Shapeshifters

23

AFTER A WEEK of trying to figure out how to cope with the idea of wings, Dustfly and I took a walk in the woods the morning of Petunia's arrival. We knew when she was back because she came over unexpectedly.

Petunia and I decided that a girls day was way overdue. We planned it for the next weekend, giving her a few days to settle back in. We planned it for all day. Leaving Dustfly alone kind of bothered Petunia, but after constant reassurances from both of us, she agreed that he would be fine.

Saturday rolled around and I got ready. I threw my hair up into a messy bun, and put on a little mascara and called it good. Dustfly bid us well and we were off.

We got in the car and drove off towards downtown Williston. On the way there we jammed to music. Some of the older songs that I didn't know, Petunia sang every word.

We got to the mall, because it was Petunia's favorite place to shop, and got out of the car. We walked in and she went straight to Aeropostale. As we shopped, we laughed. I found a shirt that fit Petunia so, as my gift, I bought it for her.

"Petunia," I said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," She replied. "What is it?"

"If Sunny ever hid anything," I started. "Where would she hide it?"

Petunia thought for a moment before responding. "I would guess a nightstand or under a mattress. Somewhere obvious, only since no one ever looks in the visible spots."

I took it in and nodded. "Thanks."

"Why?"

"Uhm....no reason. Just curious."

I got the "I-don't-believe-you" look from her, but she didn't push the matter. Petunia and I shopped for a few more hours before going to lunch. She asked me to surprise her, so I did just that. I took her to BBQ Palace.

"Why here?" She asked when we arrived.

"It was the first place Sunny ever took me when I arrived," I explained. "In some way, it has some value to me, like you."

"I was not expecting this," Petunia replied. "I was expecting a Red Robin or a Jimmy John's, not BBQ Palace."

"I'm just full of surprises, I guess,"

Petunia chuckled. "It's like playing with fire, you never know what's going to happen."

We both laughed. I placed our order and payed, while Petunia found us a seat. Once we were sat, we talked until our food arrived. We joked and giggled. It was nice to have it be just Petunia and me.

"So," Petunia started. "Any idea of how Sunny is enjoying college?"

I shook my head. "She hasn't sent any letters or emails. Guess she's busy with all her courses and work."

Petunia stared at me, shocked. "What?" I chuckled.

"Nothing, I'm just..." She searched for the right word. "Surprised that she hasn't written to you and Case. I get a letter weekly, sometimes twice a week."

I shrugged. "Oh well. She probably has better things to do than worry about Case and me."

Petunia snorted so hard water squirted out her nose. That sent me into a laughing fit. We quickly cleaned up and left, so we didn't disrupt the other customers more than we already did. 

We ran to the car and we jetted down the road home. We decided to head to my apartment instead of Petunia's house. When I opened the door, there were roses everywhere, and not the normal red ones. Black ones. They were strewn all over the floor. 

"Who are all these from?" Petunia asked, astonished. 

"I have no idea," I lied. When in reality, I knew exactly who they were from.

I knew they were all from him. Not Dustfly. The boy from Williston High. The one who had dated Sunny for a few months before breaking up with her. Gavin. 

"Looks like whoever it is, is trying really hard to get your attention," Petunia pointed out. "And why black?"

"I honestly have no idea," I said.

Petunia said that she had better go. Leaving me to deal with all these roses. 

Dustfly? I reached out.

Yeah.

When's the soonest you can be here?

About 5 minutes. There was a pause. Why?

You'll see when you get here. I wasn't going to tell him. He could see for himself when he got here.

Okay...are you okay?

Once you get here, I'll be better.

I felt the connection go out and I started picking them all up. I grouped them in groups of ten, and placed a rubber band around them. I put some music on, so it wasn't as boring, and waited until Dustfly got here.