Dahlia

Layla enjoyed the fresh spring breeze that filled the air with the floral scents of the newly bloomed flowers covered with the morning dew. 

These kind of morning always reminded her of when she was younger on the rare occasions her mum and her would go out and they'd make flower crowns. 

As she watched the sun peek over the treetops surrounding her while she sat under the same old willow tree with an unfinish crown of daffodils in her hands. 

This was until a loud noise caught her attention. Spinning her head to see three weird teenagers all were fully dressed head to toe in black combat gear coming straight towards her. 

This was probably the weirdest thing that had happened to Layla in the twelve years of life. 

The first boy walking ahead of the other two, head held high. He had honey brown eyes full of pride that glowed in the morning sun. He had hair that was an umber and fluffy and scars in random places around his face and body. 

The boy next to him was younger buzzing with unused energy he had messy dirty blond hair, electric blue eyes, and a bright smile. 

The final one slouched over, looking down at an old beaten book, messy black hair covering their face and was the only one in the group that had something that was not black witch was a leather bag hanging on their body. 

"The names James," said black haired boy with a formal voice witch in Layla's opinion sounded forced, with his hand out. 

"Layla Doves," she replied shaking his hand wondering who the hell these people are. She'd never seen them around the small village and new people almost never come this close to the forest. 

"I'm Luka," the other boy said as he elbowed their black-haired friend next to him waiting until awkward silence became too much and James jumped in, "And this is Lorenzo," said with a sigh. 

A moment after hearing their name, finally looking up from the book and at Layla. Final Layla got to look at Lorenzo's face which was mostly covered with hair so messy that it desperately needed a comb. This caused her to only be able to see a glimpse of Lorenzo's heterochronic eyes, one a dark brown eyes the other an unnaturally memorizing amethyst eyes. But before she could ask about his unusual eyes Luka spoke up causing Lorenzo to look back down. 

"By the way, nice flower crown," said Luka bring Layla back to earth, pointing down at the flowers crown in her lap that she had started to fiddle with the petals at some point during this odd interaction. She didn't normally talk to people, preferring to keeping to herself. "And moving on to the point, we're here to inform you that you're a gifted; and under our new project, Professor Luna has invited you to Eidolkos School for the Gifted. So, if you could kindly lead us to one of your guardians, we can get the paperwork signed," he continued. 

"Gifted? Me? No, I'm odd yes. But I'm not a gifted definitely not. I can't be there must be a mistake," Layla stuttered, she couldn't be gifted yes, she was known for being odd and the girl no one talked to. But from what people had said but being gifted that was a pretty much a death sentence. The gifted were monster and were treated as such; hunted, killed, sold to the rich. She couldn't be one, she came from a line of prejudice against anything relating to magic and to be gifted it needed to be magic, it had to be passed down from blood. 

"Yes, you are," James said "We particularly searched and checked for the few that were fit to come. one of which is you" James said. 

Finally, Lorenzo put their book away, "James, stop with the act and the formal tone makes you sound stupid," they said, their voices was soft and calming like a quiet melody which was odd considering what they just said. 

"Fine," James said with an eye roll, leaning back so he was half on top of Lorenzo. "Anyways, if you could be so kind to show us where your guardians are we can get this done today. We don't have all year," he continued as Lorenzo placed their arms around James and started to play with his dark colored hair. 

Layla finally snapped out of her numb state of shock. She just stood up and sprinted away, the last thing she heard from the group was, "Well done dumbass, I told you that my plan was better," and "Piss off Enzo we have plenty of time". 

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Layla came to the biggest stone cottage in her village right at the top of the hill. But the closer she got, the louder the sound of yelling became. 

Finally, when she walked in, Layla's blood went cold. Seeing her mother's strawberry blonde hair disheveled, her normally kind emerald-green eyes filled with fear on the ground, crying holding her cheek with a red mark on it, and her dad was yelling so furious he was turning a red. but all when silent when both of her parents turned to look at her. 

"Out!" was all her father said pointing at the door. The scene struck fear through Layla as much as her dad yelled, he never had hit them. Warm tears started to pour down her cheeks, her body shaking uncontrollably until a blue light filling the room, blinding everyone around. 

A strong grip on her shoulder turning her body around. 

When Layla opened her eyes again, she saw Luka in front of her giving an awkward smile that look more like he was constipated trying to comfort her while James struggled to holding her father thrashing and yelling until Lorenzo pulled out a dagger and wacked him in the head with the butt of the hilt, knocking him out cold then James went to try comforting her shock stricken mother. 

"Uh it's okay," James said in a trying comforting tone patting her back in hopes that it would help (It didn't) 

"Can you two pack your things we're taking you to Eidolkos before this dude wakes up," said Lorenzo his voice hostile, tired. But before Layla could even say something her mother spoke up 

"I'll pack our stuff honey," Layla's mum said before shakily walking out. 

"We'll talk more about this at Eidolkos," said James. "Enzo rest up for the biggest teleportation you've ever done," 

"On it," Lorenzo answered before passing out in a corner of pillows 

"Luka help Mrs. Doves," James said 

"Yep," replied Luka before walking down the hall following Layla's mother's steps. 

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"You two ready?" asked Lorenzo. 

"Not really," mumbled Layla 

"Well then bad luck, hold on," said Lorenzo not waiting for her mother's response as everyone held each other's hands. Layla squeezing her luggage as James held a comforting hand on her shoulder while holding onto Lorenzo's hand. 

Dahlia now represents change and transition and the departure from the norm. Dahlia is a great gift for someone with a bit of a wild side or someone who is going through a big life change.