Delicate

Chapter 2: Mysteries of Nature

    "Wait wait wait..... so you're telling me, that she gave you... a flower??" Jacob questioned from the other end of the phone. "I know right?? It's weird.... like, she's never talked to anyone, ever, but then when she finally talks to someone, she just gives them they're flower. And I'm just wondering, why me???" I complained, then glanced at the potted flower sitting on my desk. "Did she say why?" he asked. Then I explained, "no, all she said was to take care of it, and then when I wasn't looking, she just.... left." "Ok, that's just hella creepy... did she leave you anything?" "She only left a note with I'm what guessing is her phone number and address and a better explanation? Maybe?" "Read it." I pick up the note and read it to Jacob, "'Hi Jake.   I know we don't talk to each other, at all, but i want you to have this flower. My mother wanted me to give away the flower, so i decided to give it to you, because you seem like the type of person that can take care of something like this. On this note are my address and phone number, so you can contact me about more information on the flower..... Just please, take care of it. It would mean a lot to me.  Jamie'. That's all it says, no further explanation." "Ok.... it still doesn't make sense, though...." "yeah, that's what I'm still trying to figure out. I'm just wondering why me of all people....." "huh... well, you figure that out, I gotta go now." "Alright, see you tomorrow."
    I hang up and then put the phone down, then take another glance at the flower. I take my water bottle and decide to water it, then pick it up and put it by my windowsill, letting it have the chance to get some sunlight. I decide to study it a little bit more since I had nothing else to do. I gently touch one of the petals and then it starts.... g-glowing?? Um, I'm 100% sure that flowers aren't supposed to glow. But since this is a rare type of flower, maybe it's supposed to glow????
    Puzzled, I decide to call Oliver, because he's smarter and knows this shit more than anything else. "hello?" He answers. "Hey Oli, um, I have something to say." "Yeah?" "Ok, so, short story: Jamie came up to me after school and gave me her flower, then left-" "wow, really??? She gave you... a flower??" "Yeah, I know, weird, but i have another thing to say, it's about the flower.... it's acting weird..." I hear the sound of a book being slammed onto a surface. "What type of flower is it, I can try and see if it's supposed to acting... however it's acting," he responds. "Um, it's a Lavender DragonLily- wait no- A Lavender FireLily, sorry- wait-" "no Jake, you were right the first time, it's Lavender DragonLily." I hear the flipping of pages of a book from the other line. "Let's see.... ok, 'the Lavender DragonLily: a rare, exotic flower usually found around the surfaces of volcanoes.' What's wrong with it??" "well.... it's... glowing." "..........I'm sorry, what?????" "You heard me, Oli. It's. Glowing." no response from the other line, but I can hear faint murmuring. I'm guessing that Oliver's reading the page about the flower while trying to process what the fuck I just said. Then, he finally answers, "......I don't see anything about the flower having the ability to glow, what are you on, Jake??????" "IM NOT ON ANYTHING!! I'm telling you, it's glowing!" "Well, there's really nothing here about it 'glowing'." I groan in annoyance. Suddenly, the flower stops glowing. "Well, it stopped now.... I wonder if I..." I hover my hand near the flower, then with a simple tug on one of the leaves, the flower suddenly grows thorns, and I prick my finger on one of them, "hOLY-" "what?? What is it???" Oliver beckons for my reply, but I'm stuck there, curiously glancing at the flower (and trying to stop the bleeding from my finger). The thorns are... red, and extremely sharp. Then, the thorns go away, leaving the simple beauty of the flower. ".....ok, so is the flower supposed to grow thorns???" I finally respond. "....what." "yes, you heard me. It. Suddenly. Grew. Thorns. And I pricked my finger on one of them. The thorns are gone now, but... still..." "listen, I have no idea what kind of situation you're in, but I need to go now, so I can't help you, sorry man." "Nah, it's ok... I'll see you tomorrow." "K bye." Oliver hangs up.
    I still had no idea what was wrong with the flower, but I had to take it to Jamie tomorrow to see what she knew about it, and get more info on why she gave it to me. But I needed a way to carry it. I turn to my desk drawer, get some string and needles, and get to work.