⌗ 54; third person ✎ᝰ

People come and go. Time can only tell. Seasons change in the same way that people do. And people come and go just as the seasons change.

In a vast land that stretches across the Pacific Ocean, Riley Marsh sits quietly in the four walls that keep her away from harm. Physical, that is.

Her heart hasn't changed. The seasons may inevitably change, but her feelings remain. They remain in the way that she left it in a faraway country where her happiness resides.

She sits small on the Queen sized mattress that blankets her in warmth. Yet, it could never compare to the warmth she so terribly misses. The scent of Mason's perfume has now faded. Her tears mark the cotton fabric like ink smudged on paper.

Meanwhile, her 'lover' remains in the arms of one that has fallen too deeply; like Icarus who flew too close to the sun and plunged into the sea. Mason gains strength from the undivided care that her best friend has to offer.

Although her bones weak and fragile, the love she receives brings her great strength to push through the obstacles that life had crudely thrown.

And as the summer comes to a near end, she reminisces to herself; quietly over the beauty of the one who got away. She holds in her grasp a book of her favourite poems. The yellowish page is painted with the fourteen lines of Sonnet 18; Shall I Compare thee to a Summer's day?

The sonnet hits a certain spot in her heart. If summer were a person, it would be her. Golden, with an unbeatable warmth and a positive energy that could only ever be so radiant. Riley, in all aspects, would be the perfect personification of summer. With no doubt was she lively, carefree and refreshing.

Riley was the exact person that Mason needed. Her happy go lucky personality had melded with Mason's invigorating personality; like the Winter. She was sometimes cold and bitter, maybe even blue and avoidant. But when met with the warmth of another, they can become two beautiful souls that intertwine,

and in return, become inseparable. As opposites attract. The happiest couples never have the same character. It's when you're both opposite but in that way, you complete each other.

And while Mason swims in the thought of her, the one that holds her so warmly, sinks in an all consuming feeling of desperation and want.

Mara stares at her with a tender gaze. Their bodies fit neatly into each other; like two pieces of a puzzle. She hums quietly as the soft breeze cools her skin. She looks forward it; for when the seasons change and the autumn begins.

Maybe then would her feelings drift away; falling like leaves who turn too weak to hold onto the branch that holds them dear.

Maybe then could she free herself of this wrath. Of this love that consumes her entirely. Maybe then would she have the chance to strip herself from what holds her back from this agony.

The agony that comes with carrying a heart that beats for someone who's heart does the same; just not for them. And while Mara's heart beats earnestly, another heart beats just the same; two hearts that beat for one person.

And while that person is so painfully unaware, their worlds intertwine in the way that fate has called upon. Here they sit underneath the same sky, unaware that they have lost control of what is happening around them; unaware that their lives were at the hands of fate.

Fate is twisted with surprises. And so they hope that their invisible strings do not tangle and break. Fate does not care about plans.

And yet, Andy watches her best friend from down the hall. Her heart has learnt to let go. Yet it still aches at the sight of the girl; perhaps, not from her feelings, but rather, the sight of her and how she possibly feels in this very moment. She watches intently. Riley, smaller than usual, knees pressed against her chest.

She has not moved since the sun had traded its glow for rest. And while the moon hangs high, so does her hopes and dreams. She wonders if Mason thinks of her too in this very moment.

Renz feels a tint of guilt build up inside her. Her great escape had intertwined with fate and the plans of the universe. She had always done right by Mason. It was disheartening to think that she had done wrongly this time. Her phone sits in her lap; a string of texts that send her the message. Mason had discovered the hard truth.

And in turn, Mika looks over at the two girls that lay to rest in each other's arms. How had things changed so fast? But as do the seasons change, so do people. Her mind wonders if perhaps her little one had found love in someone else. She wonders if Mason had finally moved on? Has Mara's presence been the sole reason to Mason's improvement with her condition.

While the seasons change, they begin to accept the things to which fate binds them. When reality makes the decision for you, it's easier to accept your fate. Fate may never be kind. But these young woman do not agree with what fate has brought to the table. Fate does not care about broken hearts and tangled strings. Fate will laugh at you. But these young women will persevere; to fight for what they truly want.

Breaking hearts is inevitable in the hands of fate and the reality they have painted out for themselves. Only time can really tell. Maybe, when the seasons finally do change,

they will come to know where their hearts truly lie. To whom they truly belong. To whom they can find forever with in this cruel world.

It is a battle of guts in a world where people fall in love with who their heart so inevitably desires. It is a battle to whom will reign Invictus in this sworn battle they are so unaware of.

They can only hope they do not fly too close to the sun; to never burn their wings and drown in the love they have found themselves in.