In Bloom

If you told me I would be so deeply in love with someone who lived on another continent, I’d say you were crazy. After all, I’ve never left Blackpool. I don’t even own a computer! I’m a high school dropout who lives on the wharf in an RV with her parents. I smell like fish. Who would want me?

“Robyn! Hey, Robyn!!” A muffled voice sounds out unexpectedly, followed by a pounding on the window pane behind me. I jump out of my skin, my diary falling off my lap onto the floor. I should be used to greetings like this by now. I turn around, eyes narrowed, to find a group of my former high school friends waiting outside the RV. “Robyn! Can you hear me?!” Camelia shouts, her face pressed to the glass. I only roll my eyes.

“Of course I can hear you. You’re shouting at the top of your lungs.” I state, pushing the blankets off of my lap and onto the bottom of my bed. It was really a ratty couch, but it was the only bed I’d ever known. “You’re early. I’ll be out in a second.” I inform them before snapping the curtains shut.

I quickly tug on a pair of jeans, pull my hair into a pony tail, and snap on my winter cap and jacket before darting out the door.

“Are you ready to par-tay?!” Camelia sings, dancing to my side with grocery bags full of booze. I couldn’t help but grin. It had been such a long time since we all partied together.

“The usual place?” I question, taking a bag from her hands to help the poor girl out. She was a small girl, always had been. But she had a fiery personality.

“Yepp! We got the tent all set up and everything! And Kale is on bonfire duty.” She beams as we head toward the beach.

“Kale is there?” I groan. She stares at me, biting her lip in guilt.

“Is that going to be weird for you?” She questions.

“What? My best friend and my ex playing tonsil hockey? Oh no, absolutely not.” I reply dryly.

“Robyn!” Camelia whines, “If you weren’t okay with it, why didn’t you say something?!” She questions. I just sigh, thinking momentarily.

“…It’s okay…Kale and I had our time. He deserves to be happy.” I ensure, “He deserves someone like you.” I smile. Camelia returns the gesture, bumping into me reassuringly.

“I won’t make it awkward.” She promises.

“Oh I can see it from here!” I exclaim, gesturing toward the faint orange glow in the distance. I spotted figures dancing along the walls of the cave, and my heart thrummed in anticipation. “It looks like there are more people than usual.” I note.

“Duh! Winter Break!” She squeals. “Everyone’s gonna be there.” Camelia states, emphasizing the ‘everyone.’

“Oh yeah! I forgot you were all out of school.” I admit, feeling foolish.

“So…do you think you’ll be coming back this year?” She questions, glancing up at me from beneath her thick lashes.

“I don’t know…” I answer honestly, a frown plastered on my face. “I want to.”

“We miss you.” She mutters.

“Well…I’m here now.” I smile sadly. It’s true I’m a high school dropout, but it wasn’t my decision. My parents pulled me out of school to work in the family business. They needed all the help they could get on the wharf, and I was free labor.

“Hey look! It’s Cam and Robyn!” Someone shouts from the cave. I could hear the group cheer, and I couldn’t help but grin. We picked up our speed, eager to be with our friends.



The icy wind nipped at my cheeks and my breath hung visibly in front of me. I hear shallow waves lapping at the icy shore. I prodded at the coals with a stick, hoping to bring the fire back to life. We used the last of our firewood, and the empty bottles of alcohol signaled the end of our celebration.

Most of the group was huddled together in the tent, keeping warm and recovering. I was an early bird. My phone silently buzzed in my pocket, and I smiled to myself knowing exactly who it was that would be contacting me at such an early hour.

‘Good morning love :-)’

‘Good night love ;-P Sweet dreams <3’ I smiled to myself. Like I said, if you told me I’d be head over heels for someone who lived on another continent, I’d say you were crazy. Well, I guess you’re crazy.

The stars slowly faded from above me, and the hint of orange in the horizon signaled my time to leave. I could hear the tent rustling to life as I gathered my things. Pulling my cap over my head, I almost missed the sound of his voice behind me.

“It was nice seeing you Robyn.” Kale’s gentle voice broke the silence. I froze momentarily before hesitantly turning around.

“…It was nice seeing you too.” I respond. His familiar grin spread across my features, and I fought to control the feelings it sprung to life in my heart. I skittered out from the cave, pushing those thoughts from my mind.



“You’re late!” My mother scoffs from behind her office desk, littered with piles of paper.

“I-I’m sorry. I overslept.” I struggle to catch my breath, quickly pulling on my insulating gloves and marching to her side.

“Go help your father unload. He’s at Dock Four.” She orders, not looking at me. I nod in understanding before heading out the door. The heavy stench of fish hung in the air. It made me gag every time.

Working dawn to dusk every single day took its toll on you. My body ached, and thoughts wavered doing the same tedious tasks hour after hour. My parents had named me Robyn, after the bird. Maybe they had hope I would escape this boring fate---fly away from it. Yet, here I was. I was being dragged down their path, leading a boring life I’ve always longed to be free from.

Maybe that’s why I met him. He was my chance at a new life.