Bad Boys Can't Date Persephone: Part 2

Flora's got a trip to the fields planned for today. Nothing could go wrong, could it?

Part 1

Four months later

“I think I’ll go out later,” I said as I put the jam away.

“Where would you go?” Mum asked me. Her tone was casual but for some reason, it felt more than just curiosity.

“To the wildflower fields. I haven’t visited them in a while, and I’d like to refresh them with my magic.”

I went to the table and began to collect the dirty plates and mugs. The scent of fresh coffee and warm pastry still lingered in the air; morning sunlight came through the windows, and I could see the farm fields spread out behind the house, waiting for the touch of Mum’s magic.

“Have you checked the bus timetables?”

She asked this every time. “I know the weekend schedules off by heart, Mum.”

“That’s my girl. Just remember to be back as soon as you can.”

“Why? Are we doing anything specific today, or do you need some help in the farm shop?” I wasn’t down for a shift at the garden centre this afternoon, was I?

Mum shook her head, her dark blonde curls reflecting the light from outside. “No. I just like to know you’ll be back safe, that’s all.”

I fought back the urge to say that I wasn’t a child, that I could handle myself just fine. OK, I wasn’t an adult yet, but I was still seventeen. Didn’t she trust me to look after myself?

Just because I had flower magic didn’t mean I was helpless. I could make thorny vines shoot out of the ground and turn into whips (not that I’d tell Mum I could do that).

When I was younger, I used to love Mum’s overprotectiveness; now, it had begun to feel a little stifling and I had no idea how to tell her that.

But if I didn’t soon, I never would.

I turned on the taps and began to fill the sink with hot, soapy water. “Actually, when I get back, can I talk to you about something?”

Mum got up, pushing her chair back. “Anything, so long as it’s not about a boy.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Don’t worry, Mum. It’s not.”

An image of wild dark hair, blue eyes and a leather jacket flashed into my mind. I quickly pushed it away. He’d come into the garden centre café several times, and every time I’d been as polite and professional as I could even though I’d felt my cheeks burn and fought to meet his eyes.

Even if I learned his name, what good would it do? It couldn’t go anywhere.

Mum picked up a cloth and came to join me at the sink. “The blossom looks lovely, doesn’t it? It always does, but for some reason it seems particularly beautiful this year.” She kissed the side of my head. “Just like you.”

“Well, it is genetic.”

The orchard was the only place on the farm that could be influenced by both my specialist magic and Mum’s. She took care of the trees in winter and when the apples and pears were out, and I worked my magic on the blossom. The tiny flowers needed to be as colourful and sweet-scented as possible to attract the bees; if it worked, we’d have a great crop of fruit this year.

Mum’s face lit up. “Why not take Mina with you to the fields?”

“I don’t think so, Mum. She said something about wanting a quiet day today.”

“That’s fair enough.” Mum put the last clean plate on the side and kissed the side of my head. “Better get going. It looks like it might rain.”

I wasn’t worried about that. A little rain often helped the flowers, and I wouldn’t let it stop me.

***

I knocked three times on the lodge door and pushed it open. “Hello?”

“Hi!” Mina emerged from the bedroom, a magazine in her hand.

“Here’s that book.” I placed it on a nearby table.

“Thanks, Flora. I’ve been thinking – any chance you could change your mum’s mind about me paying rent?”

“Nope,” I replied. “You know what she said: you can pay it if you get a part-time job but other than that, no way.”

“Are you sure I’m not freeloading?”

I shook my head. “You help out on the farm and in the shop, and we really appreciate it.”

Mina smiled warmly. “Not half as much as I appreciate you taking me in.” Before I could say anything, she tore something off the magazine and held it out to me. “This lip gloss came with the magazine – do you want it? I’m not sure it’s my colour.”

I took it cautiously. I loved wearing lip gloss just as much as Mina did, but I’d never worn this shade before. This was a lovely dark red, with little shimmers.

“I’ll try it. Thanks, Mina.”

Mum would never let me wear it.

“See you later; I’m going to the wildflower fields.” I grinned and winked at her. “Tell Ethan I said hi the next time you text him!”

There was plenty of time until the next bus, so I took my time walking down the drive that led to the main road. Birds sang loudly in the background; a robin landed in the bush right next to me, studied me for a moment, then flew away again.

The bus stop looked a little out of place on the roadside. I stood still by the post, stealing glances down the road where the bus was due to come and occasionally fiddling with my pink enamel bracelet. It had been a gift from Dad, and it went perfectly with my dusky-rose vintage blouse.

I shivered as a cool breeze blew. Maybe I should have worn something on top of the blouse.

Just then, the right bus appeared in the distance. I stepped closer to the edge of the pavement and waited for it to come to a halt.

To my surprise, I was the only person on the bus. I chose a seat by a window and lazily watched the fields go by. The wildflower fields were a half-hour ride away from Topaz Coast, and only one bus from town travelled this route.

Eventually, the right stop came up. After thanking the bus driver, I walked across the road to the stop on the other side and checked the schedule against my phone. I had either twenty minutes, fifty or an hour and twenty minutes.

I could decide which bus to catch later. Right now, I needed to tend some wildflowers.

I walked down the little path to the fields. The familiar presence of the flowers made my magic twitch, as if recognising a faraway voice.

Before long, I was facing a carpet of colour: living twinkles of ruby, amethyst, periwinkle, sun and snow. Leisurely, I walked through the fields with my hands outstretched at my sides, sending shimmers of my pink magic over the flowers and infusing every one with life and vitality.

Sadly, these weren’t houseplants; I couldn’t make them last longer than they were supposed to. Sooner or later, these flowers would have to pass and allow new ones to spring from the earth but for now, they were here and alive.

The farthest field held a crop of dawn lilies. They were a magically enhanced flower, with a white centre that slowly darkened into pink. They always reminded me of someone blushing.

As I walked through the fields, the magic in them responded to mine and they almost seemed to reach up eagerly. Within moments, the air was full of their sweet scent.

Perhaps Mum would like some wildflowers to brighten up the kitchen.

Gently, I used my magic to tease four dawn lilies out of the earth, then went back the way I’d come and chose other flowers as well. Within minutes, I had a small bouquet. Since these flowers were for the kitchen, I could make these last longer!

Thunder rumbled. I looked up quickly. When had the clouds grown so heavy and dark?

Something cold hit my face and ran down it. Moments later, it felt like sharp needles were falling on me.

I dropped the bouquet and ran for it. My blouse grew wet and stuck to my skin; the rain fell down my forehead and into my eyes. I came to a halt right beside the bus stop and checked to see when the next one would arrive.

Tiny neon letters flashed on the screen above the timetable.

SERVICE CANCELLED

What? It was cancelled entirely?

Suddenly it wasn’t just the rain that made me feel cold. That bus was my only means of transport. Without it, I was stranded. What was I going to do?

How long would the rain last?

Something rumbled in the distance. It wasn’t thunder.

Through the haze of rain, I saw a motorbike approaching. The rider was dressed all in black, including his helmet. I stepped back from the edge of the pavement just in case he drove through a puddle but to my surprise, the motorbike came to a stop right in front of me.

The rider removed his helmet, revealing wild black hair.

I froze, unable to look away.

“Do you need a ride?” he asked.