For the Camping Trip challenge on the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry Forum.
Justin shouldn't be surprised when Alex barges into his room and, in one grand sweeping moment, ignores his protests and pushes everything off his desk. But the words disappear on the tip of his tongue when Alex presents him with a small collection of crumpled flowers. She lays them on the table. It's only when she takes a step back that Justin moves forward and takes a closer look at them. Some of the petals, he notes, are splattered with red drops.
"We have a problem."
Upon closer expectation, Justin realises that the red drops are blood. And all of a sudden, Justin can't remember how to breathe.
"I got them from Harper," Alex continues. "She's been coughing them up all day."
"What?"
"She's been coughing them up all day," Alex repeats with force.
There's a wobble in her voice that tells Justin that, for once in her life, Alex is perfectly aware of what is going on. Seeds have been planted in Harper's heart. Roots have wrapped themselves around her lungs. Petals flood her lungs. She's in love. And if she isn't loved back, the flowers will keep coming. Eventually, the petals would clog her airways. The blooms would choke her. She'd die.
"She doesn't know what it means," Alex says. "I haven't told her yet."
"Well, who does she like?" Justin gulps before he corrects himself. "Who is she in love with?"
The look on Alex's face tells him all he needs to know. Ever since he's known Harper, she's only ever had eyes for one boy. Him.
"You really don't...?" Alex trails off. She looks up at him pleadingly. "There's no way...?"
"I'm sorry, Alex." His mouth feels dry. "I don't love her."