His head hit the pillow as he crashed onto his bed. He had done it. He was finally free. All the stress and pain he had held on his shoulders were empty, he felt happy. Silent tears slid down in relief; he dozed off to sleep. He basked in the thoughts of the new morning. Mini circles of light lit up his eyesight. He groaned at the loss of peaceful sleep, rolling over and covering his face with his pillow. Opening his eyes, he saw the multitude of stars waving "hello!" right in front of his face. He shooed them off and got up. Well almost, he fell. He fell through the stars rapidly, speeding until he finally woke up fully to start floating. Now fully awake he went straight toward the bathroom. After a bit, he finally left the Above and went down to the Land. Today was breezy. The wind blew hard through his deep purple hair. His gray eyes roamed the Land to the forest below. Making a smooth landing, he dusted himself off and walked calmly down the dirt road. It was early morning, you could hear the birds singing to each other and look at the sun in its passage up to the sky without worrying about your eyes. The trees surrounding you, shake gently as if rocking each other in a calm dance. It all felt peaceful.
"GIN! a voice yelled from afar. Huffs of breath were heard running toward him. GIN! huff! huff! GIIN!!!! A girl ran up to him.
Eva, what's going on? Eva grunted and stood straight.
You! have....huff. ..to. Go! Gin knew exactly where this was going. No! I already told you. Gin started to walk around her.
And! Don't go screaming out loud! Eva ran in front of him. No! The Festival is legendary! You can't skip it just because of---
Don't you dare, he glared. I know, it's a little festival that holds the balance between the Above and the Land....It's all they've been talking about.
They stroll through the forest, they argue back and forth till they bump into Alexander. Alexander was, what can I say? A jerk.
Hey losers. Alexander said with a smirk. His glasses he proudly wore gave him a superior vibe. Alexander and Gin had been enemies since they knew how to float.
Just came to see if you guys were going to the Festival? But I know it's too good for you losers. He started to turn around. He was too nice so far.
I just came to give you this! He threw paint on gin that he had grabbed from somewhere.
Shock was all gin felt as his clothes were ruined and wondered if it was permanent. His skin burned a bit. Eva didn't just stand there and immediately sprung into action. She grabbed onto his dirty-blond hair and yanked it. Alexander gave a howl in pain. He immediately tried punching her but she was too quick and kicked back. Grabbing Gins hand in a rush and running away as fast as she could.
GET BACK HERE!!! screamed Alexander as he was chasing us.
Gin and Eva ran for what felt like hours till they looked back and saw they had lost him.
One of these days, I am going to kill him! Eva Exclaimed. her hands on her knees trying to catch a breath.
You didn't need to do that, Gin said silently.
What do you mean why? you saw what he did. In fact you're still covered in paint! I don't know why you're still protecting him.
Is that what you think I'm doing? Gin started.
I am just saying you didn't need to get violent. This is why you're not a Celeste yet! Well, excuse you if I decide not to be a walking carpet for other people. She crossed her arms as she made her point. You know what? we don't have time for this. We are already late for the morning conference. Let's just go, we will talk about this later.
Gin walked off and faded away. Eva, just stood there in fumes. She shook it off and started heading toward the conference.
The conference was normal. A ton of older spirits talk about the good old days, and the younger ones talk about their newest adventure. At least the view was always something to look at. The conference was always held at the beautiful immortal gardens of Anastasia. Anastasia, herself would rarely be seen but her gardens brought much fame to her name. Many flowers of the world would surround 3 similar water fountains, that held 3 of the zodiacs in their greatness in the center of the garden. My favorites were always the Lantana camera or the 'Pink Caprice' section near the east side of the garden. They were always so beautiful to me, being covered with bright colors yet so small. Gins were the Night blooming cereus but weren't a popular attraction in the garden. It's a flower that grows on cacti. I walked a bit behind Gin and headed toward the food tables. I was starving, that run took my breath away, and not in a good way. Luckily, we arrived before the announcements started. I looked around to see familiar faces. Cassandra and Catherine were fighting over their table's last piece of bacon. Annabelle was reading a book near the fountain but far away to not get the book wet. Elizabeth was talking with Emanuel. Miriam was ordering someone to fix something. All normal things. I walked toward Annabelle.
Hey, good morning! Hi Eva. she said softly, raising her head from her book. Red-brown hair; she was wearing a soft pink dress with a gray cardigan on top.
How's your morning going? I asked.
It's been the same. She looked out to the girls at the food table. Though I finally made it to chapter 52. The Maiden was shocked at the prince's proposal, she fainted! She exclaimed excitedly.
For real? I thought the prince was gonna marry that Lady from the Apple stands? Nope! The prince found out she had cheated and faked the pregnancy! I did not expect that. Anyways, what happened here before I arrived? I wanted to not spoil myself more on the Top-rated book. She looked surprised and shook her head.
Sorry, I can't hold back on a good story. All that has happened is that people have been talking. I heard something went wrong with the mission in Andromeda. But nobody knows what's wrong.
DING, DING, DING.
A bell noise broke up our conversation; Esther was there gathering everyone's attention.
Hello everyone. She said looking around making sure everyone was paying attention.
Esther was an upper spirit that was originally working at Andromeda but came back for a medical reason. She's very well respected among the spirits.
Good Morning everyone. I am glad to see everyone today. Today I wanted to start the day off with a reminder that the Andromeda situation is under control, everything is fine. We have our finest working on the problem. On a different note, the Festival of Giving is coming up soon. I hope you all are excited about it. I already have in mind who I am going to take the challenge with. Don't forget to stop by the table near the roses for the Bracelet and sign your name to officiate you're taking part in the festival! she finished off and dismissed everyone.
Esther walked down from the mini stage in the garden, specifically built for this purpose. I looked around as everyone started heading toward that table and leaving to enjoy the rest of their day. I tried to head back to Annabelle but I couldn't find her so I wandered around looking for Gin. Where did he go? I know I wasn't paying attention to him the entire conference but still doesn't mean he has the option to walk away! I continued to look for him, starting to think he ditched, though knowing I saw him enter the garden. After a bit, I found him at the exit swinging the bracelet in his hands. I grabbed a bracelet from the table before I forgot and walked straight toward him.
So? How was the conference? I didn't see you around. Eh. He finally took a look at me.
It was okay, the food was delicious though, he said looking at the bracelet once more.
You're thinking about who you're gonna get paired up with? I asked.
Yea. I just hope I don't get those jerks, Alexander & Emanuel, He said with an exhale.
You wouldn't have this problem if you picked someone already, I thought but didn't say. Well, it's already mid-day, let's go. Gin stated.
Okay. We walked out of the exit, paying no mind to where we were going. The breeze had settled down, and the sun rested peacefully in the sky after its journey. Taking a look at his clothes I realized he wasn't covered in paint anymore. When did he change? This question puzzled me for a bit but I let it go, finding interest in the music. Music? I looked toward Gin for an answer. Gin seemed to be enchanted by it and moved toward it. We started heading toward a town nearby. The town was small but colorful. Pastel red, green, blue, pink, and purple shined on the buildings. I saw some bakeries, grocery stores, a dentist building to the right, apartment buildings, a school, and a chapel. It seemed to be a quiet peaceful town, all working in harmony. We took a sharp turn to the left and continued. I started to see a figure as we got closer. It was a boy. He was playing the guitar. Nearby, his friends sang around him. They sang in unison and a smile on their faces that was contagious. I felt at ease with their music; it was loud. The music up in the Above is usually more calming and sometimes sets me to sleep. The Humans' music is always fun and exciting. I turned to Gin to see how he was reacting to the music. I wasn't sure if he would like it, seeming as if he enjoyed the sleeping music up in the above. But when I looked at his face, I was very wrong. Gin was enchanted, breath taken away by the joyful, loud music; his mouth was a little open. The boys themselves didn't pay attention to us even though we were standing so close. Though we look the same and act the same sometimes I forget we are spirits. Ones that belong in the above with the rest of us. A box for money was sitting in front of their feet but the way they smiled showed that they had forgotten all about it. They danced around, jumping and twirling until they had a small crowd. We left smiling. After, we walked a bit more through the town picking up sweets and little magnets as we passed through. Leaving the town behind, we took a look at the sun. The sun was resting a bit past the middle. It must be past 3 O'clock or near it. Gin came to a stop and looked up. .....let's go Down.
What? I was confused and wasn't sure what was going on in his head.
He turned around and looked at me. I mean... Let's go to humans as humans, it will be like a mini vacation. You don't want to actually participate in the festival, do you? He looked a bit desperate, but I shook it off as sunlight.
I don't know, maybe this year will be different... I mean, Miss Miriam didn't find her match till the fifteenth festival! I replied sharply.
The festival is only a week away. I started to walk towards him.
They say you'll feel the pull of your partner from light-years away. What will you do when you start to feel it?
It doesn't matter. He stated. I'm going and if you won't come with me, I will just leave you with Cassandra and Catherine for the week; leaves spinning rapidly in circles around them as Gin got more irritated. We will just be gone for the festival, it's not like we're running away from home.
Are you sure? I've seen the way the other spirits treat you....I lowered my gaze a bit.
It's not an excuse, okay! Gin huffed. He turned and started to walk off to who knows where.
Okay! okay, fine I'll go with you. I ran towards him in an attempt to catch up with him. He stopped and smiled just for a sec then continued. I wonder what town we are going to...