Mystics of the Light

Nature's Gift

Thank god!

Why am I saying this? Because I can go outside and enjoy the light summer breeze. It was 70 something degrees outside, and a nice breeze was taking my hair out of my face. I sat down, with my head on a tree trunk. I closed my eyes and listened to the soft whistles of birds and crickets.

I then start thinking of my mother. I thought of that one day when we went on a picnic in the park.

FLASHBACK

I was jumping up and down, waiting impatiently for Mom and Dad to bring the things. Mike was standing next to me, laughing at my jumpiness. When Mom and Dad finally set up the things for our picnic, they said they had some news for us.

"So," Dad said, "We've been waiting for the right moment to tell you guys, so we decided why not say it here?"

"Tell us what?" Michael asked.

"I'm pregnant!" Mom shouted, in pure utter joy.

I squealed and hugged them both.

"I'm not gonna be the baby of the family!" I said, "I'm gonna be an older sister!"

END OF FLASHBACK

I only remember specific parts of my flashbacks. The parts I COULD remember. I can't remember the last time I ever got good news from my family since that day. I smell the sweet smell of the roses in our front yard. I start to feel all the stress and weight off my shoulders. I call this nature's gift.

"Well, well, well," I heard someone say, "Someone likes nature."

I open my eyes to see Ethan. I let out a slow breath.

"What do you want?" I asked, annoyed by the disturbance.

"Just walking by," he replied, "I just saw you, and I decided to say hi."

"Mmhmm," I said, "Why? So you could bully me more? I'm already having a bad day as it is."

Ethan pressed his lips together.

"Hey," he finally said, "L-look, I'm sorry I did all those mean things, like stealing your pictures."

I look at him. I was shocked, on the inside.

"Heh," he answered to my silence, "You're actually really good at drawing. Do you get that from someone?"

I stay silent for a bit but answer.

"My mom." was all I could get out.

Ethan smiles and walks towards me. I look at him oddly, but he just sits next to me. He hands me two pieces of folded paper. I just look at him, confused.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Take them and open them," he replied, smirking.

I slowly take the papers from his hand and unfold them. They were my drawings he stole. I look at my Botanical Garden drawing and smile. It was a cottage that was surrounded by all sorts of mystical and bright flowers. Poppies, Orchids, Daffodils, you name it.

I looked at the mermaid one and start laughing. It was a picture of a little mermaid, playing with her stuffed dolphin. She looked so happy in the picture. A lot like how I was back when I was seven. My smile turns into a frown, instantly.

I feel Ethan lightly shaking me, and I look at him.

"You okay?"

"Y-yeah," I answered, "It's just... these pictures remind me of fun things my family used to do when I was younger." Back when my mom was still alive. But I didn't say it out loud. I heard him chuckle, and I looked at him.

"Sounds like my family," he said, to my confusion, "We never do anything fun anymore."

I gave him a small smile, but that was interrupted by my unhappy father.

"Reese!" He said, in his angry voice, "Get in this house, or you're gonna be cleaning your brothers' rooms for an entire week."

Ethan's brows rose, when he heard my father's harsh attitude. He looked at me with oddity.

"Do you deal with this all the time?" he asked, laughing a bit.

"Yup," I replied, annoyed, "Gets really harsh. This is what I mean by these pictures remind me of fun from my family."

Ethan and I both get up and head our separate directions. Before I got in the house, however, he called out to me.

"Keep on making those drawings! They're amazing."

I laughed.

"Don't worry!" I shouted, "That won't be anytime soon."

And I went inside my cramped little cage.