u/No_Performance_9387

flower field

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It was a steep hill to climb, stretching into the sky, decorated with soft golds and pinks

The sky was the color of—mmm—strawberry lemonade

-

At the very top, a boy sat alone near the edge

It was a shame that he was up there all alone

And it was just so pretty… a little climb wouldn’t hurt

-

So I walked and walked and walked

I stopped to pluck a star from the sky and walked some more

When I stepped on the summit he turned around

His silhouette blocking the sunlit glow

“You made it.”

-

So we sat together, the boy and I

Right on the edge of the cliff

Sea of blooms below

I handed him the small white glowing star

My favorite part of myself

He smiled and took it and held it like it meant something

-

The wind weaved gently through our hair

Lightly shifting the white bow I would wear

I would smile at something he would say

The world below the mountain being ever far away

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Ah yes, the hike was worth it.

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He reached up and plucked a pink bloom from a bough

Tenderly tucking it into my hair

Pretty like me, he said.

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Pretty

Like me?

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The monarchs flew in and made their appearance, at last

Swirling around me and making me giggle

Before they were whisked away to find other flowers

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He looked at me with those butterscotch eyes of his

He looked, he smiled, and he looked some more

My mind spun with a million thoughts a minute

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The peaceful silence lingered for a long time

Each content in the other’s company

Petals swirling and winding and circling

Then he slowly stood up and strode away from the cliff

I knew it. He’d say I love—

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“I think I’m good now.”

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I stood up too; the pink hazy mist infused in my eyes and ears

I blinked with confusion and laughed lightly

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He simply looked at me with warmth

Face pure and honest

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“You helped me.”

…

“You were a really lovely distraction.”

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He glided closer to me, parting the pretty pastel flowers

He smiled gently and leaned down

“You did a really good job.”

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Something tugged at my face until I couldn’t help it anymore

I started to grin

This place, this moment, he was talking to me, complimenting me…

I thought of how later we could dance over there

On that small little boulder

Until he rested a hand on my shoulder

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No, not yet

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“I found what I was looking for,”

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Please, not yet

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“And I think I got it from here.”

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The delicate pressure was enough to send me backwards off the cliff

The wind rushed through my hair

Heavier this time

The sky flipping upside down around me

The glowing white star was falling too

Flickering

Until we landed gently in the sea of blooms below

Huh.

I didn’t remember the poppies being red.

They were pretty, as if painted by the sunset

-

I smiled faintly, watching the clouds drift above me

That kinda hurt

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The white star glowed feebly in my hand

The field really was nice

Peaceful, warm

I couldn’t complain

There was a taste in my mouth, what was it—beetroot?

A small drop of water fell onto the grass below me

I laid there

And laid

And laid

Until the sky turned orange

The star turned gray

And the entire world faded away

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Ah yes

The fall was worth it.

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