Prologue: White Tulips
The day before I turned five was the day my world changed. Before, I was Tallulah Evans, resident of the blue two-story house on Earl Boulevard. There were white tulips planted all around my house because that was my mom's favorite flower. I, being the soon-to-be-five-year old I was, also thought white tulips were my favorite flower. I had a pink room, as so many little girls do. I was extremely impressionable. My older brothers, Danny and James, thought it was hilarious that I did whatever they told me to do. That's why, the day before my fifth birthday, the day the new neighbors moved in across the street, they dared me to go introduce myself to the son. And say that I was in love with him. And, being the four-year old idiot that I was, I did it. Danny had held my left hand and James my right as they'd marched me across the street. Once I was safely deposited on the grass, they had both run at the mother and father who were arguing over something to do with the boxes. I remember looking around for the boy I was supposed to confess my love to. I remember seeing him for the first time: He was walking through his new front door. Now, I know I was only four-years old, but I swear, in that moment, I knew what love felt like. Of course, I'd always had crushes on boys with blonde curls. Suddenly, I was embarrassed that I had to tell this boy that I loved him. It was apparent to me at this point that I had a crush. And to say that I was in love with him? I may have been an idiot, but I wasn't stupid. But I knew I had to; I'd never backed down from a dare from my brothers. They'd tear me to shreds if they knew I'd chickened out, or worse. They might tell this boy about my crush. So, I had sucked it up and walked over to him. He had glanced at me as I came up and stood in front of him. I'd shoved my hand in front of his face and waited. He'd stared at me. I'd given him a large smile, the one that showed a dimple. I may have been an idiot, but I knew I was adorable. Impressionable, but confident. "Hi, I'm Tally. I live across the street," I'd said. He'd looked at me before grinning back and taking my hand, shaking it with all of his might as five-year old boys do to girls they just met. "I'm Ian. It's nice to meet you." "I love you," I had replied. I remember his brow furrowing just a bit before my brothers grabbed me by the arms and dragged me back to my house. The next day was my birthday. My parents had decided to just throw a small party, but invited some last minute guests. I had walked down the stairs in my generic pink tutu, and saw the boy from across the street sitting on the floor in front of his parents who were talking to my parents. They had all looked up as I'd made my entrance, Danny and James being stupid and throwing pink confetti at me that they would later have to clean up. "There's the birthday girl!" My dad had said, coming over and swinging me up into his arms. "Mark, Adelaide, this is our daughter, Tallulah. Tally, these are our new neighbors, the Mallards'. And this," my mother had gestured to Ian then. "Is their son, Killian. He's only a few months older than you." I remember daring Ian with my eyes to say anything about yesterday. I knew I wouldn't get in trouble for it, my brothers would be blamed, but I didn't want to be humiliated on my birthday. He had looked me straight in the eyes, then smiled a mocking smile. "I've been five for four and a half months," he'd bragged. I'd broken out in a grin. Maybe I'd fallen a tiny bit in love with him. |
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