Shy Boy

Chapter 18

Joshua held a Terracotta flower pot that had White Gypsophilia. He set it down on the ground of the garden, as it blended to the surroundings of the plants. He stared at how small it looked.

Luckily his mother knew how to plant a flower, and she'd helped him. After he used his time to reflect on his everyday life and what could make him happy, he knew that the memories of her were really beautiful. He wanted to remember her in a way, but in a way that could be shared.

He thought there should be something meaningful to it as he'd taken out a small notepaper from his backpack and a small white thin string, as the flowers were. Quickly he tied the string at the hole of the paper and wrapped the thread around the pot. Once he fastened the grip, he took a step back.

The note said The wind carried me home for the first time. The words of personification that she recited to him.

For some reason, he'd thought about that day a lot more than he should and wanted to convey his feelings toward it. It'd just make sense for him to put it in a place that she loved than just to give it to her directly.

When she would come here and admire the flowers, while taking care of them sometimes, she might spot this kind if she looked close enough.

He scanned the surrounding shelter, remembering the budding plants where they were last time grew. Walking closer towards each of them, he saw the leaves more than a satisfactory state was growing fine. A tender smile curled to his mouth. She was delicate.

He tried to paint a picture of how she looked when she was taking care of them; checking the soils, watering them the right amount, and visiting on every other day. She was unbelievable. There may be flowers in her soul.

He left his admiration and respect for her. It's a way for him to express without having to say the words he couldn't say.

To leave behind a flower that was as rich and graceful as she was.

Joshua had gone through his days doing ordinary, boring things that he always did. It hadn't changed. He worked hard in focusing on what's important to him and getting on top of his grades.

He didn't forget about her as she was someone who once walked in his life like an enchanting beauty. She wasn't gone. No, she was still around.

He was happy whenever she was around. It took him some time to first try to think about what he was going through and how he was going to deal with it. He wasn't an impulsive person to try to make himself doing something he couldn't do.

Some people may be good at stepping up their goals by making themselves reach out, but he wasn't all that. At least he wanted to find the right timing somehow, and when he could, then perhaps he would grab it.

If it was really meant to be, he knew when that moment will be. He followed by that.

He walked up to his locker, putting some necessary books in and switching the books out to his backpack. After he had finished, he shut his locker but found Coral standing in front of him. His eyes were widening.

"Hi," she began.

He looked around his surrounding, making sure if he was the person she was talking to, but it was just him.

"Hi," he said, facing her.

She smiled at him softly. "I found it."

At first, he didn't know what the vague statement meant, and she continued to look at him with her eyes like that. Soon it hit him, and he caught on.

"Y-You mean...?"

Coral nodded. "I found the flowers you left. I thought 'strange, we didn't have that,' but I looked closer and it took me a while to think where it came from."

Joshua blinked subtly. "How did... you know?"

"I don't think I mention that quote to anyone else, so it could only mean one thing."

He gulped, panic rising from his chest. He never thought that she'd pick up that he was the one who wrote it. It was supposed to be an anonymous thing since he didn't leave his name on there.

Finally, he calmed himself. "Yes, it was me."

"That was sweet. Thank you for the flower pot. I didn't know if you left it for me or the garden, but it was appreciated."

Joshua glanced at the side, turning his head away. Just then, he saw Carissa passed by; she caught his gaze and gave him a short smile. He'd acknowledge it with a nod.

The gift idea was one of her advice she told him long ago. She suggested if he couldn't act cool, dress better, or work on his speech, start small by giving someone that they may like. It was like a secret message that they remind you of something and to let them know you're thinking of them.

"Then could I say something?" Maybe this was a moment.

Her brown eyes looked with interest, and he really liked those eyes. She complimented his once, but hers was better.

He breathed. "I'd like to get to know you better." 

--

Hello, you reach the last chapter for Shy Boy. Omg, is it really? I know. I love this story so much too. But what do you guys think? I would love to hear how I did with this ending chapter. I thought it was cute, and I hope you guys think so.

And for my dedicated reader I just dedicated to, thank you so much for your previous comments. It means so much to me as an author so I wanted to repay you as a reader for reading this short story <3

ANNOUNCEMENT

Wait guys, don't go yet! There's going to be an epilogue so please look forward to that. This may be an ending of the chapter, but the book isn't closed without a special delicacy.

Also, if you really like this story, I want to tell you guys that if you are going to miss Joshua and Coral like I am, fear not. I'm going to write another short story that features Coral's friend... which could only mean... they might make a special cameo and you just might see how they're doing in her perspective. Awesome, right? It's going to be such a such a blast. Not only another short story, but just an opportunity to see them cuties doing well. Look out for that story perhaps coming in Spring 2021. You can also follow me or check out my profile whenever I publish a new story. It's going to be titled Headstrong Girl. We're going to zoom over later in the future with what's happening with her. So, yes! I hope you guys do want to check that out.

In the mean time, you can either reread this book again whenever you want if you miss these cuties or you can check out the other stories I have on my profile. They're not short stories, but I promise I do have good stories and interesting stuff going on with them. I would love readers there too.

Please vote and comment as it means the world to me.