CHAPTER 2

"Love appeared in my eyes as I first saw you, Coreopsis Arkansa"

Myrtle, 1893

Love can appear through anyone. Even the one you are fond of...

As I excused myself to go to the Hawthorn Library since boredom started to embrace me. If only Lea was here, I wouldn't be this slump and bored.

I went to start searching for books on the shelves and started reading. Time passes, I guess I have read 6 already. It was such an interesting story!

I stood up and search for more and found a book in another aisle. I started reading it until I got pulled in. It was wonderful!

"Unknown was the name it called

it really became untold.

A White Chrysanthemum was torn,

that lies the truth inside."

"A Savory flower they grow,

that interests grow to the hidden.

A bud of Tarragon grew,

lasting their feelings."

"They gave a Daisy to the eccentric

saying, I will never tell you.

Though with encounter,

they bloom with innocence."

"Thou--

...

"Hey, Eddy!"

I was cut through the process of reading...

I looked at her as I closed the book that I have read, "Sorry, I didn't notice you there. I guess I was really sunken deep to the story." I chuckled

She went towards me and asked, "What are you reading? What's the title?"

"The Book of Unknown. That's the name." I replied as I looked at her.

Her eyes frowned due to the mystifying title, "Hmm... what's the story. May you tell me in an abridged way?"

Well, it's about a girl who went into a library to read a book. Until she saw a tome that was glowing through the shelves. Out of curiosity, she went to grab it to see the title.

As she got the tome, she was bewildered at how the book has no title. It was dusty and a bit old. "Oh, what a bummer!"

She went to proceed to open it and saw dust on the pages. She tried to remove it with her hand to read it.

She read aloud, "Be that as it may! For this will take you to your coaster..." she flipped the pages to continue, "The closer you get, the more you will stay. The more you are away, the more it delays."

"Do not dismay the coaster!"

What does that even mean? then, a glow of light sparkled from the book as she was pulled inside...

"Then what happened next? why did you cease?" Her lips frowned as she spoke. I laughed and said, "Well, you have to find out yourself."

"Come on, Edward. I walked so long to come here and you will turn back like this?" She jokingly said. Her home isn't far away from ours since both of our families are close.

I then teased, "What's the reason for you to go here in the Hawthorn Library, Ms. Floris?" 

"Come on, Eddy. This isn't funny!" She frowned and exclaimed as I laughed, "Then what do you want me to call you? Little Lea? or how about Little Floris?"

I looked at her arm and saw the book she was holding. "Well..." I reached to grab it and run around as she chased me in the whole Library.

A while some time, we sat on the couch near the window, "Are you done talking to Father?"

"Yes. Father was just asking if me and my family are alright. He was just asking..." She said while fiddling her fingers. 

"You're adorable."

"What did you just say?" She asked with her eyes wide as a shocked person

"Nothing," I mumbled. I guess, sometimes I can be a bit of an imbecile!

"No no. I heard you said something... a compliment perhaps." She smiled as she continuously teases me.

admit it...

"White Camellia." 

"But Eddy, that's not what I heard." She said as I laughed, "But you know what it means right?"

She nodded while frowning. She's adorable

We heard the door creak and saw Father entering, "How's reading?" He asked 

I then replied, "It was indeed a bit of a leisure." I smirked as I looked at Lea.

"Here. I will commend both of  you on some of my favorite genres when I was still around your age." Father led us to an aisle of books in the left room. 

He started looking through the shelf full of books, "Here." He handed us a book as he continued, "This book is my brother's favorite when he was in his youthful years."

"Uncle Ophrys like this?" I asked as I handed the book to Lea for her to see.

"Yes, and apparently this is also my favorite book." He chortled.

I looked at both of them as I thought how lovely they are together. Edward seems to be fond of Lea... 

He sighed and thought...

"The Hawthorn flower he gave,

was completely named forsaken.

He bought a Hemlock seed,

full thoughts of demise."

"Loved was forsaken,

love is full of jealousy.

Like a French Marigold,

who was full of jealousy from 

its language."

"I was kind to him,

he was blind to see.

He made a conspiracy,

just to harm me."

"Sibling Rivalry is what

families fear.

If I'm not mistaken..."

While Lea and I both read the book, my eyes landed on the flower near a window. The beautiful white petals are so soothing to look at. It seems to look like a Gardenia flower.

"What are you looking at?" Lea asked while she tapped my shoulder.

"Oh, the flower seems to get my attention"

"Where?" She asked.

I pointed at the flower near the window. She ran towards it while leaving the book behind, "It's a Gardenia isn't it?" I asked.

She nodded and replied, "Yes. It is a Gardenia flower."

The sun rays fell from the flower as the petals bloomed more...

"What does It mean?" I questioned.

"Secret Love."

"Every time, my love grows deeper and deeper

I hid it from fear of refusal.

Through simple fondness,

it developed."

"Do you really know all the meanings of each flower?" I asked for I was astonished at how she simply knew every meaning of each flower.

She replied, "Well not really. I just treat flowers as my boon companions..." 

"Boon companions?"

"They are my friends. my one and only companions."

I nodded and replied, "Let's go. We have to finish the book!"

"Sure, the events of the story might be waiting for us"

"How about the characters? Let's not forget about them."

"Oh, you're right. Mr. Clover will be also waiting with the others"

Flowers listened and embraced me with love and care...