Dear Iris [h.s]

chapter twenty nine.

Iris Grace

This morning I got up, got a heap of fruit from Rosa's stall, stood and talked to Christina for half an hour, started a new painting, and I only had one cigarette. To be honest, that's a new record for me.

It's not a pretty habit, but I do it to spite my family. It's ironic because my dad and James co-own a cigarette company, but my dad is still against the idea of me smoking. I do it purely for spite, which is probably really childish but I also really don't care.

Christina was telling me her and this guy have been getting on really well, and they've had six dates now. Christina isn't the type of date at all, so I'm actually so happy for her. She was too content with her life to search for love, and maybe she won't even fall in love with this guy, but it kind of shows love comes when you least expect it. I guess.

2PM and my morning motivation was yet to vanish, which was strange. Usually when I wake up in a good mood and get so much done so quickly, by the afternoon I just can't be bothered anymore. I'm still feeling oddly motivated, and in less of a shit mood than usual though, for some bizarre reason.

"It's open!" I shouted to the person at the other side of the door, excited to have somebody commission a new piece for me. I love when people are excited for me to paint something for them.

Much to my surprise though, it was Louise Styles and Harper standing there, opening the door it's caution as I was sitting on the floor in my paint covered dungarees, paint speckled across my skin too. I climbed to my feet instantly, embarrassed that it wasn't just someone looking for art.

"Hello Iris," Louise smiled, her hands behind her back, presumably entertaining Harper who was shyly hiding behind her mum's back.

"Hi," I greeted her, crouching slightly to say hello to Harper. "Hi Harper."

"We brought you a gift, didn't we, Harper?" Louise said, raising her eyebrows slightly.

With a slightly chuckle Louise stepped aside to show Harper, who was holding a slightly bigger Tupperware box with a cake inside it. I was moved by that gesture, my heart melted instantly until I actually realised the meaning behind their 'gift'. I know a Victoria sponge when I see one.

My hand slapped over my mouth as I physically felt my heart melt into butter, "Is that..."

"Harper came home this morning, very upset you didn't get any last night so we spent the morning making you a cake." Louise explained, taking the box from Harper to pace down on the empty spot of my coffee table.

"You didn't have to do that!" I exclaimed, crouching down to Harpers level. "Thank you so much, but you really didn't have to. I didn't mind yesterday!"

"It took less than an hour and Harper had a lot of fun, so honestly, thanks for giving us the opportunity to actually get my baking tools out again." Louise said, shaking her head at me like I was being irrational for thanking them so profusely.

I moved the cake from the coffee table to my kitchen area, or else it'll end up knocked on the floor or with paint on it, because getting paint absolutely everywhere is my only talent apparently.

God, I don't know why I'm so moved by them coming here with a cake. I mean, they saw yesterday how my mum didn't cut me a slice, whether it was on purpose or by accident I don't know, but I didn't even want any. Yet here they are, Harry's mum and little sister with a Victoria sponge baked for me? I don't think nobody has ever done anything as thoughtful as that for me.

"These are incredible Iris." Louise said, standing cross armed in front of one of the half finished canvases of mine, Harper staring up at the same one. It's one of my larger ones, and comes to my shoulders from floor level. "Aren't they Harper?"