Echo

Ellie's day began much like any other, with the piercing sound of her alarm clock jolting her awake. She groaned, reaching out to silence it, her gaze falling upon the empty bed across the room. Emma's absence hit her like a punch to the gut, a pang of guilt mixing with the remnants of their last argument.

As was her routine, Ellie would usually toss a snarky remark towards Emma's bed, a sardonic greeting that had become part of their twisted sisterly dynamic. But this morning, the words died on her lips as she realized that Emma wasn't there to respond in kind. The bed that used to be a chaotic explosion of rock band posters and mismatched beddings now lay empty, neatly made as if no one had ever slept in it.

Heading downstairs, Ellie found her parents engrossed in a conversation about her father's mayoral campaign. Her mother looked up and offered a smile. "Morning, dear. Are you working on your project for the town fair?"

Ellie nodded, her reply absent-minded as she glanced at her father. "Yeah, still working on it."

Deciding that breakfast was pointless, Ellie grabbed her bag and left the house. She dressed in a way that was a bit more casual than usual, a reflection of her unsettled state of mind. She put on makeup with a sense of detachment, missing the sound of Emma's teasing comments that used to accompany this routine.

As she made her way down the street, she barely registered the people around her. A couple of street vendors tried to catch her attention, their words a blur against the backdrop of her thoughts. One of them was loudly proclaiming a rival's supposed misdeeds, his fervor clashing with Ellie's internal turmoil.

"Get the latest on the Delaney campaign! Don't let them fool you with their false promises!" a man bellowed, thrusting a pamphlet into her face. Ellie brushed it away without looking, her mind preoccupied with questions she'd never bothered to ask herself before.

She walked through the town in a daze, memories of her interactions with Emma replaying in her mind. She couldn't deny that there was a sense of relief now that Emma was gone, but beneath it all was a gnawing guilt that she couldn't quite shake. She had never quite understood why she'd been so hard on Emma, and now, in her absence, Ellie was beginning to question her own motives.

Lost in her internal struggle, Ellie continued her walk, her surroundings a blur as she wrestled with her emotions. The voices of the street sellers and campaigners faded into the background, overshadowed by the cacophony of doubts swirling in her mind.

"Support the true champions of progress! Vote for—"

"Excuse me, miss, would you like to try this new—"

"Miss, would you like to support our cause?" someone called out, interrupting Ellie's thoughts.

She blinked, finally registering the man's words. "Uh, no thanks," she mumbled, her voice distant.

She continued walking, her gaze fixed on the path ahead, lost in a maze of conflicting emotions. The absence of her sister had torn through her life, exposing the layers of resentment, longing, and uncertainty that had defined their relationship. As she moved forward, Ellie was left to navigate the complexities of her feelings, each step a reminder of the void Emma's departure had left behind.

***

The art classroom buzzed with excited chatter as students settled into their seats. Ellie found herself beside her best friend Lila, their familiar camaraderie a comforting presence amidst the pre-fair energy. The subject of the day was art, and the class was abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming town fair, just a month and a half away.

Lila leaned over, peering at Ellie's notebook as she sketched anime characters in the margins. "Working on something for the fair, El?"

Ellie glanced up, her pencil pausing mid-stroke. "Nah, not this time."

Lila raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you pass up on a chance to show off your art?"

Ellie offered a small shrug, her expression distant. "I'm not feeling it this year."

Lila's surprise was evident in her tone. "You? Not up for some competition?"

Ellie chuckled softly. "Yeah, strange, right?"

Lila leaned back, studying Ellie for a moment. "You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," Ellie replied with a smile, hoping to brush off any further concern.

Though Lila seemed unconvinced, she decided to drop the topic for now, focusing on her own work. Ellie's mind, however, drifted to a memory that resurfaced whenever she was in this particular classroom. She glanced toward the empty seat that had once been occupied by her sister.

She remembered the incident from a few months back, when Emma had dared to stand on her desk during a lull in the class, striking an exaggerated pose and shouting, "Behold, the goddess of chaos has descended!" The shock and amusement of the entire class, coupled with the teacher's exasperated expression, had left an indelible mark on everyone's memory.

"Good morning, students," the dean began. "As you may know, the annual Alcott Town Fair is approaching, and I'm pleased to inform you that Alcott Arts Academy has been invited to play a significant role in this year's festivities."

He continued, outlining the details of the town fair and how the school would be contributing. He explained that this year's fair would play host to a few visiting celebrities, lending an air of excitement and prestige to the occasion. As a result, a special prize had been introduced – the "Celestial Inspiration Award," to be given to the student whose work best captured the essence of Alcott Arts and its connection to the town.

"As a token of our gratitude for their visit," the dean's voice carried a touch of formality, "one student's work will be chosen to represent Alcott Arts and be presented to our esteemed guests."

Ellie exchanged a glance with Lila, both intrigued by the prospect. The idea of having their art recognized by celebrities added a new layer of excitement to the fair. It was a chance to showcase their talents to a broader audience, even beyond their artistic community.

As the dean wrapped up his speech, Ellie's thoughts swirled with a renewed sense of purpose. The absence of her sister loomed large, but perhaps this was an opportunity for her to redefine herself, to step out of the shadow she'd cast and create her own mark.

***

Finn stepped into The Rusty Anchor, his eyes scanning the familiar interior as he walked in. The low hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the faint scent of alcohol greeted him. But what caught his attention first were the suitcases near the bar. His heart sank as he realized what must have transpired.

Isabella, the fiery bartender with a knack for reading people, met his gaze and nodded toward the bar. Without a word, he headed over, his worry growing with each step. Emma, slumped over the bar, looked worse for wear. Her disheveled appearance and the defeated slump of her shoulders painted a stark picture of her state.

He greeted Isabella with a nod, and she met his gaze with a knowing look. "She's had a rough night," she said quietly, as if to avoid drawing attention.

Finn leaned against the bar, his eyes never leaving Emma's figure. "What happened?"

Isabella sighed, her expression a mix of sympathy and exasperation. "She walked in here earlier, asking for a drink. She was muttering to herself, cursing her family and her sister like a pirate. Sat in that corner over there." She gestured to an empty corner booth.

Finn's concern deepened as he listened, his thoughts racing to piece together the puzzle. He glanced at Emma again, his heart aching for her. He had to admit, he was surprised to find himself this invested in her well-being. He wasn't sure why he cared so much, but something about her reminded him of his younger self – ambitious but rejected by society, talented but held back by those closest to him.

"Why are you so worried about her?" Isabella's voice broke through his thoughts.

Finn met her gaze, his expression a mix of introspection and uncertainty. "I don't even know," he admitted. "But there's something about her... I see a bit of myself in the kid."

Isabella's lips curved into a half-smile. "Well, you're quite the mystery yourself, Finn."

He managed a faint chuckle before turning his attention back to Emma. "Where's she gonna stay now?"

Isabella leaned in, her voice soft. "I offered to let her crash at my place until she figures things out."

Finn felt a weight lift from his chest at her words. He appreciated Isabella's willingness to help, especially given Emma's circumstances. "I'll pay you back for this," he promised.

Isabella shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't worry about it. Just take care of her."

Finn nodded, his gaze lingering on Emma for a moment longer before he straightened up. He had a feeling that his journey with her was far from over, and as he turned to leave the bar, he couldn't shake the sense that he was about to take on a new role in her life – one that went beyond just being her boss.