The Chime of Bluebells

17

Mom held two speeches before it was time to mingle around, get to know each other, fill out forms and some—the more frequent members—got a peak at their first assignments, meaning their first companions to spend a few days- or the entire summer with. I spent most of the day by the waiting area, alone with my phone and shaking leg.

"Had enough?" I looked up to see a girl with honey brown eyes in a heart shaped face. "Same. My socialisation levels drain pretty fast these days. Do you mind...?" She pointed at the armchair across from mine.

"Not at all."

She smiled and sat down and without another word we continued sitting in a comfortable silence. The girl was very beautiful and didn't look like the type of person who normally wouldn't be in the centre of attention, in a good way. She looked sweet and polite, very friendly and being acquainted with her was probably a huge benefit to one's mental health.

A scramble was heard and I glanced over to see her picking up a small plastic jar.

"Oh, sorry," she smiled apologetically.

"No, no worries," I replied her smile. "B03A?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I, uhm, I had bad periods during my teen years."

"Ah," she nodded and pointed at herself. "IBS."

"Oh, sorry..."

She shook her head. "No worries. I've had it for quite some time so it's become my best bud." The sarcasm was clear and we giggled lowly. "Just wish they had some better flavours. I'm not the biggest fan of fruits," she grimaced.

"Do you like parsley?" She looked strangely at me, but with a curious interest shook her head. "I've always loved parsley and as a kid I used to spend my summers at my grandparents' cabin. My grandma had the loveliest gardens where she cultivated everything, and when I say everything, I mean everything—literally. She even had parsley...or should have had, if I didn't sneak around eating it all up. Anyhow, when I got some problems with my iron levels, she told me it must be because I didn't visit as often anymore and therefor didn't eat as much parsley as before."

It amused her. "Seems like she missed you in your teenage years?"

"That she did, without exaggerations. She always went out to pick some parsley every time she knew I'd come by for a visit after that. You know, doing the little extra."

The girl smiled dreamily. "She sounds lovely."

"Yeah... She was amazing."

A quite moment laid before us. I thought of grandma and a small stinginess grew in my chest when I thought of the time I could and should have spent with her, instead of studying too much or sitting at home reading a book or watching a documentary. At least, I could have given her a call every now and then.

"Are you close with your grandparents?" The question surprised me more than her.

"I used to be, before my family came here," she smiled and went to another place. "They were small local farmers with the village's best orange garden. Everybody used to come over for freshly pressed orange juice they sold from small glass bottles, in the early mornings." Her smile fainted. "But that was before the catastrophe."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, people have been through worse. Some flee all on their own. At least, I had my parents, sister and brother." She shrugged. "I consider myself lucky."

I didn't know what to say. I'd never been in a similar situation and couldn't imagine how it would feel. "I'm glad to hear your family is well."

She nodded. "I'm Leeza, by the way," she rose and reached out a hand.