Page 14 of A Twist in Fate
“I don’t own one.” I look up to him, pushing his cap further down his face but then he takes the cap off and places it on my head.
“You can have mine.” He tucks the hair that's gone in front of my face, pushing it behind my ears. “I wouldn't want you to burn, sunshine. Okay, let's go.”
It was a little stupid that we haven't practised archery much and now I'm stood holding 8 bows whilst Lucas lines up the targets in front of the kids. I don't even know how to shoot an arrow. “Everyone take an arrow and then Lucas will show you how to shoot. Please do not shoot anyone or anything yet.” They all run over taking a bow, Miles and Theo pretending to be in a battle.
“You mean we will teach them. You're going to need to help me. There's six of them," Lucas says, walking over to us.“I can’t do it alone.”
“But I couldn't hit the target when we practised. Please just teach them.” Miles is eyeing the arrows as if he wants to steal one.
“Let me teach you first. Grab an arrow and stand in line with the middle one. Okay, everyone watch this, I'm going to use Ivy as an example because she sucks at usinga bow and arrow.” The children giggle and I grab an arrow from one of the buckets on the floor, sticking my tongue out at Lucas when I pass him. I place the end in the string of bow and start to pull it back, but I am stopped by Lucas.
“Let me help.” He moves behind me, his face right over my shoulder and his hands resting on my own on the bow and arrow. He moves them as he directs me with instructions. All I am focused on is him being this close to me. “Stop facing me sunshine and focus on your target.” I really try. I focus and listen as he talks, pulling back the arrow and then letting go. The arrow flies right through the air and reaches the second ring of the target.
“No way! I did it!” I jump up in excitement.That was the first time I even hit the target.
“Well done, sunshine.” Lucas is smiling at me. My stomach flips. “But I think we did it. Do you think you can teach them now?”
Even though I have only ever shot one successful arrow with assistance, I say yes without hesitation and start helping the kids shoot as they line up behind the three markers.
Turns out, I enjoy archery more than I thought and I'm not that bad at teaching it. Obviously, Lucas is a littleshow off and a lot better than me, but it just makes it much more fun. The only one struggling now is Violet. So far, she has pretty much stayed back, watching. I think she is nervous, so I decide to walk over to her and try to help. It's her turn and she’s stood in front of the target, picking up one of the arrows, trying to fit it in the bow but struggling and dropping them both. I bend down to reach it, getting them up from the floor to offer them back to her. As I look towards her with the bow and arrow in my hand, she has her head downwards, at her feet. Her dark blonde hair is flowing over her face, but it doesn't block away the tears I see welling in her eyes. I feel my heart break in my chest. Watching her feels too familiar.
“Here,” I say, giving them back to her. “Give it another go. I'll help if you need it.” She takes them from my hand, and I help place the arrow in the bow string. She extends her arms watching Lucas show Theo beside us. “Just extend this arm and focus on the target. Let go when you feel ready,” I say, and she does what I tell her. She closes an eye, really focusing on the target then releases the string. The arrow darts through the air and sits right in the middle of the centre of the target. Within seconds, Violet turns to me with the biggest smile on her face and unexpectedly jumps into my arms, happily.
“That was so amazing!” She pulls away and I offer her a high five just before all the other children come around her to congratulate her. She starts looking down and her face turns red with embarrassment. I walk over to Lucas who has the same smile on his face he always does.
“You did well with her. She looks happy.” I turn to look up at him. The sun is hitting his face and I suddenly remember that I have taken his hat.
“You're going to burn.” I start to lift the hat from my head but before I can, it is pushed back down right over my eyes.
“Don't even think about it, sunshine. That hat is yours until I buy you one in town.” He lifts it up so I can look right into his eyes. He stares at me, his hand resting on my upper arm sliding toward my hand, but his eyes don't leave my own. All of a sudden, a look passes across his face, he looks down and takes his hand away from me. His face floods with an almost unreadable expression, almost as if he were in pain. My chest fills with regret and at this moment I remember that I was allowing myself to be swept up by him, once again. He is charismatic and kind. He is that way with everyone and I'm allowing myself to feel whatever I am feeling. I know it's best to push it away.
CHAPTER 6
Ivy
Song 6
The Alchemy – Taylor Swift
04/07
Me: I am sorry I have not had the chance to call for a few days. I hope everything is okay at home. Can you call me asap?
Mum: really busy right now. Sorry. I love you.
Me: I love you too.
Bailey: any word from the family?
Bailey: also get here asap. Abby and Alec are at each other’s throats, and I cannot deal with the other two on my own.
Me: mum said she will call at some point soon. I am leaving now and don’t let James have too much sugar and he will be fine.
Bailey: it’s the fourth of July! Nothing cancalm him down.
Bailey: have you got any idea why my brother won’t stop asking about you? He might be obsessed with you or something.
It has been a total of seven days since I have seen my parents, and they haven't texted me for four of those days. I have called them once every two days and I don’t get an answer as often as I would like. Whilst I know that they are busy with work, I can't help but feel as though I have let them down by coming here. I know how much they wanted me to be with them this summer and how much they wanted me to start nursing school last year. However, I have never felt so happy. Bailey and I have spent so much more time together than ever before and I've made amazing new friends. Most nights, us girls sit in our rooms for an hour after lights out and some nights, I sleep in Bailey’s room. I think there are a lot of things that I have missed because I was so focused on my future.
