PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

xix. happy

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

Heaps of sunflowers, marigolds and daffodils lined up on both sides of the winding path towards an unknown edifice -- at least to our curly lad right here --, all dancing to the rhythm of the wind sweeping through them. Their varied colors is such a sight to see and their lovely aroma mild to the muzzle. Spring time has left behind a beautiful trace as the summer took its place.

Charlie's dainty hands run through them as the pair continue on their casual tracks, smiling down at them as the doting memory of her latter years flash in front of her. She was one of the few kids who spent their mornings cultivating these soils before burying seeds in hopes that they will one day mature into the beautiful flowers that they are now. She finds amusement and fulfilment as she sees the results of her hard work has paid off.

Harry, on the other hand, having no idea what is reeling through the blonde-headed girl's mind, simply smiles at the small, yet adorable gesture. What she was doing is just simple, yet Harry couldn't help the slight tug in his chest as the memory of his mother comes back to him in flashes as he watches Charlie slowly crouch down to the level of the ornaments. She sniffs in their sweet scent before picking up one sunflower from the bunch, its long and slender stem caught between her fingers as she stands up to her full height once again.

She smiles up at him before giving him the lone flower. His face contorts into a questioning look and Charlie smiles wider as she insists the flower to Harry.

He looks at the yellow-orange set of petals adorning the plant. Smiling awkwardly, he finally takes it from the blonde and continues to give her a questioning look.

Charlie gets the idea, smiling as she walks ahead of Harry now. "Sunflower signifies a lot of things." She shrugs just as Harry falls into steps with her, shoulder to shoulder. "Faith, intelligence, focus..." She trails off as she glances up at Harry who is thoroughly listening to every word she utters. "But it's my favorite because it signifies happiness."

Charlie stops all of a sudden, making Harry mirror her. She turns to face the curly lad before her hand lands on his shoulder, her eyes look at him with great intensity, as if rummaging the confines of his brain by that just one look.

"Aiden, don't let anyone pull you down, stomp on you like a pile of dirt. You are a good person, don't let someone else tell you otherwise. Don't seek happiness from other things that may seem unattainable to you. Life is beautiful to sulk. You will find that real happiness are just right under your nose."

Harry blinks several times before adjusting his gaze on Charlie's glistening blue eyes. He is taken aback by her bold, yet, unexpected statement. Nonetheless, he takes everything to heart in a very good way. Sure, he feels a little bit cornered at that situation, but he couldn't deny the fact that he is deeply touched by her words.

"There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you." She grins stupidly. "And yes, I just quoted that from someone." She says, referring to her previous statement. A quiet chuckle leaves her lips.

"Okay, where are all these words of wisdom coming from?" He asks as he flails his hand -- the one that's holding the sunflower-- in the air. For a brief moment, Harry thinks that Charlie can see through his acts; that she can read him easily like an open book. He even thinks she's a psychic who just saw his miserable life play out in her mind.

"You are no one special. I use to say that a lot. I am a self-proclaimed ambassadress to happiness." To Harry's utter surprise, Charlie laughs hard to her own joke, tipping her head back as she continues to do so.

Harry snorts, quietly chuckling to himself too and shaking his head in amusement at the cheery blonde girl walking next to her. He's relieved to learn that Charlie couldn't read minds because who knows what she'll find out in just one quick attempt to sift through his thoughts. Nonetheless, he put her every word into remembrance.

The only person that can make me happy is me, he reminds his self, but he can't help but wonder where does that put Charlie, then. She makes him happy too, right?

The pair notice that they're only a few steps away from the entrance of the building. It's not really that far from the tall gate to which they have entered earlier, but the slope path made their walk heavy and trudging. Harry could already make out the bright blue color that covers the building's exterior. Glass windows line up the horizontally-elongated walls, flowers adorn beneath them, nestled by the curb made of rocks.

"You're effective, then." Harry replies a moment later once her laughter dies down. "I can already see the picture of you in the headlines -- Charlie Baker, Ambassadress to happiness." He adds, making Charlie grin stupidly on the ground.

God, does Harry look like a freshman student having a casual talk with his crush as they take a long walk to the park. It's way too cheesy that his subconscious cringes at the sight.

Where have this side of Harry been hiding all those years ago?  But then again, if anyone would think about it, this soft side of his was masked all along with a rough and impassive veneer. It took a lot of years of practicing for Harry to master his cold exterior, but it only took someone like Charlie to bring the warm-hearted, child-like Harry out.

"Here we are." Charlie informs Harry with an excited grin on her face as her sight trails towards the entrance. Something about it makes her smile even wider than it already is, her eyes full of life as they widen, followed by the cheerful sound of giggles of small children fading in from a distance as they approach the two.

"Charlie, you're here!"

"Charlie!"

"Charlie, I lost my front tooth."

"Jack took my teddy, Charlie."

"I already know how to count in Chinese, Charlie."

Before Harry knows it, they are already swarmed by excited and giddy little kids, all vying for Charlie's full attention. No one is left disappointed, though, as the blonde girl attends to as many kids as she possibly can -- smiling, nodding, and talking to them with as much vigor as the small kids exhume.

Charlie meets Harry's admiring gaze overhead, paying him back an endearing smile before she goes back to engage in a small talk with the kids.

God, do they love Charlie oh so dearly.

*****

I said I'd update like Monday last week, but I was really sick, and like I don't have the motivation to write. So sorry.

Make it a habit to vote and comment, please? :')))

-- Glyz xx

PS: I want my comments to be interactive but there are a lot who decide that it'd be nice to just be a ghost reader. I'm praying for y'all.

Dedicated to Belictioner_Gaga bc damn, gurl you're per-fect