the captured red hibiscus flower (editing)

laughter is the best medicine

        Larry walked in “time to wake- oh your awake. He looked at me skeptically because I was never up before him. “Ok well get downstairs so Margret can do you make up.” I was all smiles “ok” then I skipped down the stairs.

As I reached the kitchen i began to make a sandwich strong hands grasp my shoulders from behind me. I knew it was Larry but I still screamed. He chuckled. “Why are you so happy? You are never this happy in the mornings.” He questioned me.

I rolled my eyes “fine I’ll be in a bad mood then. Oh I can also not talk to you, so it’ll be like every other morning. Ok? Will that suffice?” i said in a sarcastic and perky voice. he rolled his eyes “just get out of here before I slap you. Margret’s in her room.” I looked over to the sandwich that I began to make “but I didn’t finish making my sandwich.” He shoved me out of the kitchen “GO!!” I rolled my eyes “go. go” I mocked him under my breath he yelled at me “NOW!”

I mocked him again "NOW!" this time making my hand mock him as well as I started to walk up to Margret’s room. I walked in and before I could even shut the door she said “you shouldn’t mock him like that. It’s disrespectful” my mouth dropped. Me? Disrespectful? Are you kidding me? Have you lost your marbles? I did nothing wrong. Just had some fun. He gets to beat me and you do nothing and yet u have the nerve to call me disrespectful. Well I never.

I thought about saying that but I settled with one question “you heard?” she simply nodded and started on my makeup. “So tell me” I smirked knowing what she was hinting at “tell you what?” she smiled “your date” I decided to keep acting like I still was clueless to what she was saying “what date?” she lightly tapped my cheek “you know what im talking about. How was your date with James?” I smiled

“oh that”

I shrugged “it was alright”she looked at me suspiciously “just alright? I don’t buy it. Now spill.”

I smiled and couldn’t contain my happiness anymore, so I told her everything about the date. But I purposely left out the spilling my guts to James pt. after i told her about my date she had a huge grin on her face. “Aw how sweet. James seems like a good boy.” I smiled and started to blush thinking about James again.“He is”

Margret gave a small smile “ok make ups done. Now hurry up and finish getting ready before Larry comes searching for you.” I nodded and jumped down the steps. Larry just glared at me and I smiled sweetly at him. “Ready to take me to school? Or is Margret taking me?” he glared “u can catch the bus. Margret and I don’t like it when you’re acting so strange.”

I scoffed “I’m just happy” he rolled his eyes “I know and it’s annoying. Now go or you’ll be late.” I rolled my eyes “ok, ok I’m going” I walked outside and felt the cool summer breeze dance on my face. I was happy that Larry let me walk to the bus stop without having to hold my hand. I walked up to the bus stop sat on a nearby bench and i waited for the school bus to come.

I saw the school bus turning down the street, I stood up and waited for it to stop. From the corner of my eye I saw someone running to catch the bus, when I looked to see who it was I saw that it was James. I smiled at him and he smiled back. The bus driver waited patiently for us to get on. I sat in an empty seat and James sat down beside me.

“Hey I didn’t know you caught the bus.” I smiled at him “I usually don’t.”

“So how are you? Did Larry hurt you again?” I gave him a stern look silently telling him to quiet down his voice. He looked at me sadly “sorry. I didn’t mean to draw attention” he whispered. I smiled and whispered back “its ok you didn’t. And to answer your question nothing happened. He didn’t even know that I left. And he hasn’t touched me since.” James smiled “good.” Then he reached for my hand.