I have neglected blogging for quite a while but not all faith is lost. Meanwhile, I have been extending my writing technique to the first person. The first book I wrote was in first person but ever since I have neglected it until now. I have been obsessed with the TV series Once Upon A Time and in traditional style I have began to write a Novel based on this show and have decided to share it with you.
Please enjoy:
The soft,sickly scent of warmth seemed to pry my eyes open as I tried to keep them, well and truly shut. Peeling the copious amounts of covers that crumpled over me, placing them at the bottom of my bed. I hauled myself out of bed, rubbing my eyes before tying my hair out of my eyes and securing it into a golden swirl, atop my head. I forced myself reluctantly into the Granny's diner uniform, pulling at the hems of it. I grabbed my purse before exiting the door, barely glancing in the mirror. Upon arrival, I finally noticed the imperfections that my tired eyes had overlooked. I peered into the reflection of the already beginning to rust,tray, pulling at the loose wisps of hair. I look up to see a gently smug face above my own, his mouth curled into a small smile. I straightened out from my crouching position, my cheeks warming and my face turning a pale crimson.
"Is there any chance of any service?" He smiled, opening his palm and elongating his hand to place money within mine.
'For you Sir Jefferson. Chances are slim to none. Ivy is out running errands and Ruby is god knows where so it's just me." I sigh, leaning against the counter.
"Just you, seems like a fair compromise for bad service,"
I look up at him from the counter, his eyes were concentrated my own, yet unlike mine his were shadowed.
"I do hope those bags under your eyes are designer... you look like you haven't slept in days,"
"Don't you worry about me, like you said, it's just you today," he smiled. He reached for the pile of blankety napkins beside me before beginning to set each small table within the Diner. I side-stepped out from behind the counter, taking the napkins from within his reach.
" I'm sure you have better things to do that lay tables, much more important things,"
"What more important than you? You're usually a little less modest" He blushed, raising an eyebrow at me. I pushed him playfully, widening my blue eyes so that they were now predominantly white before using him to steady myself and the tray that balanced on my trembling fingertips.
"Surely you two have something better to do with your time". His arms that were once placed gently around my shoulders were now tightly by his side, his eyes averted away from my gaze and his lips thin and pursed.
"Of course." And with that he left, eyes fixated on the dull flooring, leaving myself, still managing to shake beneath the trays. I realised I was still a victim of an icy glare that seemed to scorch my cheek and the carry on straight to the back of the wall.
"Ophelia,"
" Mr Gold," I address him, placing down the tray and rubbing my forearms in an attempt to stop the dull aching. His eyes narrowed at a point and his mouth rested at a sigh. Mr Gold was not someone I, or perhaps anyone could call, inviting and saying I felt out of my depth when in his presence was an understatement. From the delicate tailoring of his greying suit to the unmistakable eloquence that seemed to seep from his lips, Mr Gold was not a friend.
***
Heaving, my hands gripping onto the bodice of my dress, the lace entwined in my fingers. Grasping at branches in the tree, my breath ever escaping from my lungs. Beside me lay the gentle skirting of my dress, its misty blue silk was now torn and tear stained and fraying at the hem. Pulling at the sleeve of my dress before focusing on the gash that wept from my thigh. A warm hand brushed gently against my own,handling my own with care. I glanced upwards to see a darkened face,haunting above me, straight faced,his hand the only warmth about him. I smiled at him gently, however this was not reciprocated. His hair was tousled as he raked his hand through it, the beads of sweat that collected on his forehead, swept away with it.He then moved his hand back to my own.
***
I had been aware of Mr Gold's eccentric personality and yet now stood in his shop, tea in hand and my hair down in a disorderly manner, this was accentuated. The pale green china cup clattered against its companion saucer as I placed it to the side of me.
'I do hate to pry Mr.Gold but I wish to know why you need to speak with me,' I sung slightly, I tried to keep my tone light and airy, floating across the room so that I could lean on the counter. My nerves often got the better of me but my using my other hand as a firm guide, shaking was kept to a minimum. He seemed preoccupied with avoiding the questions I darted his way, thusly I took the time to widen my gaze to the wonders of the walls around me. Undoubtedly, I hadn't ever taken the time to admire Mr Gold and so It seemed I did not have the time to. He reappeared, a parchment in one hand and a pen gripped tightly within the other.
"You want to make a deal?"
He cocked his head slightly to the side. "Your surprise visit this morning made the rest of your pleas to contact me a little less spontaneous,"
"Your confidence is almost admirable, but yes I am here to make a deal with you. But please, finish your tea,"
I some how had lost faith in drinking anything that Mr Gold had previously prepared thus I shook my head.
" Mr Gold, I have no business with you," I sigh, pulling at the collar of my shirt.
'Ah but my dear," he took a step towards me. His eyes were fixed upon my own and his breath swept against my reddened cheek.
'Everyone has business with me,"
I considered taking a step back, in aid to relieve tension but the grip he now held at my wrist.
"Mr Gold," I pleaded, trying to regain control and ownership of my wrist. His grasp loosened slightly but his fingers were still firmly coiled around it. His fingers, whilst thin a crooked provides enough power to keep me struggling at his side. A bell chimed quietly in the corner of my mind which falsely turned out to be echoing from the corner of the room. My eyes traced the grooves in the oak flooring, dust collecting into its Burgundy washed indentations.
"I do believe she said she had no business with you," I turned slowly, and despite the voice half expected to see Jefferson stood, his feet shoulder width apart, as usual and his voice cold and clear. I clearly had not been listening as I gazed upon a small framed figure with features that seemed to patchwork together perfectly. Her skin were cotton sheets and her hair was a cropped black silk that framed her rounded portrait.
"You're disappointed," He whispered into my neck before straightening up to address the new comer to the room. I shuffled out of the shop, my knuckles white and my fingernails tarnished from scratching at the counter. Quickening my pace, I made my way down the winding path my eyes fixed on the cobbled floor. The tears that dribbled down my cheeks stung in the afternoon air. I continued around the corner, scuffing my shoes at the edges.
"Ophelia?"
I tried to shrug away the voice and broad arms that tried to wrap around my shoulders.
" Ophelia what's wrong?" The hands moved from my shoulders to cup my face. I looked up to see Jefferson. The purple rings beneath his eyes were more prominent than ever but his pupils seemed intent on my own well being. Bringing a hand up to my cheek, I shook my head lightly assuring him I was fine.
"Opheli-"
Jefferson and I both turned slowly to see Mr Gold looming in the middle of the pavement. That was the thing with Mr Gold, he loomed, haunted, always there in the corner of everyone's eye.
"Is this why you're so distraught?" Jefferson sighed, wrapping an arm lightly around my slim shoulders. His grip was tight: warm;inviting. I shook my head vigorously, shielding myself in the sweet scent of Jefferson's cologne. A sharp,bitter laugh echoed throughout the early September mist.
" You two have a nice evening" and with that he strolled straight through us, a smile painted upon his lips.
As the sound of the tapping of his cane echoed away into the nothingness.
"What has he got on you?," He asked, steadying my substantial shaking.
" Ambiguity, I have no idea what he wants from me. If I knew I wouldn't be so worried but this is Mr Gold were talking about, he's not anyone's biggest fan,"
He wrapped both his arms around me. I pushed him away slowly, my arms fully extended. He took a light grip on my forearms but I managed to summon enough strength to brush them away. His fingertips were soft against my skin but still sustained to keep a hold of me. Looking down, avoiding his blue eyes that gleamed with a hint of tears.
“Is it me?”
I winced slightly at the harsh anguish within his voice. Each word seemed to rip through the air as it did through my heart and soul, that seemed to crumble. I had always suspected that my friendship with Jefferson had lured in Mr Gold for some reason.
“When I first arrived in Storybrooke ,” I laughed bitterly into my sleeve, “ They told me that he’d want to make to deal with me at some point and that it wouldn’t end well. And I don’t want that for you Jefferson. Whether we ever had or will ever have anything in your eyes...you need to forget about me because I know Mr Gold, and he is poison.”
A look of extreme perplexity crossed the man who stood before me. He straightened out his back, he narrowed his eyes slightly before pivoting on the heel of his leather boots before beginning to make his way down the street, tracing every footstep that had been made before his own. I breathed heavily, watching him stroll away so calmly, his palms unclenched and his stride long and relaxed.
Hours later I found myself distracted by the bright and thrown together walls of the classroom that I had once sat in within my youth. They vibrant reds and greens that clashed together like christmas brought a small smile to my lips.
"Thank you for letting me help you Miss Mary Margaret," I muttered, filling through the books she had placed before me. There was something therapeutic about being in the company of Mary Margaret, she seemed to emit tranquility as a flame emitted heat.
"Jefferson visited me," she whispered softly, sitting beside me, tracing his fingertips over the yellow books that I had pushed over to her. Much like the books I brushed away her concern about Jefferson and myself. "He's concerned about you,"
"Why?" I replied quickly, allowing my hair to disguise my face; a river of light reflecting gold. "He barely knows me,"
"He seems to think he knows you better than you do Ophelia,"
I scowled up at her but this subsided to a loose smile, she meant well and yet my mind raced at the concern she reflected.
***
I must've fallen unconscious as when I awoke I was greeted with the wooden ceiling and patchworked quilt that lay itchy against my skin. Its purple and yellow tones clashed but it seemed to provide enough comfort.Muttering within the room seemed like a distant shadow as I focused on the curtains that drooped, a draping of purple silk beside me. I raked a tense hand through my hair, keeping my eyes averted away from the rest of the room.
"You've slept for so long, please don't pretend that you are, it's been an extremely boring three days and I don't think I can take sleeping on the floor much longer"
This was the first thing he had said and hence I savoured his sweet husk before opening my eyes fully and laying them onto him. I sat up quickly, now fully aware that he had sacrificed his comfort for my own. He raised his hands, reassuring me to lay back down, thusly I did. He perched cautiously on the end of the wooden bed frame. My eyes flickered over his silhouette which was now clearer in the morning light. I studied his elegant attire,marvelling at his neck scarf. After smiling weakly at me he untied the scarf slowly,keeping his eyes captivated on my own. I felt slightly patronised as he wrapped the scarf loosely around my own neck, his hands cold against me but laughed softly as he grinned towards me. I heard a small shuffling around the corner of the room, to my astonishment, the man before me seemed calmed by the noise unlike myself.
***
Until Next time
Xo
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