**Flowers**
Knock knock knock
"Coming"
The door cracks open
My aspen is in his best cloak and best shoes
His face shines pink "Tamara?"
He asks
"Looks like u were expecting me"
I smile
It's not for scarlet
It's not for scarlet
I repeat in my head over and over
He loves me
He was just mad
It's ok
It's ok
It's not for scarlet
"Uh ya no um I'm not ready"
I grin "ready for what"
He shakes his head
"WhT are those" I ask
Nodding my hands to the flowers in his hands
Bright red blooming to the moon
"wow" I whisper
"Ok the truth is I uh... wanted to ask u to be my date to that uh ball dance with all the soldiers for the new king tomorrow"
I quirk my head "u already asked me" I say
"Uh well that was um unofficial
U know u have to do it right and flowers seemed... romantic?"
I nod "well I think it's adorable"
I lean in to kiss his lips but he turns and I kiss his cheek
Nonono aspen it can't be scarlet
U love me
It was just in my head
"Sorry uh nervous"
I slip the flowers from his hands
He looks defeated
"Are these from rose Mary's garden! Those cost a fortune!"
He nods his head
"Thanx" I say
He nods his head again
Silence
"I'm glad u want to go with me" I say "i feel like we've been distant and now I know Wer ok"
He dosnt move just stares at the floor
"We are ok right aspen"
"Uh ya sorry um ill see u tomorrow at the dance"
He starts to close the door
"Oh ok what ti-"
But the door closes
I stare at the red flowers
There for me.... right?
But out of all people he would know i like dark greens
Weeds would be better then this
I don't want to stand out
But I push it out of my head
He loves me not scarlet
There just friends
I give a sad smile and shake my head
I can't believe I ever doubted aspen
••ball••
I breath in
Looking at my reflection in the steel medal of the wall of my room
I didn't buy a new dress just threw on something that was old and plain but it worked
Kind of
Long sleeve dark teal
Tight until my waist then
Pouring over gently almost sweeping the floor
No jems or see through little places
No belts or special ribbon
Though a cross crossed back which shows my black tattoo bleeding on my skin
I probably should ware something else
But since I'm with aspen I know he will love me any way
Jason said keep him away
But he also said it would be easy
Easy is easier that trying
I tie my hair up in a messy bon with black ribbon
Nope I need something
Turning towards my window I reach outside and pick some sweet purple mixed colors right out of the ground
Blow off the dirt and shove'em in my hair
Sweet
I tilt my neck with my hands till it pops
Flex my muscles and try to relax with a deep breath I skip my way outside
The fresh night air whistling through my ears
The starry sky sprinkling light here and there
I hate riding in dresses cuz u gotta sit like a lady
But things could be worse
I could be in a tight dress
Running up to clayso my some what beautiful horse I lead him to the dirt road
I look at my feet
Slipping them into a heeled wobbly Sandels wasn't the best idea
I shake them off with one big kick and prepare myself for the saddle
The foot holder pinches my bare feet
And as soon as I lift my foot off the ground I hear a riiiiippp
Crap seriously
I look down to see my loose cold flowing dress split down the right side all the way to my thigh
I guess it wasn't as stretchy as I thought it was
Or I guess since it sweeps the floor I must of stepped on it and stretched it past its moth blown years of sitting in my closet looking like my mom
Whatever
I sigh and climb fully on
Looking down at the rip I almost smile
Hey now I have something to add to the dress
With dust from the flowers sprinkling down my back, no shoes, and ripped dress I ride my way to where the party is happening at
Inside a giant warehouse which seems unfancy
But flowers and fresh paint cover the outside
I almost jump off my horse until I see something catch my eye
A bright red dress short and tight not like the flowing ball gowns starting to arrive
It’s wrapped around a red head dark lashed scarlet
Wow
Strips of the dress cut out along her curvy figure
Long sleeves and man that red
Blood red
Bright red
Love red
Evil red
That dress is RED
I grip the hair of Clayso as she walks up the stairs of into the arena
I swallow
“-the hell?” I turn my head to a voice beside me
“Jason” I mutter
“what are you... Tamara...” he looks me up and down from the ground and stares at my feet
I roll my eyes and jump down from clayso
“What?” I ask
“Where r your shoes?” His mouth is gaping open
I don’t answer
“is that dirt?” He flicks something off the top of my head
He feels his forehead
“I thought you said you would try?”
My hands fly onto my stomach
“Aspen loves me for who I am- I don’t need to ware what scarlets warring”
“Maybe you do”
“Well I’ll never know unless I be myself”
“Yourself is clumsy messy and about to travel into a suicidal mission... have you seen what scarlets wearing?”
I nod my head and look to the ground
“I order you to go home and change- try- do SOMETHING- besides this” he looks me up and down
Then steps closer a head taller then me he almost has to bend down to reach my ear
“No” I mutter
“Excuse me?” He whispers threateningly
“I said no!” I step away before he can add more
And march on into the warehouse- way too confident for anyone looking like me
