A Little Bit Of Joy | ✔

Chapter Forty : The Girl In The Yellow Dress

"Certainly," Logan agreed as they arrived at the flower shop. Joy's grandpa was unlocking the door of the truck and he handed Logan hard cushions. Logan assured Joy that he didn't mind sitting back out in the open.

And so they left, Grandpa driving the truck, Joy seated beside him and Logan sprawled out in the open in the storage area. They hadn't even crossed one street before Joy insisted to join Logan.

"It would be fun," Joy said expectantly and her grandpa reluctantly let her.

First they sat across from each other, Logan intently listening to Joy as she narrated the plot of Love Simon and other recent movies she had watched. Her face was so animated and lively when each word tumbled out of her lovely mouth. She occasionally waved at the town folk, squealed when they went over a speed bump and giggled when her grandpa drove faster, holding on to the truck's rattling sides.

As they exited the town and the houses transitioned into trees, they cuddled in a cosy position with Logan's arm wrapped around Joy's waist, her face peacefully resting on his shoulder, their legs entangled with dusty blankets spread diagonally over them. Logan felt his heart leaping out of his chest each time Joy made a subtle movement. He loved being so close to her, she was warm and soft all over.

Logan pulled Joy closer and with her wispy blonde hair tickling his jaw, he watched the green meadows pass by. John Denver's song faintly played from the radio inside, evoking a false sense of nostalgia as they yearned for something magical and comforting they never had. The morning wind was cool as it tenderly hit and carressed their bodies, leaving them tingling and giddy. The fluffy white clouds protected them from the sun's mightiness, but Logan had his own little sun beside him- humming softly against his chest.

All my memories, gather round her
Modest lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye.

Country roads, take me home,
To the place I belong.

It was over an hour drive until they finally arrived at the lengths of the sunflower fields. Joy's face lit up when the truck halted. She scrambled from her position, standing upright, her dress riding up but she seemed unaffected. She hopped down and once her clean beige sandals sank in the mud, she smoothened her dress.

Logan followed her languidly and heard her whine, "Aw, this is bad."

"Why?" Logan's eyebrows furrowed, wrinkles appearing between them. He couldn't fathom Joy's disapproval. The sight of large, innumerable sunflowers in front of him was one of the most breathtaking sights he had ever seen. 

"Before it was this big," Joy tried to explain, outstretching her pale arms as far as she could.

"They had to cut the sunflowers to sell them. That's why they grow them," Logan said gently. "It's still beautiful."

"Kellerman's right," Joy's grandpa said gruffly. "I have to make payments around here, so I'll leave you two here. Don't expect me till it's lunch time."

"You can go home if that's all you want. We'll book an uber and find our way back. Logan and I are capable to look after ourselves," Joy said with determination.

Her grandpa ignored her and told Logan seriously, "Take care of my granddaughter, boy."

"Yes sir," Logan replied sincerely, now both of them ignoring Joy's complains.

Joy muttered something about 'men' and '21st century' while grabbing her bag from the truck. Logan wondered if she knew that they were taking care of her not only because she was a fragile girl, but also because she was terminally ill. Then he shook his head, of course she knew, she wasn't stupid.

Just as Joy's grandpa sat in the truck and drove away, Joy thrusted the bag to Logan and darted towards the sunflowers. Logan strode towards a nearby tree, plopped down along with the bag. Leaning against the tree, he stretched his long legs out and from under his lashes, watched Joy dance among the flowers.

Joy's yellow dress swished around her as she hid behind the large sunflowers. 'Come here!' her melodious voice echoed with an airy giggle. Her vivid blue eyes as clear as the sky above twinkled in mischief as she peeked through the flaming petals. A puff of wind ran through her hair and into the field, causing a soft ripple as the sunflowers swayed. The harsh sound of cicadas and the mild earthy scent lingered around the place. Her lips curled upwards as she gazed at him passionately. 'Come here!' Sunlight spilled over her blonde head which bobbed among the flowers as she whizzed past. Logan always thought that she was a bright sunflower and she was indeed- the most living, breathing and beguiling flower he had ever seen.

And Logan was in love with this flower.

He always had been, he somehow knew but was afraid to confess, even to himself. How could he not be in love with her? She was beautiful, kind, fearless and compassionate. She was a little bit of Joy, but a little bit more of love. She taught him to love himself and everyone and everything as insignificant as dust around him. And now, he was in love with her.

He was as deeply as the ocean and as fiercely as the sun in love with Joy.

"Come here Logan you deaf fool! I have been shouting to you since ages!" Joy interrupted his thoughts furiously and Logan chuckled quietly. He swiftly got up, chased her as she laughed loudly and scooped her in his arms. "Alright, alright, sorry! I won't disturb you anymore! Now put me down!"

Logan set her down and watched as she started to run again. He had to tell her, he had to tell her that he was in love with her as soon as possible. For like a flower, she was going to wither away soon.

He had to tell her before the petals shrank and fell and became one with the earth again.

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A/N :

Ah, I enjoyed writing this chapter so much haha! Tell me whether you liked it or not or what you expected, I would love to hear your thoughts xx.