When The Spring Flowers Bloom

"Have you heard the rumor? Well, I figured not, since you're new here.

"The stories say that those who fall in love when the spring flowers bloom, are destined to whither as the leaves do in fall."

~~~~~

School was slowly nearing its end as spring began, and the school's outcast was pounding her fists into the punching bags in the gym.

Again. It had happened again. Lara was met with that same feeling of emptiness that she had grown so familiar with.

"If you keep at it like that, you'll be able to knock your opponents out with one punch," her coach chuckled. "Come, let me clean up those bloody fists of yours."

Exhaling a breath she didn't know she had been holding in, she joined him on one of the benches. Her coach was the only man she found she could trust, he treated her like a daughter and she loved him like a father.

"You've been getting into fights again, haven't you?"

She stayed silent and glanced to the side, remembering the unpleasant night she had.

"I'll take your silence as a yes. You really should start leaving those Freshman alone, you're much too strong for them to take on, you know?"

A dry laugh escaped her empty chest, "Yeah, I'm so much stronger than them."

He looked up from cleaning her hands only to notice her bruised face.

"Lara. I never want to force you to do something you don't want, but if you're struggling you don't have to hide it from me. Inform me of what's going on, I can help."

"No one can help me, Ray," she scoffed. "Not anymore. Anyways, can we move on. Have you heard news of when the national qualifiers are?"

"Mm... no, not yet. But they are sure to come soon. I'll let you know the dates as soon as I do." He finished cleaning her fists and stood up. "Well, you best get going. Summer break is going to start soon, and you can't fall behind on grades if you want to go to nationals!"

"Yeah, yeah I know," she laughed. "Thank you again, Ray. I'll see you tomorrow."

Lara started to jog as she started on her way home. Going back and forth to school was always a good way for her to get her running in, considering she lived approximately a mile from the school. She had a car, but wouldn't drive it to school, because she didn't need to. Plus, she liked the fresh air.

~~~~~

"Please, stop! I already gave you all the money I had, I have nothing left to offer you," the boy pleaded.

"Oh? I still think there's something you could give us, Tamron. You know," the blonde boy breathed into his ear, "You're awfully pretty."

The larger male gripped Tamron's thigh, and slowly inched his hand up higher.

"No! Please, stop!"

"What the fuck are you doing?" Lara asked, appearing from around the corner.

"What are you doing little lady? You want to join in on the fun?"

She quirked an eyebrow, taking note of the blond's hand on the other's thigh. "Sure, I'll join in on the fun."

"Hah, well that was quick, come here bitch, I didn't know you'd be so easy.

She stalked towards him, and ran her hand under his chin then over his lips. "This is gonna be some of the best entertainment I've had in a while."

The boy on the ground couldn't help but do anything except stare in awe at the girl. Her actions were confusing him beyond words, but she was absolutely stunning. The sight of her made his heart pound.

"You need to be quiet too, or you'll be punished," she smiled.

The blonde grabbed her waist and pulled her towards him. "God, I can't wait to eat you up."

"Likewise," she deadpanned right before colliding her fist with his nose. "You total asshats! Can't you guys ever learn to leave anyone alone?" She yelled, right before kicking another one of the boys in the groin. "God, it was already a bad day, and you dickwads just had to make it worse!"

Lara sent the last one flying into the brick wall. She stared down at Tamron for a second, then began to leave the alley. The boy hurriedly jumped up and rushed after her.

"I didn't need your h-help, you know?"

"Oh yeah? It sure seemed to me like you did," she retorted.

"I'm quit strong, despite appearances. I-I'm telling you I didn't need your h-help."

She stared at him for a second. She couldn't deny it, the boys were right about him being really pretty. He had the longest lashes she had ever seen before, not to mention sparking violet eyes. They reminded her of the lilies her grandmother used to buy her when she was a kid.

"You know you talk quite confidently despite your stutter. Do you always do that?"

"Eh?"

"Oh, was that insensitive?"

"No, no, I-it's okay. I don't mind." He stared ahead of him for a second before answering. "It's just a medical condition, I can't help it but people often make fun of me for it nonetheless," he laughed hollowly while scratching the back of his neck.

She could tell that it made him uncomfortable, and didn't want to pry. "I get that." She sprang up clutching her fists together, trying to make light of it, "I have a medical condition too. It's called socking people in the face when they piss me off."

His laugh was very soft, but calming like the slow breeze on a summer morning. "That's not a medical condition."

"Ohhhh?" She joked, "I was pretty sure it was thoughhh."

Lara stopped at a vending machine and got him and herself a soda. "So anyways, what's your name?"

"Tamron, and yours?"

"I'm Lara. It's nice to meet you, Tamron."

"It's nice to meet you, L-Lara."

Her smile spread a mile long. "You know, your stutter's really cute."

"Ehhhh!?"

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I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. It's a little short, but I think it's good for a small introduction of the main characters.

Also, I've mentioned this in the description, but I'll mention it here too:

This story is going to have a lot of triggering subjects, if you are easily triggered or it makes you uncomfortable, do. not. read. it. Please, I don’t want someone getting hurt because of my writings.