Starlight

Prologue 8 - Plucked Petals (Elysia POV)

Its been a few weeks since I started school and things have been a bit easier now. Masako and Satsuki got seated away from me and the new girl who sits behind me is very sweet, she's a couple grades above me but she has to retake this specific class to graduate so she spends her period in class with us... She's really quiet, almost too quiet actually, but I just chock it up to the fact she's probably just shy. The first day she got sat with me she gave me a pink flower with pretty petals.

"It's a tulip, in the language of flowers, pink tulips represent friendship."

I couldn't tell if she was asking to be friends or not, it seemed like she was too shy to ask directly so I just thanked her and declared her my first friend at school. Her face turned bright pink and she told me it wasn't a big deal. But to me it was a big deal! The next day I brought her a sakura mochi that Mei made for me the night before.

"I don't know what sakuras mean in the language of flowers, but sakura mochi is my favorite treat."

When she accepted the gift she seemed so bewildered, even behind her heavy green bangs I could see how wide her eyes were. She thanked me at least a dozen times throughout the day and gushed about how delicious it was when she saw me in the hallway that evening. Most days she sorta keeps to herself, occasionally bringing me a singular flower and explaining the different meanings and ways to take care of them. Whenever she talks about plants it's like a different person takes over and she becomes so much more expressive. Regardless I'm happy to say Hana Hisui is my first new friend in school.

In other news... Things on the Veronika front haven't been so good. Nearly every time I've seen her she just gives me a nasty glare or says something snarky towards me. I'm not too sure how to feel about her anymore but something in me deep down still wants to believe she's a good person. Veronika has the power to make my life a living hell here, but she doesn't? My days are mostly peaceful and the only person who ever gives me any flack is Veronika herself.
Eve says it's because ever since she beat up Masako and Satsuki, everyone's been scared to even talk to me... Not great but not bad either, at least I know I won't be messed with anymore.

Things have been... Nice I guess, I'm not used to life being so easy going.

Mei has been working super hard to save up as much money as she can to afford us our own place, she says living with Mr Sato for so long has made her feel like a burden. Granny always settles her down though and claims us as family regardless. Eve's nightmares have been worse than ever though, she keeps crying out 'THEY'RE COMING' all night long, maybe that's the true reason Mei wants to move, she looks so tired every morning!

My birthday is coming up this month and I'm super excited. Mei always makes sure to make my favorite snacks and goes out of her way to make everything super special. Ms Sato insists that we use the dining room and throw a party. I've never had a 'party' before, it's always been just Mei and I. Even Mei seemed surprised at the concept of a 'birthday party', she told me she never had those growing up either but that it sounded fun to her. Ever since that day she has been acting all crazy about preparing the 'perfect birthday bash' for me. I told her not to worry about anything and stop stressing over it but it's no use! She's always coming home late at night with rolls of streamers falling out of her bag and sparkly tissue paper flying out everywhere. As I get older I'm starting to notice she's more of a mess than I am! My poor big sis, with enough time I'll be the one taking care of her...

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Friday.... I scribble tiny faces and stars into my sketchbook boringly, I can't keep my eyes from wandering out the window. I can't wait to get home and see what Mei pulled together for my birthday, I've been a bit confused about this party thing but I'm mostly excited! I guess you could say I feel special.