Flora and Miele celebrate The Day of the Roses on Lynphea, but it's not always a happy occasion. Set during Season 1

Flora

Petals of various, colorful roses fluttered down from the sky as Lynphea celebrated The Day of the Roses, not only honoring parents but all members of the family. The festival bustled with activity as Lynphean families celebrated with their loved ones, giving speeches and gifting bouquets of roses that correlated with their relationships. Men and women would give their partners red roses, signifying romantic love. Children would give their parents light blue roses and their sibling's orange ones, to represent parental and sibling love, and so on and so forth.

For many Lynpheans, the day was one filled with love and festivities, a generally positive event. For others, however…

"Flora, would you stop slouching! You are embarrassing your father and I so much!"

Flora could barely stop herself from rolling her eyes at Alyssa's criticisms. She had an absolutely perfect posture, many thanks to DuFour's etiquette classes, but apparently, she needed to stand like there was a metal rod shoved up her ass to please that woman.

"Good. You know the way you present yourself is a direct reflection on us…I hope you're not parading around Magix like that!"

"Okay…" Flora didn't really know what to say, nor did she really care about saying the right thing. No matter what Flora did, her stepmother was always somehow disappointed (1). If she were to cure cancer right now, Alyssa would be upset that it wasn't diabetes.

"And don't talk to me like that! I've raised you since you were a little girl, so you better treat me with more respect!"

"Okay."

"Floretta Paisley DeLaRosa! How dare —"

"Alright dearest, that's enough of that. I'm sure Flora is doing her best at Alfea, and making us so proud. Isn't that right?" Rhodos intervened and directed the conversation to a more lighthearted tone. Flora nodded and agreed with her father, but she knew better than to trust that man with a pet rock, much less actually defend her against his wife. His defense would fall apart in Three…

"She'd be making me prouder if actually gave us bouquets worth having! Why are these roses so dark," pointing to the bouquet she held in her hand, "did she actually grow them or did she buy them in some off-market flower shop in Magix!?" Flora actually did grow the navy-blue roses, but for Musa, so she would have something to place on her mothers' grave today and gave her own the extras. Her parents didn't have to know that though, they were lucky she even came.

Two…

"And she'd be making me prouder if she attended Lynphea College. Do you know how embarrassing it is when my husband's daughter left her home the first second she could? That makes me look terrible, like I can't keep a good home!"

One…

"On top of that, she goes to Magix and comes back looking like a whore. Where is the decorum? I would never leave my house with my navel showing like that! My daughter would never leave the house like that! Clearly, she is her mother's daughter, and everything I've done hasn't helped her.. is your daughter making you proud, Rhodos?"

Flora looked at her father as he grew red and stammered, half expecting him to malfunction and explode, like she saw once in one of Bloom's earth movies, and half secretly hoping that he'd stand up to his wife this time. Either way, either of the possibilities would have been a welcome (and surprising) change from his usual, "Uh…well… I— suppose it's not the most ladylike, and those can be disappointing…"

"Exactly!" Alyssa snapped, turning away from her husband suddenly and marching off towards the center of the square, unwilling to hear another word.

Rhodos quickly turned to Flora and flashed a sheepish, apologetic smile before chasing after Alyssa, leaving Flora at the center of the square, once again left behind. Not that she was super surprised. After her mother was arrested for gods-knows-what and sent to gods-knows-where, and her father remarried, she was always left behind as the 'perfect' family grew and moved on. She didn't even share their last name (1). She was just a weight holding them down, so for everyone's benefit, Flora decided to stay quiet and hidden, doing the absolute minimum to be considered a part of the family. She loved her father, and she loved and cared for Miele even more, the only reason she even considered returning to Lynphea, but she knew her place.

Shrieks of laughing children brought Flora back to reality. She looked on as a young girl with wildly curly hair ran up to who Flora assumed was her mother, with equally curly hair, and offered a light blue rose. The woman laughed gently as she picked up the young girl, and then placed the flower behind her ear. Before long, she was joined by another woman, who was carrying a young boy with the same hair. The women looked at each other and smiled before they kissed, much to the delight of the little girl and the disgust of the boy. They all laughed, then themselves made their way to the center of the square.

…Is that what having a happy family is like?

Flora stalled for a few more minutes, walking aimlessly before she made her way to the center of the square, where she knew (hoped) Alyssa and Rhodos would be waiting for her. It was nearly time for the students at Miele's school to read letters about their families at the center of the square, always a highlight of The Day of the Roses as parents cooed over her children. Alyssa has never been one to coo, even for Miele, but Flora couldn't resist, and thus every year, found her way back to Lynphea to see her little sister.

She stepped around a family to suddenly find Alyssa and Rhodos right before her. Alyssa cradled a bouquet of periwinkle roses, probably from Miele, and it didn't take long for Flora to notice her own bouquet of roses were unceremoniously tossed onto the ground behind them, trampled by various feet. Miele was cradled in her father's arms as they talked to the same couple she observed earlier, still cradling their own children. They looked happy. They looked proud. They were…in love.

Huh…they really were the perfect family.

Miele

Miele poked her head around the curtain on the stage, her hazel eyes scanning the dense crowd as she searched for her family. Just minutes ago she was pulled from her parents so that she could meet her class on stage, and she didn't get a chance to see her sister yet.

"Miele…come around from the stage, it's not time to go out yet!" Miele's teacher, Ms. Jasmine, called.

She scanned the crowd one more time, and when once again she failed to see her family, reluctantly left her place beside the curtain and joined her class, just in time to catch Ms. Jasmine's speech.

"Alrighty, my dears. As you all know, everyone wrote wonderful poems this year, and you will all get the chance to read them out loud on stage and present them to your families…but this year, we are doing something really special." Suddenly, Miele's interest was piqued. "This year, there was a really special poem that one of you wrote. So, that person will get to say their poem first. And, that person will get to bring their loved one on stage and get to give this," Ms. Jasmine summoned a stunning pure white rose, with gold tips, "to their loved one."

The class of young children buzzed with excitement at Ms. Jasmine's announcement, excitedly wondering who won the prize. Miele, as well as her other classmates, bet that the winner would be Ginger, the best writer in the class. But before long the children's chatters were shushed by the roar of trumpets, signaling the beginning of the show.

Ms. Jasmine gracefully stepped out onto the stage as her class remained backstage, thanking the families for attending the show, explaining the special poem and presentation this year, and requesting that all applause is refrained until the end. Finally, it was time to announce the winner.

"I have to say, after years of teaching the third grade, I have never read such an eloquent poem depicting such love. A major congratulations to Miele Abejas and her family!"(2)

Shock passed through Miele's body as her classmates (besides Ginger), cheered and applauded loudly. Before she knew it, she was shoved onstage and in front of a microphone, in front of hundreds of bright, expectant eyes.

"Um…um….," Miele stammered. Never in a million years did she expect such an honor. And never did she realize that talking in front of so many people by yourself was so scary! "Um…" Miele's legs shook and her heart fluttered as she turned and looked towards Ms. Jasmine as if somehow her teacher would insert her forgotten poem back in her head. "Uh….."

"Go Miele!" Miele's head snapped back towards the crowd, where she finally found her sister, waving her arms around madly, smiling widely and laughing. Flora's encouragement inspired the crowd to shout their own support and compliments, but even with the roar, Miele heard Flora's, "You can do this!" the clearest.

Relief flowed into her body. She can do this. With Flora, she can do this.

Inspired, Miele stepped up to the microphone and recited her poem (3).

"A sister is someone who loves you from the heart.
No matter how much you argue, you cannot be drawn apart.
She is a joy that cannot be taken away.
Once she enters your life, she is there to stay.

A friend who helps you through difficult times,
Her comforting words are worth much more than dimes.
A partner who fills your life with laughs and smiles,
These memories last for miles and miles.

When she is by your side, the world is filled with life.
When she is not around, your days are full of strife.
A sister is a blessing who fills your heart with love.
She flies with you in life with the beauty of a dove.

A companion to whom you can express your feelings,
She doesn't let you get bored at family dealings.
Whether you are having your ups or downs,
She always helps you with a smile and never frowns.

With a sister, you cannot have a grudge.
She is as sweet as chocolate and as smooth as fudge.
Having a sister is not just a trend.
It is knowing you can always turn to her, your best friend.
My sister Flora."

At the conclusion of the poem, before Ms. Jasmine could even invite the family to the stage, Flora had rushed up and pulled Miele into her arms, lifting her into the air as she spun, and laughed joyously.

"Oh sweetie," Flora managed to say through her choked tears, "I am so proud of you. That is such a beautiful poem!"

"Indeed," Alyssa agreed as she and Rhodos joined the girls on stage, and yanked the white rose out of Ms. Jasmine's hand, "I'm actually quite surprised it's not for me, but I suppose children choose their idols and learn better later."

"You don't like my poem, mama?"

"I'm just confused as to why you chose—"

"She loves it!" Flora glared over at Alyssa before turning her attention back to Miele, her face softening, "And I love it more sweetie. Thank you, so, so much…you have absolutely no idea how much this means to me… I am so, so proud of you. I love you!"

"I'm so happy you liked it! I love you too Flora!" Miele leaned into Flora's hug, and the two sisters snuggled closely, their bond impenetrable to the outside world.

Rhodos soon joined in on their hug, reminding Miele of her parents. She looked up to request her mother to join in on the hug, only to find her mother's back, as she descended down the stairs, back into the crowd.

The white rose with gold tips was stomped into the ground. The bouquet of periwinkle roses was tossed into the trash.

"Mama?" Miele whispered.

"Don't worry, sweetie," Flora cooed, smoothing Miele's hair, "I love you, I love you, I love you."

(1)I always cite my sources, so I'd like to mention that the headcanon of Alyssa being Flora's stepmother is not my original idea, it came from a conversation I had with florelia12 (on both tumblr and AO3). I do have an original headcanon that Rhodos is actually Flora's stepfather, but that's a fic for another time.

(2)I have a headcanon (that actually seems somewhat supported by the show) that Lynphea is a matriarchal society, and therefore I believe that maternal last names are passed down. Flora has her mother's last name (DeLaRosa), while Alyssa, Miele, and Rhodos (who changed his last name when he married Alyssa) have Alyssa's last name, Abejas. The only reason I made the last name Abejas is because it translates to 'bees' and Miele's name translates to 'honey'...so Miele Abejas…honey bee(s). It's funnier in my head.

(3) THIS POEM IS NOT MINE. Poem credit goes to Shiv Sharma, the title is "The Importance of a Sister". Link
poem/why-i-love-my-sister