Flower Boy

Chapter Eighteen

Over the next few months everything was pretty normal. My grades continued at a constant rate, even increasing as I was less stressed. Donavan took me to different places I had never been before, since we had never had time before. A small barbeque restaurant one night, a loud sushi place a different night, it was really living in paradise. I laughed a lot more than I had before, smiling was a usual thing, and James and Donavan were the most I ever wanted from a family.

One day early in February, that changed. Donavan would leave the house unexpectedly, and when I asked him about it, he would avoid my eyes, telling me it was nothing. He would avoid me and the others at school, disappearing when lunch time came around. My imagination went crazy, and I thought horrible things.

What if he's seeing another girl? What if he just can't find the words to tell me it was over between us? What if he was sick and just couldn't tell me? What if he was dying? What if he was in pain, and I wasn't there for him? All that and more crossed my mind. I could tell that the others knew something was going on, but they didn't seem comfortable talking to me about him. My worrying got worse as Valentines' day got closer and closer.

Then, a change in the dynamic that had gone on. Donavan texted me about meeting him in the park on the 14th, and my body was overcome by a surge of emotions. Overwhelming joy took over my chest, relieved that we were talking again, while chills settled over my mind, wondering if this was the end. I braced myself for both possibilities.

I drove over after school and got out of the car. Once again, no one was in the park. I ran to the balance beam, feeling more like a child than ever before. I stepped up and slowly made my way down the beam, placing each of my steps very carefully. I felt some presence behind me and I turned slowly when...

"Boo."

I screamed and I tipped over to the left. I yelled out in fear of the ground and then a pair of strong arms caught me. A pair of chocolate brown eyes stared down at me.

"Well, that wasn't the reaction I was going for." Donavan said, grinning and I sighed, smiling, happy to see his smile again.

"You scared me!" I fake whined and he patted my head.

"I'm sorry, love, I didn't mean to." He said, gently, stroking my hair. My face got warm and I looked down at my feet. He reached for my hand and I held onto his too. We began walking around the park, and I reminisced as I looked at the swing set. He squeezed my hand and I turned to him, smiling. I swung our hands between us, staring into his shining eyes. I felt something hit my ankle and I plunged forward again, crying out.

He caught me again and I took a deep breath, looking back at the edge of the slide that had caught my ankle.

"I swear, you must be doing this on purpose," he said, grinning, and I shook my head.

"If I was doing this on purpose, I would have stopped myself from falling in love with you before falling physically." I said, sadly attempting to flirt. He laughed and my heart fluttered.

"Alright, then I won't complain," he said and I smiled back. He led me over to the bench where we first met and I sat, patting the seat next to me. He sat next to me and he took a breath.

"So... Rosalena... Uh... Um..." he started and I thought I saw for the first time in a long time, or maybe ever, that Donavan was flustered. I giggled at the thought and he turned a light shade of pink.

"Well... I think you are an amazing girl, you're cute, and funny, and sweet, and small..." His blush got a shade deeper and I held in a little laugh. He was so flustered.