With a Flower in Your Hair

He was in line and here I sat watching front row as the truth became unfolded.

In line? The brawl for Valedictorian was taking place and four senior students stood on the stage, awaiting their fates. Either way they should be very proud of their standing throughout their years of school and I could only hope to be one of those four standing up there three years from now.

Squinting into the bright light of the hot sun, I glanced at each of their faces, trying to decipher any feeling that they may have emitted through their expressions. The first candidate, a bright girl with short black hair and very large eyes, was smiling widely, obviously trying to express every emotion of joy possible. The second one in line--another female--stood tall, proud, and emotionless, obviously enjoying her rank but unsure how to express it any other way then through rock-hard confidence.

My breath hitched in my throat as I took in the well-built man to her left. His name was Henry Rallis, a football player who happened to have been in my agriculture class, despite myself being a freshman. We had gotten to know each other quite well throughout the entire year but seeing him standing there, slightly nervous and awkward. put him in a whole new light. How could he be so very intent? Sitting there that warm June morning I realized that I admired him for that.

I surveyed the final contestant, a third girl with dark blonde hair and a very short stature seconds before the superintendent rose and began his humble speech.

“In the midst of the past four years, these four students have managed to surprise me most especially. Although only two will earn proper titles, I would like you to give each and every one a round of applause for their hard work and labor. You all deserve it.”

Everyone exploded in a wild round of applause, myself included, and from my position I could see a gentle smile develop across Henry’s charming face. My heart naturally screamed that it was meant for me but my head’s better judgment ruled in and took over the thought entirely.

Either way, I smiled back, praying with all of my heart that he could see it.

The progression moved on and in conclusion the two blonde girls earned the titles of Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Henry didn’t look disappointed at all. Rather, he smiled even wider and clapped excitedly, sincerely cheerful for the ones who had won. The party of four then exited the stage and took their seats, ready to finish up the ceremony and get on with the party that followed.

And so it did. The class of 1989 was officially set to make their mark on the world and I was a witness, newly excited and prepared for when my time would come.

The party that took place after all of the parents had removed themselves from the school grounds was simply stunning. Every student was invited to the after party, which was set to begin soon. Others left and the celebration went on, nothing truly extraordinary taking place. That is, until, I noticed Henry walking my way, a knowing grin plastered onto his glowing face.

“Hey there Nicole,” he greeted, walking up to me so that our bodies were merely only a few inches apart.

“Hello,” I replied after a few moments, trying to gather my breath. I couldn't find additional words, and was grateful I didn't embarrass myself in any further attempts to do so.

“You having a fun night so far?” His eyebrows rose at this, as they always did when he asked a question. Personally, I thought it was the most adorable thing and stifled a giggle of flattery.

“I suppose. Nothing too exciting has happened so far.”

“Yeah, I get what you mean.”

We stood in silence for a few minutes, unsure as to what to address next. I could tell that he wanted to stay but this arose an abrupt question. Where was his girlfriend? They had broken up two months ago after dating for almost a year but I knew that they were back together now. I knew it and it stunned me to realize that he wasn’t hanging by her at a party such as this.

For the millionth time I recognized that his eyes were blue, the brightest, truest, and purest of blues that I had ever seen.

“I’m impressed with you, you know. You got first in your class out of everyone in your freshman year. How amazing is that?”

“Why do you continue to bring that up? You almost did. Isn’t that just as amazing?”

He smiled his beautiful smile and I couldn’t help but return one of my own, awkward and ugly when compared to his own.

“I guess you’re right.”

The night ended as did the school year.

I wouldn’t see Henry again for another three years.

_______________________________

It was strange how it happened really but looking back I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. I was standing on the very same platform that he stood on three years previous, staring out at the audience of parents and students, unsure what to feel at that exact moment.

But it all went by so quickly that I never had time to feel hardly anything at all. I was named Valedictorian and led the class of 1992 into our proper graduation.

I ran into Henry after the ceremony ended in the most unexpected of ways. I was standing by my mother, father, and three brothers and sisters, taking in their outmost congratulations. They were preparing to leave but naturally they wished to talk to me beforehand. It felt amazing to know that they were so pleased with me.

“Oh, Nicole dear, who is this?” My mother inquired curiously. I followed her gaze, unsure as to whom she was directing. I was convinced that it was just the six of us in our family bubble, I had forgotten we were in public to begin with.

But when I turned around completely and met the familiar eyes of Henry, I could have burst into a trillion pieces of colorful sunlight.

“Henry?” I stuttered, my eyes wide and my head tilted forward, closer to him.

“Uh, hey Nicole. Sorry for just cutting in like this, but I wanted to say hello. I’ll just wait over here until you’re done.” His voice was just as I remembered, magical and as enchanted as possible. He retreated to a nearby tree, his back to me and his head hung down toward the ground. He seemed to be muttering to himself, but I tried not to stare and dwell on him; my family was waiting for me, after all.

“Nicole? Who is he?” My mother was a bit impatient now, wanting to get to the bottom of this.

“He’s an old friend of mine. Graduated three years ago. I haven’t seen him since though. I wonder what he’s doing here.”

My mother replied with a similar questioning attitude and I bid my goodbyes to them, watching my parents continue to their vehicle and my siblings wander around the grounds, preparing for the party. I felt a towering presence behind me and turned to come face to face with Henry.

I felt my heart jump, an odd feeling after not seeing him in as long as I had.

"Hello,” I began, not knowing what else to say. “What are you-“

“Do you remember that one day agriculture class when we all had to go outside and try to replant some plants from the greenhouse and keep them alive? We were pulling out the old flowers and I handed you one and told you to put it in your hair and that you’d look pretty with it there? I meant it; I meant every word.”

I stood there stunned, my eyes remaining attached to his.

“I don't know why, but I just had to make sure you knew that. I don’t know how I fell for you but the fact is that I did, and I still think I feel that way after all this time, and I was just wondering if you possibly felt the same? What do you think of me?”

I explained to him my feelings from three years ago and how when I saw him again that day the rush of them returned in the most unexpected of ways. We dated next, married, began a family of our own, grew up, and died; together.