We The Wallflowers

three

               [ bittersweet memories ]

You know how sometimes you're aware that you're dreaming in your dreams? Yup, I was having one of those surreal moments again.

Only this time, I saw everything in a third person's point of view.

It was another mundane day when Heather's class and another joined together for combined swimming classes. Her teacher, who was a middle aged man in a speedo, had pulled her out. The reason was simple. She clearly didn't have a flair at swimming. So he instructed her to sit by the benches in a far corner.

Honestly speaking, ten year old Heather was glad that she could sit this one out. The brunette disliked doing strenuous activity. Man, even floating was hard enough for her. Plus, she disliked having to wear her swimming costume. Her flabby flaws were always pointed out by her cheeky classmates.

While penguining her way over, she noticed a dainty figure seated. Judging from her stiff posture, the girl was probably another one of the elite kids in school.

Heather's school was packed with loaded kids after all.

The girl had her thin leg crossed over the other and hands rested on her lap. She wore a beautiful pink swim suit with those typical Hawaii flowers. Heather sat two seats away from the girl and started rolling the ball.

"Hi! I'm Heather. Nice to meet you," she chirped. Awkward moments, filled with only the sounds of water splashing, passed before the blonde finally turned to her. She jumped up when she saw her. Heather grimaced a little. People did that sometimes when they saw her. She still didn't understand why but decided that she didn't want to know either.

"Whoa! Where did you come from?" the blonde asked, weary. She had her arms folded against her chest.

Heather pointed at her class in the adult pool. They wore life jackets and floated aimlessly in the rippling water. One of them went under the water. Probably a faulty jacket.

"My instructor told me to sit this one out. I can't float properly. I keep sinking," she said with a shrug.

The blonde's crystal blue eyes twinkled with curiosity.

"Like a rock?" she asked.

To Heather's surprise, it sounded like a genuine question, not like the teasing she received. So she nodded.

"I like to think I'm more of a submarine," she replied and patted the seat next to her. Blondie sat down and smiled.

"That's cool."

"You have a nice swimsuit. I like it," Heather told her.

Blondie's ears tinged red and she gave her a small smile. "Um, thanks?"

"So," Heather prodded again, "What's your name?"

She turned to the pudgy dark haired girl and gave her a kind smile. One that would be etched in Heather's memory forever.

"Stella! My name is Stella."

My vision shifted immediately and I was warped into a new place. This time, I saw myself cornered in an alley behind the middle school I went to. The same one with cardboard boxes piled up at the back with trash bins overflowing haphazardly.

It was the same alley they did things to me.

I found thirteen your old me lying limp in a corner. Bloody cuts and dark bruises lined up her face, arms and legs. I noticed a cut on her forehead. It was split open and blood trickled out onto the brick ground steadily. Thirteen year old Heather had an arm over her eyes while her chest rose up and down in an unsteady rhythm.

Heavy footsteps resonated around the corner and a girl burst into the alley. She didn't notice me and rushed over to Heather. Her honey blonde hair was tied up into a messy bun and she had two cups of ice cream in her hands. She put the sugary goodness down and knelt in front of me. Well, younger me.

Blondie pushed away her fringe and I realised, it was Stella. Thirteen year old Stella.

"Oh my god, Heather. What the hell happened?" she cupped her hands over her best friend's squishy cheeks. Young Heather simply shook her head and wiped an arm across her eyes.

"Was it Kylie and her goons again?"

"Y-Yeah...They t-told me to s-stay off this street..."

Stella didn't hesitate. She pulled Heather into a tight hug. The brunette sniffled into her best friend's shoulder. I watched in silence as they stayed that way for a long time.

"Did you get my ice cream?" Heather mumbled out from Stella's fluffy sweater.

Stella offered a gentle smile. She held up one of the cups of ice cream.

"Yeah. Your favourite too."

Then darkness slowly crept up from behind and enveloped me into its cold embrace. I closed my eyes. I remained like this for what felt like a couple of minutes.

"Hey," someone called out from the darkness.

I opened my eyes. Hm? I spun around but saw no one. There was nothing but the same, dull darkness.

"Hey!"

This time it came out more forceful.

Ugh, just shut up.

I closed my eyes once again.

And when they fluttered open, I was greeted by a pair of chocolate brown eyes staring down at me. The teenager had sharp features and his brows were knitted. A scowl rested on his pale white face. It even glowed a little pink under the bright fluroscent lighting.

It reminded me of a baby's soft smooth bum.

"Listen. Whoever you are, you're in my bed."

----

A/N

bittersweet melodies by mura;kami

Hi this is only the beginning of the angst roller coaster. And in case you're wondering, the part where Heather meets Stella is inspired by how I met my best friend Ashley.

Also, a few days ago, my friends gave this book a shout out and word spread like wildfire. Thanks to them, this book gained 200+ followers in just a day! It was pretty cool and thanks again to all my friends (and new ones that I've made). You guys are the best.

Shout out to Ethan and Ashley! It's so cute seeing you two compete to be the best MVP.

Also wow I managed to follow my update schedule... Despite being very, very sleep deprived...

See you next time!