Chapter 1

DAWNING

On the half of the third month, a baby was left outside a house, in the garden specifically. It was the dead of the night which would explain why the neighbors didn't spare a glance or attention to the gentle cries of the child. If one did notice then maybe the fate of this little angel would be different. But there is no one and there must be reason why this certain family was chosen.

A lady most probably in her early thirties left the baby. Her face and body were both hidden by the dark coat that is too big for her. She placed the baby gently near the flower bed and with one last look of longing fled with the wind. Heaven bless the child, because as soon as her mother left her the breeze rocked her back and forth soothing the cries. She woke up to find the faces of a woman and a man who is presumably the owner of the house.

The baby grew older and after fifteen years she was visibly not a baby anymore but a girl, a well-developed girl. Brown eyes, dark brown hair, tall and skinny. The girl was left under the care of the Bryant.

Adolf and Gaillard Bryant is the owner of the house and the garden. Adolf was tall, average man with an average brown hair. His wife on the other hand was beefy, short and slightly mean whereas he is indifferent. Their only daughter, Peony has her father's brown hair and her mother's green eyes and snobbish appearance. She has cream-like skin and average height. They have a beautiful house and a garden that has their neighbors up to neck just to one-up their garden. The Bryant care more for their image than for their ward though Adolf has to be spared from this as he will merely shrugged at this idea. Their treatment towards the girl, though someone would question it, can be regarded as the kindest treatment they can ever give to someone who is not related to them. Bound by guilt, the girl helped Gaillard with the house chores and whatever errand the family can come up with. These mostly belong to Peony as Gaillard are more of garden related and Adolf would just waved his hand and focus on either the paper or the TV. There is only one rule for her (actually, there are lots but mostly are irrelevant) don't talk or ask about her parents.

And how do I know this?

I am Phlox Higgins and yes, I am the girl.

"Aunt Gaillard, do you know my parents?" I asked, enunciating her name clearly. I have been living in this house for fifteen years and despite that she comes close to the mother I know I can never properly say her name. It's like my tongue twists every time I do. And even if I am made well aware that I am in no cost or exception to talk about my parents, it's hard not to do it. Besides, it's as if she's not used to it. There is no month that I don't ask the same question.

I was washing the dishes at that moment. We just had breakfast of pancakes and bacon. But only the three of us: me, Aunt Gale, and Uncle Adolf who feasted on it while Peony fed on some fitness cereal. Honestly, I don't know why Peony keeps eating it and from what I tasted after I snuck a bowl last week, it didn't taste anything sweet.

Since it is a summer morning, the sun cast a bright streak of light in the kitchen. It glistens with how shiny the tiles and glassware were. Everything is in pristine white with a little bit of gray and brown. The cabinets are painted in white and they must stay like that. All the dishes and cutlery are in the cabinet just beside the sink while Aunt Gale's precious collections of glass were safely kept in another display cabinet just across the table. Even as a kid I already know that that cabinet is off limits. But apparently, Peony didn't after she hastily took a few china teacups for her tea party which results into a million pieces. So from then, Aunt Gale has that cabinet locked. Now, between this prized cabinet and the sink is a hard wood table with a vase full of calla lilies and the ancient doily. Again like the white cabinets, this table mustn't have a single stain. It might seem that Aunt Gale has this weird fetish of being orderly to the point that it's borderline OC but I'm certain she's not OC. More like she's concerned on how her house will look like when somebody unexpectedly pops in. I mean, if she's a control freak then she wouldn't be able to put up with Uncle Adolf's nightly stream of papers in his office and Peony's awful mess in her bedroom.

Aunt Gale pretended not to hear my question. I'm certain that it is pretend after all I hear her snort. Besides she's not far from the kitchen and hearing distance. She's tending to her tulips. I narrowed my eyes at the pots of plants that cover the whole kitchen window. One would think that the sink is dirty enough for the plants to settle their roots. But if Uncle Adolf and Peony bear it then so must I and I don't generally hate it like Peony. I just find it a bother that it crowded the window.

When she didn't say anything, not a single word, I repeated the question and this time I made sure that it is a bit louder.

"Phlox," Aunt Gale hissed. "Why do you always pronounce my name like that? Mrs. Peters five year old kid can even say my name without trouble."

I shrugged. That kid can, but not me. Surely, she has a nickname or something. Her friends call her Gale. I suppose I can call her that too.

"Sorry Aunt Gale," I murmured enough that she can hear it.

She scowled at me and I can see that she has both of her gloved hands on her hips. We look funny peeking on the window.

The house is quiet as per usual. Uncle Adolf left after breakfast for his work as an accountant and Peony is once again cooped up in her room doing who knows what. In this house, you need to have your own kind of entertainment unless you're not easily bored. And how that it is summer, Peony is either in her room or going out with her friends. Aunt Gale is always out on her garden or going to whatever garden show near the area. Her husband is at work or playing golf on the weekends. And I am left to guard and clean the house. Although there are times that I'm free and it is when I watch TV and read books like a normal fifteen year old.

"Um… about my parents?" I said hesitatingly. After Aunt Gale snapped at me for the way I say her name she seems to deliberately forget my original question.

"Phlox," she sighed. I can't tell if that sigh is due to weariness of me asking the same question twelve times a year for ten years or annoyance. "Didn't I tell you that we are never going to talk about your parents? Every month, we have this talk and you know what my answer will be."

Yes, I know. Her answers are ingrained in my mind that I can recite it while asleep. "I just wanted to know."

She rolled her eyes and it is those times when I see Aunt Gale beyond her haughty appearance. I see the concern marking in her features.

"I don't know who your parents are. They left you on the flower bed. That's all I know."

My gazed turned to the flower bed that Aunt Gale is referring. It is now planted with phloxes in heavy bloom.

"Is that where you got my name?"

"Phlox? No, that name is embroidered on your blanket so Adolf and I guessed that it could be your name," she replied wistfully, her focus is also on the phloxes.

"Now, if you can ask question then that means you're done with the dishes. Take a bath and change your clothes," she narrowed her eyes as soon as she saw me about to ask a question and waved a hand dismissing me while she gathered her gardening tools.

"Huh?"

"I'm sure you're not deaf or dumb so you heard me the first time. Take a bath and change your clothes, you're coming with us."

"Where?"

She snorted. "Just do what I say, Phlox."

"Okay but last question. Why can't I call you Mrs. Byrant or just Gale? Unless we are related."

"Mrs. Byrant makes me sound so old and you can't call me Gale as I am far older that you are and I value respect. So Aunt Gale is good. Now," she glared at me. "take a bath and change your clothes. No more questions."

Fine, besides it's not like I hate to go out of the house once in a while. I wore my best navy blue and red plaid shirt and Peony's black jeans with battered blue Chucks. I know that compared to Peony's outfit, I probably don't stand out but in this room while looking at the mirror I look pretty decent.

I spotted Aunt Gale fiddling with the strap of her bag in the living room. She's dressed from head to toe in shades of purple. Lilac floral blouse and deep purple pants paired with lavender sandals.

"Oh good, you're here Phlox. We better go then," she said as soon as she spotted on the bottom of the stairs.

"Peony, we have to go now,"

Peony shoved me out of the way as she descended the stairs looking like she's better fit to be on runaway than on the streets of this town. She has a maroon lace blouse and black leather skirt that took all of my effort not to ruin the leather while I was folding it. And she has silver sandals and tan leather bag. I tried not to run my hands on the delicate details on her bag.

"I thought it'll be the two of us," She didn't have to say it but her words are clear. She wasn't expecting or wanted me to go with them.

"Well, she's coming with us. Summer is almost over and you need to new measurements for your uniform," answered Aunt Gale in a tone that implies arguments over.

"Then we'll go shopping?"

"Of course, come along."

There a few times, so few that I can count it with my hands, that I went out on a shopping or dinner trip with the Bryant. The most embarrassing by far is when I was thirteen and Mrs. Liam, a friend of Aunt Gale, came and asked me about my favorite boutiques while Aunt Gale is preparing the sandwiches. I swear I can still see the blush staining her neck when all that I can answer is Wal-mart. The next day after that visit, Aunt Gale took me to the mall and bought me clothes. I hate how she was able to do this only because somebody noticed it but I kept my mouth and secretly thanked for I am indeed running out of clothes to wear. Besides, with my shyness and paranoia around crowds I don't think I have the right to complain.

But right now, knowing that we are going to the mall I don't feel any paranoia or fear at all. In fact, I was beyond exuberant. It has been a long time since I set foot on the mall. The last was during the Christmas season.

As we are on the cab, I have no idea if we will be heading to the mall first. I sure hope we will go to the mall. I can't quite hold my excitement.

"Aunt Gale, where are we going?" I asked from the backseat beside Peony.

They actually own two cars but Aunt Gale refused to drive stating that it is dangerous and Peony can't touch it until she has her legal driver's license so the other stayed in the garage while the other is the one that Uncle Adolf drove to work.

"Peony's school," was her curt answer.

"We're getting my uniform," added Peony teasingly.

"Can I go to school this year?" Ever since my tragic reaction, as everybody calls it, during fifth grade where I doubled over and shiver every time somebody nears me, I didn't go back to school anymore. Instead I was homeschooled by Aunt Gale and despite how snobbish she might act towards me I am still grateful for her patience in teaching me for four years. But now I feel I'm ready to go to school and have classmates and teachers.

Peony cackled in laughter then gave me an incredulous look.

But my eyes are focus on Aunt Gale and I can see her tremble a little.

"I think it would be better if you'll wait another year before you go to school. I don't think you're ready yet. There will be a lot of students. You have to work on your shyness and people skills."

I want to argue and tell her that I'm ready but I wisely shut my head. Half of my head thinks that maybe Aunt Gale is right. I'm not ready yet.

Peony's school which by the way is a private school is mainly concrete buildings and trees. We headed into the buildings and then to a room just in the hallway. Aunt Gale and Peony walked as if they had this place memorized. If I were to school here, not only would I get a panic attack but will always get lost.

The room as I've come to know was the administrators' room as what the cards says on the crystal door. When I was still in school, I have never set foot in the admin room much less the principal's office so I don't know what it looked like. But over the years of watching TV, I'd say this room looks every bit the same as I see on TV. A little exception perhaps of the chairs where it doesn't look like they are bought in Ikea. Peony and Aunt Gale went to another room followed by a forty-looking woman carrying a measuring tape and paper.

I waited for them at one for the chairs, the lady behind the table occasionally throw smiles at me which I return back. It didn't take them long to finish getting Peony's measurements and then we are once again in the cab, on the way to the mall.

Aunt G ale sensing the time, we went to a restaurant for lunch. Peony was unusually silent to me since we left her school. Of course I couldn't say that it is because she is planning something dreadful to me. Instead I blame it on the fact that we are now going shopping and that is at Peony's number 1 on her list of things she likes to do.

"I thought Peony's uniform will be provided by her school?" I asked to anyone who would answer. My bet would be from Aunt Gale.

"Mom," Peony groaned as she massaged her temples I can't help but to roll my eyes.

"Shush, Phlox. Peony's clothes don't fit her anymore and she has to buy her bag and shoes too. Now behave," reprimanded Aunt Gale. I hate how she sometimes talks to me as if I am still a kid.

"We'll buy your shoes first," she told Peony.

I shut my mouth as I followed them on the first boutique. I was merely asking. There's no need to snap at me. Throughout the trip, I made a note to keep these thoughts to myself instead.

The boutique is no doubt expensive. I mean if the shoes here aren't expensive then they wouldn't bother putting up wallpapers like they belong to some Princess of England and couches that would have me in deep slumber the moment I lay on it. This is unexpected seeing that Peony even scoffs at the clothes I have from the thrift store.

"Why do you keep glancing back?" I heard Aunt Gale asked Peony nonchalantly.

Peony shrugged. "Just making sure she follows. Don't want to be carrying the bags later."

Aunt Gale stilled for a moment, looking at Peony as she held a shoe in the air. But that was easily masked when Peony continued making her rounds around the store. Her mother eyes the shoes with interest while Peony barely even spared a glance at them. It is abundantly clear that Peony's dream shoes are not in this store. Just as I was about to sit in one of the couches offered to me by the saleslady, Peony quickly walked away from the store followed by Aunt Gale. She went into another one adjacent to it. Does it look like the first or is it different? It's hard to tell but there is one label tacitly hanging in stores like these. Expensive.

"Take a look at this, Peony. They will look lovely on you," I overheard their conversation.

Peony walked in a huff towards Aunt Gale and made no way of hiding how her eyes roll. "Seriously? I'm not in middle school anymore. Get those belts away!"

We leave the store and find more shoes that fit Peony's style. After three hours, Peony had been able to pick one. I barely contained my groan. Peony bought her shoes at exactly on the first store we went. While Peony is purchasing her shoes I cannot help but to sit on my feet. I should say that it was really exhausting to visit different stores. I never thought that shopping with them could be this exhausting. If it was me, I'll buy the first thing I like. That easy.

"Come on, Phlox. There is still Peony's bag. God know how long that will be." Aunt Gale tugged my elbow out of the store.

Peony smiled to me as she passed by. I don't know what her smile could mean. I grew up where her smiles bring nefarious thought to my mind and I'm the likely victim. Today, I think her smile could still mean the same thing. I could tell she is planning something. Something that is not good. Fortunately, Aunt Gale was too tired that she didn't tolerate Peony's too perfect attitude. She chose her school bag on a limited number of options only. I was happy when the saleslady finally gave the bag. But it soon died when I remembered that Aunt Gale was going to buy Peony clothes because supposedly hers doesn't fit her anymore. I know it would take hours and hours again.

But this time it's different, it is a whole lot worse. Though I'd have to say it was slightly better as Peony didn't let me wait any longer. She just let me carry tons of bags. She didn't have to choose to the prettiest, the most unique clothes. As long as she likes it, she buys it. I would have praised her for it but I wish she has a little bit of restraint. And at this moment I'm currently carrying five bags which are not exactly light.

"Peony, is there any person in this world who needs three newly-bought dresses?" I struggled through the bags.

"Me, of course. And beside I need jeans and a skirt probably." Peony mockingly thought and smiled at me too sweet for my liking.

Why she needs all these clothes, I can't understand. It's not like she has any shortage of clothes in her closet. But instead of voicing out these thoughts, I remain silent and followed her. Behind me I can already hear Aunt Gale grumbling. I would have let her walk first but when I did, she waved me off and let me walk after Peony instead. At last Peony is finished buying her lavish necessities. We were about to enter a cab when a bag fell out of my grasp. My left hand is full of bags and so is my right. I looked at Peony and Aunt Gale for help but they don't see me. They continue on walking towards the cab. I hesitated, glancing at the fallen bag to the few bags that are dangling on my arm. If I picked the bag another will fall. Nobody seems to notice and helped me pick up the bag.

"Can't you just come towards me?" I begged the bag.

I held out my hand in the midair and murmured "commen-a-maine"

The bag flew from the ground a good few inches, like literally flew. It shook when the bag levitate a few inches on the ground. Then it zoomed towards me, good thing I was quick enough to grab it before I aroused the public's attention. As soon as I have the bag I immediately sat on the back seat.

What happened to the bag really got me agitated worried and scared. Was it something that I said? As far as I remember it was just a little mumbling. I looked at my finger. Is there something with my finger? I gasped at the thought that I might have mutant hands. I shake it, straightened it like a zombie and even flapped it like a duck.

"Phlox stop it," hissed Peony.

Peony and I are on the back while Aunt Gale is on the front. I was on the left side while Peony is on the right side and a stack of bags bordering between us. I looked at her to see at what she is talking about. Then I suddenly realized it. Aunt Gale was looking back at me and also the cab driver through his mirror.

I lowered my hands and behaved. But it wasn't soon that I got bored as traffic was bad after some sort of parade held the flow of cars for a while. My thoughts drift to the bag mystery and thinking that it has something to do with my hands but since I already made awkward hand gestures and got no results. I decided to give my random mumblings a try. There's only one teeny tiny problem though I don't remembered it anymore.

"come a mine," I whispered, keeping one way train on Peony and Aunt Gale.

The bag didn't move but then after a few seconds it gave a little shake before it goes back to its still state. My face lit up.

"COME A MINE!" I yelled with all my might forgetting that I have an audience.

This time the bag didn't move.

I heard a cough somewhere and found that it was Aunt Gale. Apparently with the loud ruckus I cause it caught the attention of the driver who actually turned from his seat and stared at me strangely. I looked around me and found that the traffic is still there. Aunt Gale realizing what I done soon find a way out.

"Please forgive her. My niece usually has her tantrums from time to time," Aunt Gale immediately went into defense, a blush creeping on her cheeks or was that her makeup?

When the cab driver failed to understand what she meant, I swear I saw Peony leaned forward and whispered austic to him. Realization dawned and he avoided my gaze until we arrive. When we reach the house, I wanted to make amends by helping Aunt Gale carry the bags.

"Phlox, it's okay. I can do it this just go to the house and no more trouble, okay," Aunt Gale enunciated every syllable which I find really embarrassing. Aunt Gale gave me a sweet smile and patted me in the shoulder as she thrust me to Peony.

"Peony, please watch her," I bet she's only doing this because the cab driver hasn't left yet.

"That was really embarrassing, Phlox," Aunt Gale said as soon as we entered and she settled the bags at the foot of the stairs. She threw herself on the couch and turned to glare at me.

"What?" I gave her an innocent look. That wouldn't get me off the hook I know but somehow there are only a few moment that I can rile her up. So I'll enjoy this while I can.

"That was pretty embarrassing".

I looked down. I sighed. I have to agree with Aunt Gale and made a mental note to keep those moments to myself and probably alone.

"If ever one of my friends knew this incident what would they tell me? That I have a freak inside my house." She shook her head in scorn.

I can only gawk at her. I can't believe it. I really can't believe it. Is that all she cares about? Will she even ask me why I did that?

"I'll go to my room and rest. All that shopping has exhausted me. Phlox cook the dinner then you can go to your room. I think we all need a rest," said Aunt Gale given Peony a hard stare but her daughter didn't saw it for she is busy fiddling with her phone.

"And put these bags to my room," Peony added when Aunt Gale walked past us and straight into her room.

I tried not to roll my eyes at her as I grabbed the shopping bags and placed them above her bed. Or if that is really a bed? I also tried not to make any remark about the way her room looks like in contrast to what it was earlier after I cleaned it. I went to the kitchen and made chicken croquettes then I headed to my bed for a quick nap. The shopping trip has me thoroughly exhausted. I was woken up by Aunt Gale early in the evening and told me to have an early dinner so that I can go to bed after. It was pretty shocking considering that this might be the first that she has shown any concern to me but I wisely keep my mouth shut.

"Phlox has finished eating already?" Uncle Adolf asked after I finished washing my plate at the same time that he arrived. Compared his family, I liked Uncle Adolf more. He is not mean like Aunt Gale and Peony, he is just nice, passive to the point he doesn't care

"Yes, I let her ate first since she looks exhausted," Aunt Gale replied, appearing right behind me and took Uncle Adolf's bag

Seeing as they talking in deep whispers and I don't want to interrupt them, I make my exit hastily. When I went to my room I immediately curled and hugged my pillow tightly in my chest. It didn't take long before my eyes closed and I'm drifting off to sleep.