Orbit

An unexpected meeting

(NOT EDITED 7-15-23)           
I kick the rock infront of me, watching the little stone roll a few inches before slowing to a stop at the curb. I sighed as I walked along with the group of girls. Before passing out, Jessica invited me to hang out with a group of friends at the mall. Currently we're walking around the area, waiting for a friend to come over as we wait. One of the girls, Catherine checks her phone, a not so pleased look on her face is prominent, "Tsk, it seems like Annabelle isn't coming today." The girls look at her.

"Are you serious? We waited for like 20 minutes for her."

"Calm down Jessica she might've had something going on."

I looked at the group of girls and observed the situation. I don't care too much whether Annabelle came or not, I'm  happy that we don't have to wait anymore. "Hey guys, we could get started and walk around and check out stuff." I spoke, twiddling with my thumbs as I look at the group of five. One of the girls agreed and bolted straight into the mall, talking about seeing a clothing store to check out as the group dispersed on their own, some girls in groups as others wandered off. I was back with the rock that I kicked earlier.

"Great! I'm alone," I groaned as I walked into the mall, following suit with the other people entering. Passing by a handful of stores while window shopping, greeting my friends if i I saw them. I ended up sitting down and purchasing myself some lemonade, wanting to quench my thirst. I scrolled through my phone as I sipped on my drink, not paying any mind to anyone around as I enjoyed my free time.

"Excuse me miss?" Someone spoke out, causing me to divert my attention from my phone to the person. I looked at the woman, a smile on her face as a shy look adorns her face, I raised an eyebrow.

"Yes? Is there anything I can help you with?" I spoke, not wanting to be rude. The woman nodded, before speaking.

"Yes.. I'd like to know if you would like to have this flower." She looked at me and smiled. "It's something my church is doing as an act of kindness and to keep people's spirits up within the past few months." The woman handed over a red carnation. The flower possessing  a deep red as it looked like it was recently cut. I looked at her surprised as I took the flower from her.

"Oh thank you, I appreciate it, this means a lot." I smiled at her, the lady smiled too as she nodded, seeming to have something else to say.

"If you make a meaningful  wish maybe my god will answer it. But all good favors go to you my lady, have a nice day." The woman bowed before walking off, almost running. I scrunched my brows in confusion. Why did she bow? And why was I the only one who seemed to get a flower. I looked down at the red flower. Maybe she's from an occult? I put down my cup of lemonade and rubbed my fingers on the soft petals, liking the soft texture.

"Maybe she's from an occult? I never heard of getting a flower from a church member and being told to make a wish with it... what should I wish?" I murmured, continuing to feel the soft texture of the plant while pondering.

'I wish to have a happy life, one without my mom or all of the people I don't like, one where I can live with a partner that I enjoy to be around... I wish to have a calm peaceful life.' I looked down, sighing, I kept the carnation in my hand as I finished off my lemonade before throwing it in a tin. While out looking around I had garnered quite a lot of stuff when window shopping and I thought it was time to go home. I placed the rose into one of the bags before grabbing my stuff. I walked out of the mall, seeing the lady from earlier smiling at me and waving goodbye. I looked off to the side, back onto my path as I don't want to cause attention as I focused on my way home. Walking out of the mall and taking the bus home as I walk home and open the door, before cling it. Walking into weird smell as something is being cooked. I shook my head and shoved the thought off my shoulder. Thinking it could be something else as I ascended up the stairs to my room. I closed the door behind me, sighing as I sat down placing my bags next to me as I looked out in my window.

"Well that was a bust, I hung out with no one and went shopping." I commented, going through the bags until I picked up the red carnation. I twiddled it in my fingers as I adored it beauty. My nose crinkles at the smell from downstairs, to remedy that, I placed the carnation on my desk and opened  the window. I ran my fingers through my hair as I look at the bags, deciding to put my new items away, I was at work. About thirty minutes later Kyle informed me about dinner as he stood at my door, smiling before walking down. I looked around my room. looking at the carnation that was now placed in a small vase that's filled with water before turning back.

Walking downstairs the stench intensified.  My face scrunched up in disgust as the burning smell continued to ingrain itself in my sense.  I followed my brothers lead to the dining room, seeing the food already plated. I eyed the food, seeing an unknown meal as I sat in my seat. I looked around. Seeing that everyone was currently enjoying their meal. Looking down, I see a black liquid with other substances in it. It looked more slimly than anything, with clumps of meat in it, I was confused. The household never ate any ethnic foods with blood in it, so what could this be? I picked at the food, swirling my spoon around before looking at my mother whose happily eating. "Mom.. what's this?" The woman stopped eating her meal. She smiled as she placed her fork down, wiping the corners of her mouth, napkin stained with black sludge.

"Food that we were able to make, why? Is there something wrong sweetie?" In an instant, all eyes were on me, everyone at the table were either eating or stopped to focus on the conversation. I picked at my food, not so appetized at the meal choice of tonight's dinner. 

I gulped, "Well, uh, this meal doesn't look appetizing in the least. I- what exactly did you make?" I looked at her, not convinced to consume the meal at all. The maternal figure infront of me gave me a disapproving look. Tapping her left index finger on the table, she hummed.

"Why worry about it? It's nothing bad, it's good enough for you to eat, you see that Isabella is eating it so you shouldn't be that worried." She hummed as she continued her meal, the table followed suit as she began to eat. She looked at me, expecting to eat the meal she prepared, I pushed my bowl back. I looked down at the black sludge in disgust. Nausea built up as time progressed. My mouth ran dry, I scraped my seat against the floor as I rushed to the bathroom in realization. I gripped onto the toilet, my nails digging into the plastic of the seat as the contents of my nonexistent supper depletes from my stomach. My eyes watered as an acidic taste began to lace itself on my tongue. I felt it all, the cool air that hugs my body, the nauseating smell of the sludge. The stares of judgement, the burning taste of my stomach acid, the burning confusion that ate at me. I felt a hand on my back as I hung over the toilet, a grimy feeling  of disgust overcoming me as I felt the limb rub my back.

It felt hot.

Really hot.

I felt like I was going to burn alive.

Irritation washed over me in waves, its flame igniting and covering my body as I shot up and glared at the person. It was Kyle. A tense look over his face as he cradled his hand over his chest, wariness seemed to be the common foe. "I was checking to see if you were alright...". He spoke, his voice seemed to be meek and wary, not wanting to startle me, I continued to glare at him.

"Well does it look like I'm alright?" He shook his head in response, putting his hand to his neck as he seemed to not to know what to do. He stepped back. "Well.. I'll come back in a second with water and a rag to help you." He spoke, an awkward air between both of us as he he left. I sighed, looking into the toilet of the contents that was in me. I froze. Black, red-like sludge is visible as it sat in the toilet water. Confused, my anxiety rose as acidic bile rose in the back of my throat. Leaving a bad taste in my mouth, and a horrific feeling in my gut.