Don't Judge A Flower By Its Color

Chapter Nineteen 🌼

I sat on the familiar mattress with my back against the wooden headboard, admiring the green walled room. It was nice wake up to this safe haven. It felt like my life could be reset anew.

In the farthest left corner slept Darien. He looked so peaceful and content. The band aids on his face covering the scratches from his fight.

I slowly begun to push the warm cocoon of blankets away and stepped onto the floor. The cool touch of the morning sent a shiver down my spine, causing me to wrap an arm around myself. It was obvious he forgot to close the screen door.

That little inconvince could be dealt with later. Darien needed to be awaken first. My words couldn't stay hidden any longer.

He didn't flinch at the touch of my thumb tracing over his rough cheek.

This wasn't a dream, the little part of my self doubt whispered while I quickly took his head between my hands.

"Let's get married." I mumbled through the emotion, "let's stay together forever."

He released a drowsy noise. It was similar to a snore slash snort stuck in his throat. This caused me to giggle.

"Guess that was a no." I smiled and leaned closer.

He smelled like green tea and vanilla. The mix made my nose twitch. The scent was quite intoxicating.

He must bathe in tea.

I shook my head at the stupid thought. The sense of happiness was definitely messing with me. Why did my chest feel so light?

And why did I want to see if his lips tasted the same?

"Rosalind, don't be an idiot!"

"Rosalind?" A rough voice that held a hint of exhaustion chimed.

He rubbed a hand over his eyes trying to regain focus. When he saw me knelt in front of him with a bed-head and all, his gaze grew softer than the sun's hot rays.

A hello didn't even get the chance to pass off my tongue before two lips captured mine. The kiss sent a spark down from my head to the tips of my toes. Each cell vibrating with curiosity as the blood raced to reveal an honest blush.

He moved back slowly. The stiff movement stating his concern that I might reject him. He didn't want to hurt what we had either.

I interlaced our fingers together and gave his hand a squeeze. The joy expressing on my face in the form of a wide smile. If only he knew how many times my younger self had imagined this scene.

He shared the joy by chuckling happily for a few minutes. He was about to lean in to give me another until somebody cleared their throat loudly.

"So you're finally awake."

"Oceana!" I gasped turning to look at where she stood by the screen door.

She held a quilt and looked to have gotten less sleep than anyone. Her usual tall posture slump, her make up askew on both sides of her face, and clothing ripped. If it weren't for the white hair, she could have passed being somebody else.

She looked in between me and Darien then gestured to our hand holding, "am I disrupting something?"

Quickly, we both pulled apart. My heart racing at top speed. It seemed ready to pounce out of my chest.

"Ummm," Darien fumbled to respond as his whole being begun to turn crimson.

He needed help so I decided to intervene.

"What are you doing here, Oceana?"

She turned from the flustered tomato. Her left eyebrow risen, "do you not remember what happened last night?"

Everything suddenly fell silent with her words.

Oceana straighten out into a protective stance. She dug her fingers into the thin quilt. The pain laying in her redden eyes.

I worked to recall the last chain of events. The only clear memory was the sound of the gun ringing. After that all I remember was falling and falling through endless darkness.

There was't any white gates or bright light to greet me. I waited, hoping the darkness would fade and someone catch me. That didn't happen.

There was no one waiting. Not a single soul. I was alone.

A sturdy arm wrapped around my shaking shoulders and pulled me to a warm chest.

"It's okay, Rosalind." Darien whispered into my hair, "you didn't get hurt."

I blinked, "what do you mean I didn't get hurt?"

"Before the bullet could even make contact your friend made a water barrier appear in front of us."

My jaw dropped slightly. Oceana did that? She choose us over her girlfriend?

It shouldn't have been surprising but her and Dr. Mary were close. They were bound to the hip. If asked what they were Oceana would always answer with they were soul-mates.

She didn't have to choose. I expected her to protect Dr. Mary. This wasn't fair.

Oceana sighed, "why are you making that face?"

"Because..." I swallowed hard, "I'm feeling super happy yet extremely guilty at the same time!"

"Rosie," She said before shaking her head.

It took her less than a second to tackle me into a hug. Her taller figure squishing mine as she knocked Darien out of the way. She smiled softly when he released an ouch.

"I'm your older sister." She reminded the room proudly, "my job is to protect you. Don't feel guilty."

Darien muttered a few curses under his breath. He rubbed his head in hopes to be rid of the pain from his injuries. He spared a glance at me through his frustratation and the blush came rushing back up his neck.