The sky rested above the earth with a cool dawn glow as the cancer sun began its rise. Today marked the last day of summer. Tomorrow would be the beginning of the senior year—the beginning of the end of Wallflower Blush’s high school career.
It was something she was both looking forward to and dreading. She was used to the high schooler life. A routine that she was comfortable with. She didn't have much of a life outside her school… if she was frank she didn't have one in the school either. At least now she could say she had acquaintances, maybe even actual friends; with those possibilities being the school's famous redhead and the two people who had joined her once lonesome gardening club.
Ditzy Doo and Roseluck were great… but they didn't fix the hole of empty loneliness she had in her soul. Wallflower had always heard friends were supposed to be people you could spend hours with. People who understood you, and had many of the same interests as you. People, you could be yourself and the most comfortable around. Unfortunately, despite her greatest effort- Wallflower Blush felt that with nobody.
It was beginning to feel like no matter what she did, she would always be alone.
The lonesome teenager sighed and attempted to switch her train of thought as she sprayed mist over her beloved plants. Plants understood her, they would always be there for her even if people wouldn't.
The many hours of the morning slipped by as she tended, cared for, and hummed to healthy green plants.
“Wallflower!” Roseluck greeted, “I knew you would be out here!”
A sage green hand lifted to move her thick, rough evergreen hair out of her view. With the curtain of green removed she met eyes with her two garden club members smiling down at her. She lifted the heavy corners of her mouth.
“Hi,” her voice came out meek, “I didn't know you guys were looking for me.”
Her heart picked up but she did her best to ignore it. Social anxiety had always plagued her. Wallflower wouldn't admit it out loud but a small part of her regretted making her presence known to the school. Sure, she wanted a friend or two but thanks to her bitterness and dumb actions of attacking one of the most popular people in school, everyone knew her now.
It scared her. People said hi to her, and gave her the time of day. Wallflower just didn't know how to deal with it. How to deal with people. They were terrifying. She hated not knowing what others were thinking, planning, or saying.
Nobody liked her before, why would they now? Especially now they all knew how carried away she got with manipulative magic.
“Wallflower?” Ditzy’s voice cut in.
Her brown eyes seemed to refocus, “Uh, w-what?” Her voice wobbled as her anxiety continued to rocket.
The girls didn't negatively react, not outwardly at least as far as Wallflower knew.
“We wanted you to join us for brunch,” Roseluck said, still smiling. Was it normal for people to smile at each other for this long? It must be fake. No one enjoyed being around her. They hadn't before. Why would they now?
“Why?” She asked without permitting her mouth. Her hand practically slapped over her mouth, “I-I’m sorry.”
Roseluck stopped her gently, “It's okay. It's because we want to hang out with you.”
Wallflower looked to Ditzy who nodded in agreement.
“Oh,” the botanist blushed with embarrassment, “You're sure?”
Her club members giggled affectionately- at least Wallflower hoped. A bluish-gray hand gripped her hand and pulled her up out of the soil. Dark dirt stains soaked the knees of her baggy jeans.
“Come on! We know the best place!” Ditzy said excitedly, “They even have muffins!”
Roseluck laughed at the girl’s love for muffins. Wallflower quietly followed. This was new. So very new. Nobody in her seventeen years of life had ever invited her to hang out.
She was nervous. Anxious, maybe even horrified of how this would go but a new emotion sat in her stomach as well, excitement.
In front of Wallflower sat a dish of avocado toast with a cup of cutely decorated espresso. Across the table sat her club members talking animatedly to each other. They had things in common with each other. Yet Wallflower didn't find herself relating or even knowing what they were talking about. Her small bit of excitement had long died.
That might be her fault though. It didn't take long for her to zone out and turn their voices into background noise.
She was trying to get into the conversation. She was trying to include herself. It just wouldn't happen. She couldn't figure it out. She tried to add in her comments but never could find the right time. She tried to keep up with what they were saying but she failed. So she gave up. As per usual she sat in a crowded room feeling like everyone was a thousand feet from her. The only change that should be making a difference was people were sitting at the same table as her. Yet the wall that made her invisible was standing tall.
“Wallflower?” Roseluck cut through the glass dome Wallflower was trapped in. Her eyes lifted wearily, “Um, huh?”
“We were talking about plants we could start adding to the garden,” Ditzy explained, not a hint of malice in her voice. None that Wallflower could detect anyway.
“O-oh,” Wallflower gave a quick shake of her head, trying to throw off the mental fog, “Right, um, yeah of course.”
She kept her eyes on her untouched food, only flicking her eyes up at them once, “What, uh, what were you guys thinking?”
Roseluck brightened, “I would love to add some more flowers! I love your forget-me-nots! I think some beautiful roses and daisies would look lovely with them.”
Ditzy nodded, “I'd like to plant some berries. It would make my muffins even better- which I'd be happy to bring in!”
“That, uh, sounds good. Go for it.” Wallflower nodded.
She wasn't looking at them but she could feel their concern. Wallflower shrunk herself further into her seat and grabbed her arm. She was too embarrassed to say anything more.
The awkward silence lasted for a moment before the girls broke it. They excitedly began to organize their planting plans now that the club leader had approved their plants of choice.
A timer broke the botanist out of her trace. The timer's purpose was to announce she had an hour left before work. A part of Wallflower was happy about that.
She liked work. She was employed at a small flower and plant retail store. Of course, Wallflower didn't care for her time at the register but she loved her time caring for and arranging the flora and fauna on the floor. She also found that she loved informing and advising customers about the best way to help their gardens thrive. That was the only time she was acknowledged and listened to.
Wallflower looked up and saw her club members still deep in conversation. She needed to let them know she had to leave soon but she didn't want to interrupt their discussion.
There was a small pause so she opened her mouth but they picked it right back. She lost her chance to formally announce her need to depart.
Wallflower sat for many more minutes, toning them out, waiting for a break so she could interrupt.
Her timer went off a second time. It was the thirty-minute mark. Had she sat there for thirty minutes nervously twiddling her thumbs waiting for an appropriate time to leave?
“Wallflower?” one of the voices at the table asked gently, “Your timer went off.”
Did they think she didn't hear it? Of course, she heard it! She was waiting for them to give her a chance to leave!
She guessed now was the time, “Uh, yeah. I have to get to work soon.”
“Oh okay!” Roseluck acknowledged, “We’ll walk you!”
Oh.
She wasn't expecting that.
She always walked alone. She liked walking alone. She got to focus on the sounds of the wind bristling through leaves and flowers whispering to grass blades. However, that was rather hard in the dank, nasty city she lived in.
“Uh, ok,” she agreed as they all started to stand.
The trio set off into the hot summer sun and began the path down a cracked sidewalk. The two girls who were newer to the garden club had never been to her place of employment. So, when they learned she worked at a gardening retail shop they voiced excitement.
“Oh! That's perfect!” Roseluck giggled with enthusiasm.
Ditzy agreed, “While we're there we can get new seeds!”
Wallflower didn't know how to respond. Of course, they could do that, they didn't need her confirming that fact. So, she stayed silent.
After twenty minutes of listening to their ecstatic conversation, they had tried to include her but she never knew what to say. She was thankful when the three girls reached the quaint green flower shop.
Wallflower was thankful for finally reaching the shop, she already knew she was on plant tending duty. She was ready for some peace.
“Thanks for, uh, you know, walking me,” the botanist said awkwardly as she pulled at her sweater sleeve.
“Of course!” Roseluck opened the bright teal door to the small garden shop, “We’re pop in and grab some planters and seeds for the garden.”
Ditzy nodded in confirmation as they followed the green club leader into the shop.
Dread consumed Wallflower. It made sense the girls would buy the plants they wanted while in a shop that you know… had the supplies and seeds but she just wanted to be alone. She simply nodded at two before making her way towards the back of the store.
She burst through the employee door and a hand bolted to the chest of her thick sweater as her breath picked up suddenly. Her anxiety spiked and she could feel herself hyperventilating but, Wallflower couldn't explain why. Yes, the botanist had severe social anxiety but she hadn't had a panic attack in almost a year, so why now?
“Wallflower, dear, take a deep breath,” a calming airy voice of an older woman instructed.
“T-t-trying.”
A gentle hand rubbed her back, “That’s good, just keep trying.”
With the calming hand on her back and the gentle reassuring instructions, Wallflower was able to return to normal breathing rates, “I-I’m sorry Mrs.Shy.”
The woman patted her back lightly, “It’s okay, dear. My daughter also has the occasional panic attack. Are you alright?”
The green-haired girl looked at the shorter pudgier woman with fuchsia pink hair curled into tight rolls and dandelion yellow skin, “I’m okay now.”
The store owner, Posey Shy, nodded at her youngest employee with a warm smile that only a kind, understanding mother could give, “Please, take time to recover.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Shy,” The teenager said. The woman smiled again before leaving the back room, giving the girl time alone to compose herself.
She hated having panic attacks. They always happened at the worst time- when people caught her, saw her, and for the most part, ignored or made fun of her. Wallflower supposed she had been around people more than she had in the past odd number of months. She acknowledged the extra social interactions were the most probable cause of her attack.
The gardener reached for her pocket. Melancholy flooded her chest. The smooth round rock that she missed still had not miraculously reclaimed home on her person. She ran a hand through her thick, wild hair as she drew in a deep breath.
Wallflower soon placed herself into work. Nothing made her feel better than when she took care of plants. She opened the door to the greenhouse and a smile blossomed on her lips as the refreshing smell of greenery filled her nostrils.
A hum of her favorite song emitted quietly from the botanologer. Immediately her mood shot to the sky. The night before had a full moon and her glorious moonflowers were finally in bloom! They were a nocturnal planet from South Africa. They were a rare and expensive grab for cultivation Mrs.Shy managed to catch. Wallflower had never been so excited to watch something grow. The only unfortunate part was she now had to share them. Shoppers would give the store a pretty penny for the rare and beautiful flowers.
Wallflower began the process of uprooting one of the bushes out of the three they had. She might have purposely chosen the bush with the least amount of flowers. She then placed the bush into a wagon before picking up the handles and wheeling into the store. The girl kept as quiet and unnoticed as she could as she pushed the new flowers into the empty section that was waiting for them.
She then started the process of organizing and arranging the plants for showing. Wallflower suddenly felt a presence behind her and her heart picked up. She chose to ignore whoever was now watching her. Such a task proved to be difficult as the feeling of eyes on her back grew with every second. Wallflower turned reluctantly, “Um, can I help you?”
A taller, slightly chubby woman stood above her. She had red hair with purple streaks and pale yellow skin. Her hair was long yet her bangs were held up with a beaded tie and her head was shaved on the sides. She was wearing a dark gray thick wooly turtleneck sweater with two pink buttons and a long pink skirt that reached her ankles. Her shoes were dark gray loafers and her purple eyes were behind thin-rimmed round glasses.
Admittedly, she was pretty.
“Oh, yes, I suppose you work here?” The woman asked as she messed with the frames in front of her eyes.
Wallflower stood in an attempt to not crane her neck looking up at the woman but it did not help as her shorter height combated the other female's taller height.
“Yeah, I do. What do you need help with?” Wallflower said, though her tone made it apparent that she was lacking in customer service etiquette.
“Will the moonflowers be available soon?” The woman pointed to the bright white flowers.
“Yes, in just a moment,” Wallflower answered as she turned to the flowers. Her heart sank a little bit, the flowers were already being hunted after.
“Wonderful,” the tall woman said as she pulled out a notebook and began making marks in it, “I can confirm my research is being conducted correctly," she said to herself.
“Research?” Wallflower found herself asking before she could stop herself. She had to admit she was curious. It was not usual for customers looking for plants to be doing some sort of research. The teenager wondered if the young woman was also an aspiring botanist.
“Oh, yes,” the nasal voice cut in, “I am currently in the process of analyzing nocturnal plants. I had noticed my studies hadn't touched much on environmental biology, thus, nightly blooming plants piqued my interest the most- namely the moonflower.”
Wallflower blinked as she kept up with the researcher's rant.
“I am aware that they mostly grow in south and north Africa, thus making them rare, here in the states. That was when an ad for the delicacy flower at your shop appeared on the street. Through my research, I was able to time the bloomings. I am elated to know I have been correct in my measurements thus far.” The red-haired girl finally finished with a snap of closing her notebook and sliding her glasses further up the bridge of her nose.
“Uh, right,” Wallflower moved to the side to allow the intellectual to gather what she needed, “Well, um, good luck with your research and stuff.”
“Thank you,” She replied while beginning to inspect the flowers. Her eyes lingered on the wild girl-haired girl as she stalked off toward the back of the store. She couldn't help but find the worker… compelling.
Wallflower returned to the greenhouse. Her interaction with the other girl had been weird. It seemed the researcher was excited to explain and rant about the kind of studying she was doing. It made the shy girl wonder if she had anyone in her life to regularly talk to as Wallflower herself found at times she couldn't stop talking. Even if someone would ask her a simple question or make a simple statement, like, ‘Hi!’, How are you?’, ‘What can I get you today?’, then Wallflower would talk and talk and talk about deeper things than the person had intended. Then she would have to pull out the memory stone and fix her mistake. Only, she couldn't do that anymore.
She let out a sigh as she watered the greenery.
“Wallflower?” Mrs.Shy asked as walked in with a bright smile, “Was that girl a friend of yours?”
“Oh, no, Mrs.Shy. She was just a customer with a question,” Wallflower explained.
The older woman tapped a finger to her chin, “Oh, I’m surprised, you two seemed like good friends.”
“Heh,” the planter awkwardly laughed, “yeah, I, um, don't have one of those.”
Mrs.Shy hugged her, “That’s alright, dear, you’ll always have me to talk to. Besides, trust me, you’ll eventually find the person you click with.”
Wallflower gave a smile small, “Thanks,” she answered. She seriously doubted the woman on that topic though. She had spent her whole life alone. It was more likely that would never change.
The weekend passed by in a quick blur. The only thing that dragged her out of the house was her shifts. Roseluck and Ditzy texted her with invitations but Wallflower had a talent for finding excuses to keep to herself.
The only break in her self-isolation was the nerdy researcher girl. She only came into the flower shop one other time- to purchase the Burpee Four O’clock’s. Wallflower didn’t admit it out loud but she was impressed. The girl did her homework.
That fact made Wallflower feel… fuzzy and weird. Something she had never experienced. There was something about the other girl caring enough to learn and put effort into the plants she was studying. It made Wallflower feel... not so alone like the researcher could understand her passions.
Plus her long straight red hair with tangled strands was pretty.
Wallflower stood at the side of the Canterlot High building as she waited for the front doors to clear of students. Now that people knew who she was, they gave her greetings, and people giving her greetings gave her more chances to embarrass herself. It was only the first day of school, there was no need to mess up so early.
Finally, her chance presented itself and she made haste from behind the corner and to the foggy glass doors. That’s what she thought at least.
Wallflower let out a yelp as she crashed into another body. She sat up from her fallen place on the ground and shook her head. As she opened her eyes she saw many textbooks and pages strewn about in the courtyard and then the student she knocked down.
That student was the girl doing all the flower research.
“S-sorry! I-I didn’t see you!” Wallflower expressed as she stood up. She then reached down and started to collect the large books and many papers. From her awkward reach to the ground, Wallflower lost her balance and fell forward, sending the many papers flying again.
Her eyesight was shrouded in darkness and her face was covered in a soft wholly surface. When she brought her face up she saw she had been smooshed into the stomach of the other girl, who hadn’t had the chance to stand up yet. One of her hands had landed in the grass, the other hand, in true Wallflower Blush unluckiness fashion, had landed on a large soft mound. A large soft mound happened to the researcher's breast.
Wallflower gripped on instinct before flinging her hand far away. She scrambled back and up on her feet. Heat consumed her cheeks, she worried she was close to combusting.
“I-I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to do that!” Wallflower yelled, causing a few wondering students to look their way.
The girl on the ground gathered her belongings before returning to her bipedal nature. As adjusted her glasses, “Well, that was an interesting experience for a first day at a new school.”
Wallflower withered, “F-first day at a n-new school?”
The researcher nodded, “It is. Usually changing schools senior year is not recommended but unfortunately, there was little choice.”
“I’m sorry,” her voice cracked as she fiddled with the end of her sweater, her brown eyes filling with tears.
“No need to apologize. I am aware it was a mistake, so there’s no animosity,” The senior then held her hand out, “I suppose I should do as my therapist advises and introduce myself. I am Moondancer.”
Wallflower stared with wide uncertain eyes at the hand being offered to her. The hand took itself away, “My apologies, have I read the situation wrong?”
“Uh, n-no,” Wallflower gulped, “I’m just not used to people introducing themselves to me. I’m, uh, Wallflower. Wallflower Blush.”
“Nice to meet you,” Moondancer smiled.
The bell of the school rang, telling students the school day was officially about to be in session.
Moondancer took a step forward, “I suppose I should move along, I still need my schedule. I hope to see you around Miss Wallflower Blush.”
Wallflower stood dumbfounded and her heart skipped a beat as she watched the girl smile at her before walking to the school, “Uh, yeah, you too.”
Author's Note
A quick short story that has been living in my head for months of a ship I've seen very little of but I love.
Check out Part 2! It'll be out soon!
As always kind and critique comments are welcome :)
Wallflower shook as she opened her locker. The experience she just had left her mortified and her hand itched for that memory stone. She needed it now almost more than ever, out of all the messed up things she had ever done that had been the worst. She accidentally groped someone!
And it was the poor girl's first day at this school! Way to royally fuck up a first impression. Wallflower had yet to make a good one in the first place.
The final bell for first-period classes rang, yet Wallflower didn't care to be late, instead, her heart was beating out of her chest from the pure embarrassment she had put herself through.
A tear fell down her cheek and she roughly swiped it away. Stupid. She was so damn stupid.
Despite her place needing to be in class she walked right past the door and continued her way to the school's backdoors. From there, Wallflower ran down the steps and into the forest. She dropped to her bottom at the trunk of the largest, fullest tree. She cried. No, more like she sobbed. Wallflower sobbed so hard she was sure she could have watered all the plants with her tears. She had no idea how long she had sat, lying against the tree sobbing before she finally calmed down to sniffles and dry eyes. The planter used her sleeve to wipe away the liquid dripping from her nose when she suddenly heard footsteps.
As they got closer she tried to merge herself into the tree as much as possible. Unfortunately, it didn't work as Roseluck came into view and immediately spotted her.
“Wallflower! Here you are!” Roseluck greeted with a relieved smile. Her smile immediately dropped as she took the view of the swollen-eyed girl, “Are you okay?”
“R-roseluck,” her voice cracked to a high pitch after speaking since all the crying she had been doing, “what- what's up?”
The girl with a rose in her hair sat across from Wallflower in the dirt, “Principal Celestia was worried when the teacher reported you didn't show up to class. Someone in your first period said they saw you here this morning.”
Snitch.
“I’m, uh, fine. I just needed some time alone- I didn't have a good morning,” Wallflower explained, keeping her eyes on the dirt and grass.
“Oh, okay… do you wanna talk about it?” Roseluck tried as she leaned closer. The green girl was hard to hear.
Wallflower shook her head, “No.”
“Ok,” Roseluck accepted. They sat in silence for a moment before the rose-red-haired girl brought in a deep breath, “I see why you prefer it out here. The air smells so nice.”
Wallflower brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, “yeah…”
Roseluck watched the detached girl scrap a fingernail against the material of her gray and white loafer.
“Wallflower,” she said gently to get the girl's attention.
“Hmhpm.”
Wallflower still didn't look at her. She couldn't. If she engaged with anyone ever again it would be too soon. She would just do something to humiliate herself again, and then Roseluck and Ditzy would leave her too.
“I want you to know that even though we haven't known each other that long, Ditzy and I are always there for you if you want to talk. Even if it's about something mundane. We want to be your friend. I hope that one day you will trust us to be there for you.” Roseluck said.
The botanist almost couldn't believe her ears. Roseluck was trying to reassure her. Her heart fluttered, no one had ever tried to get her to be confined in them. Usually, no one cared to put in the effort or they just walked right past her. She was grateful. She wanted to fall for it but her thick wall of thorny vines prevented it.
Wallflower bit her lip as her eyes became glossy and stung. The last thing she needed was to cry and show off how ugly a crier she was.
“Thank you. I… I'm trying to, it's just hard,” The girl explained, her voice just barely above a whisper.
Roseluck smiled, “I understand,” she raised herself and shuffled on her knees to the cradled girl. She reached her arms around her figure, Wallflower tensed at the first contact. It took a moment or two, but eventually, the girl relaxed and accepted the hug.
The two separated and Wallflower played with her sleeve sheepishly. That had been the first hug she had received in a long time. Maybe the first time. She, now, understood the hype. It was so comforting and warm.
Roseluck stood up, “Right, well, I'm going to let Principal Celestia know you just need some time to collect yourself. Will you be in the next class?”
The messy green-haired girl nodded, “Yeah, um, I will be.”
Her club member smiled, “Okay, I'll see you later, yeah?”
Wallflower felt a small smile grow on her lips and she nodded. With that, Roseluck walked back to the school. Wallflower wrapped around herself again and watched the forget-me-nots flow in the soft wind. They were her favorite flower. She connected to them the most out of any flower out there.
They were often forgotten but there were the occasional watchers who would stop and admire them.
Wallflower Blush walked with soft steps down the hall. The bell for lunch had rung. She kept to the sides and corners of the halls to not get in anyone's way. It had been working and as the halls cleared to nearly empty Wallflower felt comfortable enough to depart from the corner. As the fluorescent lights shined on her, another body walked out of a classroom. A science classroom she believed.
Moondancer. It was the Moondancer girl who had walked out. Wallflower froze. She slowly took a step back. Maybe if she barely moved she could escape with no notice.
Her plan was immediately crushed as Moondancer turned her head and locked eyes with her. Her eyes were pretty. They were a purple that reminded Wallflower of morning glories.
“Hello Miss Wallflower Blush, has your school day treated you well so far?” Moondancer asked. There was no hint of malice in her voice.
“Um,” Wallflower swallowed nothing, “f-fine.”
She stood silently as she fiddled nervously with her sleeve. Her eyes never looked at Moondancer. Instead, they stayed on the wall, lockers, and tile.
She heard the other girl sigh lightly and when Wallflower looked up Moondancer had a rejected look on her face. The planter felt the impulse to remove the sadness from the new student. The melancholy didn't look right on her.
“Um, uh, how has your day been? Especially with it being your first day and all,” Wallflower muttered nervously.
Moondancer brightened, “It's been quite pleasant so far.”
“Really?” Wallflower asked with disbelief, “Even after I…, uh, you know.”
She heard a giggle emit from the red-haired girl, “Yes, I'd say that was the most pleasant, it was rather amusing.”
Wallflower blushed, “O-oh.”
Moondancer lost her smile, “I'm sorry, did I say something to upset you? I hope you can forgive me. This much social interaction is rather new for me, especially compared to my former school years.”
Wallflower shook her head, “N-no it's okay. I just get embarrassed easily.”
The gardener surprised herself with the easy admission. She didn't think she had ever told that to anyone. Somehow, this Moondancer girl was just so easy to talk to.
Moondancer nodded in acknowledgment before she opened her mouth again, “Say, are you doing anything for lunch?”
The lunch bell rang at that moment. The sheepish girl kicked at the ground, “Just sitting with a couple of my friends.”
There was silence for a moment. Then an idea hit her, “D-do you wanna sit with us?”
Wallflower kept her eyes on the ground as her cheeks burned. It was hard to look at the girl, her eyes were just too captivating.
“Really?” Moondancer asked excitedly with a beaming smile. She then seemed to notice her over-excitement as she cleared her throat and spoke in a lower tone, “I mean, I would be delighted to.”
Wallflower smiled and took a quick look at the pretty purple eyes behind a pair of lenses. She quickly looked away before she got caught in the captivating spell. She gave a motion to the other girl to follow her as Wallflower began the small walk to the cafeteria.
Luckily, Moondancer fit right into the trio. When she had first introduced the other girl, Roseluck and Ditzy almost looked impressed.
The studious girl started on the quiet side but when the two girls across the table asked about her research Moondancer seemed to have the inability to not stop talking. In the middle of her tirade on the star constellation shifts a slender figure stopped at the end of their table.
“Hi, Moondancer!” Twilight Sparkle greeted. Her eyes shifted to the rest of the table with a relieved smile, “Is it safe to assume you've had a good day so far?”
Moondancer adjusted her glasses, “Yes, it is, thank you.”
Another figure appeared next to Twilight. One with fiery hair and a leather jacket.
Wallflower kept her eyes on her meek lunch. She had a residue of guilt and shame when it came to the former bully. Especially as she watched her arm slither around Twilight Sparkle’s waist.
“Hi Wallflower,” Sunset Shimmer greeted her with a friendly smile.
Wallflower gave a weak smile and waved, “Hi.”
“How's your all’s club and garden going?” Sunset asked the table.
Ditzy smiled with a cheer, “It's going great! We are planning to plant some berries for muffins and other pastries!”
Roseluck nodded, “Yeah, and we wanna try some flower arranging. It'll be super exciting when they start to sprout.”
“Garden? Club?” Moondancer questioned, mostly looking at Wallflower.
“We have a gardening club. It's just us three, but that's honestly enough for me,” Wallflower answered.
“Oh,” Moondancer responded and by the look on her face, she wanted to say something more.
“I mean, you can join… if you want,” the club leader said.
The newcomer beamed, “I'd be happy to! Maybe we can plant the moonflowers and other samples I collected.”
Wallflower smiled, “Yeah, I think that would be nice.”
She felt her cheeks heat up. Moondancer was just so pretty when she smiled like that.
“Cool! I'm glad you guys are doing great!” Sunset's raspy voice cut in. Her partner voiced her agreement, “We’ll leave you guys to it.”
Lunch carried on peacefully. It had been the most peaceful Wallflower has felt around people in… maybe ever. She smiled to herself and when she turned her new friend was smiling at her and Wallflower felt her heart dance.
Moondancer. It had been a week and a half since they met and for some crazy insufferable reason, Wallflower Blush couldn't get her mind to stop thinking about her. The way she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty when she dug up the earth to embed seeds of nature. Her pretty red hair that riverbed down her back. The excitement in her eyes when she got to report on her research when she made progress, and when she talked about her passions.
It never failed to put a smile on Wallflower's face, make her heart jump excitedly, or make her stomach feel light and fluttery.
There was also the way Moondancer was just so easy to talk to. She admitted things to her that she would have never done with anyone else. And the best part? Moondancer got it! She agreed with her, reassured her, and hugged her. Usually, Wallflower hated being touched but Moondancer was delicate and comforting. It was nothing Wallflower had ever experienced before.
It had started to scare her.
Was she becoming too obsessed? All because some girl decided to give her the time of day?
But she didn't feel this way about Roseluck and Ditzy. So what made Moondancer different? Maybe it was that she wanted to be Wallflower's friend because of pure interest and not obligation.
Wallflower emitted a sigh as she pulled weeds from the school garden’s forget-me-not flowers. She was going to have to distance herself. She didn't want to become some desperate loner begging for attention from the one person who appeared happy to give it to her. It was dumb.
Wallflower was dumb for getting obsessed.
She heard the school's first-morning bell ring. The botanist stood up with an annoyed huff before grabbing her backpack. As she stalked through the halls the red and purple-haired hair was walking by. She waved cheerily and gave her sweet smile.
Wallflower didn't look her way- not when that smile would immediately make her retract her plan. Instead, she offered a static wave before hastily shoving her way through the hall.
At lunch, she claimed that extra work in the garden needed to be done, and before anyone could protest she ran off.
It was going to be better like this. The next three days and into the weekend she continued this routine. Escaping and avoiding any interaction with Moondancer. She hadn't looked at her once. It was starting to hurt, yet Wallflower swallowed it down. After all, this wasn’t her first time ignoring the world and keeping everything to herself.
When the next Monday rolled around Roseluck and Ditzy Doo had been waiting for her in the garden. Despite all their efforts in the reassuring friendship formula, Wallflower refused to open. She was a hard bud to blossom.
She followed the rest of the week avoiding everyone. Every hall that she knew the other girls didn't take, she would. It didn't matter if it was out of the way and made her late.
Unfortunately for her, completely separating herself from everyone was not working. If anything it made her feelings stronger. Instead of the admiration for Moondancer dwindling, Wallflower now couldn't stop her desire to see her.
She missed her glasses, her half-messy red hair, and the funny super smart way that she talked. As the week passed by the want turned into a need. A need that was growing too strong to fight.
So, when Wallflower finally used the correct hallway and Moondancer crossed her path, she willed her eyes to look up. Guilt consumed her and her facial muscles constructed into a deepened frown as her brows pinched together.
Moondancer looked anguished. Her hair was even messier, with tangles and knots. Her glasses were suddenly thick-rimmed and had a bandage on the bridge. Her sweater had a dark stain on it and was wrinkled.
This time Moondancer didn't look her way. She probably hadn't even noticed Wallflower walking by. Her vibrant excited eyes were now vacant and dull. They only looked straight ahead, almost as if in a trance.
Wallflower bit her lip as her heart picked up and guilt settled in. Was… that her fault?
If it was, did she fix it? Or just let things be? They would eventually get over it. They only interacted with each other for almost two weeks! So it wasn't that big a deal right?
If it wasn't that big a deal then why did Wallflower feel like her heart was being ripped out and stomped on? She didn't deserve to feel like this. She was the one who made Moondancer sad.
She entered her class and sat in her seat. Wallflower felt devoid of anything in that moment but that was what she deserved.
It was after school and it was the club meeting time. Yet, the Wallflower hid behind a tree a dozen steps away. Roseluck and Ditzy were caring for the plants. Moondancer wasn't there.
“Do you think she'll show?” Ditzy’s voice asked.
“Which one?” Roseluck asked back.
“Either.”
“I'm not sure, Muffin.”
Wallflower heard a sad sigh.
“I’m really worried about them,” Ditzy stated.
After a moment's pause, Roseluck’s voice responded somberly, “Me too. They both look tired. Neither of them will talk either. Heck, they won't even hang out with us anymore.”
“Do you think they got in a fight?”
“It might go a bit deeper than that, Muffin.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” Roseluck started, Wallflower could hear her brushing off her clothes, “I think somebody has a crush on the other, I can just tell from the way they looked and talked to each other. From there I don't know what happened. Maybe one confessed and the other rejected… or more likely one got scared they had the crush and decided to create distance. Whoever did it made the other sad from the sudden loss of friendship. That's just a theory though. A garden club theory.”
“I hope they can work it out soon. I miss our little group,” Ditzy said.
“Me too.”
Wallflower checked herself out of the conversation. Her heart was thumping again. So hard, she was sure if looked down she could see it.
A crush? There was no way. Don't you have to know somebody to get one of those?
She barely knew Moondancer! She only knew that girl loved research and academia. She knew she loved astronomy and star charting. She loved learning everything she could about anything. She knew Moondancer was a little lonely like her. She had been to a prestigious school before being homeschooled for most of high school. Wallflower only knew this from their club conversations. When they got to talking and easily opened up to each other, the way Wallflower had never been able to with another person.
Ok, maybe she knew more than she thought but still! Wallflower didn't think it was enough to gain a crush. Sure, Moondancer was gorgeous and down to earth. She liked that the other girl didn't care about what others thought, about her looks, or her personality.
She was unlike the self-sabotaging girl in that regard. Wallflower was always worried about what others thought. It was refreshing to get an insight into Moondancer’s indifferent thoughts of being judged and it made Wallflower want to not care either.
She liked that her red hair turned to magenta in the direct sunlight and that her tongue would slightly stick out when she was reading or concentrating.
Just thinking about Moondancer made her head spin, her stomach lighter and her cheeks warmer.
Wallflower slammed her eyes shut. Holy crap she had a crush!
She slid to the bottom of the tree trunk as she heard the other two members of the club leave. What was she supposed to do now?
Wallflower still hadn't gone home. It was nightfall by now, yet she hadn't left the school's garden. Not that her parents seemed to care.
She didn't want to leave, she wasn't ready yet. No matter how late. All she wanted was to sit with her plants and bask in their scent and presence. It was the only thing that kept her calm. She was afraid if she walked home she would break down when her realization came rushing back into her mind.
So, that's what she did. Wallflower stayed with her plants, silently hoping she'd become one with them.
She stared at the buds of the moonflowers Moondancer had planted. Luckily, Miss Shy let them take a bush to put in the garden. They were going to have to wait for the seeds to ship in. The buds were large, and their blossom tonight was going to be breathtaking with the size they had grown. That meant Moondancer and her had been successful in keeping them in optimal health. All Wallflower had to do was wait for the moon to catch them.
“Wallflower Blush?”
The voice caught her by surprise and made her jump. She whipped around and there, in the early moonlight, stood Moondancer. Her hair had been combed and her bangs weren't being held up in the usual beaded tie. Her sweater no longer had its stain. Yet, her eyes still had bags under them.
“I was advised you would be out here. Roseluck and Ditzy Doo contacted me, they stated they are worried for us,” Moondancer explained.
Moondancer was beautiful in the sunlight, Wallflower knew that. But, she was ethereal in the moonlight. It looked like it belonged to her like she was some sort of moon nymph.
Wallflower stood up, still having to look up at the taller girl, “Yeah, I know they're worried.”
Moondancer shuffled, “I must admit I'm worried as well.”
“Why?” Wallflower asked before she could stop herself.
“Well, I enjoy your presence and you unexpectedly stopped wanting to hang out.”
She… what?
Wallflower giggled until it turned into full-on laughter. She doubled over, holding her stomach, “What?!” she asked through her laugh, “T-there is no way!”
Her laughter continued. There was no way Moondancer was being serious. There was no way she even remotely felt the same way. The other girl had to have been playing her. Wallflower was sure she would join the hysterics at the obvious joke.
Only she never heard any laughter join her own. Instead, she heard sniffles.
Wallflower’s laughter immediately stopped. Her eyes carried upwards and her face dropped as she saw a river of tears flowing from Moondancer’s eyes.
“Moondancer,” Wallflower said, baffled.
“I-I'm sorry,” she said as hatched from her crying.
“No! I'm sorry! I thought you were joking!” Wallflower exclaimed in a hurried explanation.
Moondancer shook her head, “N-no,” she said, her voice caught in her throat, “I mean what I say.”
“Oh,” was all Wallflower could think of saying. Moondancer liked her as a friend. She couldn’t deny that anymore but anything more-
“I like you Wallflower, as a f-friend,” the researcher blushed.
There was disappointment, she expected it but it still stung. Wallflower felt her heart be stomped on like a dead rose.
“Oh, yeah, you too,” Wallflower replied as she looked down at her fingers pulling on a stray string on the sleeve of her striped sweater.
Their eyes met. Wallflower felt her heart try to jump out. She had never felt like this. She had only heard of it in movies, books, and songs. Now that it was reality she could barely contain herself.
“Moondancer.”
“Wallflower Blush.”
They spoke at the same time. They paused.
“Go ahead.”
They both said. Another moment of pause. The two girls then broke into giggles.
Moondancer caught her breath, “Wallflower I must be honest with you.”
“Wait,” Wallflower stopped her, “After how I’ve treated you these past two weeks I think I’m the one that needs to be honest.”
The taller young woman nodded and gestured for the green-haired girl to continue.
“I… I didn't realize what was going on. All I knew was that I liked hanging out with you. I enjoyed lunch and club time with you. I’ve been impressed by your knowledge since you showed how much you knew about the flowers in the shop. I know, now, that I… I-I have a crush on you.” Wallflower admitted. Her heart was beating fast. So, fast she thought her body would begin to take flight. When her eyes settled again on the researcher her face completely heated up.
Moondancer had red cheeks and a big toothy grin.
“Uh,” Wallflower started but soon turned to giggles, “You’re pretty.”
Arms from the taller figure wrapped around her in a tight hug, “You are as well.”
Wallflower swears she was lifted to the happiest dimension that could ever exist. She wondered for a moment if she was awake or even in real life.
Moondancer pulled away, “Sorry, I got a bit overly excited.”
Her hand rested on Wallflower’s arms. They tingled. It felt like they were drinking the touch desperately. She felt jittery from the touch.
“I have feelings for you as well,” Moondancer confessed, breathlessly, “I must apologize. I misunderstood, I had thought I had done something wrong and caused you to dislike me. As you know I can be very recluse. I should have talked to you instead of getting trapped in my head.”
Wallflower shook her head, “No, I should have talked to you instead of ignoring you. I just… it’s hard for me to trust myself… and others.”
“That’s okay. We can learn together If you’d like?” Moondancer offered.
Wallflower nodded, “Yeah, uh, I’m willing to try.”
“Me, as well,” Moondancer confirmed.
The gap between them closed as they embraced. Wallflower clung onto Moondancer's back, tightly. The closeness of their bodies felt incredible. Wallflower felt a part of herself sew together. For the first time in her life, she felt content and… happy.
They slightly pulled away, only to look into each other's eyes. The moonlight gleamed and made them glow.
Wallflower’s eyes flicked down to Moondancer's lips. She watched Moondancer’s eyes do the same.
“Wallflower?”
“Yes?”
“Forgive me if this is too soon, but, may I kiss you?”
Her cheeks were hot. So hot, they rivaled the sun. Was she really about to have her first kiss?
“Uh- uh, yes,” She accepted.
The gap closed.
Wallflower felt light. So light she felt she could levitate and fly.
When they pulled away, a few tears slipped from her eyes.
Moondancer grew a concerned look, “Are you alright? Did I-”
“I’m okay. Trust me, I’m very okay,” Wallflower reassured, and for once, she meant it.
When the girls found distance, their hands became linked, and they noticed the moonflowers had bloomed in large bright pure powers of nature and beauty.
“They're beautiful,” Moondancer whispered in awe.
“They are,” Wallflower smiled as she placed her head on the taller girl's shoulder.
Romance was going to be new for her, scary too. But Wallflower, this time, was ready to accept a change. Maybe she would be okay this time or maybe even bloom out of the bud she felt trapped in, like a moonflower.
Author's Note
Part 2 of the cuties being cute!
I loved writing this little story and I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for the read!
Feel free to leave your (kind, pls I smol, and sensitive) thoughts down below! 
