SOUL

Adamma's realization

Janurary 2nd, 2007

The morning was bright and snow still coated the ground. Leo sat by the window, watching his breath fog up the glass as he stared out at the snowman he'd crafted with Marigold a few days prior still standing tall. 

A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Leo's mom, was in the kitchen, humming quietly as she prepared breakfast. He hesitated for a second, then opened the door to see Marigold standing on the front step, her face beaming, despite the cold. Her long orange hair in two pigtails rather than the braids. 

"Hi," she spoke, her voice soft. "Wanna come out and play?"

Leo grinned, feeling a burst of warmth in his chest. He glanced back toward the kitchen. "Let me ask my mom."

He ran to the kitchen, nearly slipping on the hardwood floor. "Mom, Marigold's here. Can I go out and play with her?"

Adamma smiled warmly at him, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Of course, Leo, but you need to bundle up. It's still cold out there."

Leo groaned, already dreading the layers of winter clothing he'd have to wear again. "Mom, I'll be fine. I don't need all that."

But Adamma raised an eyebrow, her tone gentle but firm. "I don't want you getting sick. Put your hat on, and wear your gloves, please." She walked over to the coat rack and pulled down a hat and gloves, handing them to him. Then, she grabbed another hat—one that belonged to her. Noticing that the young girl had nothing to cover her head. 

"Here," she said, pressing it into his hands. "Give this to Marigold. Tell her to put it on, or I'll come out there and make her wear it myself."

Leo laughed, knowing his mom meant it. "Okay, okay."

He hurried back to the door, pulling on his coat, scarf, and gloves. Marigold was still waiting, her hands gripping the sled she'd brought with her.

"Here," Leo said, holding out the hat. "My mom said you should wear this. And if you don't, she'll come outside and make you put it on."

Marigold wrinkled her nose but smiled, taking the hat from him. "Your mom's kinda scary."

Leo chuckled. "she's serious, she will come out here if you don't put it on"

Marigold sighed dramatically before pulling the hat over her hair. "Fine. I'll wear it."

Satisfied, Leo followed her as they trudged down the snow-covered street, the sled dragging behind them. Marigold led him toward a hill a few blocks down, her favorite spot for sledding.

But before they could reach the hill, Marigold suddenly stopped. Her face changed, the excitement draining away as she stared at a group of kids gathered near the base of the hill. They were from their school— and already throwing snowballs at each other.

Marigold's shoulders slumped, and without a word, she turned around and started walking back the way they came. Leo frowned, confused.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Marigold shook her head, avoiding his eyes. "Those kids don't like me," she mumbled, her voice small.

Before Leo could ask more, one of the kids from the group called out, loud enough for both of them to hear. "Hey, Marigold! Where you going?"

"who's that with you?" Greg Daniels, the most popular boy in their grade calls out to her. 

Another kid,  a girl named Jessica Tyler snickered. "Look, the freak finally has a friend!"

Leo felt his blood boil, anger surging through him. He opened his mouth, ready to shout something back, but Marigold shook her head quickly.

"Don't," she whispered, tugging on his jacket. "let's go. It's not worth it."