RED

Chapter 2 Refined Beauty

Chapter 2 [Adora's POV]

I entered the West Wing and began asking anyone I saw if they knew where Daniel was.

One little girl with pigtails said "I think he's in his room. It's over there."

She pointed to the last door on the right. I almost ran to the door, I don't know why I was so anxious to see him. When I got to the door I subconsciously opened it. What I saw was a boy around my age looking at me shocked. He was around 6' 1'' dirty blond hair and had a tan.

I almost didn't even notice the fact that he was in his boxers, until his tan cheeks became beet red and he wrapped his comforter around him. I was so surprised I stepped back and bumped into his dresser.

When I regained my composer I said "So you're Daniel right? Umm...I'm Adora. Hi."
He waved awkwardly to me. He looked as if he was going to say something but when he saw the orchids in my hands his eyes grew big and he froze.

I said "Oh um I wanted to thank you for the orchids they're very beautiful."

He shook his head as if he was trying to focus himself. He said " You're welcome. I just thought I should give you a gift that represented you well." The second he finished his sentence he covered his mouth embarrassed at what he just said.

I chuckled a little and asked "How do the orchids represent me?"
He said "Orchids mean a refined beauty and I got red ones because your hair is red."

I was surprised by that "You think I'm a refined beauty?"

Daniel began to blush he looked down and said "Well yeah I think you're very beautiful."
My brain was turning to mush and I could feel myself beginning to blush. I asked "Umm...I was wondering how do you know me?"

He said "Well that's kind of a long story. See I first met you...hmm let's see." He began counting to himself. He said "Oh it's been about 10 years since that day."

He looked at my surprised expression and said "I wouldn't expect you to remember, I mean most people wouldn't. It was July and all of the younger kids were outside playing. I was sitting on the porch sketching a dandelion that had sprouted on the lawn. You came up behind me and admired the drawing with your eyes big with intrigue. Then you suddenly jumped off the porch and picked the dandelion. I was going to yell at you for doing that but you then walked up the porch and placed the flower in my hair. You said 'A drawing of a dandelion is pretty but the real thing is gorgeous.' Then you ran off to play, leaving me with my thoughts."

I tried to think back to that time when I had no worries. I said "Well that sounds like something I would do." I laughed a little and said "So you have been holding that in for 10 years."

He snickered and said "No that was only our first encounter. I've seen you many times around the orphanage and you're always saying words of wisdom."

I shifted myself so I was leaning on his dresser, I was frustrated with myself for not being able to remember him. I lifted my head and smiled. I said "Well it was nice meeting you Daniel and I hope that we can become friends." I extended my hand but he didn't take it.

He said "I would love to be friends with you but I would like a sincere smile. When I see you fake smile it kind of hurts. I hope that when we become friends you'll never have to do that."

I was shocked not many people notice when I'm fake smiling. I said "Sure thing. I'll make a point to not do it anymore." With that I left his room and headed back to the North Wing.