Chapter Text
IT NEVER HURT TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A CRITIC, the townspeople hadn't care if she had even spoke of anything negative. Words that came from her mouth was rather unheard— her opinion didn't matter, though when had it ever did. They were dull minded as were the town painted with colours void of life as they are void of sympathy.
Inclined towards her mighty hatred for the specific small population of people, there she stood, awaiting for the bell to toll of an end to school. Profanities spewed dramatically from her with a scowl etched. She crossed her arms as she grew agitated by the stares received with provocation from some.
The air felt murky and awful, faeces of both man and animal was in the crook and darkened ally, both men and women with crooked teeth and labyrinth of hair walked shamelessly as though taking a bath by the river nearby was such a crime.
She wasn't one to based a person because of their beauty or rather lack thereof, however Gavaldon townspeople really had a knack for owing up to their attire.
Their dirty little appearance match uncannily with their heart and minds. Cold and unpleasant. Murky and scarred.
Stood only metres away, a boy with his unruly hair tied back. smudges of dirt coated his cheeks as he sent her a rather displeasing look that he thought was a smirk of a sensual curl. Evangeline only grimaced at his lack of flattering skills, the feeling of puking was there.
Soon, her misery ended and the loud gong of the bell was heard, echoing the murky town with the presence of squabbling children freed from their prison. Agatha and Sophie walked side by side, basket in hand, with Sophie in a minute of vexation of her stepmother antics— babbling her vehement thoughts thoroughly towards the other girl, Agatha solemnly listening.
Evangeline waved them over from the tree where she leaned on. A gust of wind pulling the fly aways on her hair fluttering by her cheeks. She tucked them behind her ear as she enveloped Agatha and Sophie with a hug.
"Aye, Look at my children back from school." Evangeline teased mimicking of a mirthful voice, nudging Sophie with her hips as a pleased smile stretched beyond her lips.
"You're our age, stop acting like this." Agatha rebuked, crossing her arms with a bored stare she loved to don on.
"Am I?"
"Just because you got a job does not exactly give you the privilege to be an authoritative figure." Sophie assessed, with a raised brow— provocative of her statement as she bore it with a smirk. They began walking onwards wherever farther from the dreaded building.
"Remember that one time we had to literally save you from a tree,—it was literally like 4 feet at best." Agatha mentioned blandly.
"Or that time we told you not to eat those mushrooms but you did it anyway and we had to stop you from hugging a tree." Sophie joined the caravan on teasing their friend.
"You were babbling awful nonsense by the way."
"Okay—stop, I have literally seen all of you scream like a little girl." Evangeline piqued boldly. She tilted her head challengingly, linking her arms with the two. "Besides— I am an authoritative figure because i have a job. And me being a an authoritative figure it is my duty to know what in the world made your beautiful face pulled inti that ugly frown, oh dearest Sophie?" Evangeline jested, joining her hands in front of her mockingly with a sly smirk beginning to curl dauntingly.
"First, I hate that. Second, it's my stepmother— absolutely hate her." Sophie confided, tossing her hair back reeling her eyes above with aggravation of the mere thought being simply too agitating, the blonde might as well combust with anger by the sigh of that balding woman.
"Wow, slow down there Cinderella." Evangeline jested. Chuckling as Sophie rolled her eyes again.
"I honestly wish i was being dramatic. A spot just opened at the factory she works at and wants me to quite school and join her."
"So I'll quit too, did your step-mother said anything about another open spot?" Agatha replied quickly, unafraid to put her life on hold. Though being called a traitorous witch, vowed to bestow evil and unfortunate omen to the small village as the rumours follows that haunt her every waking hour, Agatha owned a heart of gold. Hidden by only by herself self uncertainty.
"—then what?! We'll just permanently dissolve into these town like nobodies with the only thing left being our name on tombstones. You don't understand, my mom said I was important. Like I was meant for something greater, there's a destiny awaiting for me i just know it. Staying in this town wont help me fulfil it."
In the eyes of the blonde, she had been living with patience and cowardice for so long. Living with the stigma, following the rules in hopes of achieving higher ranking in life from the slums she lived in. She wanted a taste of freedom, the joy and euphoria it brings. The merriment of life that was taken away from the brutality of reality and cruelty of men. So, indeed Sophie had made a decision.
And with a heavy heart, she said. "I will be leaving...tonight."
The three stopped within their tracks. Minds ransacked with the moment that was to come forth, when the fortunate of reality became real and the presence of someone was finally understood by its absence.
"Wait, Sophie." Evangeline let out a dry humourless laugh. "You've never even step foot out of Gavaldon. You don't know what out there." Evangeline felt the words tumbled outwards with a void of sadness, coaxed with anger she cant hid for long. "None of us really do." Now, Evangeline was scared.
"That's the point. You know nothing could ever happen for me as long as I'm stuck here. I can't settle for an ordinary life. I won't settle for an ordinary life." She appointed with a sudden burst . Sophie stumbled off, setting her basket on the ground, a frown bubbled with the fury she felt caged within.
She wrapped her knees closer to her chest in mourn of her dull life. Her late mother's last encouraging words echoing sullenly in her ears of a euphoric lullaby.
Slowly, Evangeline set her basket down. Joining the blonde by her side, wrapping a tender arm around her. Resting her head on her shoulder for the little essence of comfort she could afford to give for such yearning soul whom crave something more.
Agatha followed her lead. She took out her bag, which was more of a rag then a woven bag. "Look, here." She spoke softly.
Pulling out from the depths of her bag, out came a memoir of childhood the three held dear in their heart. It was a crown, no it wasn't of any mundane crowns. It holds a value not even the finest gold and jewels could even wager for.
The crown was made of branches and twigs of the tree they loved. The wishing tree was a figment of hope, stood by its name, tell ones sorries and woes, ones hopes and wishes and so be it that with a kind heart the tree shall grant the purest. They believed it holds magic of no other, tethered with old and the purest magic left behind by a powerful wizard. Or so they believed as little children.
"Aww," cooed both Evangeline and Sophie.
"I found it in my attic last week." Agatha smiled. "See, you already did something that matters." Agatha voice trembled with a fond of sadness, "The day you became my friend."
"And mine," Evangeline butted in with a laugh. "But not like Agatha, i keep it on my wirst instead of an attic." Evangeline teased, extending her arm to proudly don about the charmed bracelet hung loosely on her wrist. Crystals found by the lake and pebbles of extraordinary nature adorned the small ribbon that tied it together.
"Please, Sophie." Evangeline pleaded, intertwining her hands delicately with Sophie. "We can't handle this place without you, it's awfully miserable and who would tell us about all the recent fashion etiquette as of late? Agatha needs you, I need you."
"I'll talk to your mom and dad personally to tell them how unfair this is." Agatha voice began to tremble with trepidation, "we'll call you Queen Sophie of Gavaldon." Sophie smiled.
"I would even let you and Evangeline do me a makeover." Her smile grew wider.
Evangeline laughed heartedly.
"Just please dont go." Agatha pleaded one last time. The heavy crestfallen weight beginning its fall as she waited for her response. She needed Sophie, Evangeline has her work and her idealistic stories she spends her time on. Without Sophie, who would be there in the back of the class exchanging jokes about the tiring lecture, who would she go to when she needs to untangle her hair. God forbid she may be one to never show her fondness and gratitude, but there was nothing she wouldn't mind doing if not for a loyal friend.
"Alright, fine." Sophie affirmed, content with a heartfelt smile. Eyes with a twinkle that soared a sparkle of love and merriment she knew she would find whenever shes with them.
"You promise?"
"I promise."