Anthony picks a fight and flowers bloom

When Anthony left Lynn Odenfell’s house, he was feeling pretty good. It was spring, the flowers were blooming, and after talking to Lynn for a couple hours, he felt like he might have a real shot with Bonnie. Hearing Lynn talk about her husband, her past life of love and romance, it made him feel ecstatic in a strange, vicarious way.

All of that joy evaporated when Anthony stepped out onto the sidewalk and came face to face with his nightmare of a neighbor, Buck.

Buck had always been a bully, and as the years went on, his temper only grew worse. He was a big kid that grew up into a massive adult. He towered over Anthony, who wasn’t that short himself. Unlike Anthony, Buck had a considerable amount of muscle packed on his top frame. Anthony swore the guy was on steroids. He was utterly massive.

“What the fuck are you looking at, pussy?” Buck’s voice was deep and harsh, like the bark of an angry dog.

“Nothing Buck,” Anthony muttered.

Buck slicked his spiky blonde hair back and shot a wicked smile Anthony’s way.

“Hey, are you still palling around with that fat chick?”

Anthony clenched his fists. He hated the way Buck talked about Bonnie.

“You fuck her yet? You better. That piglet pussy is the only pussy you’ll ever get.”

“I have not and she’s not a piglet or fat.”

“Yeah she is!” Buck cackled. “She’s fat as fuck.”

“Not anymore,” Anthony hissed.

“Damn, really? Did she get hot? Please tell me she kept her fat titties.”

Anthony was turning bright red. Rage pumped through his veins. Buck saw this and poured salt in the wound.

“Damn, if she’s hot now, maybe I should fuck her. I bet she would like that. I’m certainly better than you.”

“Buck,” Anthony said softly. “Go fuck yourself.”

***

“Jeez Anthony, this black eye is nasty!” Bonnie said.

“You’re telling me! Ugh, I hate that guy.”

“Is he the one who used to call me piglet? Yeah, agreed. Macho jerks like that are the worst.”

Anthony smiled. Getting punched hadn’t been the worst part of running into Buck. It had been that assholes taunts. Sure, most of it was bullshit, but some of it hit too close to home. Now that Bonnie had blossomed the way she had, he seriously doubted she would ever go for him. Why would she? She had leap frogged several leagues ahead of him in terms of attractiveness.

“I just hope I don’t run into that guy again today.”

“You’re going again today? Why? Plants don’t grow overnight,” Mack said.

“I promised to help Lynn with some chores around the house.”

“Lynn? You’re on a first name basis with this old bag now? What, are you dating her?” Mack crooned.

“Shut it,” Bonnie snapped. “I think what you’re doing is extremely sweet. You’re helping that old lady do something meaningful to her. I think it’s super selfless!”

Anthony blushed hard. Maybe he had a chance after all.

“Also, if you get super good at gardening, maybe you can pass on some tips to me!”

“You want to garden, Bonnie?” Mack asked incredulously.

“No, but I do want a desk plant.”

“A desk plant?” Anthony asked.

“Yup! Just a cute little desk plant that can keep me company while I do homework or, more likely, procrastinate homework.”

“Sure thing! I’ll keep an eye out! I would love to give you that.”

Bonnie smiled, “thanks!”

The bell rang and once again they all went their separate ways. As Anthony left homeroom, Mack stopped him.

“You really have it bad for her, don’t you?”

“Is it that obvious?” Anthony asked.

Mack nodded solemnly.

Great, Anthony thought. Just great.

***

When Anthony arrived at Lynn’s house, the old woman was ready to greet him at the front door.

“So about those seeds of yours,” Lynn said.

Anthony’s heart sank. “Let me guess, they’re bad?”

Lynn shook her head. “Quite the opposite actually, come take a look.”