A Solitary Heart: Book One

Chapter One

Chapter One

Life is a little like basket ball. In life we are presented with a hypothetical opportunity to score a basket, but no matter how many times we try - layup, finger roll, tear drop - whatever it may be, we can't get it in. So we give up. It's easier to give up than to fail.

That's what I did.

I gave up.

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Waves crashed and the wind roared like a bloodthirsty lion ready to claim its prey. The sky was engulfed in blackened storm clouds. Amidst the howling wind, he held on for dear life, the boat creaking and crying underneath him. Sweat mixed with rain cascaded down his face as he breathed heavily, unaware that those breaths would be his last.

Suddenly a torrential wave enveloped the sailboat. He lost his grip, calling out, "Mia! Save me!" and was launched into the sea. The water consumed him as he felt his lungs filling with water.

"Amelia! Wake up!" I jolted awake at the sound of my mother's voice, covered in sweat with my heart pounding. I was dreaming of him again. It was so real. My mother shouted from the other side of the room, "It's three in the afternoon. You need to get out of bed."

I brushed my matted blonde hair out of my face and opened my eyes, letting them adjust to the darkness. I had a blanket covering my window to block out all light. I couldn't sleep with light in the room and I tended to stay up until dawn, so that was a problem.

My head pounded and I winced as the door was thrust open, the overhead light flashing on unexpectedly.

"Ugh, mom," I groaned, closing my eyes. "A little warning next time you want to blind me."

My mother, Anika Waverly, stood before me in the doorway with her hand on her slender hip. A mom of forty, she had light brown hair dyed with blonde streaks and hazel eyes. She had always looked ten years younger than she was, but new stress lines and dark circles under her eyes made her look older. With the sudden tragedy of her husband's death six months ago, she was plunged into a depression and was slowly climbing out of it.

Unlike myself, however, who was stuck in a constant state of worthlessness and self-loathing. I was making no effort to help myself.

"You need to get out of the house," my mother declared. "Find a job. You took those floral design classes for a reason, so put them to use."

After graduating from High School last year, I had tried taking a few floral design courses, hoping to get a job in the business. I didn't have a lot of talents but that was something I enjoyed. Then my father's accident happened and everything came crashing down.

I laid down and shoved my head under the pillow, trying desperately to ignore my mother's insistence. "Leave me alone," I said, my voice muffled under the pillow.

"You're nineteen," my mom stated, "I know your father's death is hard; it is on all of us. But it's time to stop feeling sorry for yourself and start living." My mother paused, waiting for a response but to no avail. "I need some help around here. Now, I'm going out with your sister and I expect you to be out of bed and out looking for a job by the time we get back." My sixteen year old sister Chloe was like my mother's best friend. They were two peas in a pod - two peas that liked to go shopping together -- leaving me in the dark. Not that I would want to partake anyway. I'd rather listen to music and read a book than look at clothes.

My mother marched out of the room, slamming the door on her way out. I groaned again, rolling over in the bed. I needed to wash my sheets - the entire room was a mess. Junk food wrappers and crumpled tissues littered the floor. The room hadn't felt natural light in months and dust was everywhere.

I stayed in bed, my thoughts running on a treadmill. Once I heard the front door slam, I sat up, seeing myself in the mirror across the room. My usually lively blue eyes were bloodshot and my hair was in disarray. I should just chop it all off like my sister did, I thought. I would probably look like a boy but it wasn't like I could get a guy anyway. At nineteen years, I was without a boyfriend, my first kiss, or even my first date. I had been really close with my dad and it was like as long as I had him, I didn't need any other boys. I was shy and socially awkward and had the conversational skills of the Annoying Orange. I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror. I constantly beat myself up over it: There must be something wrong with me for no guys to be interested. Whenever I met someone new, I came off as rude and snooty, when really I just had no clue what to say.

I stood up from my bed and stretched. It felt good to exercise my neglected muscles. I wandered throughout the empty house, feeling anxious as well as a strange feeling I couldn't put my finger on.

I hadn't intended to go look for a job like my mom wanted but I figured I might as well go for a walk -- get some air. I made myself a PB & J sandwich, then changed into some dark-wash jeans and a fitting white t-shirt. I put on my purple jacket and slipped on my flats and was out the door.

I popped in my earphones and with The Used blasting in my ears, scuffled down the street. It felt good to breathe in fresh air after cooping myself up in my room for so long.

I wandered aimlessly, mouthing and whispering the lyrics to the songs and not paying attention to where I was going. Before I knew it, I had reached the strip mall about five minutes from my house. I hadn't even meant to come here but alas, I found myself standing in front of a flower shop. If that wasn't enough - there was a giant Now Hiring sign right by the entrance - as if it was left there for me.

I sighed, trudging to the shop entrance. I'll just go in and take a peek, then go out. No way they would hire me anyway. As soon as I stepped in, I knew I wouldn't be able to leave. The store was small, but cute. The floral arrangements around the shop were beautiful. A tall vase of birds of paradise sat in the corner. The showcase was especially gorgeous. There was a bucket of peonies on the floor - my favourite - and an arrangement with tulips in it - my second favourite.

I looked up when a woman came out from around the only corner in the small shop and spoke, "Can I help you?"

Cat caught my tongue, I felt myself beginning to perspire. I wasn't good with strangers. "Uhh..." I uttered then added, "Your shop is beautiful."

The woman smiled. She had a head of full brown hair to her shoulders and she was slightly on the plump side, but it looked like it might have been from having babies. She looked friendly enough. "Thank you. Can I get you anything?"

Looking at the showcase, I scuffled toward her as she stood behind a counter. I made eye contact with her, feeling a bit awkward."Actually... I saw your sign out front."

The lady smiled and her ears perked, "Oh?" she answered, "Do you have any experience?"

I shook my head, "I've never had a job before but I took a few floral arrangement courses this year. You can call my instructor, I had the same one for each."

Suddenly the bells jingled over the door and a voice from behind me started, "Shannon, what do you-Oh," the girl said, stopping in her tracks as she looked at me and then to the woman who I assumed was Shannon.

Shannon said, "Courtney, this is--"

"Mia," I finished for her.

"This is Mia and she's applying for the job," the woman finished.

A large grin found it's way onto Courtney's face. She had straight brown hair down her back tied into a modest ponytail at the nape of her neck. There was a small stud piercing on her nose and she had cute glasses with green eyes hidden behind. She was taller than my petite 5'3" frame. Looking at me, she exclaimed, "That's great!" Then added to Shannon, "You have to hire her. It's been a mess here." I blushed, embarrassed to have so much attention on myself. Shannon gave Courtney a questioning gaze. "Pleeeease," Courtney pleaded.

Shannon looked at me and smiled, "Tomorrow, come in the morning at eight for a short interview. But first," she stopped and pulled a piece of paper out from under the counter. "Fill out one of these applications."

I smiled, grateful. Inside I was screaming with excitement, but at the same time, a kind of dread that I couldn't explain.

After filling out the application (as much as I could without any experience), I left the store.