Flower Boy

Chapter Three

One week after I met Donavan, I saw him again at the park. I sat on the same bench, making sure to put the clip in my hair and I watched the sidewalks for him. I looked left and right, back and forth, over and over again. Still there was no sign of him. After about ten minutes I sighed. Maybe he isn't coming. I thought. I looked around again, still not sign of him. Even if he wasn't coming, I was here and I should use the time to play I decided. I got up and walked over to the swing set, woodchips crunching loudly under my feet each step of the way, the crackling breaking the silence of the empty playground. Empty, except for me. I sat down and began pumping my legs. The old swings creaked as I began to build up momentum. I closed my eyes, pretending I was flying, flying away from mommy and daddy fighting, from being lonely, from the weight of the world and just flying away.

"Rosalena!" I heard someone call. My eyes snapped open and I looked towards the sidewalk, my chest getting a warm, tingly feeling. I recognized him instantly. "Donavan!" I called back, sticking my legs out, brushing the ground to stop the swinging. I jumped off the swing and waved to him. He smiled and waved back.

"Where were you?" I tilted my head slightly.

"Hm? When?" I asked.

"At school, of course! I didn't get to see you! What school do you go to?" he asked eagerly. I looked down at my hands.

"I... I'm homeschooled..." I said quietly. The light left his eyes.

"Oh... Is it fun?" He asked slowly. I shook my head vigorously.

"No, it's lonely, I don't have fun and my teachers are really mean to me." I didn't mention that my teachers were my parents. He shrugged.

"It's the same at my school. The teachers are mean to us too." I sighed.

"At least you have friends..." I trailed off and looked at him. His eyes looked hurt.

"Aren't I... your friend...?" He asked sadly. I nodded slowly.

"Yeah, you're my friend." He smiled again, and my chest fluttered.

"Come on, let's swing!" he said, grabbing my hand and dragging me back over to the swing set. We jumped onto two swings next to each other and started pumping. It became a competition of who could go higher, and we were laughing and pumping so hard my sides began to ache and I felt freer than I had felt in a long time.

After we finally settled down at a light swing that didn't take so much energy, I saw a light in Donavan's eyes. I could tell he had an idea, and he was excited about it.

"Rosalena..." He began, and I could sense the excitement in his voice, the way it was strong and confident, and I grinned.

"Yes?" I drew out the word.

"Why don't you ask your parents to let you go to a school with other kids?" He said, his excitement growing, while I felt my heart drop in my chest. A school with other kids? I had asked before, but my dad didn't like the idea. Still, would it hurt to ask again?

"M-my daddy says only stupid people have to spend money on a school to learn in a big group. Smart people can learn by themselves, and it doesn't cost anything." I said hesitantly. Donavan frowned.

"That doesn't sound right. Am I stupid...?" I looked over at him and his eyes were turning a little red. I blinked a little, then reached out to him.
"N-no, I don't think you're stupid! Th-that's just what my daddy thinks. But he's never met you, so how would he know?" I said quickly, trying to soothe him. He grinned a little at me.

"Thanks, Rosalena. I just wish I could see you at school too..." He sighed and for the first time, I saw another side to Donavan. A sad side. I didn't like him this way. I wanted him to smile. I just didn't know how to make his face light up again.

"M-maybe I'll ask tonight..." I said, my voice a little shaky. He looked up at me with a bright smile.

"You will?" he asked hopefully. I nodded. He smiled and jumped off his swing.

"Wh-where are you..?" I was stopped short as he turned and gave me a hug. I stayed still, unsure of how to respond, feeling my face get hot.

"Thank you, Rosalena!" His smile was so bright and happy, that I smiled too. Maybe this would work out. As long as Donavan was smiling, it would work.