ZINNIA (#Unceuponnow)

Untitled Part 4

"So what's your favorite color?" He asked me stealing a piece of my funnel cake.

I learned that it was no different than a pancake except it was deep-fried and covered in powdered sugar.

"White." I answered with a small shrug

"White? I've never heard that before. Why white?" 

I could tell he was intrigued as to why I had picked such a vague color.

"White is endless possibilities. There are no limits on white. White is just the beginning of anything you wish to begin."

"Well, I never thought of it that way. I never thought your answer would be so poetic."

"I didn't mean for it to be poetic. I am just a great believer of blank canvases. That is how I like to look at people, that is how I looked at you the first time we met. After the whole 'don't harm me thing' that is."

"You are something else Zinnia I tell you. May I ask where your name comes from, I had never heard of it before."

"Zinnia means beautiful flower. Given, it's an actual flower. I was told my mother was obsessed with them while she was pregnant. She loved the name for how young and vibrant it sounded. And Rachel, well, that was after her."

"How old was she when she had you? If I can ask that is."

"She was eighteen like me. They tell me she was the kindest person you could ever get to know in your lifetime. I remember bits and parts of her, but not near enough."

"She was young." He commented.

"Yeah, but not as young as when she got married. She was fifteen when that happened. Of course, those where the rules back then."

"I'm sorry you lost her so young." He said taking a hold of my hand.

"It's fine, I try not to think about it too much. My fairy godmother once told me to focus on the bright side which was the fact that I got to enjoy her while she was here. And although I don't remember much about her, I do know she loved me very much and she wouldn't want me to dwell on something I can't fix." I said giving him a soft smile.

"Ok,let's stop with all this sad talk. I want to thank you for bringing me here, I truly did have a great time. I have never had so much fun in my life. And I still can't believe you were able to shoot all those ducks down within the first try."

"What can I say, I am man of many virtues." He said flexing his arm.

I laughed at his reasoning. 

"Let's go, it's getting pretty late and you don't have as great vision." He grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

"Stop teasing." I said lightly slapping his arm.

**

"Would you like to come in for a while?" I asked as he dropped me off at my doorstep.

"I would love to, but I have some extremely important duties I have to get too, sorry."

"Don't worry about it, I understand. I had a great time."

"Me too." He said.

He began leaning in and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. 

He stepped back abruptly and inspected our surroundings.

"Are you expecting someone?" He whispered.

"No, visitors aren't allowed back here."

"There's someone coming." My eyes went wide

"It must be Kiara."

"Who?"

"My fairy godmother. You have to go before she sees you. I'll text you later and thank for that jailbreak, I've had so much fun with it."

"No problem Z goodbye." He said running away from the small cabin onto the dark night.

I remembered Kiara was on her way so I dashed into the cabin and put on my pajamas as fast as I could.

I knew she would sense I had been up so I pretended I was on my phone.

"Why are you still up child?"

"I wasn't sleepy. Besides I don't stay up often."

"What's got you so happy? I can feel it all the way across the room."

"I just watched newborn puppy videos. It brings so much joy to my heart; I think I will ask dad for one. Do you think he'll get it for me? I mean if I can't get out to see things, I'll start bringing them here."

"Don't be so hard on him, he's made mistakes but his intention was never to hurt you. He just doesn't want to loose you too."

"Yes, I get that. But what about me? What about when I loose myself? Has he ever taught about that?"

"Of course he does honey he just doesn't know any better."

"You're right all he knows is work,work,work,and more work. Has it ever crossed his mind that the reason Vienna left is because he never sets time aside for us. She was neglected and so am I. All I've grown up knowing is a cold home, an old cabin, and four over-painted walls."

"Yes, but despite that you have always found a way to put a smile on your face and I admire that about you. Zinnia things are about to change, but please promise you will always find a reason to smile like you've always done before."

"What are you talking about Kiara?"

"Nothing child, just keep being the way you are. Aside from all the moping and complaining, you have brought great joy to my life and for that I'm thankful. Your mother told me to take care of you and I have to my best abilities. You are like the daughter I never had."

"But I though you guys came from the laughter of a child?" I said with a giggle.

"Stop playing around and pay attention." She said on the verge of a laughing fit.

"Your mother gave me this the night she died." She said handing me a gold necklace. The pendant was made up of a five-petal flower with a small pearl in the center.

"She said to give it to you when you needed it the most and to remind you how much she loved you. She had many dreams for you and I think tomorrow an opportunity will arise. Don't be so rash in action and listen. This may be the only way you have out and the chance you have been waiting for."

"You're scaring me Kiara. What's happening tomorrow?"

"You'll know in time,be patient. I brought you a dress, be ready at seven I will come for you." 

I was not given a chance to answer as she quickly exited the cabin.