The Withering Rose

Spotted and Saved

"So much for being sick" she looked up to see the new kid, Colton. "Where are you trying to go?" she growled as he held out his hand offering to help her up. She sat there staring at him, "I don't need your help." "How about I help you carry the bags to where ever you're going then I'll leave?" Colton suggested, and Ryan thought for a moment, then took his hand. Colton took over half the bags she was carrying and started to walk alongside her."Where are you going?" "Somewhere." Colton bit his lip, preventing himself from prying too early. They walked in silence until Ryan's phone rang. Colton could barely read the name from where he was at, but from what he could see it read 'Satan'. She ignored the call and Colton wanted to ask, but it was her private life. "Thank you for carrying my bags. I can take it from here" Ryan whispered, and Colton hesitated to give her the bags. "Colton school starts soon, you shouldn't skip" "like you're doing?" he retorted, and Ryan pulled her hood down more. "I have to, okay," she said inaudibly. "I'm sorry, I meant it as a joke. Get better soon Ry" "Ry?" the confused girl had gotten nothing but a mischievous look from the boy. She watched his retreating figure, before knocking on the front door. The door opened moments later. "Ryan?" Evan whispered then quickly took the bags from her and set them on the ground. "I didn't expect you to come today. I mean we have everything ready" he said quickly. "Zoey!" Evan yelled, and the woman appeared from the top of the stairs. She could only muster a smile.They spent the morning decorating Ryan's new bedroom. "Is this all?" "I travel light I guess" Ryan smiled looking at her room. All of her drawings were in a folder set neatly on the desk. There were Christmas lights strung on the tops of the walls and framed artworks of hers. "You guys saved all of those?" Ryan grinned as she took a closer look. "Well we couldn't just leave them sitting there" Zoey laughed."I have breakfast ready downstairs if you'd like some" Evan smirked, and both of the girls smiled and raced down the stairs, leaving Evan dumbfounded. Once Evan had entered the kitchen the girls had already made their plate and were waiting patiently for Evan to dish himself a plate."Ryan, when do you think you'll be able to go to school?" Zoey asked glancing up from her plate. "Maybe in a couple days. I'm going to wait until this bruise heals. I don't want anyone to ask questions about it" Ryan believed would be the best way to word the sentence.
"Could you show me what I could do at the flower shop? Maybe run tabs, register, maybe organize the flowers?" Ryan asked pushing her food around her plate. "Well I actually haven't thought much about that" Zoey sighed, "I mean as young as you are might draw in more customers. You'll probably do a job up front." "I mean we could have her do the register and do a bunch of little things around the shop," Evan interjected, Zoey gave him a stern look, then nodded agreeing with him. "I'd be glad to help" Ryan beamed.The morning was spent learning how to use the register and how much water each plant needs. Time must have flown by because it was already lunchtime. "Zoey, what do you want? The usual?" "Yes please!" "Ryan, what would you like from the Chinese restaurant?" "I'll have what you're having" "good choice!" Ryan snickered as the man ordered take out.
While they were eating they had a customer. He was tall and had blue hair, he was in a button-up shirt and had a bow-tie. "My looks like you finally got help around here. How are you Evan?" the man smiled as he looked upon the smaller girl. "I'm doing pretty well. Yeah, Ryan, this is Cory. Cory this is Ryan, she's staying with us." "Hi, Ryan, nice to meet you" Ryan only nodded in response, not wanting to meet new people.
After a few days, Ryan started to get used to working at the flower shop. She even met other employees, without awkwardly shuffling away. Then she realized she had to go back to school.

Word Count; 729