Fragile (4 page)

“The ‘conservatory’ is an old greenhouse?” Miracle asked, the corners of her mouth twitching.

“And that’s not even the best part,” Hardy declared, stepping forward to hold the door open for Miracle to enter.

“Oh, there’s more?” she asked, playing along in an excited voice.

“Think your heart can stand it?”

Miracle chuckled lightly and mumbled under her breath, “My heart’s not the problem.”

Hardy wasn’t certain he’d heard her correctly, but again, he was loathe to ask her any personal questions.  The image of her delicate face beneath a hairless scalp still circled the outskirts of his mind, making him uneasy broaching any sensitive subjects.

Letting the door close behind her, Hardy directed Miracle’s attention to the green foliage that lined the workbenches and multi-level shelves on the left and right. 

“The horticulture classes use this to grow plants and play with soil composition and all that stuff.  I don’t know much about it. It’s pretty boring,” Hardy said, moving slowly down the narrow walkway that cut through the center of the greenhouse. “There is one thing I think’s pretty cool, though.”

“What’s that?” Miracle asked, turning her head this way and that to check out every plant they passed. 

For a moment, Hardy was silent, feeling a little bedazzled by the soft look of appreciation on her face.  Glancing quickly toward the nondescript green plants he’d seen dozens of times, he wondered what she found so interesting, wondered what she was thinking of as she looked at the foliage.

“It’s back here,” he said quietly, turning to lead Miracle around the only corner in the greenhouse. 

A small addition had been constructed off to one side of the structure.  The glass was clearer and the temperature was slightly warmer in the tiny wing.  The facilities were discernibly newer and more high-tech, too.  Those were the things Hardy noticed normally and was prepared to comment on. 

But not today.  Today, he was only aware of the girl in front of him and the expression of wonder she wore.  For the first time, he thought he might be seeing what she saw.

Orchids of every shade and hue lined the metal benches on either side of the walkway.  Compared to the fairly monotone view in the larger room, this one looked alive with color, with
life. 
The floral scents of the different orchids mingled, giving the air a sweet, seductive smell he’d never noticed before. 

But the most incredible thing of all was Miracle.  Her green eyes were round with amazement and her pouty lips were slightly parted in awe.  She moved her head slowly, taking in every detail it seemed.

Compelled to photograph nature in a way he never had been before, Hardy quietly unzipped his bag and removed his camera.  After he flipped off the lens cover and snapped a couple shots of the beautiful flowers, Hardy found himself focusing on a view of a different kind.  A face—Miracle’s. 

The bright afternoon sun poured onto the top of her head.  As she bent forward, cupping the delicate blossom of a deep purple orchid and burying her nose in the center of its petals, her face fell into shadow.  Through the lens of his camera, Hardy saw her eyes drift closed as she inhaled.  He was captivated.  He took pictures as she sampled the delightful aromas of several different orchids.  Each time she raised her head, he fell a little more in love with the sweetly sad smile that seemed ever present.

Finally, Miracle turned to Hardy, tilting her head to one side as if to say
you’re in trouble, mister!
Hardy smiled, snapping photos for action shots as she smirked and shook her head.

“I don’t remember telling you it was all right to take my picture,” she scolded gently.

“Price of the tour, ma’am.  Price of the tour,” Hardy said from behind his camera.

“Is this why the ‘conservatory,’” she said, holding up her fingers for air quotes as he had done, “is included in the photography class tour?”

Hardy lowered his camera.

“Actually, it sort of is.  Mr. Gault talked them into letting us use this for some of our course requirements.  The light is so great, and the colors, back here especially.  Plus, when it rains, it’s hard to go outside and take pictures, and that’s what one of our main focuses is this year—nature.”

“Well,” Miracle said, looking up into the sun as she turned a complete circle. “There is definitely some very nice nature in here.”

“That’s exactly what I was just thinking,” Hardy murmured bemusedly.

Miracle’s head dropped back into place and her eyes locked with his.  For a few tense seconds she didn’t say or do anything.  Her expression was simply blank. 

But then, slowly, as though someone were painting them with brushstrokes from Heaven, her cheeks blossomed with color and she smiled again. Hardy was positive he’d never seen anything more haunting than her smile.  It was radiant.  It was breathtaking.  And it was heartbreaking. 

Or heartbroken.

CHAPTER THREE

“What are those?” Miracle asked hurriedly, as if anxious to change the subject.  Her eyes had shifted and she was looking past Hardy to the end of the short addition, to the back wall where a row of pots lined a single shelf there.  The flowers emerging from them looked quite different than the other orchids.

“I think they are night-blooming orchids.  The bloom only opens at night and then closes back up during the day.”

“That’s amazing!” she exclaimed, slipping past Hardy to further investigate the unassuming-looking flower.  As she passed, a light scent wafted up to envelop him.  Unable to stop himself, Hardy inhaled.  Lavender.  Somehow, the delicate aroma suited Miracle perfectly.

“I love flowers almost as much as I love photography,” Miracle mused softly, running a finger down one green leaf.  “There are few things that make me happier.”  Hardy noticed that, as she spoke, Miracle absently stroked the small black camera bag that hung at her left side.

 Much to Hardy’s dismay, the bell chose that moment to ring.  It didn’t seem possible that the period was already over. 

“Wow, that was fast,” Miracle observed, turning back toward the exit.

Without a word, Hardy replaced his camera in its bag and slung it over his shoulder.  He motioned for Miracle to precede him to the door, flexing his fingers to keep from placing his hand on the small of her back as she passed.  He’d never wanted to touch another person so badly in all his life. 

They were both silent as they made their way back into the school.  Hardy stole glances at Miracle as they walked.  Her eyes were trained on the ground.  He couldn’t help wonder what she was thinking,

All too soon, they were back at the door in front of the photography lab and Hardy found himself at a loss for something to say.  He knew whatever he said would bring an end to his time with Miracle, an occurrence he’d have done anything to prevent. 

“Well, thank you,” she said finally, smiling shyly up at him.  “I really appreciate—”

“There you are,” Cheyenne exclaimed as she rounded the corner onto the hall.  “I’ve been waiting at your locker.”  Making her way quickly to Hardy’s side, Cheyenne looped her arm through his and smiled brightly at Miracle.  “Hi!  I’m Cheyenne.”

“Hi,” Miracle said, a tolerant smile curving her lips.  “I’m Miracle.”

Forcing himself not to pull away from Cheyenne as he so desperately wanted to do, Hardy watched Miracle’s face.  Although it was subtle, he thought he could detect a difference in her smile.  It seemed the tiniest bit cooler, though not something he suspected anyone else would’ve noticed.  He’d just been paying an inordinate amount of attention to her smile.  It was starting to feel like something he couldn’t live without, which was ridiculous.  Ridiculous, but true.

“I’m sorry about before,” Cheyenne said, wrinkling her nose.  Hardy was surprised by the change in her demeanor.  She appeared to be almost…genuine.  “PMS.  It’s no excuse, but at least it’s an explanation.”

Miracle’s smile warmed a bit, not at all to Hardy’s surprise.  He imagined she was the forgiving type.  “I know how that goes,” she sympathized.

“Are you in photography, too?”

“Yep.”

“Poor Hardy, he has to take a class like this to make him the best candidate for the best schools, but he hates every minute of it.  He’s not exactly artistically inclined,” Cheyenne teased, poking Hardy in the ribs. 

Inwardly, Hardy rolled his eyes.  Cheyenne didn’t know him at all.

Miracle said nothing.  Although she continued to smile in her peaceful way, Hardy saw the skin between her brows bunch.  A tiny frown appeared there for the space of a heartbeat before it disappeared as if it had never been.    

Clearing her throat, Cheyenne quickly moved on to another subject.  “So, you’re from North Dakota, right?”

Miracle nodded.

“Then you need to come with us tomorrow for Free Friday Afternoon.  We almost always do something outside and there’s nothing like Florida sunshine.”

Hardy saw Miracle’s eyes light up.  They were filled with such anticipation he felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth.

“Thank you!  That sounds great, but what’s Free Friday Afternoon?”

“Seniors get out of school after lunch on Fridays.  I guess they figure it keeps us from skipping school more on Fridays.  They started it a few years back.  And for us,” Cheyenne said, squeezing Hardy’s arm and bestowing a bright smile upon him, “we always go do something fun before the game. It’s part of Hardy’s ritual.”

“Ritual?” Miracle asked, her eyes bouncing from Cheyenne to Hardy and back again.

“Yeah, Hardy’s got a big future in football and we’re all doing our part to make sure nothing changes and that he has the best year of his life.”

“Won’t it ruin it for him, then, if I come?”

“Oh, no.  As long as I’m there, he’ll be fine,” Cheyenne boasted sweetly.  Maybe a little too sweetly.  “So you’ll come?”

“Sure.”

“Good,” Cheyenne said with a nod.  “So, we’ll meet after lunch in the parking lot, k?”

“Do I need to bring anything?”

“Nope.  If it turns out you need anything, I’ll bring it.”

“Okay.  Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Miracle said, smiling politely before she turned to Hardy.  “Thanks again for showing me around.”

“No problem,” Hardy said, holding back all the other things he wished he could say.

With that, Miracle walked off in one direction and Cheyenne tugged Hardy down the hall in the other.  It was with increasing perplexity that he realized his mind—and his heart—went with Miracle.

********

Hardy was more anxious than ever for Friday afternoon to roll around.  He was always a bundle of nervous energy before a game, but this was something different.  He found he was more looking forward to spending Friday afternoon with Miracle than performing well for the game.  And that was a first.

After what felt like the longest morning in the history of time, lunch was finally over and Hardy was making his way to the parking lot to await Miracle.  She’d been in Chemistry Lab, although she’d merely smiled politely and then turned to stare out the window for most of the class.  And she’d been at lunch; he’d seen her with the art student again.  Lucy he thought her name was. He’d watched her discreetly from the corner of his eye, practically prancing by the time the last lunch bell rang, officially signaling the end of the truncated school day.

And now he was waiting for her, anxiously scanning every face that poured from the school’s front doors. Cheyenne was chatting with her best friend, Elise, leaving Hardy to his own thoughts, ones that seemed forever turned in Miracle’s direction these days.

Hardy glanced at his watch.  It was getting late.  Disappointment flooded him when he realized Miracle probably wasn’t coming.  It was enough to make him want to cancel.  He turned to Cheyenne to discuss just that when he caught sight of a dark head popping through the doors.  It was Miracle.

She hovered at shoulder height of most everyone near her.  Hardy straightened, watching her as she made her way through the crowd to the edge of the parking lot.

She stopped to look around, shielding her eyes from the bright sun as she scanned the cars in search of a familiar face.  When her gaze reached him, Hardy smiled widely and waved.  His stomach twitched in excitement when she returned his smile and stepped off the curb.

He watched her as she walked toward him.  Her tiny body weaved around slower-moving ones.  She smiled at and spoke to each person.  It was as though she couldn’t come into contact with anyone or anything without imparting some of her goodness onto them.  He’d never met anyone like her. 

When she finally reached them, Hardy saw her look expectantly from him to Cheyenne and back again.  It was then that Hardy noticed how quiet his surroundings had become.  Cheyenne was no longer chattering.  He glanced to his right to where she stood, and saw that she was quietly watching him.  She held his gaze for several seconds before she turned to Miracle.

Much to Hardy’s relief, Cheyenne put on a fake, too-bright smile.  He didn’t think Miracle would notice.  He was just grateful Cheyenne was being pleasant.  “Ready to go?”

“Whenever you are,” was Miracle’s response.