The Flower Child

Everyone has dreams. They want to be something that makes them stand out. Except me. I don't stand out. Everyone makes fun of me for who I am. I am Starlet Howell, I know it sounds weird but my parents named me that because they are free spirited. They conceived me inside a Volkswagen while listening to the Beatles. I am their flower child. They believe in peace and love. So do I, that is why everyone ignores me and call me a freak. I go to college and I will be that one girl who will be outside in the lawn singing about the plants with my old 1993 guitar. I don't care. I love my guitar, but I won't sing about the plants. I would sing about living, about the love that should be used at its advantage. Now where was I, oh yeah now let my story begin. How I, Starlet went through life. The care free flower child, or what you all like to call it, a hippie.  

I live a town called San Jose, California, where my family are the only hippies that live here. Now here I am, walking up the stage for my high school diploma. Watching as my parents took polarized pictures with their 1948 polaroid camera. They were the only ones with it, while everyone else had digital. I shook hands with the superintendent of the school board. I graduated with high honors and a scholarship to San Jose University. I am proud of myself, I get to stay in a dorm. I am so excited, but my parents don't believe I should go to college, but I proved to them that I could do it. I want to be successful. I went down the steps of the stage and sat down. Amber Jones went up on the stage and made a speech about the adult life. I bit my lip as I fiddled with the strings of my cap. Seeing as the red swirls moved with my fingers. Fixing my big black framed glasses, I sighed as I took a glance as my parents were aweing at the pictures they took. Other parents grimaced as they watched my parents. Everyone of the graduates threw their cap in the air, I didn't throw mine. I didn't want to go find it. I walked up to my parents, driving away into the Volkswagen, yes they still have it.  

We drove up into the driveway. I saw the narrow half mile ling sidewalk that led up the hill to a wooden two story home. All around were millions of fresh flowers from the garden. Seeing peacemakers and glass stained decor all around the house. We were the only family to half this kind of home. Two more cars were parked outside of our house. Family were waiting for us inside to congratulate me for finishing school. I took more pictures with various of cameras. Digital and polaroid. I smiled and giving thanks as I walked past everyone and into my room. Seeing my red walled room, filled with music notes printed in the walls and my stained glass window, roses from within as it light my room. I shut my door and went to my closet and placed a raggedy blouse on and denim shorts on. Fixing my wavy hair and braid partial to wrap around my head to form a headband figure. I came out, greeting everyone again. Getting the same compliments on how pretty I am. I nodded as I took a bite out of my vegan burger, receiving various gifts from each family member. My parents bought me a yellow beetle with flowers on the sides. I soon started packing up to go to the college.  

"Honey, you did so amazing. I am proud of you. I hope you will be ok going to the college by yourself." 

"Mom, I will. Don't worry about me. I will be fine. I will call you if anything happens to me."  

She nodded and kissed my forehead as I drove off to the university. I was nervous but excited at the same time. I pulled up into my dorm parking spot and looked at the three story building. I gulped as I went inside the office. I looked at the curly haired lady as she was typing. "Excuses me, I wanted to know what number room I was in?" She looked up at me, "Your name, miss." I blinked twice, "Starlet Howell." She began to type and hand me a bunch of forms. I nodded and headed up to the second story part, passing the rooms. Door 106, I opened the door and saw a single bed and a door that led to a bathroom. I had a walk in closet. I had a mini kitchen, with a tiny fridge and stove with a built in microwave oven. I smiled as I put my stuff down so I could get my belongings from the car. I walked down the steps and didn't watch where I was going and tripped, almost falling. I stopped, I didn't hit the ground. I looked up and saw a male stranger.  

"Hello. You almost fell there for a second. You alright?" I nodded standing up, "Thank you for your kindness but I must be going." I walked away, not staring at his gorgeous green eyes. I opened the trunk of my car and grabbed a box or two. Wobbling to the entrance, "Hey let me help you with that. My name is Adam Richards." I didn't look at him as he grabbed a box. "I am Starlet Howell. Pleased to meet you. Thank you." We headed up the dorm and placed the boxes down. After a few boxes and some furnishes, we finished. He smiled at me as he put the last remaining box on the ground. "Lot of stuff you have. Now I know where you are so I can come visit..." I cut him off, " Thank you for helping me, but I wouldn't like your visits. I am here for my studies only." I went past him as I went down to my car and grabbed my guitar and locked the doors. He stood at the entrance, "Awww, that isn't fair. I helped you. You should at least offer me to visit you some time." He smirked at me, showing off his dimples. I growled and walked up the stairs. I turned facing him as he looked at me, "We shall see, Mr. Richards. Good day." I closed the door of my room and began unpacking. Putting each item away. I finally finished unpacking as I put my school books and stuff in my bag. I hung it on the chair and looked at the TV in the corner. I turned it on and put food network on. I went to the fridge and made a meal for me. I ate watching a food show. My cell phone rang and I picked it up, "Hello?" 

"Hey sweetie. It is dad. Your mom is worried. Did you make it alright?"

I laughed, "Yes I did. I am eating right now, I had finished packing. Tell mom I am fine. Bye and love you." I hung up and cleaned my dishes. I should get a job to help pay for food and everything. I got up and grabbed my purse and went to the car and hunted down for jobs. This is going to be a long afternoon for me.