Poppy (SH CalTex)

Survive

Cali and I set up camp after a while... Now we're sitting next to a small campfire, making ourselves a quick dinner.

"I missed this feeling... it really just makes ya feel... grounded," California said. I smile up at the starry sky above us.

"Sure does... hey... I got a question," I say. California nods, not seeming too bothered by anything. It almost makes me feel guilty saying what I was going to say...

"So, that one day we were hanging out and I got sick... um... Cali, I don't know how to ask this...,"

"A daterape pill was snuck in my drink once," California answered without me even having to ask. I stare at him in shocked silence.

"Cali... I-I...,"

"I don't know if anything happened to me... I was at the bar one second, and the next I was waking up on New Yorks couch... he said he was so worried because I fainted in the bathroom, and he had to get an employee to break me out...,"

"D-do you think he... he...,"

"I don't know... the worst part is I never will. That's why I was so worried that day... you getting all sick and Louis dragging you away...," California said. I take his hand, and try to give him the most comforting look I can. He leans on me. Now we're in a comfortable somewhat cuddling position... I try to clear my throat without making it obvious I can barely breath. "Tex... I need to ask... um... are you ok?"

I try to respond...

But the petals won't let me.

I cough, pushing him away and trying to hide the petals flowing out of my mouth. To him, in the darkness of night, it must look like I'm just vomiting blood.

"Texas!" California cries, trying to hold me up as my body sags with the weight of the pain. My muscles feel so weak, I can't even put in the effort to control the flow from my mouth. I'm so lightheaded I feel like this might be the flowers' final blow. After what feels like an eternity, the pain subsides, and I lay in Californias arms.

"C-cali..." I rasp. He poured some water on a towel, and placed it around my neck. I feel a bit better.

"Tex... w-what... what...," California tries to speak, but his voice quivers with fear and disbelief.

"I... I Don't have much time left, cali...," I cry, before forcing a smile. "P-please... don't worry about me... I want to go on this journey with you before I'm gone...," I say. He forces a smile, but tears roll down his face.

"We will... we have to,"

That night, he makes sure I'm extra comfortable in the tent, though we are a bit cramped. He brought one of those inflatable mattresses, which we slept on together in separate sleeping bags. It was still a bit cold, so Cali threw a small blanket over the two of us. I almost expected my mind to go wild with him sleeping next to me, but I was so exhausted I fell asleep right away. The next morning, I woke up with a wheezy breath, but luckily no flower petals coating my pillow.

We begin riding again, California oddly silent.

"Hey Cal... I'm sorry for bringing the mood down-,"

"Oh god, please... don't feel sorry for something you can't help... I'm just... I'm gonna miss you," California said. I take a deep breath, which is getting hard to do. "I just started getting to know you... I mean, I already knew you... but I was so excited to have someone to travel with... New York just doesn't seem to understand me like you do...," California says, his eyes watering. "I-I'm sorry... I shouldn't... I shouldn't talk about this stuff..."

"Cali... trust me... I wish I had more time with you...," I say softly. California takes a deep breath.

"Then let's just... talk... no filter. I want to know you Tex, and if you don't mind getting personal... I want to know all there is to know. I don't want to feel like I never got the chance to...," California said. I nod.

"Ask away," I say.

As our horses carry us through the quiet countryside, we talk deeply about who we are, what we believe in, our hopes, dreams, deepest fears, most painful regrets.... It feels like I fall more deeply in love with him every time he speaks. Oddly though, this is the first time in a while the compression in my lungs eases up while I talk to him. Before we know it, we're perched atop a large mesa, the whole world around us...

"Cali, it's beautiful up here...," I say. California smiled, taking out a small camera. New York gave it to him before we left, telling him to take a picture of the most beautiful thing we see. He points the camera towards me, my head silhouetting the faint sunset. "S-sorry," I say, about to back up out of the cameras view.

"No... please... its better with you in it," California breaths. I tear up, but a smile creeps on my face. My killer is the kindest and most gorgeous man I've ever seen, and even though I feel almost like I can't breath, I feel happier than ever. The photo is taken with a click that echoes slightly around us. That's when I begin to feel faint. California panics, dropping the camera gently on the ground and rushing to my side.

"Texas...?" California whispers. I stumble to the ground, California kneeling down and holding me in his arms.

"I..... I'm not...," I say, before flower petals escape my lips. California is awash with realization.

"Oh Tex... n-no...please...," He cries softly. "Th-this can't be... Texas, who is she?! H-he?!? Tell me! I-it can't be too late!! I promise I can get them to fall in love with you! I-I promise!" California sobs. I try to respond, but petals just pour from my lips, accompanied with blood. "Texas! Please! I can't lose you like this, not now! God, please! Please!" California screamed, clutching onto me tightly.

"C-Cali," I manage to choke out.

"Texas... I... I love you,"California sobs.

I feel blood rush to my head, an odd sensation in my chest. I feel something rise through my air passages, like something was trying to claw its way out of my lungs. Despite the immense pain surging through my body, I'm able to keep my eyes open to see a poppy flower bloom out of my mouth, then fall out. I sit up and cough, the remaining roots falling out of my mouth almost feeling like pulling hair out of my throat. The flower falls to my lap, and I take the first full breath I've taken in weeks. California and I stare at the flower in silence, then lock eyes.

"T-Tex... oh my god... w-why didn't you tell me sooner?" California breathed.

"I-I was scared.... Of my sexuality... of if you would accept me... I didn't want to make you feel guilty if you didn't love me...," I say. California holds me close.... And the tears in my eyes are finally of relief rather than agony. I hold him close as well, as I realize I won't be dying after all.

A few days later, we make it back home. Tennessee, Louisiana, and New York are waiting for us. When we arrive with smiles on our faces, I see Tennessee and Louis light up. They help us off our horses, and I give the subtle nod at Louis and Tennessee to confirm to them that I'm staying alive. And California kisses me on the cheek, to confirm to New York that he's off the market.

*the end*

Lol idk why I wrote this