The Language of Flowers

Chapter 1~ Rosemary

I've been walking  through the town since 4 o'clock. I was suppose to be at the beach 30 minutes ago, but it's such a nice day I couldn't help but to enjoy the day. The feeling of the sun on my skin is all but unwanted. I pull my phone from pocket to use it as a mirror. My jet black hair looked perfect with the two puffs I had atop it. My hazel skin glowed as it bathed in the sun. My full lips had a nice shine to them.

I put my phone back in my pocket and let out a smile. "I look pretty good." I walk a little while longer through the small beach town until I came across the popular, Netta's Beach. Waiting for me there at the was my friend Dimitri. He had a look of annoyance which gradually turned into a smile the closer I got. Before I knew it Dimitri had pounced on me.

"Noelle, what took you so long? I've been waiting here for an hour."

Dimitri said in such a tone that conflicted it conflicted with his words. What I would seem like worry to some sounded like shame to me. He quickly fixed his tone of voice. "Are you ready for your gift? Sorry I'm a week late."

A gift? My seventeenth birthday was last week but I thought I told him I don't believe in holidays. Birthday's either. They're just another day to me. Gifts are off of the table as well. Maybe, I can make an exception just this once.

I feigned excitement and told him I would love to receive a gift from him. He smiled solemnly and pulled a box out of hid bag. It was fairly small. He handed it to me with a grin on his face. "Open it now." He said in an almost childlike demeanor.

It was small box. No bigger than my hand. It wasn't wrapped at all. He gestures for me to open it again. His tan skin flashing with each motion he made. I took the lid off of the box and was surprised by what was inside.

"A flower?" I said confusedly.

"Not just any flower. A Michaelmas Daisy. I had no other reason to give it to you other than I thought you'd like it."

"Thank you. I'll take good care of i!"

What does he expect em to do with this flower. Its small, has no stem, and the blue petals look frail. I'm surprised it survived this long being kept in a box this entire time. I shouldn't be too surprised it was a flower. Dimitri has always been fascinated by flowers. It's just very odd he would give one to me as a gift.

"Now lets go sit over by those rocks. I brought a book for us to read." Dimitri said this solemnly as well. He never mentioned reading to me before. I followed him to the rocks and took a seat right next to him. The waves were crashing gently on the shore and the sound of the seagulls squawking was almost calming in a sense. The sky was a golden red as the sun began to set and the many people who attended the beach began to thin out.

He smiled a he pulled out a book from his bag. The cover read ' The Language of Flowers: A guide '. I should've guessed that would be the book he brought. He's been obsessed with that tale since we were kids. He never hesitates to share it with anyone, no matter how childish it makes him look. I guess I don;t mind hearing it one more time.

Dimitri  faced me eyes closed with a smile on his face."Just a few more minutes, ok." Was he waiting on the beach to completely clear, because there will still be a few stragglers no matter how long we wait. As he lay back on the rocks with his eyes closed I can't help but to feel a sense of familiarity in this scene. A scene of Dimitri lying down, unmoving with his eyes closed. I suddenly get a vague vision of a far more violent scene.

I can't make out exact faces but I see myself in a room, covered in blood. Lifeless bodies lay sprawled across the ground. One of a boy, one of young girl. The scene was horrific. In my hands I see nothing but bruises and a very bloody blade. The wind and rain blow through open windows further blurring my vision. I find myself panicking. Before I can give into my fear I feel a hand on my shoulder, pulling my back into reality.

"Are you ok? We can start now."

Still dazed from traumatic daydream I say, "I'm fine.I can't wait to start."

He didn't look very convinced but it looks like he didn't wan to pry farther. At least not right now.

"Ok. If you say so." he says. Lets begin. He opens his book and holds it open with one hand. He puts the other hand around my shoulder. I look out onto the beach and see there are only a few people left. Not enough to bother us while reading though. The lights from the city gives us plenty of reading light as the sun sets.

"Are you listening?" He says while tightening his grip around my shoulder.

"I am. I promise."

He smiles and continues to read. I put my hands in his brown kinky hair and play in it while he reads the lines from the book.

"The language of flowers has long been an understood point throughout history. Many believe it to be the way to truly understand reality and what is in ones heart..."

I listened to him read and began to fall asleep in his arms. I lied my head in his neck and let myself drift off in the honey that is his voice. I think about how I wasn't initially thrilled to come but I'm glad I did. Before I drifted off completely I hear him say  softly "I'm glad you came too."

I wake up a while later kissing Dimitri on the cheek softly. " Awe, thanks babe" a slightly unfamiliar voice purred. I jumped with a start to take a look at the strange man. He had red hair and pale skin. He looked like a goofball and one with a strange sense of humor. I recognize him now. I can tell this just another one of his unfunny jokes. "Duncan, this isn't funny. Where is Dimitri?" I said demandingly.

His smile quickly faltered. "What do you mean. Are you trying to mess with me?"

"Where is he? You're ruining our date."

He looked at me very seriously. "You're spacing out again. Don't you remember?"

Spacing out again. Again? What does he mean? "What do you mean. What don't I remember?"

A tear fell from his left eye, and he looked at me with pain in his eyes.

"Dimitri is dead remember? He was murdered three months ago."

Dimitri is dead? But he was just here. Killed? Its not making any sense. He even gave me a-. The gift! I still have the box! I reach into my bag and pull out the box.

"What's in the box?" Duncan asked sadly.

I ignored him and opened the box. The daisy was gone. Inside was a small sheet of paper.

I pick it up and read it. It had but one word on it.

"Farewell."

The word stirred emotion in me. It helped me to remember an important fact.

I began to chuckle slightly. I felt like such a fool for forgetting something so important. Duncan saw me getting ready to break out into  laughing fit and perked up as well. He even started chuckling. He wiped his tear and asked me "What's so funny" with a grin across his face.

I look him in the face with a smile still plastered on mine and began to speak.

"I killed Dimitri."