The rain had stopped by the time Selena ventured back into the heart of Mistwood the next morning. She had spent a restless night, turning over her conversation with her mother, trying to understand what had made Violet so resolute in her refusal to even consider Selena's dreams. Her mind kept returning to the same question—why did her mother insist on staying locked in the past, never allowing room for change? It was as though Violet's world had frozen when Selena's father passed, and she couldn't move forward. All Selena wanted was the freedom to learn, to grow, and to make something of herself beyond the confines of their small farm, but Violet's rejection weighed heavy on her heart.
Selena's footsteps crunched softly on the damp earth as she walked deeper into the woods, the smell of wet pine filling the air. The trees, towering and ancient, seemed to embrace her, offering solace in their stoic silence. For a moment, she allowed herself to sink into the comfort of the forest, her mind clearing as she wandered further from the edge, where the farmhouse was no longer in sight.
She had been walking for hours, cataloging various plants in her journal, when something caught her eye. A single, delicate flower, unlike anything she had ever seen, bloomed just off the narrow path. Its petals were the color of deep purple twilight, and its scent was sweet yet earthy, almost otherworldly. Kneeling down, Selena carefully examined the flower, her heart racing with the thrill of discovery.
It wasn't long before she heard a voice calling from the edge of the clearing, startling her.
"That's quite a rare specimen you've found there," the voice said, with a quiet, amused tone. "I've been trying to find it for weeks."
Selena looked up, startled to find a young man standing just beyond the clearing. His face was partially hidden by the thick forest's shadows, but there was something about him that drew her in. He was tall, with dark hair, and his eyes—bright, intelligent eyes—were focused on her with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. He was dressed in simple, earth-toned clothes, as though he, too, belonged in the woods.
"Who are you?" Selena asked, her voice cautious yet intrigued. It wasn't often that she encountered someone deep in Mistwood, let alone someone who seemed as knowledgeable about the forest as this man appeared to be.
"Apologies for startling you," the young man said with a slight grin. "I'm Rowan Hale. I've been studying the flora of this region for some time. And I'm guessing you're a fellow lover of nature, or you wouldn't be out here alone."
Selena hesitated. Something about his presence seemed... familiar, even though they had never met before. She stood up slowly, brushing the dirt from her knees, and wiped her hands on her pants. "I'm Selena Roslin," she said, offering a small, cautious smile. "I've been coming here for years. There's so much to learn."
Rowan nodded, his expression brightening. "Ah, you're the one! I've heard about you. The girl who knows all the names of the plants in Mistwood. You have quite a reputation among the locals."
Selena blinked, taken aback. "People talk about me?" she asked incredulously. It was strange to think that anyone—especially someone like Rowan, with such an obvious depth of knowledge—would know anything about her.
"Well, not in the way you might think," Rowan said, his smile widening, but there was an underlying kindness to his words. "You're known as someone with a passion for the forest, and that's rare around here. Not many people take the time to understand the natural world the way you do."
The unexpected compliment made Selena's chest tighten. She had always felt somewhat out of place in the small village where she lived. People saw her as strange, someone who spent too much time in the forest, someone who was obsessed with plants. The idea of being "known" for her love of nature—let alone receiving admiration for it—was foreign to her.
"I'm just trying to learn," Selena said quietly, her fingers tracing the delicate petals of the flower she had been studying. "There's so much more out there, and I just want to understand it all. The plants, the animals… the land itself. There's something… important about it all. Something I think people forget."
Rowan's eyes lit up as if he understood exactly what she meant. "You're right," he said, stepping closer to her. "There's an entire world that people overlook. But not you. You're one of the few who truly sees it, who hears it when it calls. That's why I've been watching you."
Selena's breath caught in her throat. "You've been watching me?"
Rowan laughed softly, a sound that was like the rustling of leaves in the wind. "Not in a creepy way, I assure you. But I've seen you around the woods before, always scribbling in your journal, always with your head buried in books. I admire your dedication. I've been hoping to meet you for a while."
Selena couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and unease. She had never encountered anyone quite like Rowan before—someone so completely engrossed in the study of the world around them. He wasn't just some wanderer in the woods; he was someone with a purpose. Someone who understood her.
"I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable," Rowan said, his expression turning serious. "I didn't mean to startle you. But I have a proposition, if you're interested."
Selena raised an eyebrow. "A proposition?"
Rowan nodded. "I'm in the process of compiling a comprehensive study of the plants and wildlife in this area. Mistwood is a rich source of rare species, and I'm sure you've seen a few yourself. I could use a partner, someone who knows the area as well as you do. Together, we could catalog these species and preserve their knowledge. Perhaps even protect them from people who don't understand their value."
Selena's heart skipped a beat. It was everything she had ever dreamed of—an opportunity to be part of something bigger than herself, to study the very plants she had spent years learning about. But there was one catch—her mother.
She hesitated. "I'd love to, but… I'm not sure if I can. My mother—she doesn't think I should be doing things like this. She thinks my place is at home."
Rowan's eyes softened, and he took a small step back, respecting her space. "I understand. But you're your own person, Selena. You don't have to be confined to what others think you should do. You have a gift—don't let anyone make you feel like it's something to hide."
For a moment, Selena felt a surge of emotion. No one had ever spoken to her like this—not her mother, not anyone in the village. It was like Rowan could see through all the layers she had built up to protect herself. He saw her potential, her passion for nature, and that made her feel both nervous and exhilarated at the same time.
"I'll think about it," Selena said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I really will."
Rowan smiled. "Take your time. I'll be around here a lot, and I'd love to work with you if you decide to join me. It's not every day you meet someone who shares your passion."
Selena watched as he turned to leave, but before he disappeared into the trees, he glanced over his shoulder.
"By the way," Rowan called, his voice carrying softly through the forest, "if you're ever interested in learning more, there's a botanical expedition being held in the city in a few weeks. I think you'd really enjoy it."
The mention of the city made Selena's heart leap. It was an opportunity—a real chance to step beyond the limits of her mother's expectations and into the world she had always dreamed of. But as the excitement coursed through her veins, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her mother's disapproval hanging over her.
Rowan was already disappearing into the mist, leaving Selena with a sense of hope that had been long absent from her life.