When the Hydrangea Flowers Bloom

Chapter One: The Letter

I hate my name. My sisters have graceful, elegant names, Abigail and Everly Langdon. Mine is Hortence. Hortence Langdon. My parents were wishing for a boy, so they named me after my grandfather. They named me Hortence even before I was born, and when I was born a girl, they kept the name. All throughout my life, I've tried to use different names. Harriet, Henrietta, Hattie. But nothing ever stuck. Everyone tries to console me, but what do they know? They aren't cursed with this horrid name!

Out of my sisters, I'm the least pretty. My elder sister, Everly (23)has a graceful charm. She can float across a ballroom in a nightgown and still be ten times more graceful than me in a ballgown. She is firm and opinionated, but the least adventurous person I know. She doesn't even like to try new foods. I'm sure she will stay home until she marries a rich man with a good family.

Abigail (17), my younger sister, and best friend, is adorable. Everyone who sees her is instantly in love. She must have a million suitors waiting for her. For the time being, she is not interested in any of them. She likes to paint and read. When we were little, we would hike through the forests near our house. While I watched the fish in the creek, she drew the flowers and animals she saw.

As for me, I am just there. There is nothing special about me. I'm not ugly, but not beautiful. I feel that one day, I might be forgotten. I know my parents love me dearly, but they are so preoccupied with my sisters, fussing over the boy Everly was walking with that morning or the painting Abigail painted yesterday in class.

I was sitting in the garden the day I heard the news. That May morning Abigail and I were home alone. Everly was shopping in town with her friends and Mother and Father were off having brunch at the Kensleys' house. Abigail's tutor came at 11, so I was bored out of my mind. I started to walk the garden when I ran into our neighbor's son, Eugene Fulton. We were about the same age and had known each other ever since we moved here when I was nine. I don't want to say we were enemies, we were playful enemies..

"Hello, Hortence." He said with a small bow.

"Eugene," I said curtsying.

"What are you doing out here? Did your parents finally kick you out?" He asked snidely.

"Not yet, sir. How about you? Did your girlfriend dump you, perchance?" I retorted.

"Quite the contrary. I am going to see her now."

"I see. Well-" A maid walked up with a letter in her hand.

"A letter for you, miss." She handed me the note and walked away.

"Thank you." I looked at the envelope. My name was scribbled on the front in blue ink. There was a red wax seal on the back with an emblem that was too tiny to make out. I looked up and Eugene was gone. When I turned around, I saw him walking away.

I turned back to the envelope and started to read.

Miss Hortence Langdon,

Hello. My name is Professor Henry Fawcett. I am in search of young people from the upper-middle class for an experiment. I believe that you would be perfect as a subject. I am studying the behavior of brains in controlled environments, but I won't bore you with the details. I would be honored if you would accept this invitation. There will be 19 other subjects in this experiment and you will only be allowed to interact with those 19 other people, two from a city/town. All the subjects are ages ranging from 18-24. The experiment will last for 1 year, but it could last longer depending on the results. Everything you might need will be supplied to you. I know that this is a rather odd letter, but it will be an unforgettable experience. If you are interested in partaking in my experiment, please write back as soon as you can. More details will be supplied later. I will let you know that confidentiality is key here. Other than your family, you are not allowed to tell anyone about your involvement in this experiment. Thank you again.

Best wishes and hopes,

Henry Fawcett

I looked up from the letter. Why would he want me? I reread it and thought. It would be an incredible experience, something that would set me apart from my sisters. Could I trust him though? The whole thing seemed odd. I ran inside to tell Abigail.

She read the letter and looked up at me. "You're not seriously thinking of doing this, right? I mean, this is crazy!"

"I know. But it would be kind of cool to do it," I said.

"Hortence. Come on. That's foolish. There's no way you can trust him." Abigail scolded.

"You're right. I won't go." I took back the letter and walked away. All signs and logic told me not to go, but something about it pulled me in...

That night I lay in bed, tossing and turning. Abigail was right...right? How do I have any qualifications to be in a study? Who is Henry Fawcett and can I trust him? It would be for 1 year. I've never been gone from home for more than a weekend, but for some reason, when I thought of it, it didn't seem that long.

Before I could stop myself, I was sitting at my desk, writing a letter to Professor. Fawcett.

Dear Professor. Fawcett,

Thank you for inviting me to your experiment. I would love to join in. Please send me all of the information. I'm very excited to be a part of this journey.

Warmest regards,

Hortence Langdon

The next morning I hopped out of bed and went downstairs. The rest of my family were sitting down at the breakfast table, enjoying warm oatmeal with berries from our garden. I took a seat next to Abigail while Father started to read the morning post aloud.

"Ah, looks like Chatham's running for mayor again. Lord knows we need him in office again." He scoffed and took a large bite of oatmeal.

As a maid came to give me breakfast, I handed her my letter and stood up. "Ahem. If I could have all of your attention please." Everyone stopped eating and looked up at me. "I have decided to partake in an experiment in Winfrey. It will last at least 1 year, but I think it will be worth it. I don't know the details yet, but I am very excited to try this."

"What?" Mother said. "You're leaving for a year?"

"Yes, but don't worry. I'll be back before you know it."

"Oh, dear," Everly said. "Are you sure? That seems awfully dangerous..."

"Yes, I'm sure." I assured her."

Abigail sighed, looking defeated. "You're really going to do it? Come on Horttie. You've never done anything remotely like this before."

"That's why I'm doing it! I need to do something new, something meaningful. I'm really excited about this, it would mean a lot to me if you would all support me." I looked up at Father, whose expression had remained serious and stern.

He looked at me for a while before smiling and saying, "How could we not? I'm proud of you, Hortence. I'm sure you'll do good."

"Thanks, Father," I said. If he approved, there was nothing anyone else could do to stop me.

After breakfast, I went outside to sit in our neighborhood garden. I tried to read a book but was too excited to focus on anything other than the experiment. I sat down underneath my favorite tree and let my mind wander. I thought of all the people I would meet, some I might like and some I might not. I thought about what Prof. Fawcett said about two people from one city/town. I was one, so who might the other be...

Just then, Eugene walked up. "Oh hello there. Thinking in the dirt again, Hortence?"

"As a matter of fact, yes I am. I'll have you know that I will be partaking in-" I caught myself right before I was about to tell Eugene about the experiment. Prof. Fawcett said I wouldn't be allowed to share the news with anyone outside of my family.

Eugene looked at me quizically before returning to his regular snide face. "You stopped talking. Oh dear, your mind has gone already. Shame." Eugene said as he walked away. Even though we were "enemies", I thought that I might miss him while I was gone.