye searched up Charlie’s account on her following and texted her for this first time.

“Hey! Is your offer still up?”

An hour passed.

Two hours.

Three hours.

A ding from her watch as she did her math work marked 4 hours since she messaged Charlie.

She pushed her chair away from the study table as she took up her phone and opened Instagram. Still no reply.

She stared at the setting sun from her window that overlooked the street. She could see the beach a few miles away, and stared at the waves, letting out a groan as she hit her phone to her head.

What made her think Charlie was actually being serious? Why would she want to invite her? It’d been years since the two talked! 

It was getting late outside, and Faye figured Charlie HAD asked her out of pity. Her friends probably were against the idea as well. 

*ding*

Faye looked at her lit up phone screen.

A notification.

A message from Charlie.

She clicked on the white box and stared at the message.

“Faye!”

“I’m so glad you changed your mind!”

“Plan’s changed though, we’re heading out tomorrow, @5pm.”

“Can you comee?”

Faye let out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding.

“Yeah i’m cool with that :D”

“But, again, ur friends r okay with it right?”

She waited for a minute, and recieved two screenshots as a response.

Charlie had taken a picture of her messaging in a group, “hey guys i’m bringing a friend along tomorroww” 

To that, a boy (she assumed it was a boy from the profile) replied “oh cool, do we know them?”

“Her name’s Faye. Oliver, brynn, i’m pretty sure you guys remember her?”

A familiar profile replied to that message. It was Brynn, another girl Faye hadn’t spoken to in ages. “Yeah i remember her. she’s amazing, but not spoken to her in agessss. We used to hang out a lot when we were younger.”

Oliver sent a message next. “Anderson? She’s coming?”

“Yepp” Charlie replied.

“That’s great!!” 

A unfamiliar account sent a message. “Woww and i thought Charlie only had us as friends. Glad you’re talking with more people honey.” Two things surprised Faye. One being that someone would even think Charlie was the type to only stick to a few friends - literally everyone in the school knew her. The other being, Charlie and her were now friends? 

“Oh shutup.” Charlie sent, along with an eye roll emoji. “She’s super sweet, y’all better be decent tomorrow.”

Faye couldn’t read the next message, though she could see Olivers name in the chat. 

She read Charlies message under the two screenshots she’d sent. 

“That answer your question?”

“Ahahah, it doess.”

“Yayy, now stop worrying okay?”

“Yes ma’am:D”

“So what did you do today?”

“Nothinf much, really. Played the violin, chatted with my cousin, did some math.”

“YOU PLAY VIOLIN?!”

Faye chuckled as she replied. 

It was dark out and the street lights were shining when Faye realised she’d been talking with Charlie for more than an hour, and till then her smile hadn’t quavered. She looked at her again phone, after being distracted by her cat. She saw three new messages from Charlie.

“I’ll pick you up from your place tomorrow, if you’re okay with it. Me, Oliver, and Zach planned on walking together to the bowling alley. Brynn, Ezra and Elara r gonna meet us there. Leo said he might not come, so idk how or when he’s coming, dude’s still deciding.” 

“Hallo? You there?”

“Fayeeeeeee!!”

“Hey! Sorry sorry, my cat was demanding attention.”

“Yeah i’m okay with that! My address is xxxxxxx.”

“I remember your house ahahahah, remember it from the time you and me went to the beach with our moms, in elementary.”

“And EXCUSE ME, U HAVE A DOG?! SEND A PICTURE, PLEASEEE”

Faye had forgotten about that trip to the beach.. she’d forgotten how close their mothers were. It was funny. From being friends that spent every weekend together in elementary, her and Charlie split their ways in middle school. 

Okay it wasn’t really funny. It was just the reality, right?

She took a picture of her and her Bernese. She got an instant reply from Charlie. 

“AWW SHE/HE’S SO CUTEEE”

“He, actually. His names Nadia:))”

“Aaahh i wanna steal him”

“No chance, but u can meet him if you want?” 

“But, i already formed a plan on how to steal him :<“

“Kidding, however I’ll definitely come over one day to meet you.” 

“Nadia will be pleased on getting another admirer.”

“Yess, coming over to meet him as well.”

“Aahh i can’t get over the picture, you look so adorablee”

“Oh? Ahaha, thanks x”

Faye found herself hesitating to send the message. She re-wrote it.

“Ahaha, thankyouu”

“Anyway, i kinda need to go now - science project awaits :”D”

“I completely forgot about that project, thanks for the reminder” She sent a crying emoji along with that.

Charlie sent a red heart.

“Ciaoo”

“Bye Charliee :)”

.

It was 4:56 and Faye looked at herself in the mirror.

She wore a white t shirt under her dark red jacket with a pair of wide legged beige pants. A necklace she’d made at a workshop hung around her neck. She’d decided to leave her black hair open.

She glanced at her phone as made her way down the stairs to the living room. She smiled seeing that Charlie had sent her a photo of herself and 3 other guys walking with her. 

A boy with trouseled brown hair was at the back of the image, glancing at another boy who was on his phone. All she could make out was a mop of black hair looking down at the cellphone.

A few steps ahead of them stood Oliver, who looked at the camera with a smile. The blonde haired boy) with blue eyes was Faye’s old classmate, and since then he’d grown a lot taller. He was wearing a white shirt with green horizontal stripes. 

In the corner of the photo was Charlie, shining another one of her bright smiles. The sun shone on her face and made her brown eyes seem almost golden. She’d let her hair down. Her new hair cut (a fringe cut or something, Faye had no clue) suited her long hair. 

Below the picture was a text. “Almost theree (Leo decided to come)”

Faye slipped on her shoes, gave a sleeping Nadia a pat, said goodbye to her mother who was in a meeting in the living room and went out the front door, just in time to see the four of reach her driveway.

“Faye!” Charlie exclaimed, giving her a tight hug. Charlie wore an orange shirt with jeans, a brown hat on her head. She slung her arm around Faye and turned towards the three boys.

“You already know Oliver,” she started, as Oliver smiled. She looked towards the dark brown haired asian, The tips of his hair a sort of orange-brown hue that faded into his brown hair. “This is Zach. Do you remember that time last year when we had an orchestra in our school?”

Faye recalled it. “Yeah.. when our school’s band students came together with the band members from Alexandra’s, the school a few streets away from us.”

“Me and Brynn met him there, along with Elara.” When Charlie said her name, Zach looked away, and Faye was certain she hadn’t imagined the slight redness in his face. Oliver gave a chuckle and Charlie gave a sly smile.

She jerked her head towards the last of the group - the black haired boy who was still glued to his phone. “That’s Leo-“

“Dude who are texting?” Oliver asked, tilting his head. Leo’s head shot up as he looked at him. His wavy hair was set in layers that rested on above the other. He had a pair of headphpnes around his neck. He wore a black sweater over a white shirt.

“This stupid group project in our school,” Leo groaned. “One of my teammates isn’t bothering to send me his work, AND I GAVE HIM THE EASIEST JOB AN-“

“How about you just, i don’t know, tell him if he doesn’t send it to you by today you’ll remove him from the project?” Zach suggested. “It’s your history one, right? Your teacher loves you, so even if you DID a-“ He was interrupted by a ding. 

“Finally,” Leo mumbled as he hit the letters on his phone super fast. “Now we can get on with the project.”

Charlie cleared hher throat, and a minute later Leo slipped his phone into his pocket. “So are we gonna pick your friend up or not?” 

“Dude she’s right here!” Oliver said in annoyance as Zach hit Leo at the back of his head. 

“OW!” Leo exclaimed, and looked at Faye as he placed his left hand on the back of his head. His eyes suddenly seemed more interested as he stared at Faye while Charlie told her how they’d met him (apparently it was at a skatepark). 

“Oh you skate?” Faye asked, though she didn’t know who the question was meant for. 

“Me, Leo, Brynn and Mathilda do, yeah” Zach replied. “We usually go to the skateparkk near the beach? The one infront of that art studio.”

“Oh,” Faye said. “You should check out the one at Richard Avenue. Much better experience.”

“Huh,” Zach thought, “Never been there. We’ll check it out later, won’t we Leo?”

“Huh,” Leo averted his gaze from Faye to Zach who let out an exasperated sigh.

“SO,” Charlie started. “Let’s get going, shall we?”

.

From the time they left her house and reached the bowling alley, Faye’s smile never disappeared.

She’d shown Charlie a few pictures of Nadia, resulting in her taking her phone from her hands and obsessing over the album Faye’d dedicated for the Bernese. Zach seemed to be bullying Leo over something, with Oliver laughing and Leo attempting to defend himself.

She spoke to Oliver, who talked with her about their old classmates in the 7th grade and their previous maths teacher, who Oliver was stuck with again for the 10th grade. She couldn’t help but laugh and make annoyed faces when he told her about how he’d been teaching their class for the past year.

Leo noticed Charlie looking at Nadia and started viewing the pictures with her as well. Zach joined Oliver and Faye and told her about their time during the Orchestra (he played the piccolo) and shifted the topic to skateboarding and music.

When they’d reached the bowling arena, they saw 2 girls and a boy waiting for them. 

Faye recognised Brynn, the blonde blue eyed girl who was apart of her friend group. Or, atleast was. Brynn made the smart decision to leave them two years ago, while Faye stuck with them.

Where’d that bring her?

Beside her stood a girl Faye guessed was Elara - a curly long brown haired girl with hazel eyes. A guy, who she guessed was Ezra, stood beside her, looking at his phone. She figured the two were twins, since they looked so alike.

Charlie introduced Faye to the other three, and Faye was embraced in a hug by Brynn. 

“Missed you a lot you idiot,” she whispered in her ear, making Faye chuckle. When she let go, Brynn asked her, “i’m glad you stopped hanging out with them, our old friend group. And i’m sorry i didn’t approach you before-“

“Okay,” Elara interrupted. She was standing next to Zach, him being slightly taller than her. “What DID happen? Charlie mentioned a little about it but never the whole story.” She turned to Charlie and Oliver.

Oliver gave a blank expression, as if he didn’t know either. Charlie glanced at Faye and Brynn. 

Faye looked at her companions now clutched fist, and put a hand on Brynn’s shoulder, trying to convince these new people everything was fine by giving her best fake smile.

“Uhm,” Faye started. “Let’s just say.. they sucked, and Brynn realised that a bit sooner than I did.”

“A bit?” Brynn asked.

Faye sighed. “Fine, a lot earlier than I did.”

“However,” Charlie said. “That doesn’t matter anymore. What mattersss…” she dragged out, turning towards the bowling alley and raising her hands, “is who wins today.”

“I don’t care about who wins,” Ezra said, switching off his phone and shoving it in his hoodies pocket. “As long as we make sure Leo doesn’t.”

“Won’t be a problem,” Zach smirked, nudging Oliver by the shoulder. 

“Oh please i’m way better at bowling than you Zachery.” Leo snapped. Zach scoffed, “What gave you that impression?”

“Okay fine!” Leo said, going next to Charlie, who was standing the closest to the entrance of the building. “If i win, you’re going to be dressed up in Christmas decorations near the seaside, and screaming “LEO’S THE BEST” on the top of your lungs.”

“And when you lose,” Zach smirked. “I get to give you a haircut.” 

“Elara,” Leo looked at her with annoyance in his eyes. “Tell your future boyfriend to stay away from my hair, i’m-“

“OKAY OKAY OKAY,” Zach exclaimed, his eyes wide and face slightly red. “Ugh, fine, when _I_ win, you’re buying me books.” 

“Wowww so dorky.” Leo commented as he pushed the doors of the building.

.

To say Faye had fun would be an understatement. 

The entirety of the two games the group played was filled with laughter and hilarious actions and sarcasm. 

It was the most fun Faye’d had in ages.

While Leo and Ezra decided to check out the arcade that was apart of the bowling alley and Charlie, Zach and Elara discussed something, Faye was engrossed in conversation with Brynn and Oliver. The conversation took several turns, along with comments and concerned looks from Elara when she caught a few words from the talk, but it was still amazing to talk with Brynn and Oliver again.

The conversation ended when Oliver started chasing Zach for his comment on Italian music and  Elara pulled Brynn to the claw machine her brother was stuck at. Leo was no where to be found.

Charlie slipped in to the empty seat on the couch Faye sat on.

“Has anyone told you,” Charlie asked, “you have a really pretty smile?” 

Faye chuckled, “thank you, and thank you for inviting me today.”

“Oi,” Charlie responded, wrapping her arm around Faye’s shoulder. “I just did something so you could have fun again. And, considering your smile hasn’t left your face, i’m guessing it worked?”

“It did, it really, really did.”

“And no thoughts that you’re intruding us or anything?” Charlie asked.

“None at all,” Faye answered, a sign of relief in Charlie’s face. She was about to say something when they heard Elara called out to them. “You two! C’mon we’re going to Cecil Park.”

Conversations sparked as they walked to the park. Ezra and Elara spoke to Faye and Charlie, the three of them telling Faye about the time they’d visited a museum, while Brynn and Zach cracked jokes. Oliver was talking with Leo, who was holding a tiny black dragon in his hands like a little kid. Turns out Ezra was able to win something from the claw machine after all. 

Elara was watching a video of Nadia from Faye’s phone that Charlie wanted to show her. “He’s so cutee! please, we need to meet him one day.”

Faye smiled, “Let me know when you want t-“

“GUYS,” Brynn exclaimed, pointing at a flyer that was stuck on the noticeboard in the park. The streetlight shone on it like a spotlight, highlighting the words “MUSIC FEST.”

“It’s tomorrow,” Ezra noted.

“Oliver!” Zach called out to him and Leo who’d entered the park already. “That Italian artist of yours is playing tomorrow!”

“WHAT,” Oliver spun around and ran towards him. “IS HE ACTUA-“ his voice cut off when he realised the artist’s name wasn’t on the flyer. He punched Zach on the shoulder, “i hate you.”

“Will you love me if i seemed to care?” Zach asked, batting his eyes.

“Ezra can you punch him in the face again?” Oliver asked as if he couldn’t easy make a dent in Zach’s face himself. The twin brother look at him, and then Zach. He considered it, tiliting his head to the side. “Nah, it won’t be fun if he sees it coming.” 

“I’ll do it then,” Leo jumped in, pushing the dragon into Oliver’s hands. 

“No,” Elara, Charlie and Brynn said in unison.

“What if i just break his nose a little?” He asked, pleadingly.

“Anyway,” Brynn cleared her throat, giving Faye a _don’t mind them_ look. “Are we going or not?” 

As Everyone agreed to the plan, Ezra turned towards Faye. “You’re coming too?”

Faye hesitated, “if you guys are okay with it?”

“Of course,” Ezra replied “why wouldn’t we be?”

“So!” Elara clapped her hands. “It’s decided. We’ll meet up at the venue, spend a few hours there, and then crash at Faye’s place and meet her dog.” 

Faye chuckled. “Sounds good.”

They walked into the park, and while the others walked ahead, she walked with the Charlie, who’s arm was around Faye. “Told you they’d like you.” Charlie whispered to her, her breath tickling Faye’s neck. 

“So this is what it feels like, huh?” She asked the brunette.

“Like what?” Charlie asked curiously.

“This is what it feels like to be included.” 

PURPLE

Reflects royalty, luxury, and creativity.

ORANGE

Symbolises energy, enthusiasm, and vibrancy

The alarm rang it’s annoying ring, signifying the start of Ashlyn’s day. The day right before Christmas.

Usually, she’d been running down the stairs and enquire her mother about the plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning. But, honestly, she didn’t even want to know what they were. She knew it wasn’t going to be anything special.

Regardless, she got ready and went to the living room. Her mother was on the phone next to the dining table, wearing her coat. Her brown hair was let open, and her eyes were glued to a notebook she was writing in. Her older brother, Kevin was already on the sofa watching the news (which was new, Kevin was ,more of a newspaper kind of guy). His mop of brown hair was still styled from his haircut yesterday. He rested his chin on his palm, looking at the television. Her father sat on an armchair, tying his shoelaces to go to work. 

She took a seat next to her brother. 

“Merry Christmas Eve, Ash,” he told her, smiling. She smiled back, and looked at her father. He had a smile on his face as well and was about to say something, when Ashlyn’s little sister came running down the stairs, screaming “IT’S SNOWINNGGGG” 

It took all of us by surprise, and my mother rushed to the curtains. She gasped, and, as if on cue, the news reporter on tv spoke. 

“Seems like a minor blizzard has struck on Christmas Eve. But don’t let that ruin the holiday spirit folks! It-“ 

Ashlyn stopped paying attention to what was being said after that. She stared at her 11 year old sister, Charlotte who was glued to the window. 

Her mother and father looked at eachother, their brown eyes seeming to have a a silent conversation.

Kevin’s phone was ringing with messages from his friends. They were supposed to go bowling today. 

Ashlyn wasn’t upset.

This was exactly what they needed.

.

The past year was filled with.. several ups and downs, that even Ashlyn didn’t want to remember. It had affected several things that her family would do, including the stuff they’d do along with her mother’s side of the family, her father not having any siblings. Their interactions had reduced since last Christmas.

Christmas was filled with several family traditions. But it seemed like this time no one wanted to do them. But the blizzard gave them the best opportunity to do so.

Ashlyn gathered the 4 of them in the living room.

“What’s today?” She asked them, her hands crossed.

“Saturday?” Kevin answered, yelping when Ashlyn hit him with a rolled up piece of paper.

“WRONG.” She replied, annoyed. 

“Christmas Eve!” Charlotte responded, a grin on her face.

“Exactly! And what were our plans for today?”

“I was gojng to go bowling,” Kevin started, “Mum and Dad were gonna leave to work, Charlotte.. was probably going to her friends house or something. And you, well i don’t know what you were going to do frankly.”

Ashlyn sighed. She walked towards the window and moved the curtains, pointing the rolled up paper towards the snow. “The blizzard isn’t going to let do anything, is it?” 

“Of course not,” her mother replied. She was wearing a sweater and a pair of pants now, her hair in a ponytail. 

“Wait,” Charlotte interrupted. “Does that mean we can FINALLY decorate the tree now?!”

Ashyln smiled, because that was what she wanted them to do. She turned to face her parents. “You have to admit, we Smiths haven’t really done much as a family this year. This blizzard is a sign! It’s.. it’s our Christmas awakening. C’mon, Christmas was the time of the year we all enjoyed, we’re not gonna let whatever happened in the past ruin that!”

“You’ve been watching too many Christmas movies, Ash.” Kevin said. 

Her dad stood up, coming to Ashlyn’s side. “She’s right,” he looked at his wife, a smile on his face. “Let’s forget everything that’s happened this year, okay? No work, no television, nothing. Just a day for us to enjoy Christmas.”

Ashlyn’s mom seemed hesitant, as if she wanted to say she had work, which she probably did. But she caved in. She turned to Charlotte. “Let’s decorate the tree!” 

.

Ashlyn and Kevin were in the attic looking for the Christmas ornaments, but they came across a few old photo albums, and were laughing at the pictures. Their mother eventually came up to find out what was taking them so long, but ended up joining them.

“That picture,” she pointed. “That was when your father and i went to London, and was taken moments before Kevin wandered off and fell into a lake.” Ashlyn laughed imaging the incident, and laughed louder as she flipped to the page with a picture of her and her cousins having a snowball fight. 

Kevin peeked into the cardboard box and took out a thick brown book. “What’s this?” He asked, brushing the dust off the cover. 

“That,” their mother started. “is you grandmother’s old cookbook. She was the best at cooking, you know? Your aunt and I always wanted to be as great cooks as her. All our cousins would plead her to bake her special red velvet cake.” 

As Kevin flipped through the pages, Ashlyn noticed sadness clouding her mother’s eyes. It was clear she missed those times, and missed her sister as well.

“How about we make it?” Ashlyn thought. Kevin opened the page for the recipe, and handed it to his mother. “It’s not our Christmas tradition,” he said. “But.. it can be?” 

“And maybeee,” Ashlyn hoped what she said next wouldn’t spoil her mother’s mood. “We could bring it to Aunt Stephanie?”

Her mother drew a breath, and stared at the recipe. The two siblings looked at each other. “If this works, i’ll believe in Christmas Magic” was what Kevin’s facial expression seemed to be conveying to Ashlyn. 

But their mother dropped the cookbook on the floor and stood up. She picked up the box labelled ‘Christmas ornaments’. Ashlyn sighed as she picked up the book and was about to place it in the box along with the photo albums when her mother surprised her. “Why’re you putting it back inside, Ash?” She asked, a smile on her face. “We need the recipe to bake the cake, don’t we?”

.

The rest of the day, the house walls echoed with the Christmas Songs their father had chosen. While Ashlyn and her mother baked the rather complicated cake, Charlotte and their dad decorated the tree, (most of the orders given by Charlotte herself). Kevin was decorating the living room with fairy lights. In the midst of all of this, Ashlyn snapped photos with her polaroid and laid them on dining table for her father to see - a picture of her mother looking athe cookbook, another with Kevintrying to untangle the fairy lights, one with their father picking up Charlotte for her to add an ornament at the top layer of the now almost full christmas tree. They were looking at the rest of the pictures while Kevin chased Charlotte around the house to give him his phone back. A ding came from the kitchen.

“The cake’s ready!,” Ashlyn exclaimed to her mother, and the two of them, along with her dad, started decorating the cake. Ashlyn laughed at all the jokes her father cracked, and at his attempts to get his wife to dance with him.

“Looks like the blizzard’s stopped.” Kevin noted. Ashlyn walked to his side, and indeed, it was snowing as heavily as it was before.

She turned to her parents. 

“When are we leaving to their place?”

 .

The next few hours were filled with several emotions.

A few tears were shed when Ashlyn’s mom and aunt met again. Her cousins were excited to see them again. Jokes were spread around the group, details were shared from the past year, Charlotte was obsessing over Jacqueline, their aunt’s dog. Kevin was talking with their cousin and his friend, whose family was also there that evening. Ashlyn sat near the fireplace, listening to her cousin’s stories from the past year. Eventually she left and went to her mother, who’d asked her to help her bring out desert. She glanced back, and smiled at her mom and dad, who were laughing. 

She turned to stare at her aunt’s decorated Christmas tree.

She smiled at the orange ornament, the one she’d made for her aunt several years ago.

An identical one hung on their tree back home.

“The plan worked.” She thought.

WHITE

Represents purity, peace, and new beginnings.

If you’d told me how the 10th of August would turn my life around, i would’ve expected it to be some positive. Something that could’ve brought happiness into my life. I’m glad no one told me that. I would’ve gotten my hopes up too higher than the flame that engulfed our house.

It was a normal day and i’d just come back home from playing volleyball. I’d taken a shower and sat down at the dining table, ready to start my homework. My grandmother sat in the living room knitting a scarf. My 8 year old sister, Ahana reading a book on the sofa. My mother cooking in the kitchen behind me.

It’s weird, thinking about how ordinary the day was going by up until the incident happened.

It was a Friday, and once a month, on a friday, my mothers sister and friend would come to our house for a movie night - a tradition the three used to follow when they were younger. So the two came, along with their kids - Angelina (my cousin) and Vihaan, Mrs Sharma’s son.

The movie began, and my sister went to bring a bowl of popcorn from the kitchen. My mother hadn’t realised she’d left the stove running, and neither did my sister, due to the fact the  thava she’d used for making roti’s hid the flame. And my sister also didn’t realise she’d accidentally pushed a large tea towel near the flame.

I suppose you can figure out what happened next..

The fire was already too big for us to extinguish. We had no choice but to evacuate. I remember clear as day as Mrs Sharma pushed us kids out along with Grandma,  calling the firefighters with her phone. My aunt and mother weren’t in sight. My sister cried in my grandmothers arms as i stood in shock. 

The two finally emerged from our house that was now mostly covered in flames, the fire fighters coming at the right time. But my mother ran into the ablazed house, as if she were mad. I remember my aunt trying to stop her, and a few firefighters diving into the fire to save her and extinguish the fire. A few of them came to us and started comforting my little sister and Angelina. Vivaan stood near his mother, who was talking with my grandmother in a calm voice, trying her best to soothe her. My aunt was getting herself looked at by a few medics,  several files and an album at the ground near her.

The two sisters had gone to retrieve any and all important documents, along with a photo album. Separate photo frames were also cluttered on the ground. A computer and two phones lay beside them, along with a necklace. The same necklace my father had given my mother on their wedding day.

I was sure she’d gone back inside to retrieve any more items that associated with her late husband, and a few firefighters held me back from chasing after her, as if i, a 12 year old, would be able to do anything. 

She came out, at last, her face covered in soot. I ran towards her, but she passed out. 

She clutched a big family portrait my father had painted.

.

The next few weeks were rough. Mom decided to take a few days off work at the hospital. We stayed with our aunt for awhile, until she decided we should stay in an apartment that was closer to her work, since our aunt lived an hour away. Grandmother decided to stay with Aunt Seema and Angelina. 

It was a rough few weeks. Ahana would constantly be crying and my mother would try her best to comfort her, and so did i. Everything that was important for us to survive, my mother had brought put from the fire, and we were all thankful for that, and also for the fact no one got hurt.

My mother tried to make our new little apartment “exciting”, or atleast take our minds off of the incident.

Me?

Well i was sulking the entire time. I wasn’t mad at my sister, nor at my mother who could’ve gotten seriously injured because of her action of going into the burning house. I wasn’t mad at the little apartment.

I was angry over the fact we’d just lost our house.

The process of re-constructing it was yet to begin, and it would takke several months till it was ready.

But, more than just a house, i’d lost a home filled with memories. Memories of friends coming over, of spending time with my sister, of cooking with my mother, of talking with my grandmother. My room was filled with all my valuable possessions - stuff given from friends in the past, old trinkets from when we’d gone abroad, photographs, medals, things i’d made as a kid for my parents, and so much more.

Sure, looking back at it, it seems stupid to be mad at loosing objects, but those objects, to me, as a kid, defined who i was. Dramatic, maybe. But they meant the world to me. 

And the fire burnt the memories of my father along with the walls of the house he’d built.

.

A few months had passed since the house fire, and my sister and I begun going to school again. It was normal at first, if one would consider pitiful looks and positive words from teachers and classmates normal.

One day, as i sat near the window of our apartment, i looked towards the paint store across the street. On it’s window, i noticed a painting. Tears swelled in my eyes.

My mother entered the room at this time, and rushed to my side. I couldn’t say anything for awhile, and she just kept her arm around me until i calmed down. 

“What happened, Karan?” She asked me, her voice calm.

“That painting over the street reminded me of the one dad made,” i said, wiping my eyes. “The one that was hung on in my room.”

She looked across the window, a sad smile on her face. “It’s similar in some ways, isn’t it?” To which i simply nodded.

“I’ve noticed you haven’t been handling this transition well, have you?” She asked me. 

“None of us are, ma.”

“Karan, I understand. I understand how you must be feeling everything that’s apart of you has been burnt down-“

“Hasn’t it?” I asked. “Everything is gone. Every happy memory is now in ashes. Every memory of dad..”

“Memories don’t burn, Karan. They’re always with you. No matter what you feel, they’re always with you.”

“How are you handling this so well, ma?” I asked innocently. Only when i grew older i knew how much suffering my mother went through during that year.

She shone a smile at me. “I’ve come to realise.. maybe this fire is what we needed. What we needed to.. to start anew, maybe? I’m not sure either, but, it’s as if the flames were white.”

“White flames?” I asked, curiously.

“White means peace, does it not? Well, i was speaking to your grandmother. She could see how upset i was, and she told me, ‘let this be the start of your new journey.’” She looked across the window and stared at the setting sun. “All new journeys, all new beginnings, the road isn’t levelled at the start, nor in the middle. It’ll have it’s ups and downs, and these flames, if we imagine them as white, have shown us this new path.”

“A path without pa?” I asked in a small voice.

“Karan.. there’s no path without your father. His accident two years ago was tragic, it changed our lives forever.. and so has this. But moving one doesn’t mean forgetting. This is what your father would’ve wanted.”

“Our house up in flames?”

“Of course not. He would’ve wanted us to face a challenge which seems dreadful, but is required. This fire made room for us to make new memories, but doesn’t mean we should forget the old times. Does it?”

“I suppose not..”

“And, it really shows us.. how wonderful human beings can be. Without even asking, my friends and your friends parents have donated us clothes, utensils, money, food, and so much more. The support they’ve been providing us, they include your teachers and several of your classmates, my colleagues, our old neighbours.. it truly shows how people are helpful, and how people care, even if you don’t know them.”

“I suppose that’s true..” I admitted. It was true. Everyone was contributing to help us, without us even asking for help. It showed how humans CAN be considerate.

She turned to look at me, and planted a kiss on my forehead. “This is a new beginning Karan. How about we try and be positive?”

I nodded, and gave her a smile.

She stoof up and walked to the door. 

“I’m always here for you.”

.

Turns out things did get better.

We were finally able to move into our old house a year later, and the reconstruction made it seem as if the house was the same as it was before it burnt down. 

When i looked at the room in our newly built house that was now mine, i stared and stared and stared. And as i stared at the white walls, i smiled. 

It was a new beginning.

And then i woke up from the nightmare that’d crept into the sleep i’d fallen into after playing volleyball on the 10th of August.

BLACK

Elegance, Power, and Sophistication 

BROWN

Nature, Wholesomeness, Dependability