Yellow roses

Olivia's POV:

The next time I saw Elaina, it was a dreary, meek day.

The sky was covered in masses of clouds, and every once in awhile a light rain started up, making a sea of umbrellas rise from the depths of people's pockets. I couldn't afford one, so I simply curled my shoulders in, pulling my coat tight around me to keep the bitter wind out.

And then, amongst the eternal gray of commuters coming and going, I saw her.

It was hard to miss her, like a beacon, shining brightly against the dark background. She looked like a painting, one where most of the canvas was streaked with abstract gray paint, making way to a golden girl in the middle. One with a bright yellow trench coat and a smile just as bright.

She was just as lovely as the first time I saw her, her hair half up and cute glasses framing her face. A flower crown adorned her curls, which I'd already noticed was probably her trademark. However, what astounded me the most, was the book in her hands, which she read intently. Without even looking up, she wove around the masses of people, never once lifting her eyes from the text.

The first time I met her I'd been too preoccupied with Ivy and the tiredness that can only be achieved after a week of sleepless nights - the kind of exhaustion that seeps into your bones and makes your whole being heavy. Yet this time I could admire her in her full glory, without there being any irritation in my system. And she was more beautiful than I could've ever imagined.

I still couldn't make friends though, so I made to scurry away, only to be stopped by her presence again. She was crossing the road over to me, weaving through cars without even looking, as though nothing could ever harm her. She was close, too close.

I knew there was no chance of her looking up to see me, but I was still afraid of her doing so, so I pretended I was being swallowed up by the colours around me. The gray in the sky and the pavement and people's suits creeping into my system so that someone as bright as her could never see me. I was simply an observer of the work of art that was Elaina - and people weren't allowed to touch masterpieces.

She saw me.

The world stopped as our gazes collided, making me stumble back.

She glanced up just as a gust of wind blew through her hair, making her look even more ethereal. It was so entrancing that, for a second, I didn't even notice that I'd been caught staring. Nor that she was staring right back.

After a moment, I looked down, embarrassment colouring my cheeks red. Yet this seemed to be a bad idea, as Elaina was far from able to leave things at a simple smile and wave. Which should've been the norm, considering we'd only met once, a couple weeks ago, and had never spoken since. As had become very apparent, she didn't follow the norms.

"Hi Olivia." Her voice pulled me from my thoughts, making me glance up. She was there, right there, with her delicate smile and cute… everything, as she neatly closed her book. "Where's little Ivy?"

"Oh, she's with one of the girls from the shelter, she volunteered to babysit while I job hunt." What I didn't tell her was that I was applying to McDonald's out of desperation, because none of the other places had been kind enough to give me a reply yet, and I'd once heard a rumour that they didn't reject anyone. That's what I needed - a place that would pay me, regardless of the conditions that would be in.

"Ooh, where are you applying?" Damn it, she always had a way of hitting the nail on the head. It was as if her eyes were able to see through everything, even whilst she wasn't looking directly at anything.

"Here and there, I'm just trying my luck really."

"Do you mind if I join you?" My first thought was to say no, because I really shouldn't be talking much with anyone. My main focus was Ivy, and there was no room for second place. But then I realised I didn't have a real excuse, and she was still watching me through her lashes in that intense way of hers, so all I could do was swallow hard and nod. She motioned for me to lead the way, so I did, hesitant steps taking me closer and closer to my dreaded destination.

"Weren't you going somewhere?" I asked her, after a few beats of silence. I was afraid to find that my sentence sounded hostile, so I shot her a tentative smile, which she returned.

"Yeah, but it wasn't too important. There's this park I like to read in, it has a lovely meadow full of flowers." She grinned again, earnestly, as though there was no reason in the world not to. She was entrancing, the way she held the whole of her happiness on her sleeve. She reminded me of myself only a few months ago. That thought was sobering enough to pull me out of my stupor, as I riveted my gaze downwards as quick as possible. She put me in a daze with how beautiful she was, almost putting me under a spell, but bad situations always have a way of reminding you that they're there. Elaina and I lived on different planets.

"Oh, what book were you going to read?"

"To Kill a Mockingbird." She told me, showing me the cover. And so our conversation went, whilst I thanked every god up there that she hadn't brought up our conversation the other day, when I'd been so awful and unpleasant. She was so lovely, how had I been able to talk like that to someone so willing to offer me help? I supposed sleep deprivation warped my understanding of things.

"Oh, I read that one in English class, it was beautiful." At my words, her eyes brightened, as she nodded enthusiastically.

"It was the best topic ever, I almost danced around the room when the teacher told us we were doing it." To illustrate her words, she spun on the spot, a small giggle leaving her lips. I found myself enthralled by her once again, as I shook my head to try to get her out. No room for friends. No room. But her smile could light up the world.

Soon, too soon, we got to McDonald's, making me frown deeply. I'd almost forgotten where I was going, as Elaina kept the conversation light and funny. I wished I could keep talking to her forever.

"Oh, we're here." My voice quietened down, as I tried to hide my shame behind my bangs. It didn't work, her eyes seemed capable of traversing even lead. And my disguise was but a flimsy one - a meek attempt at keeping my already shattered heart away from anyone's clumsy fingers. "I should go in." I didn't move, fiddling with my hands, but afraid to look up.

"Yeah." She whispered back, copying my tone of voice. Both of us stood still, there in front of the McDonald's, until I finally shook my head at myself, taking a step towards the doors. I never once looked up, afraid I'd let her beautiful eyes affect me once again, luring me into her beautiful trap.

"Thank y-"

"Wait!" She cut me off, making me finally look up at her. Her eyes were frantic, and this was the first time in the whole conversation that she'd lost her composure. Somehow, it made her look more beautiful. "What are you going to do with Ivy if you get the job?" At her words, I finally broke from the trance she'd put me in, frowning at her.

"I dunno, I'll figure it out." I made to leave again, but she held onto the back of my shirt, sending heat flooding to my cheeks. Damn it, no one was allowed to have this effect on me.

"I- I- can babysit if you want." There was a pause as I froze. Somehow, I was feeling both absolute disdain for the girl behind me and adoration for her kindness. "For free." Her lasts words, however, sealed the deal. I twisted away from her, scrubbing my hand over my face defeatedly.

"I'm not a charity case, Elaina." She was just like everyone else, pitying the poor girl with the baby. Juliet had been the same, tiptoeing around me as though I were a fragile glass sculpture. I was done with people feeling bad for me - why couldn't they just go live their own stupid ass lives and leave me the hell alone to sort out mine? Hoping she couldn't see the tears clouding my vision, I walked away, leaving her far, far behind me.

I should've known.

Hi!

I've fallen so far behind in updating basically everything, I'm so sorry. This week's just been really hectic, and so will next week, but after that it gets closer to the easter holidays so hopefully I'll get a bit of a break and can write tons of chapters for you guys :) I hope you liked this one as well :D

Guest review thank you time!

+ Guest, I hope I'll do the name Ivy justice haha. Luckily Ivy won't be doing much for the first few chapters, as she's just a baby, so I've got time to figure her out "^_^ Thanks for your review!

+ Mystery, thank you!

+ Centa, yeah I somehow always make characters that just need a hug haha. Thank you for the names thing! I just dig through the categories of names I'd like to name my children but couldn't cos they're too extravagant xD (well apart from Aubrey, that's a pretty mild name)

+ Llamacorn, ah, yeah, I know the pain of having to go into London really early. We do tourist crap there every couple of months and it's terrible -.- So I'm glad the chapter made your day a bit better haha. And yeah, this story's making me want a baby, but alas, not for another 10 years xD

That's all for today, thanks so much for reading and I'll see you all next week :) (hopefully) (if I don't turn out to be a mess of a human being again)

Bye bye xx