A New Berry World

I’ll say this once again
You people you are my friends
The devil he can’t come in
Tonight, that’s right

Several months passed between my arrival in Mist Valley and the official beginning of the campaign. I had found an apartment in the center of town to be near most of the media of the election. The hype was beginning to pick up by the day, especially with Glow Shine running. We were making history. Honestly, I did not know whether it was a good thing yet or not. The task ahead was daring and in many ways dangerous.
The streets below began to fill up with political activist either for or against Glow’s platform. It made me nervous thinking how everyone knew who Glow was already, and in time they would also know that I was involved, which in turn would put pressure on my family. Pressure I already knew they did not want. My father made it very clear a couple weeks after my return that he did not want anything to do with the elections. I knew my mother would not question my father’s judgment and would not stand against him in any form, but even she gave me a sullen look of disapproval as I walked away from their house that night. My parents just wanted the simple life for me. They wanted me to become a doctor, have a family, and settle down. I understood their wants, but it was not something I had in mind during this time in my life. Maybe sometime in the future it would be nice to have all that, but right now I had made a commitment to Glow that I would be there for him during the election.
Also, the dreams continued on a nightly basis. It was always the same dream every time, not that I thought it was going to change. It was a concrete fact in my life, and nothing was going to change the outcome of that night. I knew nothing was going to bring her back from the dead. The worst thing about being back in Mist Valley was that I would go places in town and memories would start flooding back. The good and bad memories, they were all the same. In my eyes, there was no end to this torture. There was no light at the end of this tunnel, or silver lining to this the cloud. There was just darkness and I had no lantern to help me find my way out.
Tonight was the night that Glow was going to publically announce that he was running for office. He wanted to be as public as he could go, so he decided to go on a one of Mist Valley’s most popular talk shows. I thought it was a fantastic idea until Glow wanted me to go on air with him. I argued with him, but none of my objections mattered. The way he put it was either I was in or I was out. Of course, I had already said I was in, so there was no backing out. I suppose the most shocking aspect of the talk show was that it was Fox’s girlfriend who would be doing the interviewing, her name is Cinnamon Spice. Apparently in my absence she had become one of the top interviewers in Mist Valley, and this would be my first time meeting her.

            The set to the talk show was close to my apartment downtown. It hovered high above the city where only the rich and famous lived. To be precise it was on the 69^th floor of the Cardinal Tower. The building itself had one hundred and twelve floors, and was not friendly toward people who did not like heights. You could see the entirety of Mist Valley, including the small suburbs that surrounded the city on all sides, from the top of the building if you traveled to the roof. It was an ideal spot for marriage proposals. Many thought it was romantic. Honestly, I thought it was just a very tall building.
As I entered the set of the talk show I heard a person’s voice say my name from the other side of the room, and then someone immediately grabbed my arm and pulled me aside. My body reacted by pulling back and I let out a small gasp. This part of the set was dark and I could not tell who the culprit was who grabbed me until I heard the voice, “Chill out Neptune,” Fox said.
“What are you doing?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
“You’re meeting my girlfriend for the first time. Did you really think I wasn’t going to be here? You might tell her some extremely embarrassing story about me or something,” Fox grinned. Then another voice cut in. “Mr. Monarch, we need you to get ready, it’s about time to start,” I assumed the voice from coming from the set manager because then I was lead to a make-up chair.

Looking for misery 
But you found me
Lying naked on the floor
I was headed insane
The devil told me his name
But he’s not welcome here
Anymore

            Glow was sitting next to me in the make-up chair getting groomed. “I see you made it,” He said coolly and smiling, as he continued to look in his reflection in the mirror in front of him.
“Yes, that I did,” I answered.
“I almost thought you weren’t going to show.”
“Don’t think it wasn’t tempting,” I added with a laugh. Just then we were called onto set. Cinnamon was already sitting there, her make-up artist putting on the finishing touches to her face, while her fingers fumbled to straighten out her dress. Glow and I took a seat across from her. I stared blankly into the audience’s face, my heart rate spiked; I could hear it beating in my chest. I had never had trouble with public speaking, but talking in front of a camera genuinely made me nervous.

            The lights flickered and adjusted on our faces as the show was about to start. “Ready Cinnamon?” the guy behind the camera called. Cinnamon then exchanged a glance with Fox who was standing off to the side of the set and smiled. She then turned her attention back to the camera man and nodded. The camera man held up three fingers, and then started to count back from three until we were on air. Cinnamon put on a smile and then the show was on for the entire continent to see. “Hello everyone, I hope all of you had a wonderful day,” Cinnamon said, putting on her charm and being confident without having the slightest bit of hesitation in her voice. “Tonight is going to be a very special show because I have some very important and controversial guest sitting here beside me.” The camera then panned over toward me and Glow. My heart stopped. I tried to avert my gaze toward Saffron who was standing off stage beside Fox, and not pay any attention to the camera. “So let’s just get down to business because I know this is what the whole continent has been waiting for,” Cinnamon paused and gave another grin toward Glow, “I am incredibly lucky to have two special guests here with me tonight, Glow Shine and Neptune Monarch,” Cinnamon gestured toward us. The crowd burst out in mixed reviews. We were met with both applause and sounds of disapproval. I closed my eyes, pursed my lips, and took a deep breath, and before I knew it the moment was over. The audience was silent again, so I could regain my composure.

Tell me what do you see 
When your looking at me
This social responsibility 
Is killing me 
Inside, yeah

“So Glow, tell me why exactly you are running in this election?” Cinnamon asked, leaning toward Glow.
“Well, Cinnamon I believe it is time for change. All my life I have seen the discrimination that mixed berries have faced, unjustly so, I might add, and I believe that it is time that they are treated the same as pure berries.” The crowd froze in front of us. It was obvious some were uncomfortable about this talk. Glow looked as confident as he ever; he had been waiting for this moment for as long as I could remember.
“So what exactly is the platform you are running on?” The question was directed toward me. Glow turned his attention toward me. The nervousness I had been feeling before and at the beginning of the show suddenly disappeared.

Stay away sweet misery
Stay away sweet misery

“Well, our platform that we will be running on is simple: equality. We want to end the discrimination against mixed berries. We want to end things such as segregation of restaurants and bars, parks and neighborhoods. Seriously, what makes us different than pure berries?” I paused, and I felt my emotions starting to take hold. I felt proud in the cause I fighting for because I knew it was right. Why should I appear cowed? The reason Glow wanted me on his team in the first place was because I stood strong in my beliefs. I then continued, “I am one of the grandchildren of Atlantis Azure and his blood runs in veins, and if a leading family member of that caliber could see past the simple differences of the appearances of mixed berries and the supposedly ‘pure’ berries. So why can’t the rest of society?” Many people in the audience started to break out in applause and few even started to stand up. While some others gave me chilling glares, I honestly didn’t care. If I was going to be Glow Shine’s right hand man I needed to stand firm in my beliefs or this campaign was going to sink fast, with no real reason except the fact that my heart was not completely in the cause.

The pressures building with time
I made it up in my mind
I’ve got excuses for all these things 
That I tried in my life

            The show wrapped up quickly after a few more questions from Cinnamon, but after my speech it seemed pretty clear what our goal in the elections were going to be about. Cinnamon quickly concluded the rest of the show and used her signature line to sign off, “Goodnight, Mist Valley,” then the show was over. Just like that. I felt myself start to topple back to reality. While on the show I felt as if I was running on some sort of emotional high, which was very clear as I watched the rerun. As we walked off stage Glow came up behind me and patted me on the back, “Man, you killed it out there,” he said energized. Glow then continued to walk past me toward a female figure hanging in the back of the set. He continued to pick her up and swing her around and kiss her softly on the lips. He then started to lead her out of the shadows toward me. The slim pink berry strolled up to me gracefully. Glow and the pink berry stopped in front of me and he said, “Neptune, I want you to meet Minuet.” I looked at her familiar face trying to place her. Then I realized this was the pink berry that I had met in the Candyland Forest a couple months ago. “Hi, Neptune, I think we might have met before,” she said extending out her hand to greet me.
“I believe we have, actually.” I added, furrowing my brows and tilting my head.
“I swear Neptune, you know everyone,” Glow added laughing. He then grabbed Minuet’s hand and said their goodbyes and left the set.
I stood there watching them as they left the set, puzzled to how Minuet and Glow could have even met in the first place. I then felt a soft hand on my shoulder and I turned around to find Saffron behind me. “You did great out there, Neptune,” she said sweetly, looking up to me to meet my gaze, “You ready to leave?” I nodded in agreement. I looked around to find Fox and Cinnamon to say goodbye, but I could not find them anywhere. The set had begun to close down and the majority of the lights were now out, signaling it was time to leave.

            Saffron and I lived in the same building downtown, so we walked home together. It was a quick walk from the set, no more than ten minutes. We made our way through the crowd of people as rain started to fall on everyone. Umbrellas simultaneously went up all around us. Saffron then grabbed my hand and started to scurry through the people at a faster rate toward our building. As we arrived in the lobby of our building we shook off the wetness and headed for the elevator. Saffron kept looking at me nervously, which I did not quite understand, so I exchanged a glance back in her direction. When we arrived at her floor she grabbed my hand and led me to her door. “Neptune, can we talk?” she asked, her voice quiet and her lips tightening into a thin line.
“Yeah, I guess,” I said, giving her a confused look.
“This is going to sound really weird, but I know you’re still struggling with Confetti. It’s not an easy thing to get over, but you need to let go and see what is in front of you.”
“What do you mean?” Saffron’s eyes got wide at my reply. She then leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. I took a step back, shocked.
“Neptune, I’ve liked you since high school, and you were always too blind to see it,” Saffron paused. “And when you were with Confetti and you got in the accident…” Saffron trailed off. “Never mind, this is crazy, just forget any of this ever happened.” Saffron then quickly pulled out her key and went into her apartment. I just stood there outside her door at a loss for words. I was baffled by the whole scene that just played out in front of me.

Stay away sweet misery
Your not welcome anymore
Stay away sweet misery

           When I finally arrived back at my apartment I quickly poured myself a drink and sat down on the couch and flipped on the television, my muscles aching from the tension. The news channels were blowing up from our interviews. They had reporters going over the story on every channel. I had started to finally relax when there was a knock on my front door. I paused and put down my drink on the coffee table and made my over to the door, wondering who could be at my door this late. When I opened the door I could not believe the person who stood before me. It was Confetti’s brother, Taric Creek.

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Song used: Misery by The Maine

I’m going to try to add more songs to this rainbowcy. I might even go back to the past two generation and add them! I’ll just keep you updated! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the latest installment! 🙂

The road in front of me continued on for miles with no destination. It was just a road floating in the middle of nowhere, stars twinkling on both sides, the moon hovering ahead of the road. We were coming back from a party and we had been drinking, but not enough to feel intoxicated or break any laws. But, we had enough alcohol to have heightened and irrational emotions. There was arguing, an argument I knew too well. An argument I wanted to forget. Anger and anxiety started ripping me apart from the inside; my chest began to feel heavy from the emotions. A feeling of anguish started to overcome me because I knew the outcome. Her voice started to rise and get louder as she looked out the window to realize that there were headlights on the horizon coming toward the passenger side of the car. There were screams. Her screams. High pitched and shrill. Then there was a crashing sound of the colliding metal on metal impact as the tires squealed to try to avoid the crash. That was it. Everything went black.
            I woke in a cold sweat, throwing the covers off me, and sitting up in the bed. This was a dream I knew too well, and one that I had very often. It was always the same dream every time. The details of the dream never changed. The pain after the dream was just as real as it was the night it happened. I rubbed my face trying to wake up from the dream, and pushed myself off the bed. The sun was already midway in the sky, and I knew no one would be home. I put on some clothes, brushed my teeth, and grabbed my keys. I had made plans to meet Glow for lunch in town, and I did not want to be late.
            I had forgotten how busy Mist Valley was compared to places like the Twilight Alps or Sunset Harbor. The hustle and bustle of the city was strong and loud. People were always out around the town at all hours of the night. Mist Valley was a city that never slept. There was always something going on at all hours of the day, whether it be a party or a dog show. But, that was what people loved about Mist Valley; they loved the vibrancy of the town.
            One thing I did not miss about Mist Valley was the smell of the exhaust rising in the air about me when I got out of the car. The heat hit me rapidly and made me want to immediately want to wash my face. I then quickly made my way across the street and through the masses of people toward the restaurant. That is where I found Glow Shine already waiting for me, prompt as usual. He had busied himself waiting for me by reverting to his phone for entertainment. “Hey, man,” I said, approaching the table, waving, to catch his attention. Glow stood up to pull me into a hug.
“Neptune, it’s been awhile,” he said while patting my back and retaking his seat. “Enjoying being back in Mist Valley?”
I gave a quick laugh, “No, most certainly not,” I replied quickly. The waiter then approached and we gave him our order. The waiter then gave a confusing look toward Glow because we were in a mixed berry establishment as he walked away.
“I swear, you mixed berries are so suspicious when it comes to pure berries helping you,” Glow said matter-of-factly.
“Well, if you went through the discrimination we face every day, I believe you would understand better,” I added fervently.
“Very true,” Glow finished. “So I guess we need to get down to business about the campaign don’t we? I know you little to nothing about being a campaign manager, so I’m just going to cut to the chase. I want your job as the campaign manager to be solely for the advice. I have other people to take care of the advertising, fundraising, and other matters. Neptune, you’re one of the smartest men I know, and I needed you to be my right hand man during this election. I feel like we actually have chance. The world is about to change and we could be the start. They’ll write about us in history books for years to come…” Glow trailed off.
“Yes, change would be nice. But, think about it, is the world really ready? You seem to romanticize the idea more than you think about the details.” I said leaning forward in my seat and speaking quietly. The ideas Glow was talking about were revolutionary, and in some lawmakers’ minds were against the law. In the world we live in today it was okay to let pure berries have open political opinions, but heaven forbid mixed berries have revolutionary ideas. Glow continued to stare at me, taking in all that I had said. “I know, Neptune, but we could the first step into a better tomorrow, even if we do fail, others would surely follow in our footsteps. So are you in or what?”
I pulled my hand under my chin, leaning on the table, “I’m in.” I said finally.
“Fantastic!” Glow said enthused, clasping his hands together. “Also, I have someone else I want you to meet,” He said signaling for someone to approach from behind me. I caught a faint outline of a female form approaching from behind me. She then took a seat next to me. “Neptune, this is Saffron Finch, and she will be taking care of the media and newspapers for our campaign.”
Saffron grinned as she realized it was me, “It’s okay Glow, we know each other.”
“Oh, well that’s good,” Glow said, nodding his head in approval.
“Yeah, we were really good friends growing up,” Saffron added.
“Anyway, that’s fantastic because you both will be working very closely together during the campaign.”
            The rest of the meal went by very uneventfully. We shared stories about our pasts, and they made me tell some about my travels. Which they enjoyed and welcomed every story readily. I was extremely relieved they avoided any sort of reference about the time I left and the reasons behind the act. Everyone knew the story, but they never knew the details. It was hard enough I was back in Mist Valley, reliving some of the memories that occurred in this town that reminded me of her. That pale blue face and moon kissed hair that I was not soon to forget, that seemed to be forever engrained in my memory, never letting go. Oh, I wished that day would come soon that I would be able to put that in my past, but the other half never wanted let go of her memory. In many ways she was my past, present, and future. There were times I could not imagine my life without her beside me, now it was a thought I had to live with from every day on because of that dreadful night.

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As always I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Comments and feedback are always welcome! I promise I don’t bite! 🙂
Also, if you have any suggestion for a special go ahead and comment in the forums or on the last post!
Thanks again!
Navy

The familiar scent of apricot and honey filled my nostrils as I entered the dining room, more heavily than the rest of the house. I guess I had forgotten the scent of the house because I had been away for so long, where I had been immune to it before I had left to travel the continent.
My parents were quietly sitting at the end of the dining table, my dad’s eyes focused on my mother’s emotionless face that was staring blankly at the wall across from me. I started to realize my mother was going to be leading the questioning and he was going to follow any judgment that she was going to make on my behalf.
My father and I had been very close growing up, but as time passed we had become more distant. Then again, that could be said with my relationship with the rest of my family. Everything had become very strained when I left, considering I had not left in the most favored manner.
            My mother’s glance shifted to my face, “I really am at a loss for words, Neptune,” she said, “I don’t know whether to be happy that you’re back or to be upset…” She trailed off letting her face fall into thought. “First off, why are you back? Last time I checked you had no intention of coming back, if I do remember correctly.”
“Honestly, I didn’t have any intention of coming back to Mist Valley, but Glow Shine called and wanted a favor from me.” I said earnestly, taking a seat across from my parents.
“What favor did you he want?” My father interjected, narrowing his eyes. He had never like Glow when I was in college. He thought Glow was always a fake and only went to MBU for the attention it would bring, being a pure berry and going to a mixed berry university. My father was not the only one who thought this about Glow Shine; many others had the same feeling while he was attending MBU.
“He has decided to run for election, and he wanted me to be his campaign manager.” My parent’s faces changed drastically. My mother’s face reflected confusion while my father’s reflected a sort of anger by furrowing his brows.

“That’s ludicrous,” my mother started. “Are you out of your mind, Neptune? Nothing good ever comes from the elections, you know that. They are fixed from the start. They will only bring you trouble.”
“I agree with your mother,” my father added, shifting his weight in the chair. “I know you know that I do not approve of Glow, but even if I did like the guy I would not approve of your decision. I swear sometimes, son, you are the smartest man I know then the next minute you go and make stupid rash decisions.” He stopped and let out an aggravated sigh. “I still think back two years ago when you left Mist Valley to travel the continent…” He looked over at my mother again, who was still at a loss for words, “I’m sorry Star, I can’t handle this right now.” My father then got up and left the dining room and proceeded to their bedroom. I knew my father was mad and disappointed in me and did not want to say something in the middle of anger that he would regret later. That was the way he had always been, he always thought out everything before he acted. He hated that I was the complete opposite of him, and as a result I acted in the moment without thinking of the following consequences.

“Oh, my darling Neptune,” my mother got from her chair and slowly approached me, “I have to keep telling myself that this is your life and you’re a grown man. Even though I haven’t approved of about ninety-nine percent of the decisions you have made in the past two years of absence, you’re still my son and I still love you. I don’t know where you’re planning to stay while you’re here, but you’re welcome here until you have found a steady place to stay.” My mother sighed as she looked across the entry way toward her bedroom door. “I guess I should go tend to your father, he seemed rather upset.” My mother pulled me in close for one more hug then she left the room.

            I continued to stare pensively into space after my mother left for a few moments, thinking about the reaction of my parents and realizing this was probably not the best idea to return. It was digging up feelings that I thought I had left behind, feelings I wanted to forget. I needed to leave. I reached into my pocket, my fingers fumbling for my keys. I could not find them, and I started patting my pockets thinking that they would magically appear. I started to head over to my corner of the living room that I had spent my evening hoping to find them there, when I heard a swift jingling sound behind me. I turned to only find Fox holding my keys in the air about to throw them in my direction, “Looking for these?” he added with a quick smirk on his face.
“Where did you find them?” I asked.
“I found them on the floor over by the dining table shortly after you made your appearance. I was just waiting for someone to claim them.”
“Well, I’m glad you found them,” my head had begun to start to pound, I reached up to rub my temples and let out a sigh.
“Hey, what do you say we grab a drink, little brother?” He said throwing me the keys. I caught the keys just barely, having to swoop down to catch them.
“I think I will take you up on that offer.”

The Lucky Mutt was one of the Mist Valley’s favorite bars for mixed berries. It had been around for about eighty years and counting, and also, it been consistently run by the same family for three generations, the Creeks. Business was slow when we arrived at the bar, which I did not mind at all. I needed some peace and quiet after being reunited with my parents.
Fox and I strolled up to the counter, ordered two drinks, and then took a seat at a table. Fox took a sip of his drink, the ice rattling as he picked up the glass, and looked up at me, “I’m glad you’re back Neptune, I’ve missed you. There’s a lot that you’ve missed.”

“I know,” I admitted, “I’m almost ashamed to ask what all I’ve missed.”
“Well, you missed both Mirage and Titan’s weddings. Also, you missed Mandarin’s first child’s birth.” He said, gulping down the rest of his drink and signaling the waitress to bring another. “Have you even met Mirage’s wife?”
“Is it that teal girl?” I asked. I’m proud of Mirage, he had been smitten on that teal girl since high school, and she was quite beautiful.
“Yes, also, I have a girlfriend.” He said smiling cooling, very proud of himself.
“Oh, you have a girlfriend now? What is her name?”
“Her name is Cinnamon Spice, and yes she does exist, thank you very much.”
“Hey, I never said that she didn’t exist.” I teased, sipping my drink.
“Neptune, you may have been gone for two years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know the way you think.” He said letting out a laugh.
“I yield, brother.” I said, giving in, and letting a small smile escape from my mouth. I had forgotten how much I had missed Fox while I was gone.

            Silence ensued after the conversation died. Fox and I just stared around the bar observing the environment, taking in the noise and the neon signs. There were more people now in the bar, quite of few mixed berries had migrated over to the pool table, and the faint sound of the cracking of the balls hitting each other could be overheard over the music. Fox again turned his attention to me, “I know this is a really touchy subject, but did you really leave because of her?” I felt anger and pain start rising in my chest. So long I tried to run away from her, the memory of her. “You do know it wasn’t your fault, Neptune.”
There were reasons I never talked about leaving Mist Valley to travel the continent. People never asked because they did not want to hurt me. Fox knew better, but he also knew he would be the only one to pry the truth out of me. It hurt too much to think about the past before I left. It hurt thinking about her…
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Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Feel free to comment or provide feedback! This generation has proven to be really hard for me to write, but hey, I think I will get there eventually. 🙂

A sense of nostalgia hit me as I drove through the neighborhood that I grew up in. I had not been back to Mist Valley since I left school a couple years ago. Everything seemed unchanged from the exterior of the houses, but I knew that was very untrue. I had not told my parents or my family of my plan to return. I figured it would be a nice surprise to show up unexpectedly, considering it was my mother’s birthday.

            When I finally pulled up to the house cars were already parked along the street. I slowly slid out of the driver’s seat and closed the door. I could see many people conversing and laughing through the windows of the house I grew up in. I could see a few of my siblings through the windows, but no sign of my parents. Until I heard the faint chant of “Happy Birthday” and I suddenly saw someone bring the cake in and set it down on the dining room table. My mother then swiftly entered the room with my dad quick on her heels carrying the camera. The sight of my parents quickly made me nervous and my stomach start to churn. I did not want to face my parents, even though I had done nothing wrong. I felt like the prodigal son. I soon became even more uncomfortable as I formed different scenarios in my head of what could happen as I entered the door.
As I continued to observe I saw my mother blow out the candles the crowd then erupted into applause and cheers. I knew I had to join the party one time or another.

My footsteps were short and brisk as I climbed the wooden porch to my childhood home. I reached out my hand to touch the doorknob and slowly turned it. No one had noticed I had entered the room because all eyes were set on the cake my mother was now cutting. I stared at the unfamiliar and familiar faces in the crowd of people hovering of the cake.

I slowly started to walk up to the crowd when Fox glanced my way. Fox gave me a double take, “Neptune?” He said loudly, surprise in his voice. Everyone who knew my name turned my way. All eyes were now on me. I felt like a deer caught in headlights. My mother dropped the knife she was cutting with and ran up to me and gave me a hug, my father’s eyes hovered on my face. My mother slowly let me out of the hug and said, “I’m so glad you’re here,” a smile appeared on her face, “Do you want cake?” I slowly nodded in reply.

            As the party went on many people asked where I had been these past couple years. I grew tired of answering people’s questions. My answer was always the same. I went traveling the continent. I met a lot of people and saw a lot of things. I quickly remembered why I had not planned to ever come back to Mist Valley. Everyone seemed to know everyone. They knew everything about everyone, especially if you were related to Starlight Monarch. Ever since my mother was revealed as the last of the Azure bloodline everyone knew the Monarchs family. It made me uncomfortable that everyone knew our business growing up. Fox suddenly caught my glance in the distance as he started to walk up to me with a woman at his side. The yellow berry that was next to Fox was slender in figure and her facial features were strikingly beautiful. There was something familiar about her, but I could not place her in my memory. The first thought that came to mind was this must be Fox’s girlfriend.

            Fox approached my seat in the corner of the room grinning. “Neptune, do you remember Saffron?” he said gesturing toward the female yellow berry next to him.
“Saffron?” I answered in reply, my eyes narrowing. Growing up Saffron and I had been best friends because we had one thing in common. She was a nerd just like me. No one wanted to hang out with us because we were the smart kids, but I never remembered her looking like this. If I ever did I never paid attention. After high school we went our separate ways. She went to a different college than me and we lost touch after that. “Saffron Finch?”
“Yes, silly.” Saffron said smiling and masking a giggle.
“Wow, you’ve changed,” I said, pinning my eyes to her face, so they would not wander and bring her disrespect.
“I could say the same about you, Neptune.”
“I think I will just leave you two here,” Fox said as he strolled off into the crowd. Saffron then took a seat next to me in my little corner of the room.

“So, what have you been up to since high school?”
Saffron put her hands in her lap and leaned forward, “Well, I went to college and majored in journalism, and now I work for the Mist Valley Gazette.”
“Well, that’s very cool,” I replied. “Is that going well?”
“I would say so. I won the Berry Bell Award for journalism last year.”
I was stunned, “Seriously, that’s amazing!” The Berry Bell Award was one of the most prestigious awards someone could get in their field, especially someone who was as young as Saffron, it is quite the accomplishment.
“Thanks,” Saffron answered quietly with a soft smile on her lips.

The conversation soon went quiet as I caught the glance of my mother and father on the other side of the room. The party had begun to clear out, and I knew the conversation that I had been dreading was quick approaching. Saffron seemed to get the hint from my parents, “Well, it looks like it is time for me to leave. Neptune, promise me we will hang out soon.” Saffron said while standing up and fixing the ruffles in her dress.
“Of course,” I answered. Saffron then shot me another quick smile and gathered her things and left. My mother and father quickly made their rounds and said their goodbyes until there was no one at the house left except the occasional sibling. I felt like a child about to get grounded in the worst possible way as my parents gestured for me to follow them into the dining room.

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Thanks for being patient! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I know it was really short. The next chapter will be out soon, I promise! Always feel free to leave comments and feedback! 🙂