"Hey, uhh… what are you doing?"
I looked up, hands covered in dirt, wiping my forehead with the back of my sleeve. The sun was high, the wind stirring the leaves around me. My sister stood a few feet away, arms crossed, looking down at me like I'd lost my mind.
"Oh, uhh… just trying something. Do you want anything?"
"No, nothing. Just came to ask why you're playing with dirt."
I blinked. Playing with dirt?
"Uhh… okay."
She sighed, exasperated. "Why are you playing with dirt? I'm gonna start calling you 'Gardener' if you keep this up. Why don't you just play with your friends or watch TV or something? It's what you usually do."
"I'm not playing with dirt. I'm gardening. Or… at least I'm trying to."
She scoffed. "That's not gardening. That's getting dirty for no reason. Don't mess up the garden more than it already is, alright?"
"Don't worry. I'll clean up first. I already cleared a small space to plant stuff, as you can see."
She glanced at the ground, unimpressed. "Well, wash up when you're done. You're covered in so much dirt, I thought you bathed in it for a moment." She chuckled. "This is why I don't run around outside like a kid anymore."
"Okay," I muttered.
"Alright then, I'm leaving now… Gardener."
She walked off, shaking her head.
I scoffed, brushing off my hands. She wouldn't understand.
I sighed, looking at the patch of dirt in front of me. Back to work. I needed to clear more space first. Then, I need the garden fork. Cleaning comes first, though.
After dusting off my hands, I ran to the garage and grabbed the garden fork. Now, I need to figure out what to plant first. Onion or potato? Hmm. What could I grow? I have a lot of options, but a potato might be easier. Just bury it, keep the dirt soft and moist, and wait.
Clearing the entire area by myself would take forever. I need help.
Well… she's off the list. It was a miracle she even left the house to check on me. Asking her for help would be a waste of time.
Adam, though. He always responded to my texts fast, and we could chat while working.
I stood up, brushing my hands against my jeans. Wait—where's my phone?a hmm
Oh. Right. I left it charging.
I ran inside, heading straight to my room.
There it was. 99% battery. Perfect.
Before I could even unlock it, I heard her voice again.
"Hey, where are you going?"
"OH MY GOD—WHAT THE HELL?!"
She stood in the hallway, arms crossed again. "You are not going outside again. Go bathe, for the love of God. You're so dirty, I can smell the dust and dirt from my room."
I blinked. "What?? Then close your door."
"No! It's so damn hot in here, and you know it!"
"Then go outside!"
"I am NOT going outside. I'll be directly exposed to the sun. I'll be even hotter!"
"Not my problem."
She groaned. "You are so damn annoying and unreasonable!"
I frowned. "How am I being unreasonable? You just came out of nowhere, screaming at me to go bathe. How is that being unreasonable, huh? How?"
She stormed off.
I let out a big sigh. What's her problem?
Right. Adam.
I unlocked my phone.
🍀 Adam 🍀
Me: Yo Adam…
Me: R u busy?
Me: If not, can you come help me with something?
Me: Please?
Hopefully, he responds. That guy is always on his phone.
I stuffed my phone in my pocket and ran back outside.
The wind hit my face, cool and refreshing. She's missing out. Who wouldn't want to be outside when it's this breezy? If it's hot inside, just step outside. It's the middle of summer, after all. Though, honestly, I don't understand why people like summer so much. It is way too hot, and the mosquitoes are insane.
I crouched back down, running my fingers through the dirt. I am lucky there are so many plantable things in the house—potatoes, onions, carrots, beans, sweet potatoes, green onions, bell peppers. But what if I planted everything? Then I'd just ask to buy more seeds and other stuff. I'm not an idiot.
Wait… What's that thing used to water plants?
I paused, thinking.
…Damn. I forgot.
I pulled out my phone and searched it up. A watering can. Right.
I sighed. Maybe I am an idiot.
I ran to the garage to check if there is one.
Nope. I knew it.
Well, guess I have to use a bucket or something close.
I was halfway through filling a bucket with water when I heard the front gate creak open.
"Yo!"
I turned around to see Adam strolling in, hands in his hoodie pockets, looking way too casual for someone stepping into a battlefield of dirt and sweat.
"That was fast," I said, setting the bucket down.
"You know me, always on my phone," he said with a smirk. "So, what's the 'help' you need? You digging a grave or something?"
I rolled my eyes. "Gardening, dude. Not everything is about your weird crime documentaries."
"Hey, you never know. First step to getting away with something is making it look normal," he said, surveying the mess I'd made of the yard. "So… this is gardening, huh?"
"Yeah. I cleared some space, got a list of stuff I can plant, but I need help with the cleanup. You in?"
Adam sighed dramatically. "I came all the way here, so I guess I have no choice."
"Exactly," I grinned. "Now, grab that rake and help me get the dirt loosened up."
He muttered something under his breath but picked up the rake anyway.
"So, why the sudden interest in gardening?" he asked, dragging the rake through the soil with minimal effort.
I shrugged. "Just wanted to try something new. Also, I kind of want to prove someone wrong."
"Ahh, now that makes sense," he said, nodding knowingly. "Nothing motivates a person more than pettiness."
I chuckled. "It's not pettiness. It's—"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night, Gardener."
I groaned. "Not you too."
Adam just grinned and kept raking.