Flower Petals

*p r o l o g u e*

I slowly made my way downstairs, being careful about my noise level. My father doesn't seem to be awake yet, but who knows what's going on in this hell hole of a house.

I softly planted my feet at the bottom of the stairs, giving myself time to scan the kitchen. The coast seems to be clear so I walk to the fridge and open it gently.

I sigh and lean against the opened door seeing that there is no food other than some leftovers and an apple.

I can't even remember the last time my father went out grocery shopping. I guess it's all up to me, but what else is new?

I grab the apple and right as I was about to take a bite out of it, I hear a groaning coming from behind me. My shoulders slouch as I know what's coming.

"Why are you eating my food?! I paid for that and you don't need any more food anyway. You should really try going to the gym," my father slurs angrily as he makes his way over to me.

"Don't you get enough things anyways? Why do you have to be such an ungrateful bitch? If you don't appreciate it, why don't you leave just like your mom did," He continues his daily angry rant.

I avoid eye contact as I put the apple down and hike my backpack up a little further. "Sorry," I mumble and walk around him and straight out the front door.

I walk down my street, making my way to college. Today is my first day back after the summer break, which consists solely of me working as much as I can to pay for our house.

Since I'm the only one paying bills in our house, I have to work as many shifts as I can. I work in this cute little coffee shop near my college and I usually work after classes but we are running low on money so I'm also stuck locking up after the night shift.

I have about fifteen minutes before I get on campus and then I have to make my way to my English class. Because I am in my second year of college, I don't have to take my math of science courses anymore because I'm majoring in journalism.

I have always wanted to major in journalism ever since I was a little kid. My mom strived to become a journalist until she passed away when I was eleven.

 For the past eight years, I have known that I'm going to take after my mom and fulfill her dream when she can't anymore.

I picked up the pace as I walk towards the English department. I realize that I am about to be late so I rush down the path leading to the classroom.

And just like in all the cliche books, I just happened to run into someone. I hit the floor and in an instant I pick up my books and scurry off to class, muttering a quick sorry as I walk into my classroom that was a few doors down.

I make my way to the back of the classroom and sit in the back, getting my laptop, that I had to buy myself, and my book out. I sink into my seat as the lecture starts to begin.

***

After my English class, I make my way to the bathroom. After doing my business and washing my hands, I can't help but stare at my reflection.

 My wavy amber hair falls a little past my shoulders and my eyes stand out like a sore sight. My left eye being hazel while my right is light blue.

 I've been bullied or having two different colored eyes, but I've never let it bother me. I've been so used to the verbal abuse at home that it never really bothered me at school.

I dry my hands and walk out of the bathroom and make my way to the library, my safe haven. I usually go here in between classes or when the cafe is closed so that I don't have to go home so early. I feel the heater as it blows warm air on me as I open the familiar double doors.

I give a quick half-smile to the librarian and make my way behind the desk and up the stairs leading to the roof. I usually make my way to the roof when it is nice outside and it is just now getting cooler as it is the beginning of September in Pennsylvania right now.

The librarian usually doesn't mind, I've known the meek old woman for a year or two now and she has gotten used to me. I sit down on the edge of the roof, overlooking the campus below and open To Kill A Mockingbird. 

I'm almost done with it for the hundredth time already. It's been a favorite of mine ever since I first picked it up.

It's around noon as my first class started around 9:30 and ended around 11:30. I don't have enough money to buy lunch because I need to go grocery shopping or Dad's going to get mad and that's the last thing that I want. My next class is at 2:00, so I have quite a while before my next class.

I finish my book and I stand up. I leave my stuff up there as nobody else is really allowed to go up. I walk back down the stairs and into the classics section.

 I put my version of To Kill A Mockingbird, which I have added quite a few annotations to back into the hidden sport where it usually is.

I scan the shelves until I see a book that I want to read over again. The classics are my favorites and my eyes land on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. 

The only problem is that it is kind of on the top shelf and my little 5"4 frame stands no match against the tall shelves.

I look around for any type of solution but none come to mind. I look back up at the book and just decide to go for it. I reach up and, of course, I can't reach it.

 I blow out a stressed breath as I jump up and my hand just ever so slightly grazes against the spine of the book.

I sigh and instead try a different approach as I plant my feet on the first shelf. I lift myself onto the bookshelf as I reach, almost able to grab the book but I just fall right back down. 

God Damnit you stupid book. I let out a frustrated sigh and start from the beginning by reaching for the book.

I then hear fast footsteps making their way towards me. A muscular arm, no question belonging to a guy, swiftly reaches up and grabs the book. I turn and look up to see a guy around my age, maybe older, tower above me.

 He has inky black hair and brownish grey eyes that are staring directly at me. He hands me the book silently and I glare at him as I take it out of his hands.

I turn to walk the other way but he shoots his arm out and rests it against the bookshelf right in front of me, stopping me from moving. My jaw clenches. "Aren't you supposed to say thank you," I hear a deep voice ask.

"How long were you standing there," I ask him.

"Long enough to see you jump multiple times to reach this book."

"And you didn't think once that maybe you could've helped earlier? You just watched me struggle and just stood there," I said sharply, raising an eyebrow.

"You never asked," he replied, cocking his head to the side. Of course, I didn't ask, I didn't even see him there! I roll my eyes and hug the book closer to my chest as I duck and walk under his arms, leaving him there speechless.

Word count- 1347

Thanks for reading, I hope that you enjoyed the prologue. Please leave comments and votes. I love all of you guys. I'll try to update again soon.

Sincerely, 

Floopy500