The Wolf Who Cried

1 - Volunteer Program

Harrisa's Garden Week 3 Service: LOVE
I can't wait to move out of this town. I need a fresh start, somewhere that I can be myself. Somewhere like Tezoney, that city is amazing, and it's not too far from my family. I love Harrisa's Garden, but then again, I don't care for everyone here. They're all so worried about The Professor's family that they don't pay attention to themselves. It's not their intention, but it makes it harder for anything to change.

Soft, sonorous singing behind the garden took me out of my daydreaming. I smiled and struggled to stop myself from blushing, recognizing who it was.

The new volunteer.

A few months ago, the Garden incorporated a volunteer program to help the citizens of Iyan get back on their feet after confinement. They tend to the flower patches and clean out pathways, but I always catch this volunteer looking at me. I glanced back, and he was staring right at me with a delightful smile. He continued his soft humming as he scrubbed the cobblestone path. The other few volunteers were smirking at him, but he didn't seem to care.

They call him Wolf, but that can't be his birth name.

Especially because he's from The Villages of Harbiya.

I turned back around and took a deep breath. I hate to admit it, but I'm always eager to listen to him sing every week during the Garden's program. He has a beautiful yet strong voice that I admire. It wouldn't be arrogant to approach him, would it?

Of course not.

None of my friends think he's attractive anyway, so maybe it's just me. They hate his freeform locs, but I think they're unique. Nobody wears their locs like that around Iyan.

Nova nudged me in the arm and I noticed she was grinning at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing... but y'all are cute or whatever."

"Shut up," I whispered, "I don't even know him."

She laughed, and I chuckled with her, trying to cover my mouth with my hand. We definitely have to talk about this after the show.

"Hey," I heard Madison call beside Nova, "You missed the whole big announcement, Lucie."

I sighed and rolled my eyes, "Did I?"

She crossed her arms, "Yeah."

"What was it about?" I asked.

"They're honoring the volunteers at the next show, and since you're so obsessed with them, I thought you'd like that."

I smacked my teeth as we all stood up to leave.

"Well," I replied as we went through the aisle of seats, "I'm glad the Garden is finally honoring our volunteers."

"Yeah," Nova agreed.

"Don't act like we never do anything for them," Madison argued.

"That's true too," Nova agreed.

I scoffed as we walked over to the flower beds behind the stage. Fresh white and purple hibiscus flowers were growing in already surrounded by lush green grass. I closed my eyes, taking in the sweet scent.

"Hey," Nova said, "We should have a sleepover today."

"Ooo," I sang, "That'd be fun!"

We both looked at Madison, knowing her house is the biggest of the three of ours. She's one of the few people in our city that has a house with a basement. I just hate when my family can hear everything we talk about because we're in the living room and their bedrooms are so close by.