SOUL

derek & leo apoligize to her

Feburary 16th, 2008

The playground was full of noise—kids shouting, running, and playing tag. Marigold stood off to the side, nervously fidgeting with her gloves as she watched Derek from across the yard. She had begun covering her hands to prevent them from touching anyone else and seeing something she shouldn't. 

She knew she had to apologize to him. What she'd said about his grandma had caused so much trouble, and now his grandmother was in the hospital. Marigold blamed herself, even though she hadn't meant any harm. It wasn't her fault she saw things others couldn't, but it still felt wrong.

Gathering her courage, she slowly walked over to where Derek was standing with a couple of his friends. As soon as he saw her, his expression darkened, and his friends fell silent, sensing the tension.

"I'm sorry," Marigold said quietly, looking down at the ground. "I didn't mean to upset you about your grandma."

Before she could say anything more, Derek shoved her hard, sending her stumbling backward and falling to the ground. The air was knocked from her chest, but she didn't cry out. She simply looked up at him, her eyes wide with shock.

"This is all your fault!" Derek shouted, his face flushed with anger and tears welling in his eyes. "She's in the hospital because of what you said! You made it happen!"

Marigold scrambled to sit up, tears stinging her eyes, but she forced herself to stay calm. "I'm sorry," she whispered again, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I just... I saw it, and I didn't know what to do."

Derek's face crumpled, and the anger in his expression faded into something sadder, more vulnerable. He looked away, wiping at his eyes. "I don't know what to do," he muttered. "I'm scared to go see her. I don't want to say goodbye."

Marigold's heart ached as she watched Derek struggle with his feelings. She could see the pain he was in, and she wanted to help, even if she wasn't sure how. Without thinking, she reached out and gently touched his arm.

"She loves you," Marigold said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "She's not mad, and she doesn't want you to be scared. You'll feel better if you say goodbye."

Derek blinked, staring down at her in surprise. He swallowed hard, his lips trembling as he nodded. "You think so?"

Marigold nodded back, her eyes filled with understanding. "I know so."

There was a long, heavy silence before Derek let out a shaky breath and helped Marigold to her feet. "I'm sorry for pushing you," he mumbled, wiping at his face again. "I didn't mean to. I just—"

"It's okay," Marigold said, brushing the dirt off her clothes. "I'm sorry for telling you about your grandma. I should've kept it to myself."

Derek shook his head, his eyes still wet with tears. "No, I'm glad you told me. At least I'm not completely shocked now. I can... I can say goodbye."

Marigold gave him a small, sad smile, and for the first time, Derek seemed to really look at her, not with fear or anger, but with something like gratitude.

"How do you know these things?" Derek asked, his voice quiet, curious but not accusing.

Marigold shrugged, looking down at her gloved hands. "I don't know," she whispered. "I just do."

Derek sighed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I've been a real jerk to you. I shouldn't have been so mean."

Marigold nodded, though there was no bitterness in her eyes. "It's okay. I get it."

Derek stared at her for a moment longer before nodding. "I won't bother you anymore. I promise."

Just as Derek walked away, Leo had spotted the two of them talking and hurried over, his brows furrowed with concern. He caught the tail end of their conversation, and as Derek walked off, Leo turned to Marigold.

"What was that about?" Leo asked, glancing between her and Derek, his eyes searching her face.

Marigold brushed off her pants again, looking down at the ground. "Nothing," she said quickly, trying to sidestep him.

Leo stepped in front of her, gently grabbing her arm before she could leave. "Wait. Marigold, I need to talk to you."

She turned to face him, her eyes wary, but she didn't pull away. Leo let go of her arm, his own heart racing with nerves. He knew he had to say it, but the words stuck in his throat for a moment.

"I... I wanted to apologize," Leo finally said, his voice thick with guilt. "For what I said to you. That day with Derek, I called you a freak, and... I didn't mean it. I was scared. I didn't understand what was happening, but I shouldn't have said that."

Marigold looked at him, her eyes wide and soft, like she hadn't expected him to say it. After a beat, she gave him a small smile and shrugged. "It's okay," she said gently. "You were scared. I get it."

Leo felt a weight lift off his chest, but his heart was still pounding. He couldn't believe how easily she had forgiven him, even though he felt like he didn't deserve it. "You're a good friend," Marigold added quietly.

Her words hit Leo like a punch to the gut, in a good way. His heart raced, and for a second, he didn't know what to do with the rush of emotion that swelled in his chest. He blinked, trying to keep his cool, but he was certain his face was flushed.

Before he could say anything else, Marigold stepped forward and hugged him, her arms wrapping around him tightly. Leo's breath hitched, his heart pounding so loud he thought she might hear it.

He froze for a moment, then slowly wrapped his arms around her in return, his mind spinning. Her embrace was warm, soft, and for the briefest of moments, everything felt perfect. His feelings for her—his crush—surged to the surface, and it took all of his strength not to hold her tighter, not to say something stupid.

When she pulled away, he missed the warmth of her touch immediately. She smiled at him, her eyes soft and full of trust. "Thank you," she whispered.

Leo nodded, feeling a little lightheaded. "Anytime," he said, his voice quieter than he intended.

Marigold waved goodbye and turned to walk away, leaving Leo standing there, his heart still racing in his chest. He watched her go, a bittersweet feeling settling in his gut. He knew that things were different now—her father had made sure of that. From now on, she wouldn't be in his life as much. The thought weighed heavily on him, and the sadness crept in.

As he stood there, watching her disappear into the crowd of kids, Leo realized just how much he was going to miss her.