Chapter 1

Chapter 1:

Ebony, a despairing woman of unquestionable experience, stood alone on the beach, gazing over the teal water with her melancholy cinnamon globes. Her cotton candy hair rustled lightly in the ocean breeze. She tried to deny the stirrings in her heart as she hummed "Crawling" to herself. She wore a pitch-dark suit with an ivory blouse peeking out around her neck, and a tight many-colored miniskirt showed the shape of her hips and the russet tone of her legs. Her bubble-gum hair was trimmed short around her head, complementing her pained light brown visage. A noticeable sigil provided proof of her descent.

Her thoughts wandered to her days in Joshua's company. They had known each other since they were children. They had spent time together so often that, despite all differences, others often mistook them as siblings. However, it was not until recently that they had recognized their feelings for each other. From then on, Ebony was sometimes needy and close, but then suddenly cold and fearful. Joshua tried his best to hide his pain, but it was plain in his depths. That was how it was to this very day.

Ebony's amber globes spotted Joshua further down on the beach, closer to the roaring sea. His lovely locks rippled behind him in a cinereal wave. His pools were turned toward the ocean, hidden from Ebony's sight, but she knew and loved their resolute dusky hue. He was dressed in his usual everyday clothes. His skin was bubble-gum and his form was slight. "Joshua," she called, walking towards him.

He glanced back and a daring smile flashed across his face. "Hey. Ebony."

Ebony shrugged and said only, "Let's go." They began their leisurely walk along the ocean's edge.

"How have you been, Ebony?" Joshua asked as they began their stroll together.

Ebony looked impassive as he replied, "As I've always been."

"Oh." He glanced awkwardly at her, fidgeting with his fingers to pass the time. "... Not very well?" She didn't humor him with a response. He reached for her hand, but she pulled away.

"You," she intoned in a low voice, "what is it that you want from me?"

That halted his in his tracks. "Ebony!" he pleaded. "I love you! I just thought... I'd let you know. That I'm here to listen." Ebony angled her body away. "Ebony... you were there for me. I... I've never forgotten that. No matter how much you push me away."

She kept walking in silence. Her coral coiffure shivered in a frosty wind. "It wasn't for you," she murmured.

"I don't care," he shouted against the wind and sea. "If it was only because you wanted me for yourself, it's all felt the same to me! Don't you understand? I chose you! I..."

"You made your choices," Ebony cut in, "and I'm making mine. I'm not going to deal with your prying."

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