Her Call To The Trees

Ari’s POV "Ari can you water the tulips? I have a customer on the other end" Fran asked me as she pointed to the phone pinned between her shoulder and her ear. I gave her my best smile. "Of course!" She nodded, not really paying attention, and returned to her phone call. "I'm really sorry about that. If you come on down today we can get it all sorted." My eyebrows creased as I picked up the hose and turned it on, spraying all the delicate flowers that spanned out in arching rainbows on the table in front of me. Whoever she was talking to, they obviously weren't very happy. 'What's going on?' I mouthed to her, but she just waved me off before hobbling down the pathway of plants. Fran was an older woman, in her early 60's. But she was still going strong. She had owned this shop for 40 years, and business had always been great as far as I had been working here. Which was a while. Fran had picked me up when I was just 13. She took me in as her own, and was practically like my grandmother. That was 6 years ago. I made sure all the flowers were generously saturated before turning off the hose and putting myself to work elsewhere. I liked to stay busy and help as much as I could. Not only for the paycheck that Fran had made a fuss about giving me despite my protests, but to help her out in every way I could. I had successfully organized our buckets of cut flowers, squeegeed our cement floor, and washed our gardening tools before the bell chimed, signaling a customer. I hurried to the door. "Hi! Welcome to Fran's Floral shop. Feel free to explore and let me know if you need any help." I recited my lines like an actor reading a script, in my best customer service voice and plastered a friendly smile on my face. "Hi Ari!" A woman greeted me warmly. She was short in height, and I had to look down at her. Her blonde hair was streaked gray, but her blue iris’ were full of life. Mrs. Wren. She was a regular customer here and often bought our flowers in bulk at the beginning for spring for her garden beds. "Hi Mrs. Wren! Welcome back." I chirped as I walked behind the counter, preparing the many bags I assumed she would need when she was all done looking around. "How is your Grandma doing?" She questioned me. Everyone in town referred to Fran as my grandma, even though they all knew that we weren't really related. In fact, I didn’t know anybody who was related to me. I had zero memories of my life before Fran found me wandering alone. I had been to many doctors, and nobody could figure it out. I must have hit my head, and we were all just waiting to see if the memories from before would ever come back. So far, nothing. Just then my phone started ringing. "Excuse me real quick." I looked at her apologetically as I pulled it out of my back pocket. Jasmine's name showed on my cell's caller ID. I swiped up to the green call button and put my phone to my ear, turning away from Mrs. Wren. "Hello?" "Hello?! ARI! Are you forgetting something?!" her voice screamed at me, I reared back before returning my ear to the speaker. "Huh?" I questioned. “It's only your Bestest friend in the whole widest world's BIRTHDAY TODAY!" s**t. I had forgotten. I had been running so late this morning, and then work.. "Oh!! Happy birthday Jazz! Sorry, I'm at work."I smiled sheepishly, even if she couldn't see it. "To make up for this act of heresy you and I are going to my favorite club tonight. So get your best party dress on!" "Jazz-" "Ah! No buts. Meet me at my apartment after work. You only turn 19 once, and I'm not letting you put that fake ID I made you to waste!" I sighed, knowing I had absolutely no choice in this matter. Jasmine loved people, and she loved parties even more. Me on the other hand, I was more content curling up with a really good book while listening to the CD of classical music Fran had gifted me a few weeks ago. But it was her birthday, and I was a royal asshat for forgetting my only friend's birthday. "Okay." I agreed hesitantly. "I'm off at 8." She squealed as I pressed end call. Mrs. Wren smiled at me knowingly and giggled to herself as she made her way down to the flowers, abandoning her question about Fran. I looked at the clock. Great. 2 hours until I was shoved into an awful dark room full of sweaty people. I secretly wished my shift was longer. Unknown POV “Your next target should be easy enough.” The king smirked down at me from his throne. His crown glinted in the dim light falling in from the painted windows that lined the hall. I said nothing, keeping my head bowed as I knelt beneath him. “A rogue vampire has been spotted roaming the human realm. He has killed many without covering his tracks. Jaziah requested you to be the one to take care of it.” he hissed, his pupils flickering to yellow slits. Very cat-like. I nodded my head, before standing. “Yes, your highness.” his eyes met mine, in a menacing stare. I turned my back on him to leave, but he stood up quickly. “I expect this to be quick.” He glared down at me.” I have better jobs for you.” I growled under my breath, my wolf hungry for blood. “Yes, your highness.” I turned again, and walked out. His glare burned into my back as I jogged out, the night engulfing my entire being. Ari's POV "I'm out!" I yelled to Fran as I swung my head around the doorway to look at her. She was in her office doing paperwork. No doubt ordering stock for the shop. "I'll be home late tonight. Jasmine's dragging me out for her birthday." I playfully rolled my eyes. "Okay dear. Be safe. I'll save you some dinner." She smiled at me as she pushed her little glasses up her nose, her white hair falling out of its messy bun and into her silver eyes. I bounced over to her and kissed her forehead. "Love you! See you later!" She just shook her head at me as I ran out of the room. On my way. I texted Jasmine as I locked the shop door and made my way down the sidewalk. I didn't have a car, but her apartment wasn't that far of a walk. It was only about 6 blocks and I was used to walking the distance. Besides, I really loved the fresh air. I breathed in deeply as the nighttime breeze blew through my dark brown hair. Ding! I looked back at my phone. Don't forget to wear a dress!! Xoxo I groaned. I hated dresses. I was more of a sweater person. Jasmine was always pushing me to try out different styles and different brands. expensive brands. She hated that I thrifted all of my outfits just as much I hated wearing girly outfits. but I knew I'd stick out like a sore thumb if I went in what I was wearing now. I looked down at myself. My boots were covered in dirt, and so were my light blue jeans that I had stitched sunflowers into. Even if I didn't get a dress, I definitely couldn't go anywhere looking like this. Well. I guess I was making a stop. I made my way into a little clothing store a few blocks away from Jasmine's place. It was cute, but small. I had been here a few times with Jasmine, but it was more her style than mine. The workers were friendly enough though, and I felt bad that I was coming in when I knew they were getting ready to close. I walked as quickly as I could to the back, where I knew they kept the dresses. I flicked through the rack quickly, and decided on 3 dresses that I semi liked. “Anything I can help you with?” The worker stopped mopping and smiled at me. “Um, can I try these on really quick?” I questioned. “Sure thing! Dressing rooms are down that way.” She pointed me towards a brightly lit hallway. I nodded and went to try on my picks before I finally decided on one. I looked at myself in the mirror. It was a two piece, the top being see through lace everywhere except for the bralet and the skirt was plain and stopped at my mid thigh. The dress itself was a brilliant dark navy blue that complimented my dark wavy curls, but contrasted with my emerald eyes. I liked it though. I decided to take a quick picture and send it to Jazz. Thoughts? EEK! LOVE! I smiled and hung the other two up on the left over clothing wrack, before checking out at the cash register. "Have a good night" I smiled at the worker. “You too! Come again.” I grabbed the bag from her hand and walked back out into the night. The rest of the walk was quick. I took my time walking up the building, taking it all in. Even in the dark, this place was stunning. Jazz was the daughter of the mayor, so her family wasn't quite short on money. Her father had gifted her this apartment with paid full expenses when she turned 18, so that she could focus on her studies. She attended the biggest College in our area and was working hard for her psych degree. Jasmine has wanted to become a psychologist since before I moved here. I pulled open the glass doors and walked up the many flights of stairs to the floor where her apartment resided. Of course there was an elevator that would have made this way easier, but I had always had what Jasmine called an irrational fear of elevators and preferred to take the stairs. I didn't think it was so irrational. What if it plumpted to the bottom?! Or got stuck and I suffocated?! Plus, there was the aspect of moving without being able to see where you were going. It always made my stomach do flops when it did the first lurch. One time I even passed out! I let out a heavy breath as I reached the 8th floor. Hers was at the end of the hall, looking over the city. I stood outside her door and without knocking, entered. “Honey! I’m home.” I yelled as a little white cotton ball came flying down the hall towards me. Princess, Jasmine's toy poodle. I laughed and scooped her up as she did circles around my feet. She was small, with a pink collar and matching bow. "Hello to you too!" I kissed her curly head. She yipped excitedly. Dogs and animals in general had always taken a liking to me, and I wasn’t really sure why. Maybe it was because I smelled like outside most of the time, or maybe the fact I often snuck them snacks they weren’t supposed to be having.. "Where's Jasmine?" I questioned Princess as I leaned down to set her back on the hardwood floor. She just barked some more at me, spinning in wild circles. “Okay, okay. Don’t tell on me.” I whispered as I pulled a granola bar out of my pants pocket and gave her a piece. She took it happily. I left her to eat it and walked down the hall, into a wide open space enclosed with windows reaching from the ceiling to the floor. There was a couch and a large flat screen tv on one end, and a stainless steel kitchen on the other. "Jazz?" I called. No answer. She was probably in her bathroom, still getting ready. I walked across the living room to the French doors behind the couch, and pulled them open to peer inside. "Jasmine?" I entered her white and gold themed bedroom. Clothes were littered everywhere and princess jumped up onto her bed to stare at me. "In here!" A voice answered. I opened the bathroom door and stifled a laugh. Orange powder was everywhere. All over Jasmine and the walls. "What on earth?" I questioned, covering my mouth to hide my smile. Her raven black hair whipped around as her chocolate eyes glared at me. "What are you laughing at? Can't you see this woman is having a problem?" She huffed. I dropped my hand and tried my best to keep a straight face. She stared at me and I stared back, until we both burst out laughing. "You look like an oompa loompa from Charlie and the chocolate factory!" I laughed uncontrollably and she gasped. "Hey! At least I don't look like I just crawled out of a swamp somewhere! You're covered in dirt!" My hand flew to my heart in mock pain. "How dare you? Shrek has a lovely house if I must say!" I acted in my best British accent. She broke out giggling again. "Do you need help cleaning all of this eye shadow?" I asked when we had calmed down. She shook her head. "Go shower and get ready! I'll be okay here." I nodded and turned to leave, my bag of stuff still in hand. "And then I'll do your makeup!" She added. I grimaced. "No way! One oompa loompa is enough!" I screamed back at her, before I raced to the guest bathroom. I could hear her hot on my wheels, no doubt a brush in hand. I closed the door just as she let it go, and it hit the wall with a thud. I smirked in triumph, my chest heaving as I caught my breath. "you win this time!" She yelled, before the sound of her retreating could be heard. Phew. Close call. I smiled to myself before turning away from the door. The guest bathroom was huge, with a walk in shower and jacuzzi tub. Not my taste at all. I turned the shower on before stripping my work clothes. Anxiety was starting to fill me. Pretty soon I would be forced into a crowded room full of hot sweaty people and loud music. I stepped into the shower and sighed. The hot water cascaded down my skin. It felt refreshing. I dumped some of the random shampoo from the shelf into my hand before massaging it into my brain, then I rinsed and repeated with the conditioner.I felt the hours of work wash off of me. I started to get lost in the feeling when a knock interrupted. “Are you almost ready or what?” Jasmine yelled. “Getting dressed now!” I yelled back, turning off the shower in a hurry. I stepped out, grabbing a white towel off the wall hanger. I dried my body with it, making sure every water droplet was gone. Then I plugged in the blow dryer and curler to let it warm as I got dressed. I opened my bag from the shop and pulled out the blue two piece. I forgot that I was wearing a sports bra today. It wouldn’t look good underneath the dress. Damn it, I could have bought a nicer one while I was at the shop.I internally facepalmed at myself, deciding to just go without one underneath the top. I pulled it on before I put one the skirt. “Jazz! Will you come help me with my hair?” I opened the door and yelled out into the living room at her. Like a moth drawn to a flame, she came flying in at high speed.”Of course!” she squealed, grabbing the blow dryer. Oh boy,I was in for it now. “Done!” she chimed, as she held up the hand mirror for me, I opened my eyes and looked. I gasped. I didn't even recognize myself. Jazz had given me a black smokey eye, with emerald eye shadow that matched my eyes. The rest was kept natural, except for the pink tint on my lips. My dark hair was now curled neatly, and fell just past my collar bones. “Wow.” I remarked. She winked at me. “I’d smash.” she giggled. I hit her. “Jasmine!” “What? Isn’t it time for you to get a boyfriend or something?” I shook my head at her while she wiggled her eyebrows. “Okay! Let's go! I’m not getting any younger here!” She grabbed my hand and yanked me off the kitchen counter. All I could think about was the anxiety I felt when I was younger, when we were playing hide and seek.Ready or not, here I come!