Dagger

Chapter 15

They were in the middle of the city. In the city's park to be more specific. The group's steps resounded off the cobblestone path as they walked by several shops filled with flower themed merchandise. Sometimes the lines of shops would have a large space between them, where a cobblestone pathway connected to the busy street and served as an entrance to the peaceful massive fields of bright flowers that seemed to stretch on forever. Clusters of smiling people passed them, their arms laden with mountains of flower items. The group shuffled off to the side, out of the way of the foot traffic so they could talk. They huddled together on the side of one of the entrances to the flower garden.

Forest couldn't help but take a long inhale, a soft smile played on his lips as the smell of flowers and baked goods flooded his senses.

"So, you guys can go hang out and do whatever, meet back here when the fireworks start,"
Melody said, her eyes landing on each do them, making sure they understood.

Everyone began to move, Forest watched as the group split up and headed in different directions. As he watched, Melody swung a black backpack off her back and stashed it in the bush behind them. He was taken aback, he didn't know what to do or where to go...

He jumped back as he felt something touch his hand. He looked down and realized a small hand was encased in his. He followed the hand back, and looked up into Melody's face. She smiled when he relaxed as he looked at her.

"You can come with me," She said as she smiled and pulled him into the flower gardens.

He couldn't help but hear the back end of an argument between Jack and Wyatt as they walked down the street of vendors.

"Wyatt, you're coming with Julianne and I." Jack sounded frustrated and stressed.

Wyatt rolled his eyes. "Jack I'm sixteen, I can go to a flower festival by myself."

Jack opened his mouth to rebuttal, but Julianne stopped him. "He does have a point, plus if he gets lost he has his communication bracelet." She gestured to Wyatt's wrist.

Jack turned and looked down at the ground in concentration. He then looked back at Wyatt who made puppy dog eyes in response. Jack waved him away. "Fine, go, before I change my mind."

A large smile spread across Wyatt's face. "Yes!" He did a little enthusiastic jump and he then merged with the crowd.

Jack turned and looked at Julianne. Her eyes were wide with excitement, Jack smiled to himself. She looked up at him in confusion. "What?"

Jack smiled and shook his head. "Nothing."

Julianne smiled then looked down the long path of vendors. "Do you have your wallet on you?"

Jack subconsciously brushed his hand across the pocket of his jeans. "Yeah.....why?" Suspicion and hesitation was laced in the tone of his voice.

Julianne smirked. "You shouldn't have, you're gonna be so broke after today."
She pat his arm sympathetically, even though it was evident she didn't mean it.

Jack exhaled. "Wonderful." He tried to contain a smile, but a smirk managed to break through his attempts and spread across his face.

Julianne put her finger up to the corner of her mouth, in thought, as she scoured the lines of vendors for the one where she wanted to spend Jack's money. Three storefronts down from where they stood, was a shop that sold flower-shaped candies. Julianne smiled and grabbed Jack's hand, pulling him down to the store she spotted. Jack's eyes widened with shock at her abruptness.

Julianne smiled as the lady running the store handed them two red tulip stick candies. Jack on the other hand was a little reluctant to hand over his hard earned money, but he enjoyed his time with her nonetheless.

Jack and Julianne walked down the storefront lined street, arm in arm.

Jack cast a sideways glance at Julienne, who was happily licking her tulip candy. "You happy?"

Julianne looked back up into his eyes. "Of course I am, I missed us hanging out."

Jack nodded. "Me too." He turned and took a bite out of his tulip candy.

Julianne rapidly pointed her finger in the direction of a shop that sold cute flower plushies. "Look Jack! Oh, they're so cute!"

Julianne ran toward the booth. Jack looked down and shook his head and smiled to himself, then he went to go catch up to her. As he approached, the vendor handed Julianne a smiling tulip plush, then she faced Jack expectantly. Jack sighed and handed the vendor money.

Jack looked up at the blue sky as he walked beside Julianne. He was surprised that Julianne hadn't run him dry, in fact he had quite a bit of money left. His wallet suddenly felt heavier in his pocket, as if it wanted to be spent.

They had approached the end of vendors, Jack led Julianne over towards the seating areas that were just in front of all the vendors. As she sat down underneath the umbrella that shaded the table, she smiled at the view of the fountain before her.

Jack spoke over the rush of water from the numerous fountains that were scattered across the area. "I'll be right back."

Julianne nodded, she seemed almost sad to be left alone. Jack turned his back towards her, as he did, she began to talk to herself.

Julianne clutched the tulip plush in her arms. "I am enjoying myself." She smiled as she gazed at the fountain. Her head resting on the soft plush."Calm down, everything is going great. I'm having fun," She lifted her head, slightly annoyed. "Why can't you just be happy for me?" She rolled her eyes. "You worry too much."

She abruptly turned around in her chair, as Jack returned from wherever he went to. He stood next to her, looking so serious that it was almost scary.

"Everything alright?" She asked, concerned.

Jack then smiled. Her face deepened with concern and alarm when he reached up and scratched the back of his neck in such a way that it seemed he was nervous. Julianne looked down at the hand he had held behind his back, her eyes flickered from his face to his hand as he slowly moved his hand to reveal what he hid behind his back. Suddenly Jack held a bouquet of white chrysanthemums out to her. Her anxiety suddenly fled from her and a wide smile spread across her face as she gingerly held the bouquet in her hands.

"I noticed you didn't get any real flowers there." He gestured toward her plush.

She looked up at him, happiness and gratitude filled her eyes. "Jack-" She had no words, so she gently placed the flowers on the table and they fell into an embrace.

Jack's arms encased her, her face resting on his chest. "Thank you, no one's ever bought me flowers."

Julianne pulled away from his chest and out of the embrace. Jack's arms fell to his side. "It was nothing, we are at a Flower Festival after all."

Julianne smiled, then began collecting her things. "You want to head into the gardens now?"

She stood, her arms clutching her things as if someone might cruelly tear them away from her. Jack glanced down at her white fingertips, then nodded in response to her question and began leading her toward the garden entrance.

As they walked, Jack was startled as Julianne rested her head on his shoulder. His alarm was quickly replaced with a complacent smile.