Summer Flowers

 

The sounds of waves crashing against each other echoed through Christa’s mind, creating a melody only they could hear... She sighed as she looked at Ian, at the same moment that Ian looked at her...He tightened his hold around her waist…

“This is so perfect...” Murmured Christa.

“Just like you...” Whispered Ian. He placed his hand under her chin, and his face came nearer.

RRRIIIINNNGGGG!

 “Huh....?! What?..” Asked Christa, her thoughts all in a muddle.

 “Hey Christa, was that test so easy that you slept half way?” Asked her best friend Lali.

Christa frowned, test? “Omigosh! The test!” She looked down, but remembered that she finished it sooner than everyone else, as usual. She smiled lopsidedly. “I guess I did.”

Lali shrugged. “As usual.” Then she looped her arm around Christa’s and started herding her outside the room, like everybody else. “Vacation, at long last!” She sing-sung.

Christa rolled her eyes. They are walking along the hallway through the thick, excited throng of students, half were saying ‘hi’,‘hello’ or ‘have a nice vacation’ to Christa. She just smiles for an answer. Lali grinned, “Wow, somebody’s popular!” She commented just as they were walking out of the building.

 “Hey!” Christa countered. “I’m not! Besides, there’s John over there...” Lali blushed and Christa gave her a sly smile. “Hmmm… I wonder who he’s looking for...OW!” Cried Christa as somebody pushed her away.

Her books fell down on the grass, and she turned around to glare at the person, “Well! Thanks for saying excuse me!” She said sarcastically. The guy who shoved her just shrugged, then walked away. Christa steamed with anger. “The nerve!” She breathed and bent down to start picking her books.

 “Christa, temper...” Was the only thing Lali could say.

Christa gave her best friend a tight smile. “Don’t worry. I have a lot of patience.” John was already helping them pick her books. They finished, but when Christa counted her books, she found she’s missing one...

“Where is it? I’m missing one Lali!” Mourned Christa. “I need to pass these back today!” Her eyes scanned the grass... Nothing... Chirsta bit her lip.

 “Uh... Excuse me...” Cut in a voice.

Lali jerked her elbow to Christa’s side. “Yes?” She answered without looking at the person.

 “You’re Christa, right?” Came the voice again.

 “Yeah...” Christa sighed, giving up her search for the book. ‘I guess I’ll have to pay for it...’ She thought. She looked up at he person talking and her eyes widened. ‘Double shock’ as Lali would later describe.

Standing in front of them was Ian and he was holding her book. Christa wanted to say a lot of things to him, but instead, just said. “My book!” and she reached out to the book Ian was holding and hugged it...

Either from relief of finding it or because he held it, Lali wasn’t sure, but she wanted to laugh because it was the first time she saw her best friend in such a fix.

“Uh… Thanks...” Christa’s eyebrow went up for the unsaid question of the person’s identity and Lali really had to held on to John to suppress her laughter.

Ian smiled in a surprised way. “Ian. Hi.”

 “Okay, Thanks a lot Ian. Have a nice vacation!” Christa smiled and then walked away with John and Lali trailing after her.

Lali looked back and saw a confused look on Ian. “Now what’s that all about?” she muttered.

 “Did you say something Lali?” John asked. Lali shook her head and smiled, hugging John some more.

The first day of vacation is nothing like what Christa wanted it to be. For now, she still has to rise up early for her work and she’s got nothing to do, unlike Lali’s family who went rafting.

Christa slowly got ready, and went to the flower shop where she works. “It’s going to be another boring day...” sighed Christa. Time slowly passed by, customers came and went, buying flowers and teddy’s.

 “C’mon…” willed Christa to the clock for her lunch break. She was looking at the clock when the bell on the door rang. Christa mentally cried but she just turned around with a sweet smile pasted on her face, completely opposite of what she is feeling, to the customer.

Her smile froze. She saw Ian looking around the store, she wanted to hide but he saw her.

He looked surprised, then he gave her that melting smile of his and started walking to her.

‘Why HIM, of all people?!’ She thought while smiling. “Hi!”

“Hi... Uh, Christa, right?” He said, why does it sound rehearsed? Asked Ian to himself.

‘He remembered my name!’ thought Christa with disbelief. “Yeah... And you’re, Uhm.. Ian, right?” She asked. Why does it sound so fake? Christa asked herself. He nodded, “So, what kind of flowers are you looking for?”

“I want to give it to someone special, of course. Someone who loves yellow. Do you have yellow lilies?” He asked innocently.

Christa’s heart felt torn apart. She wanted to cry but the shine on her eyes just emphasized the forced enthusiasm. “Of course we have!” The following conversation was like a blur, but he left happy and promising to come back soon. “As if!” No more Ian… stop kidding yourself Christa, he likes someone else.... Stop it. The clock started to ring.

~*~

The music was blaring, Christa feels as if she’s going to go deaf. After two weeks of not seeing her best friend, then being invited in a party is the most exciting thing that ever happened to her... except for the suspicious run-ins she has with Ian in the flower shop.

“Hey Lali!” She shouted “What’s that surprise you wanted to show me?!”

“You’ll find out soon enough!” Came the loud answer from Lali. They were talking to each other, catching up when Lali’s face lit up and she suddenly dragged Christa to the food stand where she literally forced Christa to get something to eat saying,

“You’ll need it.” Then Lali herded Christa to a table where some of their friends were eating. The room was a bit dark, so when Christa sat down, she didn’t notice those around her, until the person sitting on her right turned.

Christa looked at her best friend angrily and muttered, “Traitor!” just loud enough for Lali to hear.

Lali smiled then patted her Christa’s head, “Anything for my friend, “ she said as she smiled. Then, she acted surprised. “Ian! I didn’t know that it was you!”

Christa rolled her eye.

“Look Christa! It’s Ian, remember the guy who helped you with your missing book?” Ian laughed while Christa frowned harder.

“We know each other. I’ve been buying flowers from her.” answered Ian. Lali gave Christa a look saying, ‘You didn’t tell me this!’ Christa, in turn, smiled back. But before she can do anything about it, Lali took hold of the situation and said, “That’s good! That means you can talk while I go look for my dad. Bye!” With a wave, she left.

Christa was in utter disbelief but she just smiled. Ian shrugged and started drinking his coke. Christa was suddenly happy that Lali made her get food.

“So, do you like roller blading?” asked Ian. Christa thought of a good comeback but just relied on honesty, so what if he doesn’t like me? She smiled and said, “No, I don’t...” She saw his smile go limp. And she couldn't help blurting, “But, I love ice skating!”

Ian’s smile countered. “But ice skating and roller blading is almost the same!” he argued.

“No they’re not! Skating is more… oh I don’t know.. beautiful?” They laughed. Hey, we’re getting along fine! “And besides, how will I like roller blading when I don’t know how to and nobody will teach me?” she asked innocently.

Ian smiled and spread out his hand, “Well... I suggest myself as your teacher! I think I can handle a rookie like you.”

Christa laughed, “Uh huh, sure. For all I know, you’ll just leave me standing in my blades in the middle of the rink and you’ll be laughing.”

Ian leaned closer and Christa could see that his face became serious, “I won’t.” then he leaned back to his chair, “You know what I think? I think that you’re not up to the challenge.”

An eyebrow shot up. “I hear a challenge..” said Christa, “Just say when and where! Let’s see who’s not up to the challenge! You teach me to roller blade, I’ll teach you to skate.”

“Ok. Saturday at 10 am. I’ll pick you up at your house.” said Ian.

Christa’s eyes suddenly grew big, as reality sunk in of what just happened. “B-but... But you don’t know where I live” she stammered.

Ian grinned. “Do I hear someone backing out?”

Christa’s eyes turned to slits. “You’re on!” She took out a pen and paper from her bag and wrote down her address. ‘What do you think you’re doing Christa!’ she asked herself as she unwillingly gave the paper to Ian.

~*~

Five to ten... Christa started pacing up and down the stairs again. Her mom saw her. “Christa. Stop it, you’re wearing the carpet thin!” her mom joked.

Christa smiled. “Sorry ma”.

Her mother went down to her then started brushing down her long black hair, “What’s there to be nervous about?” But before Christa could answer, the bell rang.

“I’ll get it!” Shouted Christa.

Her mom just shook her head, “go ahead honey” and gave Christa a flying kiss before she stepped out of the house.

“Ready to go?” asked Ian,

“Ready and waiting!” ‘Gosh! He looks great!’ They went into his car and he drove to the rink.

They were having fun! Actually, Christa is having the time of her life! She’s holding Ian’s hand! There was once when she fell but Ian grabbed her, hugging her so she won’t fall and didn’t let go until she was ready. They were like old friends with so many things alike and time just passed by so quickly that it was over soon. The next thing they knew, they were making plans for next week then they’re outside Christa’s house.

It was starting to be like the summer Christa had dreamed of. They’ve been hanging out a lot already, but nobody really said anything about relationships and Christa is still thinking of Ian’s secret love, knowing that she should back out as soon as possible.

It happened in the middle of summer, they were roller blading when a kid zoomed past by Christa and she lost her balance. Ian was in front of her, she doesn’t know whether he’s far or near she just knew that she called her then he was beside her holding her.

He led her to a bench trying to soothe her, letting her head lean on his chest. After a while, Christa knew that she’d grow worse if she stays like that longer. “It’s ok now, I’m fine.”

“You’re not. You’re as pale as a ghost!” he said.

Christa laughed shakily, looking at her feet, “Clumsy me, I’m sorry.” She started taking off her blades and finished putting her shoes when Ian cupped Christa’s chin, making her look straight at him,

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

He leaned closer, and Christa couldn’t help herself.

They kissed. When they finished Christa felt so good, then she remembered the flowers...  a girl! She felt so ill she couldn’t look at Ian. She started to cry. She didn’t know what came over her but she just ran away. She got home by taking the bus. Afterwards she called her work saying she’s sick, she didn’t answer any phone calls, and didn’t let anyone see her, even Lali.

~*~

It went on for a week until Lali stormed into Christa’s room and took off her blanket.

“I’ve had enough of this! Now you listen to me Christa Laxon, I don’t know what happened but I am not going to let myself see my best friend cry her self to misery and another friend of mine think himself to death... Understand?”

Christa kept her back to Lali. “Christa, what’s wrong?” Lali’s voice got quieter.

Christa didn’t answer. “Christa, Ian’s downstairs, I think he has some explaining to do, you too. I don’t want this to go any longer. I’m just doing what you told me to do with John before. Face it.” With that , Lali left.

Christa slowly got off from her bed and put on her robe. She combed her hair then silently went down. She almost didn’t recognize Ian at first, seeing so much sorrow in his face instead of the happiness she’s used .

He looked up and saw her.

Christa’s mother left.

He stood up. She went to him.

“Christa, I’m sorry...If I did something wrong..”

Christa didn’t look up. “No.. It’s ok, I’m the one who’s supposed to be saying sorry, overreacting because of a kiss...” Silence.

“Listen, I hope none of this came to your girlfriend.”, Christa said, “After all, there was a lot of people in the rink that day..”

Christa felt Ian’s eyes on her and she looked up. She saw confusion in his eyes,

“Girlfriend? Who are you talking of? I don’t have a girlfriend!”

“Huh? Could you repeat that please?” She said, not believing what she heard. “Because if I heard it right, you just said you don’t have a girlfriend?”

“WHOM are you talking about?!”

“Who were those flowers for!” Demanded Christa. Trying to stop her heart from beating faster.

“Flowers?” Confusion turned into understanding then amusement.

“Now there’s the Ian I know.” thought Christa.

“The flowers was for my mom, she was in an accident, and she loves flowers.”

Christa’s mouth fell open, “You mean... you mean to tell me...” Christa felt her knees give up and she fell on the sofa, “Ohmigosh....”

Ian followed her, laughing.

“What are you laughing for? Oh my gosh.. I am so sorry!” she was answered with a laugh. Afterwards she was also laughing.

“My mom is gonna die laughing when I tell her about this!” Ian said in between laughter.

“I really am sorry.” reminded Christa. Ian’s laugh faded.

"You owe me big time for this one, Christa.”

Christa smiled, “Ok, I know.. Anything you want, name it and I’ll do it.”

Ian started thinking, “Teach me how to skate.”

“Is that all?” Ian nodded, “Ok, Friday afternoon, pick me up at 4 p.m.”

“Ok,” said Ian as he stood up, “It’s a date.”

Christa started, date? What?

Ian took Christa’s hand and hoisted her up then he leaned to her and kissed her. Now, don’t run away and cry.” he said as started walking away.

“Don’t worry!” Cried Christa out loud, “I won’t!”

Ian turned around to look at Christa and they smiled at each other. He turned away again and left.

“Until Friday then…” was each other’s thought.