When Golderine finally arrived home, she found her Aunt Mariam busy in the garden, tending to the colorful blooms that filled the air with their sweet fragrance. Mariam was watering the plants with her usual care, humming a soft tune. The sight was peaceful, almost therapeutic, and for a moment, it helped Golderine forget the day's troubles.
Feeling mischievous, Golderine decided to sneak up on her aunt to scare her. She crept closer, holding her breath to stay silent. Just as she was about to pounce, Mariam turned around abruptly, wearing an ugly pig-like mask.
"Ahhh!" Golderine screamed, startled. Her fight-or-flight instinct kicked in, and she raised her hand to slap the grotesque creature before her. Before the slap could land, Mariam caught her wrist mid-air, her laughter ringing out loud and clear.
"Kiddo," Mariam chuckled, "you're about to turn 18 in November, and you're still scared of me? Seriously?" She removed the mask, her face glowing with amusement.
Golderine clutched her chest dramatically. "I'm not scared of you, Aunt Mariam! It's that hideous mask—it almost gave me a heart attack! I wasn't expecting you to look like… that." She collapsed into one of the garden chairs, tossing her heavy backpack onto the ground as if it had been her mortal enemy.
She opened the pizza box she'd bought earlier, the delicious aroma of melted cheese and spices wafting through the air. "And seriously, Mariam, isn't it way too hot to be dressing up like it's Halloween? That makeup of yours is probably melting as we speak. Doesn't it feel itchy? My face already feels stiff with these stupid freckles. I'm about ready to scrape this makeup off."
Mariam joined her at the table, casually helping herself to a slice of pizza. "You're right, it is hot, but unlike you, I use long-lasting makeup. This masterpiece will last two whole days," she said with a sly grin before taking another bite.
"Two days?!"Golderine exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "How many layers did you put on? My face feels like it's been coated in cement. Can makeup remover even get this off?"
Mariam shook her head dramatically. "Nope, not a chance. Maybe I should add something permanent to your face next time. What do you think?"
Golderine groaned. "You're impossible, Aunt Mariam." She took a large bite of pizza, chewing aggressively as if it were her way of venting.
After a moment, Mariam leaned back in her chair, her tone shifting to one of concern. "How was your day, kiddo? Did anyone mess with you? If someone hurt you, just tell me—I'll remove their tongue if they said anything cruel and their hands if they dared to touch you." Her sharp gaze fixed on Golderine, scanning her face for any sign of distress.
Golderine sighed, knowing her aunt would figure it out eventually. "Uhh… nope. My day was fine, you know. I even defeated Mr. Evan in math class with his endless questions. And… well, teachers are still avoiding me like the plague. Steph and her minions…" She hesitated, then shook her head. "Never mind. It's not worth talking about. And no, I didn't make any new friends, nor did I try to."
Mariam frowned slightly but kept her composure. "Darling, you need to open up to the world. Nobody's going to do that for you. Try to make friends, create good memories. You won't stay young forever, you know." Her voice softened as she leaned closer. "And about Stephanie… do you miss her? Be honest."
"Miss her?" Golderine scoffed. "No, I don't miss her, and I never will. I can't believe I ever trusted her or thought she was my friend. That's my biggest regret—believing in her. Honestly, Mariam, I don't understand why you won't let me transfer schools. Why must I stay in that hellhole? And why do I have to keep hiding my face with makeup? Why can't I just be myself?"
Mariam sighed deeply, leaning back in her chair. "Golderine, we can't leave this town. Your life is safer here than anywhere else. And as for your face, darling, it doesn't define who you are. But you have to understand something—you can't show off what you can't protect. If you want to reveal yourself, start by learning how to stand up for yourself. Look at you now—your cheek is red. I can tell Stephanie slapped you again, didn't she?"
Golderine looked away, her silence answering the question.
Mariam leaned forward, her voice firm but kind. "If you want to show the world your true self, then you need to protect it first. Confidence starts with strength, and strength begins with self-respect. The next time someone lays a hand on you, don't let it slide. Otherwise, you're just giving them permission to hurt you again."
"I'm just tired," Golderine admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to live like this anymore."
Mariam's gaze softened. She placed a hand on Golderine's shoulder. "Then you'd better start changing things, darling. You can't keep waiting for life to fix itself. If you don't, I'll make sure those who oppress you pay the price. Believe me, I won't have mercy." She stood up, brushing crumbs off her clothes. "And don't forget to water that plant after you change out of your uniform. I'm going to take a bath and spend some time in my study."
Golderine nodded silently, watching her aunt walk into the house.
After a moment, she sighed, got up, and headed to her room. She changed into comfortable clothes, leaving her uniform in a messy heap on the floor. She made her way back to the garden, carrying a watering can.
The strange flower her aunt had instructed her to care for stood out among the vibrant roses and lilies. Unlike the others, it never bloomed. Its peculiar white, gray, and gold appearance made it look more like a mushroom than a flower. Golderine couldn't understand why her aunt insisted on tending to it.
As she poured water over the flower, her mind drifted to Stephanie.
When Golderine first started at Raven's Peak High School, she had no friends. Stephanie, with her magnetic charm, always walked the halls flanked by Julia and Stacy. But one day, the trio had a falling out—or at least, it seemed like they did. Stephanie began talking to Golderine, and slowly, the two became friends.
Or so Golderine thought.
Stephanie had been sweet at first, making her laugh and helping her navigate the school's social labyrinth. But over time, things changed. Stephanie's kindness turned into subtle jabs, and eventually, outright cruelty.
Golderine clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. The betrayal still stung. She'd trusted Stephanie, opened up to her, only to be left humiliated and broken.
"Never again," she muttered under her breath, staring at the peculiar flower. Its dormant state mirrored how she felt—stuck, unable to bloom.
As the last drop of water left the can, Golderine set it aside and headed back into the house. Dinner was quiet, and after finishing her meal, she retreated to her room.
That night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, Mariam's words echoed in her mind: "You can't show off what you can't protect."
She didn't know how, but something inside her stirred. She was done being the victim.