Hanahaki

Marigold

Not too long after school had ended I went to the arcade with Katelyn. We began to play Pacman which was super fun.

"Want some pizza Katelyn? I can go get us some." I said.

"Yes please!" Katelyn answered excitedly.

I then went to the food area and waited at the counter for one of the workers. Someone soon came up and I was able to order. After a bit I brought a plate to Katelyn and we took a small break.

We were enjoying ourselves when I began to feel uncomfortable and my throat started to burn. I knew this feeling all too well. I quickly turned my head around to the entrance of the arcade...and there he was. Why did Aaron have to be here NOW of all times!?

I covered my mouth as he grew closer. My legs felt weak and I began to feel dizzy. I wanted to just get up and run but I couldn't move.

"Aphmau? Is everything okay?" Katelyn asked worried as she placed a hand on my shoulder.

I nodded and slowly moved my hand from my mouth. "Yeah..sorry." I said weakly.

Katelyn frowned. "You are extremly pale. Maybe we should go."

"No really, I'm fi-" Before I could finish I began to cough violently and covered my mouth again. I felt the painful feeling of the petals crawling up my throat and exiting through my lips.

"Aphmau!" Katelyn yelled worriedly and shot up from her seat.

Mumbling surrounded us as people stared. I looked up at Katelyn and was finally able to stand up. I stumbled and grabbed onto Katelyn's arm.

"Shh please." I managed to whisper. "Just..help me to the bathroom."

Katelyn nodded and supported me as we walked to the bathroom. I could feel the intense stare of Aaron and the group of his friends. This is so embarrassing.

We had finally made it to the bathroom and I held onto the sink as I tried to calm my breathing. Katelyn rubbed my back gently and was trying to calm me down. I still had my hand over my mouth and when I slowly removed it there were small orange petals in my palm.

"What is that?" Katelyn asked shocked.

"P-petals...flower petals." I said, finally turning around and facing Katelyn.

"Petals? Aphmau, what is happening?" Katelyn asked with an extremely worried tone and grabbed my shoulders.

"I have no idea....All I know is that whenever that guy, Aaron, comes near me I get this painful feeling as if something is coming up my throat and then flower petals come out of my mouth. I have no idea how it started but I am terrified Katelyn. It hurts so bad and I just want it to stop." My voice became shakey and Katelyn hugged me tight.

"It's okay Aphmau. We'll find a way to make it stop." There was a small silence before Katelyn spoke again, "So 'Aaron' is the one causing it..or making it start?"

I nodded slightly. "Yeah. I always had the feeling but as soon as he gets close I end up somehow vomiting flowers....sometimes blood."

"Blood!?" Katelyn yelled, "That is very serious Aphmau! We need to bring you to a hospital."

"How would they be able to fix this Katelyn? If there was other news of flowers coming up peoples throats it would be all over the news and doctors would be looking into it, but there has been no word of whatever this is anywhere." I sighed. I wanted to fix this but how?...It seems impossible.

Katelyn nodded. "Yeah. Then, let's just go to my house and try and look it up. There might be something online about it."

"Okay." I agreed. That seemed much safer than going to the doctors. What if this was an extremely rare case and they decided to keep me for experiments? I shuttered at the thought. No. No waaay am I doing that.

We began to leave the bathroom when I caught sight of Aaron looking around the arcade with a worried face. When his eyes landed on me he stood up straight and began to walk towards me.

Nononono this cannot be happening. I grabbed Katelyns arm tightly and began to pull her towards the door. We quickly exited the arcade and I was hoping he wouldn't follow us out but...he did.

"Wait!" Aaron said rushed as he walked faster towards us.

"Run." Katelyn said with a big grin.

I nodded and we began to run as fast as we could. I didn't want to risk the person I have a huge crush on thinking I am weird and unnatural for throwing up flowers.

We ran all the way to Katelyns house and were gasping for air as we were crouched down close to the ground. We then busted out laughing.

"Haha that was great! His panicked face when we began to run was priceless!" Katelyn laughed.

I nodded in agreement. "That was pretty fun." I laughed along with Katelyn.