Lavender boy
1233 Words
Chapter 8
Ofreigha Sebastian
Her POV
I should’ve been heading straight to the photography studio with Axel.
I should’ve been fixing my hair, checking my lipstick, and preparing for that school magazine shoot.
But no.
Instead, I found myself walking toward the freshman building—my curiosity dragging me forward like an invisible string.
That boy.
The one with the green eyes.
I wasn’t sure why he felt so familiar, why my stomach had twisted when our eyes met earlier. But something about him—something strange—made me feel like I had to see him again.
I slowed as I reached the hallway.
Then, a sound made me stop.
A violin.
Soft. Haunting. Sad.
The melody floated through the air like a whisper—wrapping around my heart and pulling at something deep inside me I didn’t even know existed.
I followed it, my steps light, almost hesitant.
Through the glass window of the music room, I saw him.
The boy with the green eyes.
His head was bowed, fingers gliding over the strings with effortless grace. The violin rested on his shoulder, and his bow moved like it was weaving a story.
A story filled with longing.
Pain.
Loneliness.
I didn’t even realize I was crying until a tear dropped onto my wrist.
Why… why was I crying?
I clenched my fists, pressing them against my chest as the melody swelled, rising to something sharp and unbearable.
Beautiful.
It felt like… it was made for me.
Then, suddenly—
He looked up.
Our eyes met.
My heart stopped.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
The music died.
His bow froze mid-stroke, hovering over the strings like he, too, had been caught in a trance.
I panicked.
With my heart slamming against my ribs, I turned and ran.
Away from the music.
Away from the emotions I couldn’t explain.
Away from him.
I didn’t stop until I reached the bathroom.
The second I locked the door, my chest heaved, my breath uneven.
Then, without warning—
I burst into tears.
Diyos ko, what is wrong with me?
I clutched the sink, shaking my head.
“This is so stupid,” I whispered, trying to calm down.
Then—
The door swung open.
A few classmates entered, chatting, until they froze at the sight of me crying in front of the mirror.
“Oh my god, Ofri, are you okay?” Riza gasped, rushing over.
I wiped my tears fast and forced a weak smile.
“It’s nothing! Just…” sniff
“Cramps. You know. Being a woman is so painful.”
They immediately bought it.
Riza nodded, all-knowing.
“Ugh, I totally get it. First day is the worst.”
“Do you need a pad?” another girl offered, already pulling one from her bag.
I didn’t need it.
But I also wasn’t about to admit I just cried because of a violin-playing freshman boy.
So I nodded and mumbled,
“Thanks…”
Next thing I knew, they were dragging me to the clinic, insisting I needed rest. The nurse—a guy—took one look at my “pained” expression and signed me out of the photoshoot and all afternoon classes.
And now—
Here I was.
Lying on the clinic bed. Staring at the ceiling. Trapped in this whole cramps lie.
Great.
I sighed, rolling to the side, about to close my eyes when—
The door creaked open.
I froze.
Through barely open eyelids, I saw a shadow slip into the room.
Him.
The green-eyed boy.
My breath caught in my throat.
He didn’t notice me watching. He was too focused, carefully placing something on the desk beside me before stepping back toward the door.
Then, just as silently as he’d come, he was gone.
I sat up slowly, heart pounding.
On the desk, resting delicately on a folded cloth, was a small bouquet of lavenders.
My fingers hovered over the petals, thoughts spinning.
How?
How did he know I loved lavenders?
I stared at the flowers, tracing their delicate curves with my eyes.
That boy…
Who was he?
The freshman who played the violin like his soul bled through the strings.
The one who unknowingly unraveled me, made my emotions spill over with a melody I couldn’t forget.
I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to steady the wild rhythm inside.
Why had he left me lavenders?
I let out a shaky breath, leaning back on the bed.
Jayson was certain. Jayson was a promise. A plan.
But the green-eyed boy?
He was a question.
A mystery that sent shivers down my spine.
And I wasn’t sure which one scared me more.
The campus is quieter now. Most students had gone home.
I sat up on the bed, legs aching from doing nothing. I should be resting. But not because of cramps.
It was my heart that needed the real break.
A soft knock pulled me out of my spiral. Riza peeked inside with her usual sunshine grin.
"You ready to go?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
“Come on, let’s get you home so you can bathe and change the pad,” she teased, gathering my stuff.
The ride home was mostly quiet, aside from her occasional side-eye to make sure I wasn’t about to faint in her passenger seat.
When we finally reached my house, I mumbled,
“Thanks, Riza,” before stepping out.
The moment I closed the door behind me, my legs felt heavier.
I really needed rest.
But first—
My eyes landed on the small bundle of lavender on my desk.
The ones he gave me.
I hesitated before picking them up gently. Slightly crushed from being held too long, but still the same scent—calm, soft, almost… him?
I knew I should throw them away.
But instead, I grabbed an empty glass jar from my shelf.
Preserving the Lavenders
I moved like it wasn’t a big deal—like I wasn’t trying to keep a piece of him.
I separated the stems carefully, keeping the flowers intact. Tied them with a thin twine. Placed a paper towel inside the jar for moisture. Nestled the bouquet in gently.
Then, a sprinkle of silica gel to preserve the scent.
Finally, I sealed the lid.
I held the jar up, watching the soft purple bloom behind the glass.
I didn’t know why I did it.
Maybe because they were pretty.
Maybe because they reminded me of something gentle.
Or maybe because I wasn’t ready to let go of something he gave me.
But who is he, anyway?
With a sigh, I placed the jar on my nightstand.
Somewhere I could see it.
Then, I grabbed my journal.
The one Jayson gave me.
I flipped to a blank page and twirled my pen, staring at the empty space.
For a moment, nothing came.
Then, the words flowed out.
Today was exhausting. The cramps were bad, but the things in my head were worse.
I heard a melody so beautiful it made me tear up. He was so talented.
I glanced at the lavender jar, then added—
I kept the flowers.
I don’t know why.
Maybe because they’re beautiful.
Maybe because he is, too.
I froze.
Heart skipped.
Then I scratched that last line out.
No.
I shut the journal and pressed it to my chest.
I really needed rest.
- Writer
