The wind is blowing outside of my window with such great ferocity that the cherry blossom petals from the trees nearby have found their way into my bedroom. They cover the dresser in the corner by the window, the floor and some have even found their way to my bed. The delicate smell of pollen has wrapped itself around the air I breathe and I find myself thinking of a girl named after a flower.
I always knew that I was annoyed by Lavender but the frequency of her appearance in my thoughts has brought me to wonder if perhaps my feelings for her border hatred. After all, simply being around her infuriates me. I couldn't bear it, and one day in the spring I even pushed her into the fresh mud in our backyard. She looked so upset, and I could barely understand what I had done. My face burned. Was I really so angry? I must have been.
My eyes have found their way back to the small white and pink petals as I think of Lavender. My eyes briefly confused them with a light snowfall but upon closer inspection, I think perhaps that they look a lot like the elderflower beds in town. Things have been changing around Faerindell and it wasn't just the seasons. There were new kittoms in the daycare, an occurrence similar to when I had come here last year.
I left the room and went outside. The wind felt cool and refreshing on my fur. The smell of the flowers was much stronger outside than it was in the room. More than just the cherry trees, there were rows of flowers in the fields. There were carefully planted and tended to flowers by the daycare and houses. The sky was perfectly blue and everything seemed perfect.
My eyes lit up when I saw Whimsy in the distance with some of the kittoms. Whimsy is kind and gentle. She's more than a daycare attendant. She's perfect! I like her a lot, and I'm happy to be here with her.
I found myself sitting down on a little stone bench by the fence. I can see Whimsy from here, and I can see down the hill toward the forest. The trees seem more brilliantly pink than they were before, and the sparkle of colours from all the flowers in the field seem to glimmer. The faerie shrouds were bright, sparkling with the dew of the freshly fallen rain. I find myself casually kicking the tall grass with my hind legs.
Briefly, I thought I seen Lavender out of the corner of my eye, and immediately my back straightened up and my face burned. I looked around to catch another glimpse of her but I had lost sight of her. The purple flank that had caught my eye seemed to dance out of view. Perhaps I had been mistaken? Why would I have seen Lavender there? My thoughts considered this idea for a little before my eyes went back towards where Whimsy was but I found myself disappointed to find out that she had moved either inside the daycare or to the other side of the yard.
I think I had a frown on my face because I felt a tightness around my mouth, and my eyebrows seemed to be pushing down. My front paws pushed against the stone bench below my flank and rocked back and forth for a few minutes. I think there were birds singing because I felt lost between the melody with the fragrant smell of pollen and dew.
Eventually, I pushed myself off the bench and found myself with all fours in the soft grass. I followed the fence around the yard, watching the faerie shrouds wrapped around each fence post, crawling up like it'll reach the sun at the top. They were beautiful, ranging in soft colours such as pink and yellow; bright colours such as red and orange; and deep colours such as violet and blue.
I made my way around the yard and found myself back at the stone bench. Whimsy had been nowhere to be seen, and in defeat, I settled down on the grass in front of the bench. I just sat there in the realization that she had gone back inside. There was a lot to be done when you had a daycare full of kittoms and activities to run and meals to prepare. Maybe she needed some help? Maybe I could help her! Yes! I quickly pushed my little paws against the grass and brought myself back on all fours. I hurried across the grass, down the little stone pathway and back into the daycare.
The foyer was empty but I heard voices in the kitchen. I made my way over there quietly. I was going to surprise Whimsy! I turned around the corner and then froze. It was Whimsy and Jubilee. Why did I freeze? Well, Jubilee wasn't just any kittom here in the daycare. She was like Pastel. She was Whimsy's real daughter. I feel my chest tighten in protest at the thought but my legs are glued to the floor and my eyes stuck on the scene in front of me.
Whimsy so gingerly caresses Jubilee, and I feel my eyes narrow at Jubilee when she burrows her face into Whimsy's chest. Whimsy wraps her arms around Jubliee in response and that's when I ran. I turned around the corner of the kitchen and back out the way I came.
I hate Jubilee! I hate her!
I ran to the fence, and this time I climbed through the gaps in it.
I hate that she looks like me!
I hate that Whimsy prefers her!
I ran down the hill toward the forest. I ran through the tall grass, and past the faerie shrouds. Lupins were tall and fragrant. The purple reminded me of Lavender which only fuelled me to run faster.
Why?
It isn't fair! She's my mom too!
Reaching the wall of pink treetops, I stop. I find myself sitting down on the damp grass before leaning backwards until I lay on my back. I stare at the sky above me and watch the white streaks of clouds slowly pass by. I watch the wind blow the pink petals across my line of sight and I watch as some fall down near me.
She was my mom first...
I must have laid there for hours. I don't remember time passing by but before I even realized it the sun was setting. The hue of orange cast a beautiful reflection on the pink and white petals of the cherry trees and brightened my own red coat. It cast against me, highlighting all my flaws. I wished Jubilee had never come here and I fought my own desire to go back home. I could just lay here, it's not like anyone would miss me, right? I didn't think so.
In the distance, I could hear the sound of my name being called. It was soft at first so I didn't acknowledge it but as time passed on it got louder and louder. It was familiar but I couldn't seem to place it. It seemed like it was getting closer but that didn't make sense. I moved to sit up, and then I began to look around. Suddenly, I felt a body grab mine and pull me in close.
The scent was familiar.
"Thank goodness you're all right. I was worried sick when you didn't come back for dinner!" The sound echoed through my mind as I put together the notes.
It was Whimsy.
"Mom?" I asked. I still wasn't sure.
"Yes." She said, squeezing me tightly. "Let's go home."
