As the birds began to sing their morning melody, Magnolia lazily rose from her peaceful slumber. She opened her window to gaze upon the village where she had lived her whole life. While she let the rising sun kiss her melanin skin and hazel eyes, Magnolia heard a familiar voice call to her from below.
“Good morning, Maggie!” Greeted Lauren, Magnolia’s life-long best friend.
“Good morning.” Magnolia yawned.
“Are you coming outside today?”
“I fear that I’m far too exhausted to do anything.”
Lauren groaned loudly. “Of all days to stay inside, why pick today?”
“What is the cause of your urgency?” Magnolia laughed, “I know that you are one for dramatics, but do you not think this is a bit much?”
Lauren clutched her chest, as if Magnolia’s words wounded her physically.
“If you ask me, I believe that I’m not making enough fuss.”
“But you are always making a fuss.”
“This is adult gossip Maggie!” Lauren smirked.
“Why didn’t you begin with that?” Magnolia gasped. “I’ll be right down!”
Magnolia dug through her small wooden closet, searching for a dress to wear for the day. Finally, she landed on a knee-length dress, the color of a bride’s rosy cheeks as she walks down the aisle. She paired her gown with her favorite white Victorian boots, that have long been worn down by the passage of time. As she made her way down the stairs to the kitchen, Magnolia was greeted by her mother, who was having her morning tea.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” She asked.
Magnolia snatched an apple off the kitchen counter. “Laurie is outside waiting for me.” She replied.
“I thought I heard her outside, just be home before supper.”
“Yes mother!” Magnolia called, already halfway out of the door, running towards Lauren.
“What is this news you speak of?” She interrogated.
“Hello to you too.” Lauren huffed.
“We have addressed each other enough!”
“I suppose you’re right.” Lauren then pulled Magnolia close to her, so close that Magnolia would be able to count every individual lash on Lauren’s green apple eyes.
“My father invited Xander’s family over for dinner.” Lauren whispered. “The. Mr. Bellingham got on one of his tangents, and he spoke of new neighbors!”
“Really?” Exclaimed Magnolia.
“Yes, and allegedly, they have someone our age coming with them!”
Amid the girl’s excitement, another friend joined them in Magnolia’s front yard.
“Laurie!” Alexander condemned. “Didn’t I tell you not to spread the news just yet?”
“Must you be such a worry wart?” Lauren joked. “It’s just Maggie!”
“My father doesn’t exactly know the reality of the situation just yet.”
“And what exactly does that mean?” Magnolia interjected.
“The house that this new family is intending on purchasing isn’t exactly my father’s best property.” Alexander explained, as he ran a hand through his short, golden hair. “It is possible that once they see the condition of the house, they will turn around and find somewhere else to stay. In fact, they haven’t made the final payment on the house just yet.”
Lauren pondered for a moment. “So do I not tell the rest then?” She poorly whispered.
“There’s more?” Magnolia asked.
“There’s a boy!”
“A boy?”
Alexander groaned. “Fine, since my motor-mouth of a girlfriend insists on telling you, yes, one of the members of this family is a boy that is around our age.”
Magnolia scratched her head. “Why would that be important to me?”
“A boy!” Lauren twirled her auburn curls. “One that is a teenager, like us! Don’t you get what I’m hinting at?”
“I don’t think she does.” Alexander chuckled.
“We were just thinking.” Lauren started. “That maybe this boy will suit your fancy!”
“I highly doubt that.” Magnolia rolled her eyes at the thought. For as long as she can remember, Lauren had been trying to set her up with someone. Lauren has always been quite romantic, which completely contrasted Magnolia’s views on love. In short, Magnolia did not believe that there was anyone on Earth who would be able to match her personality, thus making the search for love ultimately useless, but ever since Alexander and Lauren became romantically involved with each other, Lauren began to insist even more that Magnolia “put herself of there” to secure a partner of her own.
Lauren pouted, and her face turned red, like a toddler getting told “no” for the first time. “Are you going to shun love forever?”
Alexander wrapped his tan arm around Lauren’s shoulders.
“Maybe Laurie’s right.” He agreed. “This could be your match.”
“Of course you’d agree!” Argued Magnolia. “You’ve been put under cupid’s spell yourself.”
She sneered at her friends’ public display of affections. Being best friends with a couple usually did not bother Magnolia, but whenever she would see them so close in contact, her skin would crawl.
Magnolia could tell that Lauren had enough of her refusal when she exclaimed, “Maggie, you’re seventeen! You are going to find someone attractive eventually!”
Magnolia said nothing more than a scoff as the trio departed from her house and further into the village.
…
Off in the distance, there was a small carriage being led by a single horse, with a dark, burly man sitting on its back. Inside the carriage was his porcelain wife and his son, Henry, who looked like his whole world was falling apart.
“Mother.” Henry spoke. “You cannot possibly agree with the notion that moving again is what’s best for us!”
His mother groaned with frustration. “I wish you would settle down; I am more than certain that this migration is not nearly as bad as you think it is.”
“You could really benefit from this village.” His father added. “You tend to no interact with people your own age, maybe since there’s so many youths in this new neighborhood, you’ll have friends that aren’t old women.”
Henry sighed. He knew very well that he has never been one to conversated with people in his own demographic, but her never thought it made him less than any other kid. Henry still had a friend, only one, but could you blame him? If it were not for his father’s instance on constantly migrating, being in constant movement, maybe Henry would have more friends. That’s at least what he tells himself to block out the possibility that maybe, deep down, he really is just odd. Miss Paisegood didn’t think he was odd, and Miss Paisegood was the best friend that Henry could ask for. If you asked anyone else, they would say that Miss Paisegood was nothing more than an old-fashioned shut-in and a peculiar old lady; But if you asked Henry, he would tell you all about the blankets she would knit as she listened to him go on about his day. He would smile thinking about the sweet smell of baked good that always lingered in her house. He would say that no one gave her credit for all the good that she shared with her town. Miss Paisegood was the only person in Henry’s life who truly knew him. She was so full of life, that when he found her in bed, completely still with no heartbeat at all, it was the biggest shock of his life.
Before the funeral, local men had searched her house for any sign of a will, but she wrote nothing except for a letter addressed to Henry.
My Dear Boy,
I have watched you grow so much over the past five years, and I am so proud of you because of that! You have made so much internal progress, but I am afraid that you are not yet a flower. There comes a moment in every person’s life where the advance from being a budding root, unnoticed and ignored, to being a beautiful flower. I was once a flower. Long before you were born, I had my chance to bloom. I am wilting now and I simply do not have the strength to tell you. By the time you have received this letter, the final petal to my rose has already fallen. You have done so much for me over the blissful years that we have known each other, but I have one final request. Become a flower, Henry. You have so much within you to offer the world, and yet you choose to hold it all inside, use what you have to empower others, let yourself blossom into the person you are meant to be. I believe with all my heart that you can do it, and I will be watching you through your journey.
Your dearest friend,
Stephannie Paisegood
Henry’s only friend was gone, and all he had left of her was a letter, and a promise to keep, but not a single idea on how to do so.
As he was thinking, Henry’s parents were droning on and on about the “importance of healthy communication,” while also digging into him for his “eccentric” personality. It all was just too much for Henry to think about; he couldn’t take it anymore. “Are other people’s opinions all that matter to you?” He yelled, his voice ripping through the atmosphere.
His father stopped the carriage and both of his parents turned to stare at him. It was such a long pause that Henry began to wonder if his scream managed to stop time itself.
Then, Henry cleared his throat. “This move is just so much.” He sighed. “We had stayed in Louistown for so long that I thought that maybe we had finally found our place.”
His mother pulled him in for a hug. “Henry, you don’t understand it now, but this place is wonderful.” She poked her head out of the carriage. “Look Hen! Look at all the grass, the flowers, everything! Isn’t it all so beautiful?”
He hated to admit it, but this was a truly gorgeous village. Everything about it seemed perfect, rolling hills, bright green grass, the smell of flowers and morning dew. It was all amazing.
Henry’s father jumped off the horse and tied it to a tree. “This is it son.” He smiled. “This is our new home! And look.” He pointed towards the town square. “There are some kids right over there who would enjoy your company, go say hello!”
Henry sighed and walked out of the carriage; he knew that his dad would jump at the first opportunity to force him to make friends, but the village made him feel so good that he couldn’t be bothered to care.
As Henry walked towards the group, he began to play his favorite game, observation. The art of noticing so always been something that Henry held close to his heart. It has helped him prepare himself for the worst, so he can respond in the best way possible.
First, Henry saw a girl with a tall statue and a seemingly extroverted disposition. She stood beside an even taller boy with piercing blue eyes and lanky arms. Henry could infer that those two were the couple in the group once he saw the boy run his hands through the girl’s ginger hair, and how the girl’s freckled skin turned red from his touch. Then, Henry noticed someone else, another girl.
Henry saw her and felt strange to say the least. When he saw her, he observed how the sun made her brown skin glow, especially in comparison to her fair-skinned friends. The wind wrapped around her in the most perfect way that made her tight curls look like they were floating around her. She wore a pink frilly dress that hugged her waist and accentuated her developing curves. Someone must have said something funny, because the girl began to laugh and gosh, her smile was beautiful, she was beautiful. Henry wanted to be the next person to make her laugh, just to see that smile again. His legs moved twice as fast as he got closer to the friends. He was desperate now, as if he wasn’t just resenting his parents for proposing the idea of friendship, introductions, and new beginnings. He needed to talk to her, to know her story, and he was going to find out as soon as possible.
…
“Oh, my days!” Lauren squealed. “I think I see the new neighbors, and they do have a son!”
Lauren darted towards the skinny, skittish boy who was scanning the scene. He looked like he was taking pictures in his mind to hold the memory of the town forever.
Alexander chased after Lauren, and was followed by Magnolia, who was more than a bit curious as to who this new kid was; but before they could stop her, Lauren had already reached the outsider.
“Hello!” She started. “My name is Lauren Austerberry, and the lanky guy beside me is my boyfriend, Alexander Bellingham.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Alexander sighed. “I’m sorry about her, it’s not very often that we get new neighbors, so Laurie may be getting a little carried away.”
The new boy smiled lightly. “It’s no problem really, I suppose I needed to make some friends anyway. Speaking of what’s your name?”
His eyes met Magnolia’s. She felt her face get hot as she replied. “I’m Magnolia Rossington, what’s yours?”
“Henry Kingsman it’s a pleasure to meet you, all of you I mean.”
The two stood there for a moment just looking at each other. It made Magnolia’s hands sweat. This guy was different, nothing like the cookie-cutter boys that would roam the street from sunrise to sunset. There was something about Henry that stood out. Was it his slender hands? Maybe it was his almond skin, that has sunspots thrown upon it. Perhaps it was those eyes, for a second, Magnolia thought they were emeralds; they shined so brightly, so beautifully, that they put her in a trance.
“Well.” Lauren broke the tension. “Would you like to have a grand tour of Lowville?”
“That would be nice.” Henry cleared his throat.
Lauren stopped for just a second before a big grin spread across her face. “Maggie, I do believe that Xander and I have another obligation that we must attend to at the moment, why don’t you take Henry around town?”
Alexander opened his mouth to protest, but just as he was, Lauren shot a quick look at him, a signal, to hint at her newest plan.
“That’s right Laurie!” He smiled knowingly. “We must go right now, unless we want to be late.”
Henry was nothing but clueless to what was going on around him, but Magnolia knew that those two were up to no good.
“Laurie.” She whispered. “May I speak to you privately?”
Before Lauren could even respond, Magnolia had already dragged her away from the boys.
“What do you think you’re doing?” She scolded.
“I’m giving you a push.” Lauren smirked. “Don’t try to pretend that you aren’t positively smitten by that boy!”
“What are you talking about? I just met him! How could you come up with such a silly idea?”
“Maggie don’t try to act coy, if I hadn’t stepped in, you two would still be staring at each other right now!”
“That is not true! How could you just throw me to the wind like that?”
“Magnolia Elosie Rossington, if I didn’t do this for you, I wouldn’t be a good friend.”
“For me? You’re acting like this is some favor!”
“You’ll thank me later.” Lauren smirked as she walked back to Alexander.
Magnolia watched in horror as her friends walked away, to their pretend obligation, leaving her with Henry.
“So.” Henry cleared his throat. “What are some of your favorite places here?”
Magnolia began to ramble. “Oh, there’s so many! I don’t know if you’d be interested in them all. I mean, there’s the library, the bakery, the town square itself is neat honestly, I-”
“I would love to see it all.”
Henry looked at Magnolia with this certain kind of fascination, like the words she said were being written by her lips and flying out at him, one-by-one. It made Magnolia’s knees feel weak. What was it about him that made her feel this way? Could Lauren be right? No, there’s no way that she fancied him; this is the first time she’s ever seen him.
“Okay.” Magnolia said through gritted teeth. “Let’s get started.”
…
After a few hours, Magnolia had finished her tour, much to Henry’s disappointment. He had thoroughly enjoyed listening to her explain the significance of all the places in town; Like how the library has weekly story time for young children, and how the bakery has the perfect cozy corner to eat pastries and chat with friends in. She took him through town square, making sure to introduce him to every person they crossed paths with, even if he had already met them once.
He felt quite ridiculous. Henry spent so much time protesting with his parents, claiming that all things “friendship” weren’t worth the trouble, but here he was, enjoying the company of someone he just met a few hours earlier.
“Thank you, Magnolia.” He muttered. “I appreciate the trouble you went through today; you really didn’t have to.”
“Don’t mention it, honestly.” She grinned. “I’ve had quite the nice time with you.”
“It’s a shame though.”
“What is?”
“There’s nowhere else for us to go, no one else here to meet. I wish that we could go somewhere else, just so we could continue the fun.”
Magnolia pondered for a moment. “I know a place we could go.”
She snatched Henry’s hand and pulled him towards the outskirts of the village. It had much longer grass than what lay in the village; leaves in the trees rustled calmly in the wind. Daisies covered the ground and filled the air with their sweet scent. There was not a single building in sight; this field was completely and totally untouched by the habitants of the village.
“This is my favorite place.” Magnolia beamed. “I don’t usually bring other people with me.”
“You come alone?” Henry asked.
“Yes, this is the perfect place to go when you need a bit of peace and quiet. My friends don’t even know that I came here, in fact, if they did know, they would call me strange.”
“Why would they do something like that?”
“My friends and I love each other dearly, but I must admit, they are still quite different from me.”
This confused Henry. In the hours that he had spent with her, Magnolia had been the most “normal” person he had met since meeting Miss Paisegood. She didn’t have multiple personalities depending on who she talked to; she was completely authentic. She was kind, and witty, and everything he wished everyone else could be.
“What do you mean by different?” He wondered.
Magnolia looked away from him shyly. “I’ve never been considered average by my peers, or anyone in the village for that matter.”
“But why?”
“I’m not sure. I just know that, for as long as I can remember, I have been the odd one out. I’ve been told that I am horrid at picking up on social cues and that my interest in writing and the outdoors won’t ever get me a husband and-”
She paused right before tears could begin to fall down her cheeks and slowly sat in the long grass.
Henry quietly sat beside her and put a knowing hand on her shoulder.
“I have felt that same pain before.”
“You have?” Magnolia sniffed.
“I have, just before we met, my parents were tearing into me again for my lack of friends, but I had a friend, they just weren’t satisfied with who I picked.”
“What was wrong with your friend?”
“She was a seventy-five-year-old lady named Miss Paisegood, and I know it sounds weird but-”
“That’s not weird at all.” Magnolia smiled.
“Really?” Henry chuckled. “I think you’re the first person to ever tell me that.”
“Please, tell me more about her.”
“She was a good lady, much better than anyone else in Louistown. She knitted, baked, and did everything any other old lady would do, but she didn’t cater to anyone, I loved that about her, she did what was best for her. That’s not to say she didn’t help people, she was still the backbone of the village, she just didn’t let anyone use and abuse her, the others didn’t like that. They called her selfish, and when she died, I was the one to find her.” Henry’s voice broke. “No one else ever bothered to visit her unless it was to beg for something. Then when everyone else found out she was gone, they took everything from her home!”
Magnolia’s eyes widened. “That is horrible!”
“It is.” Henry agreed, with tears streaming down his face. “I didn’t even get a chance to fully process her death before my parents told me we were moving away, one hundred miles away from Louistown, and one hundred miles away from the memory of the only friend I ever had.”
“Her memory doesn’t have to be gone.” Magnolia murmured. “She’s still with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look within you Henry, she’s in your heart, she’s the beauty of the world, everything around us right now is her memory coming to life.”
“I never thought of it that way.” Henry sniffed. “I apologize Magnolia, I didn’t mean to get so personal, you make it quite easy to do so.”
“You don’t have to apologize.” Magnolia spoke. “You don’t have to feel bad for feeling, everyone does.”
Henry felt so uplifted by Magnolia’s words. It was like she had pulled him into a hug, but they were not touching at all.
“I don’t understand.” He thought out loud.
“Don’t understand what?” Magnolia wondered.
“How could anyone think that you’re abnormal? You are positively perfect!”
“Nobody’s perfect Henry.”
“But you are! You’ve shown so much kindness to every person we talked to today; you’re philosophical and beautiful! You are so beautiful Magnolia.”
She sat there, gawking at Henry like he had a million eyes. That’s when he realized he said too much; he had to get away from her now before he made things any more humiliating than it already was.
“I must get going.” He rose from the grass. “Thank you for showing me around, goodbye!”
And then he ran away, and he kept running, past the stores and stands, not caring about bumping into people. He ran and ran until he made his way back to his new home.
How could he have said that? Was he truly losing his mind? He finally met someone who was like him, and his idiotic mouth ruined everything in a matter of seconds.
“Hello son.” His father greeted him. “How did you like Lowville?”
“It was alright.” Henry muttered. “I’m quite tired though, I think I’m just going to wash up and go to bed.”
His mother entered the room. “You’re not eating any dinner?”
“I’ll be alright mother.”
He sulked his way up to his room to think about how delightful the beginning to his day was, before it was ruined by his own hand.
…
“He said what?” Lauren shrieked.
She was laying on Magnolia’s bed, kicking her feet and giggling.
“This is not a laughing matter!” Magnolia blushed. “Why would he say something so untrue?”
“Untrue? How can you be so sure that he was lying?”
“Because he ran away!”
“Maggie.” Lauren sighed. “Do you know anything?”
Magnolia did not appreciate Lauren’s attitude. She had gotten attached to the idea of getting to know Henry. The entire time they had been together yesterday, he was so charming. It was like meeting a prince from one of her favorite books, but then he played a cruel joke on her. “You’re so beautiful,” as if he actually meant it! Magnolia did not know how to feel; angry because of his lies or sadness because weirdly enough, deep down, she wanted those words to be true.
“I do know something now.” Magnolia huffed.
“And what is that?” Said Lauren.
“I do feel myself getting attached to him, or I did, before he had been so mean.”
“I don’t think he meant to be mean Maggie! Xander and I both could tell that Henry is a bit of a nervous Nathaniel, why do you think I didn’t wait for him to approach us? I had seen him long before you did, but he was walking so slowly. He’s shy! In all honesty, you should be proud that you made him comfortable enough to even spill his own secrets like that anyway!”
Shyness. That is the only possibility that didn’t cross Magnolia’s mind the previous night, as she replayed the moment in her head over and over again. How did she not see it herself? No wonder he didn’t even do as much as wave to a person in the street unless she did first. Without her by his side, Henry would’ve been a proper wallflower!
“Oh, my days.” Magnolia gasped. “What do I do now?”
Lauren leapt off the bed and stomped her way over to be directly in front of Magnolia.
“You need to find him and hear him out.”
…
Henry had barley slept last night. How could he have been so stupid? That question was only one of many that plagued him. As he was trudging through the village, he bumped into a boy, Magnolia’s friend. What was his name again? Henry’s memory was too foggy for him to remember.
“Good morrow Henry!” The boy greeted.
“Morning.” Henry grumbled. There was absolutely nothing good about this morning; he would rather not lie and say it is.
“Is there something wrong?”
“No, no, I just had a long night.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, would you like to spend time with the girls and I? I’m sure you and Maggie had a nice time yesterday.”
Henry grimaced at the sound of her name.
“Did something happen?” The boy asked.
Henry turned away. “I shouldn’t say.”
“You don’t have to, but if you decide you want to later, just find me.”
Henry thought to himself for a moment that maybe, in some way, this boy could help him. After all, his is quite close to Magnolia, if he wasn’t already with someone, it would actually make Henry a bit jealous, but he digressed.
“Actually.” He whispered. “I need your help.”
“What is it?” The boy muttered.
“It’s Magnolia, she was just so delightful, like a breath of fresh air, but I’m not really the best at keeping secrets, even if it would be in my better interest.”
“And that means what exactly?”
“I called her beautiful! And perfect, and kind, and all these other things that I shouldn’t have said. I just met her!” Henry spiraled. “I told her all those things, I meant it completely, but I don’t know why I said it, in fact, I don’t know why I’m telling you anything, I don’t even remember your name!”
Then, the boy broke out in laughter.
“First of all, my named is Alexander. Second, you shouldn’t beat upon yourself just for speaking your mind, Laurie and I could tell almost instantly that you two had something for each other from the moment you met!”
“Both of us?” Henry interrupted.
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Could you not see it for yourself? I have never seen Magnolia so smitten. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I have ever seen her smitten.”
“So you’re saying that I haven’t completely ruined everything?”
“Of course you haven’t! Now, I will say, you may be moving too fast with all this, but if you slowed things down a bit, you could win her over!”
Before Alexander could say another word, Henry bolted through the town square in attempts to find Magnolia.
“Henry wait!” Alexander called. “Let me show you where her house is!”
…
Lauren had just finished helping Magnolia pick out an outfit for the day when they heard a pebble hit her bedroom window.
“What is Xander doing?” Groaned Magnolia as she opened the window, but it wasn’t just Alexander that was below her, Henry was also there, with those dangerously beautiful eyes.
“Hello Magnolia.” Henry called.
Instantly, Lauren peaked her head out of the window.
“Good morning boys!” She grinned. “Give us a moment and we’ll be right down!”
Then, she closed the window and smiled brightly at Magnolia.
“What’s got you so happy?” Magnolia rolled her eyes.
“He’s here for you!” Lauren squealed. “That is the most romantic thing in the world!”
“Is it?”
“Absolutely! Now let’s go!”
Lauren dragged Magnolia down the stairs and out of the door to see Alexander and Henry.
“I think these two should be alone for a moment.” Lauren nudged Alexander. “What do you think dear?”
“That idea sounds lovely honey!” He replied.
Then, they walked away sneakily, like they had something planned. Once they were out of sight, Henry cleared his throat.
“I would like to apologize for yesterday.”
Magnolia’s arms were crossed, in a way, she thought that it would protect her heart from whatever Henry was about to tell her.
“And what is it that you are apologizing for?” She interrogated.
“For being a coward, I’ve thought about what happened in the field -ever since I reached my home yesterday, and I think I know what made me want to run.”
“What was it, Henry?”
“My whole life, I have tried to train myself to not get attached to anything, anyone, or anywhere. My family isn’t the wealthiest; In fact, the barren, decaying house beside the old tavern was the only property that my father could afford. Because of that, we are semi-nomadic. We are constantly forced to search for a different, cheaper home at any time because my father doesn’t have a stable job, so money doesn’t always come to us in time. I’ve tried to laugh off the constant worry because, in a way, it’s all a bit ironic. My name is Henry Kingsman, but I am far from a king, I am nothing but a nomad. That’s what horrified me when I realized that you were so special. It made me nervous because, if I became devoted to you, I could experience the same pain that I am feeling about Miss Paisegood. I had thought that Louistown was going to be my forever home; I had stayed there for five years! But then, once again I had to pack my bags and wave another village goodbye. It felt like something was ripping out of me. I didn’t want to feel that again, but it wasn’t right to avoid confrontation like that, especially since I had already revealed my true emotions.”
Magnolia had suffered such terrible whiplash for the past twenty-four hours. She was so angry at Henry, then understanding, but now, sympathy filled her from head to toe.
“I had no idea.” She murmured. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything!” Henry reassured. “I realize that I have said things a bit too soon, but I would very much enjoy it if we could spend more time together. Only if you want to.”
“I would love to!” Magnolia beamed. Maybe Lauren was right, she thought. Maybe love isn’t something to shun, maybe, just this once, she could invite it with open arms.
…
Henry was already sitting in the quiet field where they agreed to meet, creating a daisy crown, just like how Miss Paisegood taught him to, when suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Hello Henry.” Magnolia simpered.
Henry thought he had seen beauty before, but Magnolia kept redefining it. Could it be possible that she was beauty in personified form? There was no time to dwell on that though; he needed to appreciate the sight before him. She wore a flowy dress, the color of the daisies in Henry’s hand, with similarly colored flats. Her hair was slightly damp, and her face was bare, and the sun glowed upon her, making her look like an angel.
“How are you.” Henry stuttered.
“You don’t have to be so nervous.”
“I know, I just don’t have anything planned for us to do.”
“That’s okay.” Magnolia smiled. “We don’t have to have a set plan, it’s more fun that way.”
Henry sat on that idea for a moment, then thought of an idea. He stood up, looked down at Magnolia, and reached out a hand.
“Would you like to dance?”
“Dance?” Magnolia smirked. “But Henry, we don’t have any music.”
“We don’t need it, no set plans, remember?”
“I suppose you’re right.” Magnolia grinned, as she took Henry’s hand.
Suddenly, against all better judgement, Henry began to lead Magnolia in a waltz. They danced together, inching deeper into the daisies, pollen tickling their noses and staining their clothes, but Henry didn’t care. This was the happiest that he had felt for a long time, and it was because of a girl he had just met.
Once their bodies finally got too tired to continue, Magnolia and Henry laid down in the soft grass to let the sun hug them with its warmth.
“That was lovely.” Magnolia giggled. “I didn’t know you were such a well-versed dancer.”
Henry’s cheeks flushed. “I wouldn’t say all of that.”
“Don’t be so humble! I had a wonderful time.”
“I glad that you did; may I ask you a question?”
Magnolia rose. “What is it?”
“Would you like to continue this?” Henry asked while fidgeting with his shirt.
“Continue what?”
“Seeing each other like this. I’ve had such a nice time, and you are so amazing, but I’m not sure if you would be interested in being anything more than friends.”
“Are you asking me to date you?”
“Maybe.”
Magnolia inched closer to Henry and took his hand in her own. “I would like that.”
…
“Lowville hasn’t changed a bit.” Laughed a woman with a thick afro and large hazel eyes. She was walking through town square with a man, who had skin that was riddled with freckles, and bright green eyes.
“How much did you expect it to change?” He said.
“It’s been ten years Henry!” The woman sighed. “I thought they would’ve done something different.”
“If all this is still the same, surely our spot is still the same.” Henry nudged.
“We should check!” the woman gasped, as she ran to the outskirts of Lowville.
Henry quickly ran after her, but he didn’t catch up until he was standing in front of the meadow.
“Here it is Henry.” She murmured. “This is where it all began.”
“Indeed.” Henry agreed. “We have had such great times here, I only wonder why we haven’t come back sooner.”
“We haven’t exactly had time.”
“We should make time. This place is so important to me, after all, it’s where I finally found my courage.”
“What do you mean?”
Henry sat on the grass and motioned for his wife to sit next to him. “I’ve told you a lot about my old neighbor, Miss Paisegood, but there is one detail about her that I made an effort to hide.”
“What is it, Henry?” She asked.
Henry then pulled out an old, wrinkled, piece of paper from his pocket.
“This.” He started. “Before I had moved to Lowville, I had received a letter, from Miss Paisegood, detailing her final request of me.”
“How could you keep this from me for so long?”
“You must understand dear, this wasn’t a group effort, I had to fulfil this wish on my own.”
“And what was it?”
“She wanted me to become a flower. For so long, I didn’t even know what that meant. In her letter, she talked about blooming and blossoming, and how her petals were falling, it all made me so confused; But once I met you, and kept coming here, to this spot, with you, it all started to make sense.”
Henry’s wife looked at him for a moment, trying to find the right words to say.
“So, what did she mean?”
“I never tried to surround myself with people, which you could tell seeing as my closet friend before meeting you was an elderly woman, but that is what she wanted me to do. All she wanted was for me to make friends, find people who would like me, for me, and this is where it all began for me. This field is where I first got the hope that maybe, I too could have meaningful youthful friendships, like the ones in the books I would read. I’ve carried that hope ever since then, but I would have never had it if it weren’t for you.” Henry kneeled on the ground, pulling a small wooden box out of his pocket. “Magnolia Elosie Rossington, you have changed my life for the better, you’ve taught me to be brave, be bold, and how to be a flower. No woman on Earth could ever fill me with the joy that you do, will you marry me?”
Tears flowed down Magnolia’s face as she slowly nodded her head.
“Oh Henry.” She smiled. “Of course I will!”
Henry slipped the ring on to Magnolia’s finger and pulled her down into the grass to give her a kiss.
“I love you, Magnolia.” He whispered like a prayer.
“I love you too.” Magnolia said, matching his tone.
They laid there for hours, laughing, dancing, talking, and remembering all the moments that led them to this. After a while, they laid back down and Magnolia had fallen asleep in Henry’s arms as the setting sun shined on the daises. Henry pushed the hair off her forehead to lay a single kiss upon it. He then pulled her into a closer embrace so he could observe all the details of her face. She looked so peaceful, just as angelic as the first time he saw her.
Henry gave Magnolia one more kiss on her cheek, before speaking softly to her sleeping body.
“Thank you, Maggie, for making me a flower.”
