| Act 2:: Friendship The sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering patches of light across the steps. It was almost noon now, one could tell just by how the birds sang in chorus; almost reveling in the good fortune of having another day to spend in the sun. The birds understood how transient their existence was, they sang because they were grateful to be alive. Farther up the steps, gardens branched out on either side, providing a welcome retreat from the rest of the world. Most days they would be full of activity- people lunching, students studying, people milling about, simply there to admire the flowers. Today it they were empty, save for one girl sitting under a tree, lazily strumming her guitar. The buzz of insects hung heavy in the air; it had a melodious quality to it that must have evoked the girl into playing a few accompanying chords when the moment seemed right. The young woman was so enveloped in her own world that she hadn�t taken notice of Mackenzie, who had sat down to sketch the climbing roses. For a while they sat like this, each taking no notice of the other, though they were both aware of the other�s presence. Their silence was not of hostility or awkwardness, but out of a mutual respect of their crafts. The girl laid her guitar on the ground beside her, then stood up to stretch. Mackenzie followed suit, and went further by introducing herself. �My name is Jade Hathorne,� she tucked a lose strand of ebony hair behind her ear. �You�re the new girl here, right?� Mackenzie nodded; �Does it show?� Jade smiled and began to wave; Mackenzie turned around to see who was coming. �That�s Marcus,� Jade offered, her tone suggesting it needed no further explanation. �Is he your brother?� Jade nodded as she grabbed Mackenzie by the arm and dragged her of to meet him. |