Chances are not given. They are earned. When you make a wish, you don't get your wish granted, you get given a chance to make the wish come true.

A small ray of light does not shine in more light. But more in the dark. Yet even in light that small ray still exists. Invisible to all until the light dims. But it's still there. It watches over us every second of our lives. Just neglected by our own eyes.

✨🌟✨

A chance, it was there. Standing in front of her. His hand extended outwards making time itself seem magical as every second seemed like minutes and every heart beat thudded against her chest.

Her arms unsure of the action I shoulder perform and her lips dry and still. Frozen by the icicles of shock.

'It's him.' The words played in Serena's mind, her dream becoming more and more memorable with one look into his Auburn brown eyes. Eyes in which she caught a  glimpse of herself.

Never before has such an occurrence of emotion overwhelmed Serena. She felt as if her body had frozen, but only to be melted by her heart which felt warm and delightful.

Gaining some control over her own body, she lifted her arm up toward his. Shaking a little as her hand connected with his. A feeling of sensation arouse within her as she felt a rush of heat flow to her cheek. The touch of someone other then her mother. It was different. It was scary. It was delightful. It was new.

Pulling her to her feet. A sudden action that caught Serena by surprise as she felt her body raised off the shopping mall floor. Her feet supporting her as she regained balance yet her eyes stayed fixed on his face. Unable nor wanting to divert elsewhere.

"You alright now?" Ash asked. Letting his hand escape hers which snapped Serena out of her focused stare.

"Yes. Thank you for your generosity." Serena responded trying to sound as formal and appreciative as possible without over doing it and making a fool of herself. A somewhat fear that stalked her in the back of her mind.

Chuckling slightly at her formality Ash rubbed his pointer finger under his nose. An action not uncommon to himself and people that knew him. But came as bit of a surprise to Serena.

"No problem. I couldn't just leave you lying on the ground like that now could I?" He said through a bit of laughter that brought a small smile on Serena's face.

"I mean you could if you wanted to." She replied jokingly before giggling childishly while picking up a single shopping basket off the floor. The one she had originally intended of grabbing.

Shoppers had moved on from the sudden collapse of the shopping baskets. Returning back to the task at hand. Realising this. It was clear to Serena she had forgotten for a brief moment her initial task.

"Oh! I need to get going! I have to get ingredients for my mother." Serena explained. Setting her mind back on task. Though she felt her smile neutralise at her own words. Thoughts of her mother forced their way to her mind. Her shaking of the head in disapproval, not just at the fact she could be home late. But if she found out everything that has happened so far. She would loose it!

Obsessive is the word Serena most commonly used to describe her mother. Obsessed over her safety and wellbeing. Not protective. No, that concept seemed way too minor to fit Serena's view of her mother.

Restrictions. Rules. Cains to her life the prevented her from falling from the sky. It's true a bird cannot fall from the sky if it never takes flight. But then a bird is no longer special. Why give a bird wings if it cannot use them to fly in its freedom?

There isn't.

Freedom is a gift. But even a gift had to be wrapped up and concealed for no one to see. But that just makes opening and discovering it all the more valuable and special.

"Would you like me to help you? You seem new around here." Ash says in response. His voice calm and welcoming. Like a the warmth of the sun shining through on a cold, cloudy day. Simply irresistible.

Now could she not say no? Serena felt a sudden rush of nervousness for the first time, Her embarrassment no longer in control of her. But rather and affect of her nerves that corrupted her.

"S-Sure." Serena managed to respond. Her mind debating. Obey or disobey. The haunting obedience of her mother lurking over her. Where the tempting of freedom was in arms reach.

"Well let's get going then!" Ash says joyfully as he removes the basket from Serena's arms and placing it in his own. Drawing a rather confused look onto Serena's face.

An act of curiosity? Almost seemed impossible. Had to be. But it wasn't.

An act of such uniqueness to the eyes of a soul so unaware of such act to be possible. Through her caged life she always did the work. Cooking, cleaning, everything. A cage that never allowed kind deeds or acts to be executed towards her.

Stunned by actions of generosity, a response seemed obvious yet confusing.

"Yeah!" Serena says firmly, the chain starting to unbuckle. Loosening.

Serena and Ash walked through the store as if they have never been there before. Wondering down every aisle just for the fun of it, just to continue the conversation so the time together drew out longer.

The shopping basket gradually filling up with the set ingredients listed on the paper that seemed insignificant to Serena. Her focus all on the rare and engaging conversation with Ash.

A Spark that now went both ways.

The clock ticked faster then the words spilled from Serena's mouth. Time becoming the restrain of her conversation. The weakness to her happiness. The sword that must execute them from spending so much time together.

Time has its punishments. And time was up.

Reaching the exit of the store. The two still laughed and talked together. Both with smiles of real happiness and joy fixed onto them that never seemed to dissipate. Never looked like breaking until those words sounded.

"I should get going now. My mother will be wondering where I am. She gets really worried when I'm late." Serena spoke, her words mirrored her emotions. Happy yet kinda disappointed that the time had came to an end and it was now time to part ways.

The expressions fading slightly at realisation of the next few words that seemed to just follow the natural chain. Unstoppable. No other path to take.

"Alrighty then, I should probably get going too. It was nice meeting you Serena." Ash responds taking the path they both knew they would have to go down. Though his smile still stood tall to make the goodbye not as bad.

A simple nod of the head from Serena brought their conversation to and end. The full stop at the end of the sentence as she waved goodbye and began her trip back home.

The next sentence yet to be written. Yet to be told. Yet to be discovered.