Summer kills
Art-Peace

Their vision took wings, and soon, the globe became their playground. Each destination on their journey only served to fuel their purpose further. They travelled from the cobblestone streets of Europe to the sun-drenched beaches of South America, bringing together diverse communities under the universal umbrella of sports.

In the midst of their mission, an unexpected letter arrived. It had been sent by Evelyn, Liam's sister who was away at a summer camp on the Auroville in India. A passionate drama enthusiast since childhood, she'd been teaching kids there, inspiring them with stories and empowering them to express their emotions through the art form.

Evelyn wrote about her experiences in India, about the children she met, their dreams and aspirations. Her words painted a colourful image of a vibrant culture where despite hardships and struggles, there was immense potential waiting to be tapped into potential that echoed the rhythm of life in its rawest form.

Moved by Evelyn's experiences and recognizing an opportunity to further their cause in a new direction, Jake and Liam decided to include the arts in their campaign for unity. After all, what connected people more profoundly than sharing stories that mirrored their own lives? And so, they took another step forward.

Upon Evelyn's return from India. The sun-kissed islands had imbued her with an even deeper love for storytelling. She was eager to bring what she'd learnt there back home - she wanted to give voice to those who couldn't amplify their own. Years later, as they stood shoulder to shoulder in the theatre, now buzzing with life and creativity, they felt that same sense of camaraderie they had first experienced in the basketball arena. They reveled in the joyous realization that they'd indeed created a world where wealth was not a measure of worth but an instrument for positive change - one story, one game at a time.

When Evelyn finally stepped foot onto the glittering marble of Ruby's villa, she was a molten mix of anticipation and hot resentment. The wide sweep of the opulent estate, with its manicured gardens and sparkling fountains, seemed a stark contrast to the humble villages she had left behind. Her eyes, once bright and welcoming, were now like sharp shards of ice hardened by her experiences.

As Evelyn walked into the grand reception area, the gathering of the community turned their heads towards her. The scorching glares from people who once were her friends didn't go unnoticed. Among the crowd, she spotted Jake and Liam. Their faces were an amalgamation of surprise and a strange discomfort as the room fell silent. They had not expected this hardened version of Evelyn to walk through those grand doors.

Ruby greeted Evelyn with a false smile plastered onto her face, and a cold, disdainful look in her eyes. Evelyn saw right through it. Ruby's greeting was nothing but a pretense to maintain her reputation amongst the gathered guests. Evelyn's return had begun to stir whispers among the guests. As she walked into the room radiant in her peacock blue silk saree, she could see Jake and Liam watching her from across the room - their shock palpable in their widened eyes as they noticed how their sister had changed.

The evening proceeded with extravagant dinner and chatter filled with thinly veiled insinuations from Ruby about Evelyn's newfound status as an art teacher in an underprivileged community in India. Ruby's words pricked at Evelyn like thorns, each taunt aimed to undermine her accomplishments.

But Evelyn was no longer the naive woman who had left for India. She held herself tall with an unbroken spirit that seemed to radiate courage. She met Ruby's derisive glances with a cool, unyielding gaze. Each taunt was met with tales of children who faced adversities, who held bright dreams in their hearts and found joy in storytelling cherished by her.

The room suddenly seemed to forget the grandeur of the villa and the luxurious feast, entranced by the tales Evelyn weaved. She had become the flame that commanded their attention. And though Ruby still sat at the head of the table, it was Evelyn who held the room captivated.

As the night deepened, Evelyn's stories continued to paint a vivid picture of a world beyond their gilt-lined lives - a world where every challenge was met with resilience and every small joy savored. Her words not only served as a reminder of her transformative journey but also ignited a newfound respect for her in the minds of Jake and Liam.

The drama had only just begun, yet Evelyn was already leaving an indelible mark on their collective consciousness with every tale she spun around, unraveling Ruby's prickle of dominance thread by thread.

The shimmering chandeliers above were no match for the glow that enveloped Evelyn as she spoke. Her words were like sparkling gemstones, each story a priceless jewel born from her remarkable experiences in India. She spoke of bustling bazaars bursting with vibrant colors and exotic spices, of kind-hearted villagers whose tales of struggle and triumph resonated deep within her soul, of golden sunsets that painted the sky with hues of warmth and hope.

With every shared anecdote, Ruby's mask of supremacy slowly fell apart. The ostentatious grandeur of her villa, the elaborate feast she had arranged - all seemed to lose their charm against the backdrop of Evelyn's mesmerizing narration. Across the table, Jake and Liam exchanged impressed glances, their eyes mirroring a newfound admiration for Evelyn.

And amidst the captivated audience was Ruby, her pride crumbling under the weight of envied attention. Every word from Evelyn was a needle piercing through her veil of arrogance, each tale a subtle reminder of her shallow existence. Her extravagant clothes and jewels looked dull in comparison to Evelyn's radiant aura and vivid stories.

Evelyn continued to steer attention away from Ruby's opulence, toward more meaningful matters, toward surviving lands unknown and touching lives untouched. Her words revealed stories not just about herself but also about the resilience and transformation common people are capable of. The room pulsated with eager anticipation as they hung onto her every word.

Ruby watched, jealousy gnawing at her insides like a hungry beast as Evelyn spun tales that brought laughter to Jake's lips and a soft glimmer to Liam's eyes. It was clear as crystal; Evelyn was not just sharing stories; she was reshaping perceptions, unraveling illusions, commanding admiration - all effortlessly.

The evening that had begun under Ruby's reign was fast becoming a spectacle wherein Evelyn emerged as the true luminary. Her narrative was starting to eclipse even the most splendid corners of Ruby's extravagant world. Evelyn's courage, her spirit, her journey - all of it was becoming the enchanting melody that was making Ruby dance, not in delight, but in dreadful envy.