Petals of Anise

Chapter 1

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// Anise (/ˈænɪs/; Pimpinella anisum), also called aniseed, is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. Its flavor has similarities with some other spices, such as star anise. \\
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My head hurt when I woke up, the questions from last nights studying still ringing through my brain. It was way more than I could handle, so I popped a couple ibuprofen and headed for the bathroom.

After washing my hair and face, I dressed quickly and ran my fingers through my hair. While applying a bit of highlight and a light lipliner, I looked at myself in the mirror, realizing this was the most makeup I had worn in weeks.

Feeling accomplished, I rushed to the kitchen with my backpack and shoes in hand. I grabbed the milk out of the fridge and cereal from the pantry and made myself a quick bowl.

"Happy Birthday, Sweetie." My mom said walking into the kitchen, and kissing me on the head. Satisfied that she was the first one to acknowledge me this morning.

"Morning Momma, where is Dad?" I asked, more curious than normal.

"Early meeting, you know how it is." She replied. I did know how it was, he was rarely home. I had just hoped he would be home for a few minutes to pass on a 'Happy Birthday Anise' or something. I was quick to dismiss the sadness sitting in the back of my brain.

"Happy Birthday Anise!" yelled my sister, Rami, running into the kitchen. She quickly embraced me in a hug and scrambled to her seat.

"Thank you, bug." I said back, knowing she hated when I called her 'bug.'

"How does seventeen feel?" She said stuffing her mouth full of Lucky Charms.

"The same as sixteen I suppose." I replied.

"Boring." She said still stuffing her face.

I cleared my bowl and started putting my shoes on, knowing my mom was going to say something about my dad when Rami wasn't around.

"I'm sorry he couldn't be here this morning, Anise." She apologized for him, like she always had.

"It's fine Momma, I'm not that suprised." I admitted.

"Okay, well, get to school safe. I don't want you to be late." She warned.

"I will, don't worry."

As I walked to school, I thought of how many birthdays Dad had missed. I counted to six before my eyes started to water. Wiping away the few tears that started to slip, I held my chest high and knew I couldn't let his absence get to me.

My locker was on the far end of the Senior hallway, so I just went in the door closest to avoid as many 'Happy Birthdays' as I could. But even though I tried to avoid them, I still ended up saying thank you to the few that had been passed my way.

As first bell rang, I walked into my first hour class, AP English, seeing Kadence sitting in the back. I made my way back to her and sat quietly.

"Hey, did you forget it was your birthday or something?" She wispered, passing me a box of candy.

"No, I just don't like the attention." I replied with a heavy breath.

"I hope you all are ready for today's test. Do we need a bit of revising time or are you okay?" Our teacher Mrs. Douglas asked. Everyone in the class asked for extra time, which was basically asking for extra time to cheat.

"Also, a big Happy Birthday to Anise." Mrs. Douglas said out loud, making everyone utter a small 'happy birthday' to me. My cheeks went red.

"Thank you." I said quietly, my cheeks still rosy.

The test was pretty easy, nothing I couldn't handle. Walking out of the class and heading to my locker, I collided with someone or something. I hoped it was a something.

"Holy, didn't see you there." nope, it wasn't a something.

"I'm used to it." I laughed, looking up and meeting eyes with Bryton Matthews. I instantly looked down and kept walking.

"Hey, Anise right?" He asked, grabbing my arm.

"Yes." I replied quickly.

"Cool." He said, smirking and walking off.

Leaving me standing there confused, I turned around and continued to walk to my locker. I put my things in my locker and was off to my second hour class.

As the last bell rang, everyone stood up and rushed towards the front doors. I walked down the block and stepped into my moms' floral shop.

"Hi Anise, Happy Birthday." Lance said, cutting the stems off a few roses. Lance was nice, he was a bit older than me, but he never tried to flirt with me.

"Thanks, Lance. I'm clocked in now, so you can head out if you want." I said before setting my backpack down and grabbing my apron.

"Thanks. Have a good one." He said, hanging his apron and walking out.

A few minutes later, the front door chimed, telling me someone walked into the shop. I walked to the front to greet whoever stood there.

"Hey, you work here?" Someone said with a familiar voice.

"Oh, hey Bryton. Yeah, it's my moms' shop." I said with a half smile, not knowing why he was here.

"Thats cool, it's really neat in here." He said straight faced.

"Was that sarcasm?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

"Not at all." He said, placing a bouquet of yellow daisies on the counter.

"These flowers for someone special?" I asked, amusement clear in my voice.

"Yeah, my mom comes home today so I figured I would suprise her." He said with sincerity in his voice.

"Oh, from where?" I asked, curious.

"Now now, we aren't that close yet." He said with a wink. And for what seems like the hundredth time today, I was blushing.

"Understood." I said with a slight giggle.

"$12.56." I told him.

"Here's 20, keep the change." He said grabbing the flowers and walking towards the door."

"Oh, and Happy Birthday." He said before opening the door and leaving.

I went to bed seventeen and with a smile on my face because of Bryton Matthews, but a sadness in my mind because this made seven years without Dad saying 'Happy Birthday, Kiddo.'

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Hey guys, so I haven't done any writing in probably around two years. So this is a bit new for me, I hope this works out well.

Thank you to anyone who reads this book and a big thank you to the people who vote for it.

much love for you guys.