She's A Total Eclipse of My Heart

II

Raven had began walking the normal 7 mile walk to the grocery store.

Cutting through Sunset Haven, made the walk more exciting.

She just adored the architectural design of each mansion on both sides of her as she'd walk.

It wasn't the people she cared about who stared at her with judgemental eyes, she was more focused on the designs along with the many floral designs that were strategically set in a orchid way on each estate.

She felt at peace when she was out and about on Ruth's daily errands it got to the point that Raven actually enjoyed it when Ruth would demand her to go too the store.

Minus when she'd smack me...

As Raven continued on, she felt slightly dizzy.

She didn't hit me that hard...

Even if she did, I'm used to it.

Raven just blinked absentmindedly as she made her way up the hill to see the street that always shown her directions to either cut through the woods or continue going down the street.

Despite how much she loved the woods, going down the street felt better on this day.

Besides, I'm loving these houses and flowers.

Raven continued breathing evenly as she climbed the hill holding the money Ruth slipped in her pocket as she pushed Raven out the house.

Soon, she was getting closer to the intersection pausing to see one large row of flowers at a extremely large white and golden mansion, looking very posh.

What was it that Ruth wanted me to buy?

Oh...

Pulling out the list that went along with the money, Raven quickly scanned over the list making mental notes as her eyes scanned over the page.

Staring at the flowers, a shadow came over Raven as she fearfully froze staying silent.

"Flowers are lovely, aren't they?"

A husky deep voice asked.

Raven nodded staying quiet.

Facing the person, she sighed in relief finding out it was just the family's gardener.

Raven asked, " What type are they?"

The gardener said, " Gardenia's. They have a signature scent, check it out."

Raven smiled happily leaning into the bunches, humming as the sweet, warm welcoming fragerence the flowers naturally held filled up her nostrils.

The gardener asked, " You one of the maids?"

Raven blinked and said, " Oh-no, I just live around here. I don't live here, here."

The gardener said, " Well, hopefully you know your way with flowers. I'm the family's florist and gardener."

Raven nodded blinking hastily from the sudden stars that had begun to manifest in her eyes.

The gardener noticed her expression as they reached bundles of rosy pink flowers with paperlike petals that scattered beautifully around the leaves.

Holding the bundles, he said, " These are Bougainvilleas. They are in full bloom in Spring and are actually pretty known in Greece and- are you alright?"

Raven, who had started wobbling, nodded as the flowers got blurry in her eyes.

She wasn't crying.

Nor extremely angry.

So, what was the problem?

Raven leaned into the flowers smelling them. Their scent was of the Earth. Warm, sweet with a slight dewiness to them.

The scent reminded Raven of the endless times she'd spend in the fields full of strawberries, flowers and were always full of shimmer and sunshine.

She missed the ecstasy she used to hold inside.

Her grandfather was well in those times. As she reminisced, the world had gotten blurry again as the flowers and gardener seemed far away.

Raven lost her balance, her head hitting the pavement as she blacked out.

...