The Truffula Gardeners

Chpt 11. Gross feelings

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[The Once ler's Pov]

Whew. Finally. It only took a couple tries but that stuffed fox was mine! As soon as I got it, I was quick to round the corner and make my way back to her. Only...by the time I found her amongst the crowd, she was occupied. By someone. I kinda just stood there for a moment, not knowing how to feel.

I mean, whatever I was feeling, I was at least glad she was finally able to start talking around. She definitely seems interested...
Then the thought occurred to me; I should probably wait til we're alone to give her this. I mean, gleefully running up to your date with a children's toy you won from a balloon game in front of some other guy isn't exactly...flattering is it? I anxiously looked around for some place to store it, until I notice the pretzel stand to my right had their own convenient little to-go bags...

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[Meghan's Pov]

"Yeah it's been a rough start, but hey! There's opportunity out there and I'll be damned if we don't seize it! And especially with a newbie like you, we could really make a difference I believe it."

Christopher blabbed excitedly.
"Oh come on, Chris"
Norma chimed in whilst skillfully chopping various veggies.
"Don't pressure the poor girl!"
"Oh come off it, Norma I know I know! Listen it's all your choice of course but seriously! You should consider it! Hold on I've got some flyers in the back-"
And just so he rushes off behind the stand and Norma brings herself my way once more.
"Guys, right? Oh but you gotta love em." She sighed longingly. Just as I've been doing, I pretend to know exactly what she's talking about and proceed to flip through the metaphorical scripts of social interaction (from which I've learned only from books and magazines) to figure out how to respond. I don't know how I've gotten to the point where I'm overthinking how to speak but I haven't failed yet.
"Right, uh...yeah."
Genius.
Ok let's pick it back up.
"S-so! You two...been together long?"
She blushes and laughs while shaking her head.
"Oh! No, it's not like that. We're just friends from highschool. We went to this 'world health' club together and, well, he could never really let it go."
I scoffed but really, I appreciated that kind of attitude. It's like being stubborn about the right things. I always felt like if i could control my temper better, I could do a lot more good in this world...
"He's a great guy though. I mostly just do this kinda stuff for his sake. Sometimes you just need another someone to keep you on level ground y'know?"
The grip around my bag strap tightens slightly as I try to process that last part. I feel a blush begin to creep onto my face...
"Here they are! Look at that, it's nice an laminated for ya!"
Chris approaches again, laminated flyer in hand. I take it shyly and skim over it's contents. To be honest I wasn't sure about this. It felt like I was cheating. Some of those weren't even my words! Nonetheless...I couldn't help but feel the excitement of an opportunity like this.
"Now take all the time you need to think it over, our contact information's right at the bottom there."
I shake the thoughts and nod back in agreement, carefully tucking the flyer into my bag.
"And listen I know you're shy about your writing but you've got some real passion in you, I can see it." He urges, cupping my hand for emphasis.
"So if you're down, don't be scared to call."
He smiled like a kid looking at a fancy toy train through the window of a toy store. It's hard not to smile back.
"Heyyyy Meghan! There you are-"
The Once ler almost startlingly popped into view with this strange look of tenseness on his face, and holding a takeout bag.
"I see you've gotten to know someone...!" He said through gritted teeth. "Oh yeah! Good to meet ya, old fellow! She and I we're just talking about our organization if you'd like to-"
"Oh right right right right right, I'm sorry but we were actually just leaving."
Normally I'd be in my right mind to notice something was wrong, but as I was taking in the smells of food flooding the air I began to feel my stomach shrivel slightly.
"Ah...don't you think we should eat something first?" I said, begging at him with my eyes.
Before we could speak again, Chris chimed in.
"Oh you have GOT to try our new menu item, it's to die for!"
Christ hurriedly retrieves a small styrofoam dish and opens it to reveal what seemed to be a sandwich. I am a full supporter of the vegan lifestyle, but in all my days ive never seen something look so soggy and dry at the same time. And was it...steaming? I don't think I could confidently name a single ingredient in that thing. The Once ler nearly fails at hiding his repulsion.

"...y'know what, I totally would but I uh...I just ate. Yup. Thank you...though. *ahem*"
He turns his attention to me again and gestures toward the opposite direction, waiting for me to come with him. Just as I prepare to follow, I turn to notice a look of slight defeat on Chris's face. I hesitate, sighing in sympathy. "Well...maybe we could-"
I see the cook's approach to the front of the stand again.
"Oh! Meghan, you didn't tell me you had a cute friend with you~"
"Okay, yeah we should really get going actually!"
I steadily rise from my seat and as if powered by some sudden electrical shock, take the Once ler's hand behind me as I hurriedly march away.
"Let's just get drinks."

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Approximate release date of chapter 12:
October 3, 2023
3:00pm East standard time