~Garbage Flowers~

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Riley soothed me with her wise words and confidence-injecting compliments. They didn't really have an effect on me tonight however. Even the whole "You were so brave even going up there" and, "If only Austen could see how amazing you are" or the, "I'm hiring some of my ex's to beat up Jaxon in his own school parking lot." No, I had been planning, and dreaming, and anticipating my first kiss every since the third grade. All those fantasies were so freshly shattered, it could take a while to heal from that. Besides, it wasn't necessarily the kiss itself, but the fact that it was a dare in front of a group of strangers- it didn't mean anything. Maybe I'll live in a shack as an old hermit and never kiss another boy again, and that will be my happily ever after.

She dropped me off at home, a look of sorrow worn just for me. Even though she won't say it, it was humiliating what happened to me tonight. I just wish I could have handled it better. Had the guts to deny it in the first place, or just taken the kiss like a mature person and cried about it later.

I didn't bother looking in the mirror as I brushed my teeth, knowing that the puffy eyed reflection would only cause me to break down again. Crying yourself to sleep isn't an ideal result of being kissed by a mighty fine boy, but for some reason, the dare he gave me hit me where I'm weak. The scene keeps replaying in my mind, all that unwanted attention. Jaxon knows how to get to me, and to think he's laughing about it now makes me sick. I am just ready for the day to be through, to put it all behind me.

The next day at school was treacherous. Luckily, I could sulk in class and not have to worry about Jaxon or any of his superficial friends crossing my path. Riley could tell I wasn't in the mood to talk, and she kindly gave me the space I needed. It's okay to take a couple days off from being happy here and there, and this was one of those days. Vacationing to the valley of The Sad and Somber, I'd like to call it.

It was third period, sociology, and the teacher was just beginning to dive into humans natural response in situations and the different levels of relationships. She had strayed off topic, as she usually did with our class, and told us about a documentary of the uncovered mysteries of the world. It was intriguing, and I was overjoyed to have the green children of woolpit to distract me from last night. Becoming absorbed into the discussion, I didn't hear my name being called from the back of the classroom.

"Is there a Bayley Davis in here?" One of the office aids tried for the second time. Eyes flew to me.

"That's me," I stuttered, thrown by the assortment of colorful flowers in her hand. She smiled, and walked up to my desk in the front row. The teacher paused, and started writing notes on the board to pass time.

"These are for you." She explained, handing the gigantic bouquet to me. I gaped at it, turning it around in my hand.

"There must be some mistake. I don't know anybody that would-"

"There is no mistake. They were delivered for you," the lady confirmed. Then she giggled gleefully, in a way that implied she knew something I didn't. I was about to ask from who, but she left in a haste, not telling me any more. The door swung and slowly shut, and I knew most of the class were thinking the same thing I was- Who are they from? What are they for? Who would bring her flowers? Do we get some too?

Bewildered at the item in my hands, I shoved them under my desk, cringing as the packaging crinkled on the floor. Just pretend like nothing happened. The lesson continued on, but now, it wasn't the lesson distracting me from my misery. It was those dang flowers.

"There was no note, no nothing. And I can't list anyone that would bring me flowers. My mind is completely blank when it comes to that," I argued with Riley, gesturing to them just laying there on the table. They were really pretty: a mix of frilly looking flowers pure white or dyed in various shades on blue and purple; I just didn't know who would spend even a dime on it for me.

"Looks like you have a secret admirerer! This is just what you need," Riley pipes, picking up the flowers and smelling them, "Whoever it is has really good taste, and they definitely know the way to a girls heart. Prime choice." She sets them back down on the table. I put my face in my hands, feeling like my brain could explode. As if my life wasn't complicated enough at the moment.

"The last thing I need right now is a good ol mystery to spice things up.... I'm sick of my life being spiced up, Riley!" The bell rings, which succeeds at making me angry.

"Just go home and rest after school, and we'll figure it out tomorrow. You look like you could use some sleep," Riley offers. I nod, and we start to pack up. I've gotta get rid of these ridiculous attention grabbers. It didn't feel right to chuck them in public, so I shoved them in my backpack, trying not to crush the edges too much. Riley gives me a disapproving look, but doesn't stop me from zipping my backpack the rest of the way up.

As soon as I got home, I skipped over to the pantry and dumped the flowers into our silver trashbin. It was so relieving, and made the whole thing feel like a bizarre daydream. My sheets were tidy for a change and welcomed me with open arms. I leaped into bed, letting my pillow absorb me in its love and loyalty. Beds never let you down. They will always be there for you to cry on, to offer a sense of protection under its covers, to wrap you in its warmth and whisper that everythings going to be okay. Am I getting carried away?

When I reach a respectable age, I swear I'll marry my bed, and it will be me and you forever, darling. As I started to picture a reality show starring Bayley Davis, the first woman in history to marry her bed, sleep finally overcame me.

I woke up to a little ping noise that I wasn't used to hearing. It was constant and maddening. I found myself slapping my bedside table, since my room was pitch black and I was a little disoriented. I felt a cold glossy surface, and discovered it was the soarce.

I snatched it off my dresser and failed the password twice but calmed down enough to get it the third time. It wasn't an alarm, because I don't remember ever setting one. I clicked the message icon and turned the brightness down so I could read without going crazy. Turned out, it was a mysterious greetin from an unknown number. Could this be the guy? How did they get my number?

It was just a simple "Whats up? ;)" excluding a name or explanation. This was getting a little odd. What if this was a spin off of "When A Stranger Calls," except he texts and sends flowers, and eventually lures you into an abandoned alleyway where he.... Okay I need to stop this. It really isn't healthy.

I replied rather impulsively,"Who are you and how did you get this number???" I know it sounds very melodramatic, but I need some answers here, and being straightforward and asking seems like a good way to get them. Not even a full minute ticked by before there was another ding to accompany the silence of my bedroom.

"Oops, didn't mean to freak you out there haha. It's Austen, from the other night. I got your number from... well, its a long story." Oh. Hmm. Okay. Yup. He has to have lost his mind if he wants to continue our "relationship" further. Was he not there less than 24 hours ago when I faced thorough humiliation from his current best friend and fled for my life?

"Hey Austen, what a surprise. I didn't think you'd want to talk anymore... because, you know..... :/" I just happened to embarass us both in front of your people. If your smart, you'd leave this mess alone and continue on your happy little breeze of life. It took him double the time to respond.

"Bayley, look, I don't care what happened. In fact, I feel horrible about it. I shouldn't have pressured you into that. I'm pissed at Jaxon for doing that to you." Wow.

"You don't have to apologize. I overreacted a little. But thanks." Though I didn't want to say it, it meant alot that he would go out of his way to ask for forgiveness. It's not like Austen really did anything wrong. He was just doing a dare, but him taking the blame for it is.... sweet.

"Would you give me a second chance?" Just when I thought he couldn't get any cuter. I grinned at the screen, a fuzzy feeling spreading all the way to my toes. As if he would have to ask.

"Of course (: " I hugged my phone, glad that things were finally looking up for me. My entire day just underwent a paradigm shift. Then I remembered.

"Hey, I know this is random, but did you ever... deliver me flowers?" It must be him. Trying to make things right with me. I can't believe someone would ever do that for me.

"Oh, well, sort of. Haha." I laughed at that, picturing that he must be nervous to admit it to me. Now I feel a little guilty throwing them away, but that was before I knew the buyer. I should go get those.

"I have another question... Are you busy Saturday night?" My heart swelled with the idea of going on a date with Austen. I responded no quickly, excited to hear what he had planned.

"Good, because we have this little gig downtown for our band, and I would love it if you showed up ;) " Imagining him up on stage, all sweaty while he plucked the life out of his strings... mhmm.

"Yeah, I guess I could figure something out ;)"

From the kitchen, I heard shuffling around. The clock read 7:30, which means I probably missed dinner and a new episode of The Bachelor. I told Austen farewell, then sprung out of bed, filled with the kind of joy that makes everything seem brighter.

When I entered the kitchen, the first thing I saw was the bouquet of flowers in a glass vase, a little mangled but still in glamorous condition, positioned in the middle of the table. My mom caught me staring and felt the need to explain herself.

"I found those in the trash, and I'm not sure why you threw them away, but they were just so pretty, I thought I would-" I held up my hand, smiling and shaking my head.

"I don't mind," I assured her. She smiled, and offered me some soup. One last look at those flowers gleaming in our dining room, and I knew I was in for a very eventful weekend. But before things could get good, I had just one little obstacle. I could get through it. But a Friday night and my forced night job and Jaxon and I in the same house all mixed together, according to past statistics, could theoretically cause a nuclear chemical reaction tomorrow. You've guessed it right. Babysitting.

This is pretty much just a filler to set up what's going to happen in the next couple chapters... Things are going to be steaming up! Please vote, comment, tell me if you want to get more! I'm going to try and write this next chapter quickly, but it always gives me a little boost when you guys get on me about it soooooo yeah go for it (  ^_^  ) (my face expanded over the last 24 hours...)

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