Flower Petals

*o n e*

I walk down the stairs as I get ready to head to my next class which is writing. I have about fifteen minutes before I have to be in class. I'm cutting it a bit close but I know that I'll get to class on time. I walk into the cool air and pull my grey oversized hoodie tighter around me. The only clothes that I really own are jeans, some T-shirts, and hoodies. Most of them being too big for me due to my lacking diet.

I walk into the hall and to my class, keeping my head down low and finding an empty seating section. Staying away from the people who obviously are saving seats or those who sit in the same spot every day. I look down at them and feel the longing for a friend.

I have never been able to have friends. Dad doesn't let me. He thinks that they will find out about the abuse and tell the proper authorities. I doubt anyone would actually pay attention to that though. Most of the time it's just verbal and mental abuse anyways. Only on days like my mom's death anniversary or my birthday does he get physically violent with me.

I get out my notebook, preferring to handwrite my creative writing stories and a black pen. I listen to the teacher and start writing to the prompt on the board. We usually just do this every class after the teacher gives us tips at the beginning.

I finish writing early and start editing and typing it up to turn in. I don't finish before class ends and I have to send it by tonight. I pack up my stuff and walk out of class. It's only 3:30 and I am done with classes for today. Today is Wednesday, September fourth to be more exact. I hike my bag up and walk to the nearest grocery store which is on my way home. I usually would go back to the library until my shifts at the cafe, but if I don't buy food then I'll make Dad even more mad than usual.

I walk into the grocery store and grab one of those small, hand-held baskets. I keep my head down as I walk in and out of isles. I grab the necessities: milk, eggs, butter. Then I go and grab things to cooks with. I get stuff for pasta, as it is the easiest to make and it stores for a long time as leftovers. I start to struggle to hold the small, weighty basket. I grumble and let out a frustrated sigh as I feel stupid about not grabbing a normal basket.

I set the basket down and right as I was going to reach up to grab something on the shelf above me, I feel a wave of fatigue wash over me and I stumble back. I close my eyes and reach out to grab the shelf to balance myself as the stars fade out of my vision. I take a deep breath and reach up again, successfully grabbing what I need. I sigh as I realize that not being able to eat is really taking a toll on my health. Next time, I may not be as lucky and I could pass out in the middle of the grocery store. That would be terrible.

I go to pick up the basket but an arm swoops it up easily. "Hey-," I pause as I see the same guy from earlier. "You again?"

"You again," he repeats, tilting his head in a cocky way.

I roll my eyes. "Give me my basket back," I say while reaching for it.

"I don't think so, darling. You can barely carry it," he says as he holds it up higher.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Don't call me that.."

"What is your name then?"

"That's none of your business," I say before reaching for the basket again.

"How about this, your name for your basket?"

"Fine. My name's Flora," I say, giving in. He just stares at me for a couple of seconds. "Basket," I say expectantly, holding my hand out toward him.

"Nah, I'm having fun. Just let me help you to the checkout," he says and starts walking away with my groceries. I let out a frustrated sigh and go to catch up with him as he stands in line at the cashier. He puts my basket of groceries up on the conveyor belt and I walk in front of him to pay. I grab all of the money that I have and I try to give it to the cashier but once again, a hand interjects and a credit card replaces my cash.

"U-um, what are you doing," I stammer as he pushes the money back into my hand.

"Paying, obviously. It's not that big of a deal."

"I'm not a charity case, you know," I say as I grab my grocery bags and start to walk away.

"Xander. The name's Xander," I hear him call after me as I walk out the doors and start my trek home.

~

I walk into the cafe and see that it's not super busy yet. I see my co-worker, and probably the closest thing I'll ever get to a friend, Allie. Her parents own the place but she's really sweet. I wave as I walk into the back room that's for employees only and change into a black long-sleeve shirt, keeping my jeans on. I grab the apron with my name on it and tie it around my back. I walk out into the front and go behind the counter, joining Allie.

"Hey, can you close up again today? I have a date tonight," she says as the puts on a puppy dog face.

"Yeah, sure," I say. She smiles and throws me the keys.

"Thanks." I give her a nod and start making the next person's drink. I serve it up and call their names. I do the same thing over and over again, just like any other day.

~

It's getting late now, about 11:00 to be exact. The cafe closes at midnight because we have a few late-night, college kids who need coffee. I rest my head on the counter and tap my fingers against it in a rhythmic pattern. I lift my head up once I hear the bell ring and I see Xander walk in.

I sigh and watch as he approaches the counter. I give him a fake smile. "Hi, what can I get you?"

"Coffee, black," he says, not once taking his eyes away from mine. I break the intense eye contact as I turn around to grab his coffee.

"Here you go. That would be $2.15." He hands me a five.

"Keep the change," he says as he sits down at one of the many open tables. "When does your shift end?"

"Half an hour," I answer shortly as I work on typing my assignment from earlier.

"That late? Are you always here 'til midnight?"

"Yeah, usually," I answer. Even though Allie is supposed to, she usually has something to do while I, on the other hand, have no social life.

"Do you get home safely?"

"What is this, Twenty-one questions," I pause typing and turn to look at him. I see that he has been staring the whole time. That shuts him up for a good five minutes before he starts speaking again.

"You never answered."

"I'm still here, aren't I? Of course, I get home safely." If safely means walking home in the dark without a cell phone then yeah, I'm safe. I hear him shuffle out of his seat before I hear the bell ring, signifying that he left. I sigh before doing one last look around the place and changing back into my normal clothes, hanging up my apron. I swing my backpack up to my shoulders and walk out. I turn around and lock the door before making my walk home.

Word count-1340

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

Sincerely,

Floopy500