A tale I hold dear
« With time, the Champion came back. She was afraid people wouldn't love her once they knew the truth. It didn't look like her to be afraid. She couldn't remember the last time fear was her most prominent feeling. She tried to understand what it meant, and so doubts started burning in her mind. »
Of course, these last words were heavy for such small children.
« Then, someone she once knew asked her: "what's wrong?" these words are really powerful when someone is in doubt. The champion couldn't answer. She tried to word it, but she remembered everything she had done. She couldn't just say "I'm doing bad at everything I'm doing" That's what she was feeling, but many people were smiling broadly around her. Because she was helping them look for what she had lost. »
Amy tried to raise her arm. When our eyes met, she hid it and looked away. I took my breath and pursued.
« Surprisingly, her friend didn't help. The champion was not so used to other people's feeling, but she felt strange. In fact, the girl in front of her was also asking herself where she would go. Gloria's instincts never disappeared, and she lent her old friend a hand. »
Well, the shut-in had to help he champion at some point, but that's no legend. I'm starting to lose their attention. Hop is still focused on the story, though... Maybe that can help.
« The two women were in fact lonely. It's not that they were looking for someone, but they both felt it was boring and sad to be alone. They also knew the other one felt the same, but didn't say a word. Through harder time, they both helped each other. They realized they still knew each other as much as they did before. With time, they realised they were both wrong and that now was the right time to make up for the way they acted when they were young. »
That's what I want to say. A point where you can't do anything but walk straight ahead doesn't exist. It's hard, you're often afraid of driving on unknown choices... But if that's something you want, then you should try. If someone can help you, even just an ear to encourage you, that would be enough. It's possible to forgive yourself. It's alright.
... Even if I still have my doubts.
« Along with the two women, pieces from the past seemed to reassemble. Friends were back with their share of stories, and maybe their own trouble. But that's alright. They were happy all of them could follow their dream, and they were glad it allowed them to meet again. »
I relaxed my expression. I'm always trying so hard to find a way to tell stories to children. My cheek ache and I can't quite massage them right now. It'll settle down, eventually.
Because when I took a glance at the children, they were so focused on my last words they might not have noticed it was the end of the story. Hop started clapping slowly, then got faster when he reached to the children, who all gleefully mimicked him.
It helped ease some tension. I could still feel a slight warmth on my cheeks, though.
Children are always so curious. When something clings to their interest, they'll try and hold it until they find something interesting once more. It's a shame adults lose their imagination. My tale didn't leave much place for someone who hasn't got the keys to understand it. Children won't get these things, because there is no "probable explanation" to their wondering.
And so, the bell rang and no one asked a question. They were as if stranded on an island in the classroom. No one moved, no one said a thing. This island they were in was my personal garden, after all. Even if they don't understand it, they felt it strongly. Within my words, the way I used them, it was all too real. It was, of course, something I had to live...
Amy's parents were late. Morgan offered to stay here, and his mothers accepted. One of them spent her childhood here. These two are the oldest kids here, so they get things no one could — They are still childs, but not quite, their feelings are taking all kind of shape —
« Miss Rosemary?
— Amy. Is something the matter?
— This was my last year here. I wanted to thank you. »
She gave me something, a letter that's not yet sealed.
When I glanced back at her, she was already far away.
Her parent's car was there, and Morgan went to say goodbye to his friend.
« Seems like you're doing a pretty good job with them. »
Hop's compliment left me with a sour taste.
« You've already written any kind of stories before? He asked, still gazing at the black car leaving school
— When I started being a shut-in.
— Wanted to do something out of that? I may not be the right person, but I feel like there's something deeper than your word choice there.
— I tried, but it ended up being annoying. »
You write in front of your computer for several hours. You check every mistakes at the end, you post some online... You find many mistakes in what you've already written, and are the only one to point it out because no one looks interest in that...
I caught Hop's glances. He seemed worried
« There is something you have to know. At least, I want to tell you that even if you already know. Don't let water pour enough to be engulfed.
— Uh?
— When I started being a shut-in, I tried to make do by doing everything that felt good. With time, some of them became irritating. I tried so hard for nothing, and I was never contempt with what I was doing. I had so much to do and I felt empty, drained, tired at the end of it.
— But you're past that now, right?
— I'd like to say such thing. »
It's only the beginning, Hop. I want you to find something fulfilling, too. I was lucky that Gloria pulled me out the water. A year later, I can't help but feel that this puppy who came participating to my classes back then is still the same today.
« Your past errors are something you can't ignore is what I mean. You don't have to feel bad about them, though. You don't have to think people are still thinking about it too. Your past errors involve what you enjoyed, what you believed in and many other feelings. Sad and joyful things from the past are no strains; you will aspire to be happy thanks to both these things. »
I opened the envelope and laughed to myself.
Seriously.
I might have underestimated their vision once again.
I might have sprained my cheeks trying not to laugh
« It's funny, I chuckled, the one who was pulled out the water yesterday is the one pulling hair today...
— What do you mean? »
On the drawing, both the past Gloria and I were smiling. Big bubbly letters wishing "Good luck to the lover girls" above us. I smiled back, caressing my precious engagement ring...
Author Note : Hello! That was the last chapter! Thank you for sticking around!
This fanfiction was a lot of trouble to write. I sure hope everyone reading these lines enjoyed the whole thing. Maybe I lost some of you being late to post it all... But I'm happy I pulled it through! Now that this one is done, I have a lot to think about; when will I post another fanfic, how will I post it... I really want to write something BEFORE I even start, so I'm ready to upload when it's time. I lost patience with this one, but maybe I would never have posted it if I haven't started... Would be a shame, right? Because that's something I wanted to do, and remorses are kinda heavy when you think about it... Anyway, that's it for now. Thanks again! See you next time! I hope you will soon find something great to read ~