Withering Ivy

Chapter 1: How To Begin a Tragedy

"Mommy's not strong enough, don't be like mommy okay? I love you Ivy... I'm sorry." These were the last words my mother whispered in my ear before she passed on her death bed when I was 12. My father was an alcoholic who barely goes home and does not support us anymore, so when breast cancer started killing my mother the only thing that kept us alive were the few foods in our pantry, and her small life savings. I was a little child who could not do anything but cry every night as mother tells me stories, with her every cough, my heart shattering into millions of pieces- but she still managed to smile through all the pain. Her smile had always given me confidence, reassurance, and a glimmer of hope that somehow, someway she will survive; but I felt like a fool when she did not. I have blamed myself for so long. If only I could have worked for money, I would have done anything to get my mom to survive, whatever it takes for her to be okay, I would have done it all. But not I am too late, she is gone and never coming back.

With the years that have gone by, I have learned to go in the streets and ask for spare changes from strangers. Some would even give me leftovers which felt great because I barely eat a meal a day. My dad completely abandoned me ever since mom died and I have not seen him since the wake. I have met different types of people. Even got in to small groups and gangs but ultimately leaving because I know mom would not like that. Even though I did not got the chance to study in a high-end school due to financial instability, my mother always taught me the ways in the streets. I can be classified as "street smart," that is why I managed to survive for years all alone, as a minor.

Things had turned 180 for me at 15 years old, after I met this one kid, who was the same age as me. His name was Willow and we met once at a park. I was eating my lunch of mixed leftover foods from a diner nearby when I saw a bleach blonde kid run in my direction and drop to his knees. I could hear his little sobs under those hands which were covering his face. Slowly I approached him, cautiously putting a hand on his shoulder- but to my surprise he got up and hugged me tightly, still crying. That moment I had felt something, something weird, but a good type of weird. I felt my heart beating at an abnormal rate, yet at the same time it does not feel uncomfortable at all. It was a feeling I was unfamiliar with, maybe because most of the things I have felt are negatives, but still even when my mom was still alive I have never felt this type of heartbeat; feeling safe and secure in just one touch, and from a complete stranger.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that I did not notice the kid had stopped sobbing. He pulled away as I was still frozen because of what happened a few moments ago. When I finally caught a glimpse of him- his green eyes had the same shocked reaction as mine.

"Did you feel that too?" He asked, as I nodded subconsciously. Then the moment I had snapped from my trance, that was when I noticed how beautiful the guy was. I could not bring myself to respond as I sat there dumbfounded once more, feeling my cheeks heat up on how close we are. "Are you good?" He asked once more, bringing me back to my senses.

"I-uh... Yeah..." Was all I managed to say, as he smiled showing off his pearly teeth, and I swear my heart just skipped a beat just now.

"Weird huh? My name's Willow," he held his hand out as I shook it. "Oh yeah I'm sorry for the trouble, oh my how rude of me!"

"No it's fine, I was just eating lunch, and nice to meet you, I'm Ivy" I tried to smile, but at the same time I felt embarrassed. This lovely gentleman was wearing very nice clothes, which is probably valued more than my own life, and I just made it dirty, he must be horrified by now.

"Are you okay? Like really okay?" He asked with more concern on his voice, as I just laughed it out. "And Ivy huh? a cute name for a boy."

"A cute? What?" I asked flustered, and he just chuckled in respond, and "yes, I'm fine, it's just... Aren't you disgusted by me?" I asked curiously, with him raising a brow.