Suki

The color of flower petals bloom differently depending on who owns them. They reflect the aura of their owners. If not tended to correctly they become different monochrome shades.

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Traci Marshall and a transfer student, Minato Katsu. In class one morning the teacher had given each student a seed to take care of. By the end of the year she would check on everyone's flowers before they headed off for summer break.

 "I bet I'll have a prettier flower than you, Minato Katsu!" Traci called to him down the hallway. 

He would reply in a soft, quiet voice that was softer than a sheep's wool. "I bet you will, Traci." 

She'd given a blush in response to his bright smile before dashing off. 

Months had passed and everyone's flowers had burst from the soil each was planted in. Minato Katsu never brought his flower to school, and neither did Traci. They both wanted to surprise each other with their flowers. 

"How's your flower, Minato?" she'd ask curiously. 

"I think it's growing alright. How is yours?"

 She suddenly become fidgety and respond nervously "It's okay. It's really pretty too." 

The school bell rang and they both went their separate ways.

Before they knew it the year had come to a close. Today was the day they were to bring in their flowers to present to the class. Minato Katsu and Traci were the last pair to present.

 "Did you bring your flower, Minato Katsu?" she asked shyly. 

"I did." he responded simply.

"Okay the last two are... Minato Katsu and Traci Marshall. Could you two please present your flowers to the class?" 

Both of them walked to the front of the class with their flowers behind their backs.

 "Traci, you're first." 

She'd place her small pot of yellow acacia's on the table before them. The flowers seemed dead, but alive. They were an ashy grey and gave off a sad, tainted aura. She lowered her head with her hands behind her back ashamed of how it turned out. 

"Minato Katsu?" the teacher said looking over at him. 

He set out a small pot of red chrysanthemums. A vibrant cherry that reminded him of the tips of a newly lit fire. The sweet smell cascading from the center filling the room. The petals almost sparkled like glitter or the stars in the night sky. Traci glanced over and immediately was captivated by the flowers. As silky as the petals on a rose, but harsher than the edge of death. It was a bright flame that lit up the night sky in summer. Smooth and reassuring it would leave a trail of whispers of love, but silent so only you could hear. It warms the heart of those who are stone cold.

Traci had begun to cry and recite an apology long rehearsed. She fell to her knees facing him as her cries echoed throughout the room. He'd bend down beside her with reassuring arms. A grip so tight, yet so gentle holding her. A glistening yellow would begin to shine through the darkness of her palms and her tears. Everybody's gaze shifted and they all stared in awe at the blinding yellow from the table. The sweet smell beginning to mix with his became an enchanting sensation that quickly created a warm atmosphere. Everybody had tears streaming down their faces including the teacher. A fiery sunset had filled the morning class warming everybody's hearts for miles.

Minato Katsu and Traci stood up and stared deeply into each others eyes. He'd wipe the tears from her cheeks and pull her into a meaningful and long overdue hug.

The final grade of the year for these two seniors would never be forgotten. The two flowers would carry on through each of their lives side-by-side. Through a marriage proposal, birth, and death.

The sun would set over the two flowers once more with colors that matched almost perfectly. Never fading, yet always changing.

                                                                                         ~~~

"Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same." -Helen Keller

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature." -Gerard De Nerval