"Oh... it's you," she said, furling her eyebrows. "What do you want?"
Immediately you tensed up. She was the last person you wanted to see, and now you were in a room alone with her.
You had no choice. You had to face her now.
But you're just there for business, right? No big deal.
"Um… is Sunset Shimmer around?" you asked. "I have some photos to drop off."
Wallflower sighed.
"You just missed her… and everyone else."
"Shoot…" you said. "Well… what are you still doing here? Finishing up some work?"
"Am now," Wallflower said. "They forgot about me... again."
Suddenly, her expression changed. She looked... hurt. It reminded you of yesterday before she left.
"Oh…" you said. "Um… I-I'm sorry to hear that."
"...I'm used to it," she said.
"Huh?" you asked. "Used to what? Being left behind?"
She shot an icy glare at you.
"Why do you care? You didn't even notice me until I said something. Just… leave that flash drive and go away. I'll get it back to you tomorrow."
You could feel the coldness from her eyes. However... something was different. Her eyes were cold... but filled with hurt. Her words also sounded more hesitant. More vulnerable.
She was in pain. Her face and tone gave it all away.
You felt this instinct start to nag you. An instinct to help someone in need... even if they didn't want to admit it... even if you were the last person they'd want help from... and even if they tore you to shreds with their words again.
You had to try. You owed it to her after hurting her yesterday.
"….do you really want to be alone?" you asked.
"Huh?" she asked.
"I think this is bothering you more than you're saying," you boldly said.
Suddenly, her eyes widened... before her eyebrows furled and locked onto you, like she was brandishing a knife.
"...you don't know anything about me," Wallflower said. "Even if I told you, you'd just forget about it tomorrow, so why bother?"
You could feel your body tense again from her stone-cold eyes. Nevertheless, this was your chance to help her. Steeling yourself for any further jabs she might take at you, you advanced. No holding back.
"Hey, give me some credit," you said. "I remembered you today, right? And I saw you in pre-calc just like you said."
"Wow... good for you. Want an award?" Wallflower said. "Just because you remembered me today doesn't mean you will tomorrow."
"And just because you're used to something doesn't mean you aren't hurt by it," you sternly retorted.
She opened her mouth. You braced yourself for whatever she might say...
...but she faltered. No response. It sounded like she was struggling to speak, but no words were coming out.
You felt bad for talking back to her like that, but now you had a window to say something.
"Look, I'm really sorry," you said. "I felt awful after yesterday. I've been thinking about it all day. I can't change the past, but I can try to help you when you're clearly hurt. I know I'm probably the last person you want to talk to right now but... I'm here. And be honest with me, if what you said about 'being used to it' is true, then I'm probably the only person to even offer to listen to you, right?"
Wallflower's eyes widened. Suddenly, the ice in her eyes melted away. All that remained... was the hurt.
"I won't force you," you continued. "I'll leave right now if you want me to. But if you want to talk about anything... I'll listen... and I promise, it'll stay between us."
For a few seconds, Wallflower was frozen. The only sign of life in her was her blinking. No sound in the room except the droning hum of the ventilation.
It seemed like you struck a chord with her.
Folding her arms and holding her sleeves, she turned her head to the computer monitor. Onscreen was a photo of a large, colorful garden nestled in some woods. Staring at the screen, her face was one of longing. The sleeves of her sweater crinkled under her tensing fingers. Her breathing grew shaky, and it almost looked like her lips were trembling.
What was going through her head right now? Whatever it was... it looked tumultuous.
...were you putting too much pressure on her? You wanted to help, but it seemed like you were having the opposite effect. Did you mess up? She'd bitten you with her words before... and now you were worried that she'd bite you again.
Prepping for the worst, you waited for the ice in her eyes to return...
...
...
...
...but it never did. Instead... she spoke in the demurest voice you've ever heard from her.
"...do you know what it's like to be invisible?"
For a brief moment, you forget to speak, shocked that you actually managed to convince her. But there was no time to think about that. With your nerves put to rest, it was time to buckle up and listen.
"What do you mean by invisible?" you asked.
"Y'know... ignored? Forgotten? Unsure if anyone knows you exist? Like... if I disappeared... would anyone miss me? Or even know I was here to begin with?"
That word suddenly had a much more poignant meaning.
"That's... pretty heavy stuff," you said.
"Yeah, well... that's my life," Wallflower said. "Always alone, always left behind, always forgotten... if I'm lucky enough to be noticed in the first place. I guess you wouldn't know. You seem like you have no shortage of friends, not to mention your band."
"Well… you got me there," you said. "Flash and Brawly have been my best friends for years."
"Must be nice," Wallflower said. "To mean something to someone... to me, that's just a pipe dream. I introduce myself to someone, and they forget me the next day... or even the next hour. Y'know, I've been on the Yearbook Committee all year, and I can't tell you how many times Sunset Shimmer and her friends have left me in here without even acknowledging me. Sunset only noticed me today because she bumped into me. And guess what? She acted like she'd never met me, even though I've known her since ninth grade! But why should she remember that when she can't even notice me in our freaking committee meetings?! Why should she notice me all?!"
Her teeth were clenched, as were her fists. Her eyebrows were furled. But even as she paused to calm down, you stayed quiet. Saying anything now would be interrupting whatever was going on in her head. Your job was to be patient and listen. Nothing more.
A moment passed in silence. When Wallflower spoke again, her voice was shaky enough to tug at your heart.
"...and it's not just Sunset," Wallflower continued. "It's not just you, either. It's... everyone."
Another pause... but not to come down from anger. This time... you noticed her eyes reddening...
...and your heart dropped when you saw a tear trickle down her cheek.
"Ergh..." Wallflower grunted, seemingly trying to fight her tears, but to no avail. Another tear fell. And another. And another.
Looking around, you found a nearby box of tissues and quickly handed it to her.
"Th-Thanks," Wallflower said, sniffling and wiping her cheeks.
As she continued, you could see her will crumble little by little.
"It's just... no matter what I do... I always get left behind. Is it me? I-I know I'm quiet, but that doesn't mean I don't want to exist. I see everyone else hanging out in their circles, talking and laughing about… whatever they talk and laugh about. Well... where's my circle? Where are my friends? Why do I have to keep introducing myself to people I've known for years like I'm in some stupid time loop? Whenever I have to reintroduce myself... it feels like I die a little inside. And then they forget about me anyway… like they were just taking pity on me. What... What's wrong with me? Am I ugly? Am I mean? I don't want to be popular or anything... I-I just want to belong! I want to matter! Is that too much to ask?!"
With that final plea, the last of Wallflower's willpower disintegrated, and she broke down crying right before your eyes.
You were left stunned, and unsure of what to do. Every shaky breath and whimper were like a slash of guilt on your heart. This was—in large part—your fault. Yesterday, when you didn't recognize her... you hurt her. You hurt her far more than she let on... and that was a fact you couldn't ignore.
In hindsight, you deserved the verbal lashing you got. Daresay... she let you off easy.
Her heart-wrenching sobbing continued unabated while you sat still... feeling more conflicted than you've ever felt before. As much as you wanted to help... she called you out just now.
It's not just Sunset. It's not just you, either. It's everyone.
Mentioned merely in passing, but direct enough to fill you with guilt.
Instinctively, you wanted to offer a hug, but that grudge could still be lurking inside her waiting to strike. At the same time... you couldn't just leave her. How cruel would that be?
What were you supposed to do?
...
...
...
...be a man, that's what. Wallflower was crying. Period. Even if she pushed you away in the end, you had to man the hell up and at least try to comfort her.
Bracing yourself, you scooted your chair closer to her. Instead of going for a hug right away, you instead gently place your hand on her back.
"H-Huh?!" she flinched.
"U-Um!"
You immediately retract your hand. Wallflower stared at you through wide, bloodshot eyes.
"S-Sorry..." you stammered. "I-I was just… trying to comfort you. That's all."
She didn't say anything. Combined with the sorrow she was already feeling, she looked surprised at what you said. As if... nobody's ever done that for her.
Almost confirming that, her lips began to tremble, and another tear trickled down her reddened cheeks. Her breathing was so unsteady it caused her body to shake slightly when she inhaled. She looked like a frightened puppy.
...rubbing her back wasn't going to cut it. This would be a big gamble... but it might just be what Wallflower needed. You had to trust your intuition on this one.
"Um... maybe it's a bad idea to offer this considering, y'know... what happened yesterday, but… do you want a hug? Or at least a shoulder to cry on? I want to help, I-I just don't know—h-huh?!"
Catching you completely off guard, Wallflower suddenly threw herself into your arms. Sitting on your lap, she buried her face in your shoulder and sobbed even harder than before... to the point of almost screaming.
Recovering from that initial shock, you gently wrapped your arm around her and held her tight. Every muffled scream and shaky breath rattled your body to the core. It felt like years of repressed emotions were being released in your arms, like a hurricane. Was this really the same girl who scolded you yesterday? The girl who ripped you to shreds with her words was suddenly so vulnerable. But through it all, you stayed strong. You didn't dare shed a tear yourself. All that mattered right now was Wallflower. Until the storm passed, you would be her shelter.
After a long minute or two, she had quieted down a little, though was still trembling in your arms. You started rubbing her back, trying to offer what little comfort you could.
It was so surreal to be this close to her. And since you started holding her, a distinct aroma permeated your senses. Some mix of flowers and... strawberries? Was it her hair? Whatever it was... you liked it. A lot. Not to mention... she felt so warm in your arms. It made you feel tingly... as if from the moment you started holding her... your heart had been beating just a little bit faster.
Eventually, Wallflower's breathing steadied out. Keeping her head on your shoulder, she took more deep breaths. You could feel her relaxing little by little with each one, barring the occasional sniffle. You didn't move or do anything that may rush her.
With one last deep breath, Wallflower finally lifted her head from your tear-soaked shoulder. Your eyes met... then she looked down... and her eyes widened.
"U-Uh!" she exclaimed, quickly scrambling back to her seat. It was hard to tell if she was blushing with her cheeks being so tear-stained, but you definitely were a little.
"Uh... s-sorry..." Wallflower cooed.
"Heh... it's fine," you said. "I offered, didn't I?"
"...yeah," she said, grabbing a tissue and blowing her nose. "Um... thanks. I... I guess I needed that."
"Y-You're welcome," you said.
And then... silence. This time, the air felt much heavier. The kind of silence where there's an elephant in the room, but nobody knew how to address it. Or at least, you didn't. Even if she wasn't crying anymore, the pain in Wallflower's eyes hadn't gone away. But... what were you supposed to say? You've always had friends. You've always belonged. The feeling of hopeless loneliness was only something you've experienced in nightmares, and even that was rare. For Wallflower, it was her everyday life. She couldn't just wake up to escape it.
...you didn't understand. You never truly would. And thus... you were at a loss. How could you help someone so unfathomably broken?
The silence carried on, bearing down on you as you struggled to think of something comforting to say. Something that wouldn't be insensitive or dismissive...
...
...
...
...that's when you noticed her staring at the computer again. The photo of the mystery garden. She'd been fixated on it for a couple straight minutes with those same longing eyes from before. Whatever that garden was, it seemed important to her.
That's it! Ask her about the garden!
"...that's a nice picture," you said.
"Huh?" she said. "Oh... thanks."
"Did you take it?" you asked.
"Y-Yeah. It's my garden."
"Your garden?" you asked. "That's all you?"
You noticed a faint glimmer in her eyes. And then... something amazing happened. Something you've never seen until now. Something that took your breath away.
...she smiled. A little one, but still sincere. And it was beautiful. So beautiful, it made your heart skip a beat.
"Well... technically it's the school's garden," Wallflower said. "I'm the founder and president of the gardening club."
"Oh? I didn't know there was a gardening club," you said.
"That's... probably because I'm the only member," Wallflower said. "And the only one who's ever been to the garden... or seen it."
Her smile disappeared, stinging your heart a little.
"Ah... sorry to remind you," you said.
"It's fine. You didn't know," Wallflower said. "But yeah, for what it's worth, it's my garden."
"That's great," you said. "Tell me what you're growing."
Wallflower looked surprised.
"...y-you really want to know?" she asked.
"Of course," you said. You pointed to some random white and pink flowers on the screen—random to you, at least. "Let's start here. And don't hold back. I wanna know everything."
Wallflower looked at you for a moment in disbelief. Maybe she was waiting for the "just kidding" or something similar. But you just kept smiling to insist that you were genuinely interested.
After a moment, to your delight, her smile returned. Your heart skipped a beat again at the sight.
"Heh... a-alright," Wallflower said. "So... those are snapdragons. They took a long time to grow, but it was worth it. They bloomed not too long ago, actually, and they look so pretty next to the lilies. Oh, and right over here..."
And Wallflower was off. With bright eyes and the purest smile, she pointed out every plant in the garden.
"The poppies haven't bloomed yet, but I'm expecting them to soon. The red will look really nice next to the peonies. And there's some nigellas over here, some marigolds..."
It was hard to keep up. There was so much variety in every square inch of the garden, and Wallflower explained it all with such enthusiasm. If someone walked in right now, they would never guess that she was crying her eyes out mere moments ago.
She looked... genuinely happy. Her smile... her glowing eyes...
...you never noticed it before... but Wallflower was cute. Really cute. In fact... it was a little distracting.
"Oh... but here are my favorite flowers," Wallflower said. "Right in the center."
You looked where she was pointing. In the middle was a gray stone plot filled with dozens of vibrant blue flowers. The color was unique from everything else in the garden.
"Those are pretty," you said. "What are they?"
"They're called Forget-Me-Nots," Wallflower said. "Kind of a... poignant name..."
Her smile seemed to falter a little, but she pressed on anyway.
"It's the first thing I grew there, and it's a perfect centerpiece. Sometimes, I'll sit there for minutes at a time just looking at them. Their blue color is so entrancing to me. Heh... you must think that's weird... doing nothing but stare at flowers..."
"Not at all," you said. "I think it's great that you're so passionate about something. You deserve to admire your work."
"My mom always told me I had a green thumb," Wallflower said. "When I was little, I took the seeds from an apple and planted them in our garden. Of course, I didn't know what I was doing back then, so nothing happened. But my mom noticed and bought me a gardening starter kit with a little strawberry plant."
"How did that turn out?" you asked.
"Much better, though it did take a while," Wallflower said. "But once I tasted something I grew myself, I wanted to grow everything. My parents started giving me a new set of seeds for my birthday, and eventually I kinda took over their garden."
Wallflower giggled as she reminisced. It was the cutest giggle you've ever heard.
"Anyway, what else is there?" Wallflower said, glancing back at the photo. "Oh, yeah! How could I forget? There are strawberries right over here."
She pointed to a plant with white flowers and plump, vibrant red berries.
"You're growing crops here too?" you asked.
"Of course," Wallflower said. "Those are my strawberries there, and over here I've got some onions and carrots. I have even more crops at home. Garlic, ginger, apples, raspberries, broccoli, and I have a whole setup in my room where I grow fresh herbs. Basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, you name it."
She listed so many items your brain barely kept up.
"...whoa," you said. "Do you cook with the stuff you grow?"
"I do, actually," Wallflower said.
Your eyes widened.
"Really? What do you make?"
"All kinds of things," Wallflower said. "My mom used to be a chef, so I've learned everything from her. You name it, my mom can cook it. Cakes, pies, soups, stews, ice cream... if I'm being honest, mostly it's me helping her. Sometimes I just supply her with ingredients and she does the rest. Ooh, like the other day she used some of my tomatoes and basil to make pizza from scratch. Oh my gosh... best pizza I've ever had."
Wallflower was beaming. Passion radiated from her like the sun. Honestly, the next things she said went in one ear and out the other. Not that you weren't trying to listen, but you were getting distracted…
...by her.
Although, she seemed to catch on to the fact that you were zoning out, because her words suddenly tapered off. Her smile faltered with it.
"Oh gosh... I've been yapping your ear off, haven't I?" Wallflower said. "I'm sorry. I get carried away, sometimes."
"No no, don't be sorry!" you said. "I... I'm just amazed. You're so talented."
Her cheeks turned a bright shade of red.
"Uh... heh... i-it's nothing, really," Wallflower said. "I just like to garden, that's all."
"It's definitely something!" you insisted. "I mean... that garden's incredible! And it's all you! And you have more at home? And you can cook with the stuff you grow? That's amazing! And it's a beautiful garden too. You should be proud."
For a moment, she just sat there stunned. The only things that changed were her cheeks getting redder.
And then, another amazing thing happened. She smiled again. The biggest smile you've seen her make. She even started giggling to herself and playing with her hair.
"...wow... um... nobody's ever said that to me before," she asked. "D-Do you mean that?"
"One hundred percent," you said. "You're extremely talented, Wallflower."
Her smile grew even bigger. Suddenly, it seemed like she was avoiding contact with you. Every time your eyes met, her reddened cheeks grew even redder.
In the softest, cutest voice you've ever heard, Wallflower looked at you with a twinkle in her eye and said...
"...thank you."
Silence fell once again, but not heavy in the slightest. It was a peaceful silence, where the rest of the world seemed to fade away except for you and Wallflower.
You felt tingly as you just looked at Wallflower. Your quickened heartbeat echoed throughout your body like the beating of a drum. Her smile was just... a thing of beauty.
No... Wallflower was a thing of beauty. Perhaps because she looked so happy, you could truly see how beautiful she was. Her green hair was like soft, cascading ferns. Her eyes were like two wells of smooth, velvety milk chocolate. With how much she was blushing, her freckled cheeks resembled two ripe strawberries. And of course... her gorgeous smile gleamed like the stars.
She was so beautiful… and in such a refreshing way. She was just herself. She was purely and genuinely Wallflower Blush. That's all she needed to be to take your breath away.
...was this really the same girl from yesterday? The Wallflower in front of you was a completely different person, but in the best possible ways.
Suddenly, your eyes met, sending a jolt through your heart. She quickly looked away, blushing even harder. You couldn't help but blush yourself. The way she was playing with her hair was adorable.
"Hey... um... I owe you an apology," you said.
"Huh?" Wallflower asked. "What for?"
"For forgetting about you," you said. "You'd think I'd remember the lab partner I had all semester, or the one who sits next to me in a class I have every day. I didn't realize how much that hurt you. I'm really sorry."
Wallflower sighed.
"I guess it's not entirely your fault. I probably didn't do much to make myself that memorable."
"Well, I still hurt you," you said. "And looking back... I was being an absolute douchebag yesterday."
Wallflower giggled.
"...yeah, you kinda were," she said.
"Hey!" you protested.
"Your words, not mine," she said with a smirk.
Her sassy side was coming out again, although it's much cuter when she's in a good mood, unlike yesterday.
"Y'know, it's funny," you said. "Flash and Brawly called me out on how I was acting yesterday too. It's just... nobody cares about the bassist. I always feel like I'm in the background while Flash and Brawly get the spotlight. They're my best friends, and I love them, but I just wanted a taste of the attention for myself for once. Hearing the applause when I was done was so exciting. I felt like a rock star! I felt like I... I..."
"...mattered?"
You paused. Your eyes met Wallflower's. She took the word right out of your mouth.
Another period of silence fell. Not an awkward one, not even a peaceful one, but one of mutual understanding. Maybe her pain wasn't so foreign to you after all.
"...y-yeah," you said. "I guess I just took that feeling and ran with it. Maybe they just applauded as a formality."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short," Wallflower said. "I was there, and I was impressed. Even if you're not acknowledged as much, you're still talented. I wish I could play an instrument."
"And I wish I could sing like Flash," you said. "Or garden... or cook..."
"You know what I mean," Wallflower said. "You're allowed to be proud. Just... maybe don't flaunt it as much next time."
"Heh... thanks," you said. "I'll keep that in mind."
You opened your mouth to say something else, but you stopped when you noticed your phone buzzing in your pocket.
"Sorry, hold on," you said, retrieving your phone.
Your stomach dropped when you saw Flash's name. How long have you been here? Apprehensive, you had no choice but to answer.
"H-Hello?" you said meekly.
"Dude, where are you?!" Flash yelled. "It's been like half an hour!"
Half an hour?!
"U-Um... shoot! Sorry!" you said. "I-I got... uh... distracted."
Your eyes met Wallflower's. She looked concerned, and you felt a knot in your heart.
As much as you didn't want to... you had to leave.
"Well, are you on your way back?" Flash asked.
"Y-Yeah... I'll be right there," you said.
"Cool," Flash said. "Sorry for yelling, I've been trying to get ahold of you for a while now."
"All good. That's on me," you said. "Okay, see you in a sec."
You hung up. When the lock screen appeared, you saw a long list of messages from Flash and Brawly, as well as a couple missed calls.
You let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm sorry, Wallflower," you said. "I totally forgot I came here from rehearsal."
"...oh," Wallflower said. "Um... do you have to?"
That question surprised you. It was like she read your mind.
"Trust me, I'd love to stay, but it wouldn't be fair to Flash or Brawly if I just cancelled on them," you said.
"Right... I understand," Wallflower said. "Well... I guess this is goodbye."
"Heh... you say that like we'll never see each other again," you said.
You immediately regretted those words. The pain in her eyes returned with a vengeance. It almost looked like she was going to cry again.
Were you trying to be a jerk? Why did you say something so insensitive?
Her saddened face tugged violently at your heart. Of course, you didn't want to leave! You've only just realized how amazing this girl is! Why would you want to stop talking to her?
Well... why couldn't this just continue later?
"...can I have your number?" you asked.
"H-Huh?" Wallflower asked, eyes widened. "You mean... my phone number?"
"If you're okay with that," you said.
Her cheeks turned strawberry red again.
"Uh... well... I-I guess that's alright," she said, looking like she was holding back a smile.
You smile back, handing your phone to her. She typed in her info and handed it back. There it was. Wallflower's number.
"Great," you said. "I'll text you right now so you'll have my number. If you ever want to talk again, just hit me up, okay?"
You hit send, and a few seconds later Wallflower's phone buzzed. She didn't say anything for a moment, just staring at her phone.
"...are you sure?" Wallflower asked. "I'd hate to bother you."
You looked her in the eye and smiled.
"I'd be helping a friend, that's what," you said.
She sat there stunned for a moment... before her gorgeous smile returned. Your heart skipped yet another beat, and you felt your cheeks heat up again. How was this girl so cute?
"...thanks," she said softly. "For everything."
"You're welcome," you said. "I enjoyed talking to you."
"Me too," she said. "I-I mean... I enjoyed talking to you too. That's... what I meant."
You chuckled. She was super cute when she was shy.
"Oh, wait!" Wallflower said. "You had yearbook photos to drop off, right?"
"Oh shoot, I totally forgot!" you said.
"You had a flash drive, right?" Wallflower asked. "Here, I'll take care of it right now."
You handed Wallflower the flash drive and waited for her to copy the photos. Meanwhile, while trying to be discreet, you tried to imprint every detail of Wallflower's beauty into your memory.
"Done," Wallflower said, handing the flash drive back.
"Thanks," you said. "Alright... I guess I'll see you around?"
"I-I guess so," Wallflower said, blushing a little. "Bye."
You had to pause to take in the last smile and wave she gave you before you finally got up and left.
You walked down the hall with the biggest smile on your face. Who cared if Flash and Brawly scolded you when you got back? All you could think about was Wallflower and her beautiful smile.
