Bailey's POV

No one tells you as a kid that the dandelion you're blowing on, to make that wish, is really a weed. A weed disguised to lure you in and blow their seeds back into the earth.

It's not until you see them in their ugly natural state growing in front of you that you learn their true colors.

The first punch caught me by surprise. I remember falling back and looking up into his eyes. Maybe it was an accident, a very rough accident. However, deep down I knew this wasn't so.

It wasn't until he dragged me by my hair across the yellow-painted fields as I scratched his hand, kicked my legs, screamed into the air, and he did not once flinch, that I knew I was going to die. As he dragged me back to his car, I watched the dandelions sway back and forth in the wind. This would be the last thing I see.

Before I close my eyes one last time, I think back to my childhood. The last summer we were all together, playing Kings & Knights with Jack. He promised to protect me, even after he died. I wish I knew then what I know now.

No one tells you as a kid, that the bad guys are like dandelions, disguised to lure you in with their beauty and wishes, for you to see them in their natural state when it's too late.

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Bailey's POV (Eight years earlier)

The sun beats down on us. No clouds in sight. The sweat screams from my body, screams for water.

It's another summer day here in Wisconsin and we're doing only what kids know how to do, play in the backyard, but are we swimming like I wanted to? No.

"As your king, I command you to marry him!" My brother, Jack, tells Hunter.

All of us stand in a straight line in front of my brother, Jack, who stands on the pool ladder, so he can be taller than us and points a fake sword at Hunter.

"I don't want to marry her. She's gross," Hunter complains, waving his sword around in the air.

"I'll marry her, your king," Levi suggests. Offering me a dandelion.

"I don't want to marry him!" I protest! My heart belongs to Hunter. I look over at him. If only he could see that.

Jack shakes his head, "No. I already made up my mind. Bailey has to marry Hunter!"

"I'm not marrying her. She's only seven years old." Hunter argues back.

"So, you're only nine, and I don't mean now. I mean when you're both old enough. It's called an arranged marriage! I have to know she will be okay if I die. Just play along, Hunter!" Jack barks.

"You've watched too much TV. No one's going to die. I don't want to play your stupid game anymore." Hunter throws his sword on the ground and stomps on it. He hates it when we play Kings and Knights because the storyline is always the same; he has to do what the king says and no one else but Jack gets to be king.

Once he finishes his tantrum, he marches back into his house. This game always ends this way too, which is why I wanted to go swimming instead!

"Ugh. Hunter, you always ruin our games!" Jack gripes and turns to Levi, "Fine, Levi, you will marry Bailey. Do you promise to take care of her?"

"Yes, I do, your honor." Levi bows taking my hand in his and I roll my eyes because Levi is annoying and will do anything to please Jack.

"It's your highness, and who am I supposed to marry?" Georgia finally speaks up.

"You're just a servant. It doesn't matter who you marry." Jack says.

"It's not fair. Bailey always gets to be the princess and I'm always the servant!" Georgia also marches back into the house.

"Come back! Our game isn't over yet! At least give me the book back!" Jack chases after her.

The slider shuts again, leaving the two of us alone in the backyard.

Levi smiles at me nervously and I can never tell what he's thinking, but he always stares at me and I hate it. I don't want his stupid flower. I don't want to marry his stupid face. I don't want to look at his stupid haircut and his stupid Pokemon shirts that have stupid sayings on them with his stupid gapped-teeth.

Why couldn't Hunter agree to marry me?

"Here, take this flower as a token of my love." Levis offers me the same dandelion again.

"Ugh, The game's over Levi. You can stop now." I roll my eyes and toss the flower over my shoulder, landing in the pool.

"Even so, I will keep my promise," Levi assures me.

"What, to marry me? That's gross!" I scoff.

"No, to take care of you if Levi dies." He says.

"Yeah whatever, weirdo." I snort.

The slider to Hunter's house opens again, this time revealing my mom, just in time too, because I was about to punch Levi in his stupid smile.

"Bailey, It's time to get going. Jack's already in the car."

"Coming Mommy." I smile and when she turns around I stick my tongue out at Levi, "See ya later, weirdo."

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Mom opens the door for me and I climb into my booster seat, next to Jack and dad sits up front, playing some poker game on his phone.

"Bailey, we're dropping you off at gymnastics, then we are going to Jack's football game. AnnaMae's mom will drop you off at the game after your practice is over. Okay?"

"Why can't you stay for my practice?" I whine.

"We will next time baby, we promise, okay?"

"Okay," I murmer but I know it's not true because they never come to see me tumble.

We barely pull out of the driveway before my parents arguing begins and I never understand why they fight but it's annoying and I wish there was a way I could escape the noise.

When I look over at Jack I notice he's listening to his music and a ping of jealousy runs through me because he can easily tune them out but I'm forced to listen to all the noise.

I tap him on the shoulder, trying to get his attention and he takes out a headphone, handing it over to me. He knows exactly why because I do this every time I want to block out their fighting. Jack squeezes my hand, letting me know that I'm not alone in this and I love that he looks out for me.

With Kenny Chesney playing in my ear, I close my eyes, tilt my head back, and think of things that make me happy; Jack says this helps tune out the world around us. However, there's only one thing I ever think about and that's Hunter Haywood. I imagine him handing me the flower and offering to marry me. The thought makes my cheeks burn.

I play this made-up scene in my head over and over again until practice.

~~~~~ 1/25/20 • 1103 words ~~~~~