SOUL

embarrassed

Feburary 9th, 2008

It was late one night when Leo overheard the conversation that would change everything.

He had been sitting in his room, barely paying attention to his homework, when his parents' voices drifted up from the kitchen. At first, it was just the usual murmur of conversation, but something about the tone caught his attention. His mother's voice sounded more urgent than usual, and his father's replies were quiet but serious. Curiosity piqued, Leo quietly crept to the top of the stairs, staying out of sight as he listened in.

"...I'm worried about her," his mother, Adamma, was saying. "She comes over all the time. She doesn't talk much about what's happening at home, but I can see it, Roy. The bruises, the way she flinches when someone raises their voice."

Leo frowned, his heart beginning to pound. He knew they were talking about Marigold.

His father sighed. "It's not easy, Adamma. I know you want to help, but her father's a cop. He's well-respected in town. Even if we report it, they'll just brush it under the rug."

"I don't care if he's a cop," Adamma said fiercely. "That poor girl is being abused. You've seen the way she clings to me. She's afraid to go home."

Leo felt his stomach twist. Abused. The word rang in his ears. He'd heard it before but never really understood what it meant. Not until now. It made him feel sick.

Leo stood frozen at the top of the stairs, a cold chill running down his spine. All those times Marigold had come over, spending hours with his mother, helping in the kitchen or sitting quietly with a cup of tea—he hadn't thought much of it. He hadn't understood why she was always there, why she avoided her own home. But now... now he understood.

Leo clenched his fists, a deep sense of guilt gnawing at him. He had pulled away from her when she needed him most.

---

The next day at school, Leo made a decision. He would try to make things better. He would be nicer to Marigold, include her in things, maybe get her to hang out with his friends. He spotted her at lunch, sitting alone at the far end of the cafeteria as usual, her red hair falling over her face like a curtain.

Taking a deep breath, Leo grabbed his tray and walked over to her. "Hey, Marigold," he said, giving her a small smile. "Wanna sit with me and my friends?"

Marigold looked up, surprised. She hesitated for a moment, as if she wasn't sure whether he was serious or not, but eventually nodded. "Okay."

They walked together to his table, where his group of friends—including Derek—was already sitting. Leo could feel Derek King's eyes on them as they approached, and he could practically hear the snide comments forming in Derek's head. But Leo ignored it and gestured for Marigold to sit down.

"guys, you know Mary," he said, trying to keep things casual. "She's... uh, hanging out with us today."

Derek raised an eyebrow, glancing between Leo and Marigold with a smirk. "Just because you're friends with the witch doesn't mean we have to be?"

Leo shot him a warning look. "Cut it out, Derek."

But Derek wasn't done. He leaned in closer to Marigold, his voice dripping with mockery. "What's the matter, Marigold? You gonna have one of your freaky visions and tell us the future?"

Marigold stiffened, her face paling. She stared down at her tray, her hands trembling.

Before Leo could intervene, Marigold's eyes glazed over, and her fingers brushed against Derek's arm. Her voice, when she spoke, was soft but clear. "Your grandma... she's going to die soon."