Chapter Text
The church rang its loud bells, making its occupancy known to all who passed. Zinnia could see all her classmates now, them and their families coming to pray as hers was about to do as well. Her older twin sisters, Poppy and Lilac, were talking amongst themselves, and Zinnia couldn’t find a reason to strike a conversation with either of her parents.
So, she resolved to standing still and not talking to anyone. Violet wasn’t here yet, so there wasn’t a friend to talk to yet. But as she stared at the giant eight-pointed star hanging down the ceiling at the front of the church, a blue-haired girl caught her attention, just in the row in front of her. Six siblings stood next to her, talking to everyone but her. This girl felt mesmerizing, and Zinnia didn’t even know she had touched the girl’s hair until the girl turned.
“Huh-hi,” the girl said simply, revealing bangs covering her eyes and a neutral expression on her face. “Hi, what’s your name?” Zinnia asked cheerfully. Her parents always said that when approaching strangers, you have to smile and look happy to see them after all. “Hortensia. Yours?” Hortensia asked, staring at Zinnia through her bangs. “Zinnia! It’s so nice to meet you Hortensia!” Zinnia exclaimed, smiling sweetly.
Hortensia smiled softly back at Zinnia, and to Zinnia, it was one of the sweetest smiles she had ever seen. It was full of love and was incredibly sweet, which seemed like an expression a girl who looked so grim a moment ago could never make. “Y-your smile is very beautiful,” Zinnia complimented, gasping as she realized she had stuttered. Why was she so nervous when seeing this stranger? “Thank you. You’re beautiful,” Hortensia complimented back, her face reverting to its stoic expression. “I-is it? I…uh…thank you,” Zinnia stammered, her face turning bright red. Why was she so messy today? She was usually quite well-put together after all, it was a compliment so many adults would tell her.
“What school are you going to go to?” Hortensia suddenly asked, snapping Zinnia out of her daze. “Ah-Moonlight! The school over there,” Zinnia said, pointing out the church window to a giant school campus. “That’s why you’re here?” Hortensia asked, her head tilting. Zinnia almost visibly gushed at the sight, the girl tilted her head like a sad little cat! “Mhm!” Zinnia said cheerfully, her smile brimming with joy. “I’m going to the school too,” Hortensia said simply, turning to the front of the church as the church members fumbled with props. “I bet kindergarten’s gonna be funn,” Zinnia replied, resting her arms on the back of the pews. “Kindergarten is boring. We don’t learn anything interesting,” Hortensia replied, Zinnia gasping.
“What? But…you could learn so many things! The ABCs, friendship, reading, all that stuff! Isn’t it interesting to you?” Zinnia asked, her mouth gaping open in shock. “No, I learned all of that at three,” Hortensia said nonchalantly, Zinnia gasping dramatically. “Woahhh, you’re smart! I can’t remember anything past P!” Zinnia squealed, her chubby cheeks popping out from her grin. Hortensia’s face grew bright red as she saw Zinnia’s smile, and she coughed awkwardly. “Oh, are you ok?” Zinnia asked, rummaging through Lilac’s purse before handing Hortensia a cough drop. “These help,” Zinnia said, Hortensia backing away slightly. “Oh I…nevermind. You’ll understand as you get older,” Hortensia commented, Zinnia’s cheeks reddening.
“Hey! Don’t act so cool, I bet I’m older than you because I’m taller than you by this itty bitty!!” Zinnia screamed, her fingers barely pressing together as she measured the height difference between her and Hortensia. “When’s your birthday?” Hortensia asked, Zinnia looking straight towards where her eyes should be. “October 7th,” Zinnia replied simply, Hortensia nodding. “You’re actually older,” Hortensia remarked, her face clearly contorted in amusement. “Oh really?! When’s yours?!” Zinnia asked cheerfully, Hortensia’s face red again. “June 22nd,” Hortensia replied, Zinnia suddenly bursting into laughter. “What’s so funny?” Hortensia asked, her lips parted slightly as she stared at Zinnia. “You’re so young! You’re younger than Violet, and everyone’s older than her,” Zinnia giggled, Hortensia frowning.
“Who’s Violet?” Hortensia asked curiously, Zinnia looking around before she saw the small blonde-haired girl pushing her way through the crowd. “Violet, over here!” Zinnia shouted, and Violet turned, messy blonde hair bobbing in the air as she ran towards Zinnia. “Zinniaaaa!! Who’s this?” Violet asked, Hortensia looking at Violet’s dress. It was drab and long, black as a funeral dress and covered Violet’s entire body. “Why are you wearing black to church?” Hortensia asked, disgusted at the sight.