Pleasantries in Pleasantview - Prologue
The giant willow treeās branches blow gently in the breeze and rustle softly in Mortimerās ears. His favourite book laid gently on his lap, his head tilted down slightly, he pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose every few moments to stop them from slipping off his face. The frames are taped together shoddily and they sit lopsided on his face; another battle scar from his school tormenters. But, he has a soft smile on his face as he loses himself in the universe of his novel - a fantasy world filled with gripping adventure and opportunity. The main character pushes through adversity after adversity and develops deep meaningful friendships along the way - including a love interest who stands by the protagonistās side through thick and thin.Ā
Mortimer is quite small for his age, and wearing glasses, having a shy personality and not being athletically inclined, he is a prime target for his classmates to pick on. At first, it bothered him greatly as he is a sensitive soul. But, as time went on, he became desensitized to the bullying and just picks himself up after an encounter and moves on. The world of novels is a lot more accepting than his reality, and he often comes to the willow tree to lose himself in more appealing worlds.Ā Ā
He turns the page of his novel and realizes heās finished it. He leans back on the old willow tree, looking up into its branches, breathes in deeply and exhales slowly.Ā He closes his eyes and smiles to himself, holding the image of the novelās world in his mind for a little bit longer.
āWas it a good book?ā A voice breaks through his imagination.Ā
Mortimer shoots his eyes open and jumps forward, knocking the novel out of his lap and his glasses fall even more askew on his face. He lets out a short gasp from being surprised and hears a giggle as he tries to orient himself.
He looks around and sees a girl in a red dress standing a few feet away from him. Her dark hair blows gently in the breeze sending a sweet floral smell over to Mortimer. He looks at her, blinking for a moment, trying to figure out if she is real or part of his imagination still. Her beauty strikes him as not of this world.Ā
āSorry, did I startle you?ā the girl, still giggling slightly, asks. āYou look so happy right now I wanted to know what you were reading.ā She holds her gaze on him, a smile on her lips. Mortimer stares back at her, getting lost in her soft brown eyes for a second too long.Ā
She tilts her head to the side and smiles even more at him. āIām Bella, whatās your name?ā
Mortimer blinks a few times. He closes his eyes to bring himself back to reality. Adjusting his glasses, he clears his throat and stands up. Reaching his hand out towards her, he responds, āThe nameās Mortimer, Mortimer Goth.āĀ He waits for Bella to shake his hand.Ā
She looks at him and his outstretched hand with surprise. But just as quickly, her expression softens again into a sweet smile and she takes his hand to shake it. āNice to meet you Mortimer!ā she exclaims.Ā
Mortimer blushes slightly and turns his gaze to the side. Bella continues to smile and shake his hand. When Mortimer looks back at Bella, she doesnāt shy from his gaze and holds it for an almost uncomfortably long time. Mortimer breaks the gaze again and drops his hand down to his side. He scratches the back of his head, turning his body slightly away from Bella.Ā
āWhat are you doing here?ā he asks, a bit wary that she may be here to make fun of him.Ā
Bella thinks for a moment, leaning back a bit to look up into the willow treeās branches.Ā
āIsnāt this so peaceful?ā she asks him instead.Ā
He shoots her a quizzical look, but she continues to look up into the branches.Ā
āItās almost like the tree is speaking to you, or comforting you. Yāknow? You can sit here and not feel lonely because the willow tree understands you.āĀ
Mortimer looks at Bella for a second and then tilts his head up to the willow tree branches as well. He smiles as he knows exactly what she means. The two of them stand there, staring up at the branches and listening.Ā