Seven Reasons Not To Die

iii | books of imagery

Still tired and grumpy, the next time Poppy appeared on her doorstep Maria wasn't as against getting dressed after the heat of yesterday. Though the bouncing brunette walking beside her seemed unaffected by the early hours of the day, the only difference from the day before was the small black purse slung over her slender shoulders.

"What are we doing today? Anymore surprises?" Maria asked, looking back on the water war that she had been recruited into in only her pajamas. She may have argued about it in the beginning, but Maria had soon enough found herself getting caught up in the contagious laughter of the Mother-daughter duo.

"Seeing as it wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, I can't disclose any information to you." The brunette smirked mischievously, giving herself away without really even trying to.

"Are you implying that there's a surprise?" Maria raised and eyebrow as she spared a glance at the girl.

"Even if I was, I still couldn't tell you." Poppy grinned, earning a huff from Maria.

"Fine, I see how it is then." Maria grumbled, unknowingly to the other that she was pouting for nothing, and it was then she felt a small weight fall on her head, "What?" In her hands sat a crown of dandelions.

"They're not weeds," was the only reply Poppy was willing to give, but the smile on her face couldn't be missed as Maria placed the flowers atop her head again.

"The library?" Maria questioned as she was lead into the historical stone building, the Metamora library was one of the most unused building in town. Those who just wanted an escape to silence filled the two story building. It was clear, or not so clear considering the dim lighting and lack of windows, why many opted out on going to the library within itself.
"Don't you like reading?"

"It's not that I don't like reading, just why?" Maria inquired, though their voices echoed and a loud 'shush' from someone at a table near them they resorted to barely audible whispers.

"Why not?" Poppy shrugged, "What's a book you've always wanted to read, but never got around to? Or a book you want to read again?"

"Not entirely no, but then again I'm not well with remembering titles," Maria shrugged as she followed Poppy down a random isle of bookcases. Though her answer wasn't what the girl had obviously been looking for, she still seemed quite content with her plans for the day. It was as well a good thing a library visit wasn't the only thing she had planned today.

"What about Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?" Poppy asked holding up the colorfully illustrated covered book, they had been there twenty minutes and the girl had already found herself multiple texts, Maria stayed empty handed.

"Haven't read it," Maria found herself now holding the book in her hand as Poppy moved down the aisles of books, "I would like to point out I don't have a library card." The blonde stated, but Poppy wobbled on with her growing stack of books.

"We can sign you up for one, God these books are heavy." Poppy huffed, "Maybe we should sit for a bit?"

Maria didn't answer as she rolled her eyes, carefully taking a few of the books from Poppy's arms, "I'd have helped if you asked for it." She stated as she carried the books to a nearby table.

Poppy followed, with a quick thank you she sat down and began leafing through what books she had simply plucked off the shelves. Maria doubted if the girl even knew what any of them were, not even having spared a glance at the titles. Maria plopped down beside the brunette none the less, cracking open the copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Who would follow a talking rabbit? Nothing good could possibly come out of it.

Maria thought to herself as she read, Poppy had yet to decide on which book to read. Still eagerly flipping through book after book until she came to the last one, she did no leafing as she opened the front cover carefully. She didn't know what it was titled, nor what it would be about, but Poppy thought that it would make the story that much more interesting.

The duo read until their legs stuck to the chairs, and Maria's leg fell asleep from being crossed for so long. Still this discomfort did nothing to pull either away, both equally hypnotized by the plot unfolding within their separate stories.

"Maria?" A hushed voice spoke, there was no reply, "Maria?" Again the voice fell on deaf ears.

"What!" Maria jumped as something tugged on her arm, causing her book to clatter onto the table. Earning harsh looks from a few stragglers in the building, Maria found herself going red.

"Sorry, we've been here four hours, I have other things planned," Poppy apologized as she left her seat, "I'll check out the book for you if you want."

Maria followed Poppy down the steps of the library, the book held tightly in her hand. She had found herself caught up in the story, something she had not expected to happen. She watched silently as Poppy hummed her way down the street, once again wearing a brightly colored sundress.

"Hurry up, slowpoke!" Poppy giggled as she twirled around to see Maria trailing behind her. In response the girl rolled her eyes, but quickened her pace her sandals smacking the bottoms of her feet and the sidewalk along the way. Poppy beamed as she linked arms with Maria, ignoring the girl as she tried to pull away, "This is the only way I'll get you to stay caught up with me."

Maria didn't bother to argue this time, after all had her complaints really been helpful to her through any of this? Obviously it hadn't, because if it had she probably wouldn't be finding herself being dragged around town.

Later that evening, after Poppy's 'surprise' visit to Stover's Diner Maria found herself curled up on her living room couch. Her eyes scanning the remaining words of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

"What's got you all smiley?" Gloria asked as she appeared from the kitchen, the scent of burnt pasta following her despite the open windows. It seemed the Miser women were not to be known for their cooking skills. Maria was surprised by the question, but it wasn't until she felt the sore feeling in her cheeks did she realize she had been smiling. It seemed she had gotten lost in her own little wonderland, she had even noticed the smile stuck to her lips.

"Nothing," She spoke quickly, burying her head back into her book, earning a fit of laughter from her Aunt.

"I know you Maria, it's been awhile since you smiled like that. Also don't think I haven't noticed you being out all day for the last two days," Gloria spoke as she plopped down beside her niece on the couch. Her words weren't a lie, and it was her right to be worried this young adult had found her in a place she shouldn't have been.

"I er....met a girl," Maria muttered quietly, Gloria nearly missed the statement. Though when she caught it, she found herself raising an eyebrow.

"Should I be worried?" The older woman smirked mischievously, Maria scoffed at the woman's inferences.

"Of course not, she's quite annoying actually. She shoved dandelions in my face, and dragged me around, my arm is still sore!" Maria huffed, grabbing her blanket before heading towards her room, how could her aunt think those things just because she mentioned spending time with someone else, plus she'd only been around Poppy for two days!

"Well when you stop moping, I'm ordering pizza!" Gloria shook her head as she went back to cleaning up the kitchen. There was something going on, and she wasn't going to stop until figured out what it was. "I think we're going to need a new stove?"

It was that conversation with her aunt that Maria began to think, if Poppy hadn't appeared where would her aunt be? As far as she knew, it was just the two of them against the world, a terrible cook, and a loner teen who tried to kill herself. It was questionabke, but yet Maria saw it as a way out. She knew Gloria deserved a life, she was destined to be a bachelorette for life, forced to take care of a child she didn't ask for.

When the girl made it to her room, she didn't return to her book. In fact, she seemed rather disgusted by the piece of literature as she tossed it onto the top of her desk in the corner. She was left to plop onto her bed, the springs groaning in protest as she moved around wrapping herself in her blanket. Maria didn't bother to move for the rest of the night, and eventually, she was glad to invite sleep to take her over.