Wilting Flowers

Matured Roses

The trip to the mall had left Rose quite exhausted even a day after. She couldn't get out of bed but she knew she had too. She forced herself up and out of bed, grabbed her phone and went to Johnny's phone number. She didn't know what she even wanted to do, she just tapped the call button and prayed the right words come out of her mouth.

Johnny: Hey! Rose! How are you?

Rose: I'm good! Listen Johnny, remember that plan we had for Daydream Café. Yeah how about we go today?

Johnny: Well I'm a bit busy today but I can make an exception for you.

Rose: That would be great! See you there at 5?

Johnny: I can do that yeah, I'll see you then!

The time grew near to 5 and Rose was still not ready. She had just showered and sat on her bed contemplating how life switched over for her, she was grateful. She looked up at the clock and realized she needed to get up. Immediately. She threw on the first pair of clothes her hands touched in her closet and put them on, surprisingly it was a match. She put on her favorite perfume and left the house. The walk to the coffee shop was short but the prettiest sight. Dandelions were grown all over the fields and Rose picked one up. She made a wish in her heart and blew on the dandelion, spreading the dandelion petals.

When she got to Daydream Café, Johnny wasn't there yet so she found an empty table and sat down waiting for him. After a couple minutes, there he was, with a bright smile and small bouquet of flowers.

Johnny: Sorry, the flowers took a bit to get ready

Rose: It's no problem! Thank you so much, they're beautiful.

Johnny: I'm glad you like it, I was nervous it wouldn't appeal to you.

Rose smiled and sat down, Johnny sat too as the waitress came towards them. The both ordered Hot Chocolates.

Rose: Sorry about cancelling the other day by the way, it wasn't cool.

Johnny: It's fine, we're out now so lets just forget that.

Rose: So why did you want to see me?

Johnny: Truth be told, I've missed you in the neighborhood, you always brought a light and energy when we were kids but its been missing since you stayed in. I'm glad you're back now, our street feels alive again.

Rose: Wait are you serious? That's so sweet Johnny, you don't know how much that means to me. We used to have so much fun when we were younger, I really miss that, let's try to reconnect and pretend this little gap never happened.

Johnny: I can do that.

Both Johnny and Rose smiled for a second, the waitress brought their drinks for them.

Rose: Do you remember the time there was gum stuck in my hair and it took us an hour to get it out.

...

Johnny: Remember when I fell off my bike and you had to run to get me band-aids because you thought I was dying.

...

Rose: Ahh! What about the time we accidentally stepped all over Mrs.Leena's flowers and she got super mad.

...

Johnny: We almost got in so much trouble for the time we spray painted the walls.

Hours went by and Rose and Johnny just told stories of their childhood and laughed over and over. When they noticed it was getting dark, they decided to walk back home together. On the way back, Johnny shares his future plans off moving to a different state for University and Rose explained how she's just focusing on getting her life back together for now. When they reached their neighborhood, they had a awkward moment where they just stared at each other, not knowing what to do. Johnny went in for a hug and Rose took him in. They hugged tight for a few seconds and broke it off.

Johnny: This was great, we need to do this more.

Rose: For sure, thank you for everything.

Johnny smiled and walked towards his house. Rose bit her lip, looked at the flowers and went to her house. She walked straight to her room, fell on her bed and let out a big laughter. Tonight was what she needed. Rose grabbed her phone and texted Johnny.

Rose: You're great at hugging.

Johnny: You're great to hug,

Rose smiled. The rest of the night was spent with texts going back and forward until Rose fell asleep, a smile carved on her face.