[ooc] Adventure Story text: Chapter 4
Leaves, turned yellow and red, flow with the smell of nuts in the wind.
"Ahh, I love autumn."
Muttering to myself like ol' forester Canavan, I took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. Oh, here comes...
"Hiya! Morning'!"
Reese smiled, carrying a leather case.
"Good morning. It feels really nice today."
"Yup. Is that a violin case you have?"
"Yes, but why?"
"Being able to play instruments is amazing. All I can play are cymbals or drums at the school talent show."
After laughing at my long sigh, he took the violin into his arms.
"I was planning to practice in the music room after school. I didn't want to bother my uncle at home."
"Uncle? Who's that?"
Come to think of it, I've never heard him talk about his family. Quartly is a tiny town: There's only 17 students at grade school, all grades combined! So when a new resident comes, the whole town spreads rumors about them, whether they like it or not. But there were no such rumors about Reese. Which means...
The question marks that flew in my head must have shown up on my face. Reese smiled wryly and said, "He's the forester, Canavan."
"Huh? Ol' Canavan...?"
I stared hard at Reese's slender white face.
"You're related to that old forest bear of a man?"
You don't look alike at all...genes are so mysterious.
"Yes."
"I see. Well, I guess it's no surprise that nobody spreads rumors about you, when you live so far out of town."
"I think so...umm, Mr. Beckson."
"Call me Jack."
I hate being called mister. The teacher should be the only one to call me by that name.
"Then, Jack. Would you like to come over to my place today?"
"Today, huh...I have a promise with Marivel."
"Then let's call Marivel, too. I'll make some sweets while you invite her."
"Sweets?"
A little surprised, I looked at Reese.
"Uh-huh. My mother was a good cook, but she didn't like anything sweet. If I wanted to have some I had to bake it myself. I'm pretty confident about my cooking."
"I'm impressed. That's kinda neat."
Me on the other hand, only knew Grandma's cooking...
"Then, bake me some apple pie. The one with the crunchy sugar inside."
"Huh? That...totally sweet one?"
Reese put on a frown for a second, but smiled again and said, "All right. I'll make it if you say so."
---
"(Yawn)"
It's recess time. I suppressed a yawn while I watched Violetta show off her white bobbin lace ribbon to the other girls. Does it feel so good to be envied by others? Grandma said all girls are like that, but I guess I can't relate, since I'm not a girl.
"Violetta's cute, isn't she?"
Reese whispered next to me, while I rubbed my sleepy eyes.
"Huh? What's so cute about her?"
"She's kinda nice and innocent."
Innocent? Her?
"You probably think so because she likes you." I gave a lukewarm response, with chin in hand.
"No, it's not that. Besides, I'm used to having girls liking me."
"You say the wildest things sometimes."
I thought my jaws were gonna drop off. I have to admit its a pretty ribbon, though, I thought to myself as I watched the girls frolic.
"Jack, the teacher's here."
"Uh, okay...thanks."
I rushed to take out my textbook and slate from my desk.
---
As the autumn sun sets into the sky, Marivel, Reese, and I were enjoying a small tea party at the forester cabin.
"Say, you told me before that you've never been to school, but your grades are pretty good."
"My mother's co-workers taught me."
"Co-workers? Was your mom a teacher?"
I put my hand up to my chin.
"No, she belongs to a band of musicians traveling across the country."
"Hmm, it's no wonder that you're such a well-rounded young boy. Your apple pie was excellent, too." Marivel smiled, with whipped cream still on her lips.
"Was it good? Ah, I'm glad. It was my first time baking apple pie, so I wasn't too confident." Reese's face brightened up.
"Aye. The sourness of apples mixes well with the sweet brown sugar," said Marivel, as she asked for seconds.
"Thank you, I'm delighted." As Reese tried to slice a new pie, the door opened with a loud crack.
Under the moonlight stood Violetta.
"Violetta...what brings you here at this time of night!?"
Violetta answered as Reese panicked.
"My ribbon was stolen. So I was looking for it, and heard that a stranger was seen at Reese's place."
"Wait! So you're telling me that my guest is the culprit?"
"Well...I can trust the people in town, but..."
"Violetta, that is way too rude!!"
Calming Reese down, Marivel stood up without making a sound. "I have no need for such a thing...I seek not what is inferior to what I already have."
Then she took out a ribbon from her bag.
"Th-That's so..."
Beads of sweat rolled on her forehead as Violetta fixed her gaze on the intricate laces of the ribbon. Clearly a work of a master.
"It was handed down to me by my mother," Marivel said, grinning arrogantly, "I sincerely doubt you can appreciate it's true value?"
Ohh, Marivel...that's too cruel.
Turning pale white, Violetta walked out of the cabin and closed the door. She walked staggeringly away as if she was walking in her sleep. Leaving a bitter taste in our mouths, we quietly looked away from each other.