Rainbow

I bought you flowers...

“I bought you flowers…”

I was happy. I know that my expression showed it.

I smelled the pink bouquet of roses that I bought for Aria from a local flower shop here in Rosewood. I was planning to give it to her later when I see her at her part time job.

You see, she worked for her father’s office in Hollis. She is just that girl…hard working. I borrowed my brother’s car so that I would get there fast. And maybe get her father to let her go with me to grab a bite and just walk bare feet down the beach.

I parked the car and started toward the campus and then, I walked the halls; putting the bouquet behind my back. When I saw her, I waved like an idiot and smiled like one as well. She nodded but my heart stopped beating and my breathing went fast when I saw another guy in front of me greeted her with a kiss—our kiss. I felt my throat constrict.

Did that just really happen?

Did Aria—my Aria kiss another guy?

Didn’t she notice me?

I stared at their make-out session for about a few more seconds when she pulled away from him. Her eyes got bigger. I shook my head and just took off, wanting the whole thing to just go away.

                “Ezra! Ezra! Ezra!”

She run after me calling my name again. “Ezra please, it’s not what you think?” I shot her a look. “It’s not what I think?” I asked her, bewildered. “I’m not stupid, Aria! I know what I saw!” I shouted hoarsely.

                “Ezra, please we should talk about this.”

I couldn’t think of anything to say to her. I was mad… “You want to talk privately but you can kiss another guy in public!” students started looking at the commotion in front of them.

                “I thought…I thought you love me.” I said. As I felt rain on my skin, but I didn’t really care about it

She looked down. She didn’t answer though she knew what I wanted to hear. Yes, Ezra I do love you.

But it didn’t come. As I felt the rain soak me, I clenched my jaw. “Was I just a game?”

                “I wouldn’t say it like that, Ezra…”

                “Tell me the truth!” I demanded.

She paused, licking the inside wall of her cheek. “I didn’t mean for it to go too far…Hanna dared me to…and I…”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Dare? What dare?

“A dare?” I asked her. I felt my whole being shattering into millions of razor sharp pieces.

                She nodded. “It was just a dare…Ezra…everything…I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to lead you on. I just—“

                “You just wanted me to look like a fool!” I finished it for her.

She shook her head. “Ezra no—I..”

I cut her off with a shake of my head. “Did you and your friends have a good laugh?” I asked, laughing sarcastically. Then, impulsively, I threw the pink bouquet of roses at her. She looked down, crying. “Ezra, I’m so sorry…”

                “No need to feel pity for a loser like me. Go ahead; swap spit with your boyfriend.” I paused. “Wait? He is your boyfriend right? I hope it’s not another dare…” I walked to my car. Angry that I’d been so stupid…It was all a dare. I felt so in love with her…but she’s just like her friends. I drove back to my house. I retired to my room asking my parents not to bother me.

                I wanted everything to go away…to just forget everything…

                “I bought her flowers…she broke me to pieces…”