Juniper fingered the small branches of flowers in her hair as she sat cross legged. Willow gently breezed next to her, gracefully sitting down beside her heartbroken friend. She swayed gracefully, much like her tree. "So…" her friend questioned.
Juniper sighed. She gently pulled the fresh, white baby's breath from where they were woven into her hair. As she set them on the floor, they rooted themselves into the ground, the small bulbs re-growing themselves onto the forest floor. The amber strands floated down to frame her face as each flower was removed.
"How are you holding up, honey?" she asked gently.
Juniper shrugged slightly, not meeting eye contact with her brown haired friend. Willow gave a small, sad smile. "I'm sure he's fine, Juniper."
"That's the thing, Willow. What if he's not? I haven't heard from in in so long. With Kronos rising, it would be so easy for something to-" Juniper cut herself off, choking back a cry.
The tears started slowly dripping down from her blinking eyes, sliding over the slender curves of her face and landing on the moss covered ground. Where each droplet landed, a small burst of juniper was smelled. Willow leaned forward and wrapped Juniper into a motherly embrace.
"Oh, honey, Grover's a strong satyr. You know that. And with Pan with him, he's going to be fine," she tried to console her.
"But-"
"No buts, Juniper. I believe in Grover, and I know you do, too," she insisted.
Juniper took a deep breath and closed her leaf green eyes, attempting to clear her mind. She opened them, mentally separating thoughts in her mind.
"You're right, Willow. I have to focus on the good things," she said.
Willow gently stroked Juniper's hair, watching as her friend tried not to think about the negative things, attempting to see the bright side. The sunlight flittered through the branches of the trees, making Juniper's hair shine, turning the amber locks into a darker, reddish-brown color. After a few minutes of silence, with the exception of a water nymph from the nearby stream, Brooke, popping up to say "Hi," and various demi-gods shouting from in camp, Willow finally spoke up again. "You really love him, don't you?"
Juniper hesitated to answer. Of course, she knew she did, but there was a big difference between knowing it within yourself and admitting it out loud. "Yes, I do," she said in a quiet voice.
"Good," Willow replied. "Most nymphs and dryads don't get happily ever after's with romance. Be blessed that you found it. Be happy you don't have to be like Maple."
Both dryads giggled at the last part, referring to their fellow dryad, Maple, who gladly let as many satyrs try and chase her as she could. It wasn't an abnormal event to happen, but it was entertaining. Even with that joke part, Juniper took what she said to heart. Willow was right. She should be happy that she had Grover. Happy that he was more than willing to accept her for her. Happy that Grover was still alive. Happy that Grover chose her out of all the other nymphs and dryads that he could have chosen from. Juniper had a small frame, complete with amber hair and green eyes. She wasn't anything special. But in Grover's eyes, she was. And she needed to realize that, or she would only see the bad side of everything.
So, from that moment on, Juniper promised herself that she was going to remain positive. She was going to keep telling herself that Grover was going to come back. For her. Grover, with his nervous ticks and insecurities. Grover, with his ears that sometimes wiggled when he was excited or extremely happy. Grover. Her Grover. He was coming back for her. She was sure of it. And he did. He came back and stayed with her. She never doubted his love for her after that.
Hi! This is my first fanfiction on . Thanks to anybody who reads it. I live for writing and if anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
-GoddessOfFanfiction
