" Cotton candy or Mustard?" Arizona continues to ask some questions.

"Where are you getting these questions?" I ask her a bit annoyed. " I don't know how these questions are even relevant to psychology."

She shrugs a bit, "Come on, let's just try to finish it. Here, the next one is blond or brunette?"

As she finishes saying brunette, my mind thinks about clover with her brown hair. I dismiss it. "Arizona, these questions are dumb."

"You got to admit they were interesting."

"Interesting? what does my character-"

"Personality," She corrects. 

"Personality.  Have to do, which my preference between a blond and Burnette? It makes no sense, it's just plain dumb." 

"What's dumb?" that soothing thick voice, I turn to see Clover coming into the living room with a towel. 

My eyes go wide at the sight of her hair. 

"Woah, girl. You look classy." Arizona compliments Clover. Clover smiles.

I am stunned by what I am seeing. Clover's hair is not brown like when she was younger, but she still has some purple highlights visible. I don't know what to say, or if I should say anything at all. Her hair isn't the only thing that seems to have changed. She's wearing a checkered shirt and jeans. That's the first time I've seen her wear ranch clothes since she got here. 

Clover chuckles, "What? Too much?"

I shake my head to come back to my senses, "No, it's just what's with the sudden change." Lately, I've been feeling annoyed at a lot of things, especially sudden changes. 

She shrugs, "You don't like it? Arizona helped me pick out clothes yesterday. I thought I should try it out." Of course no shock there. The last thing I need to have is for my sister to be a part of drastic change. Every day is more confusing, every day is more unpredictable. 

***

The scent of roses never gets old, they are sweet, lovely as well as their appearance. Something so lovely can still pierce through something so delicate. The sounds of bees are found everywhere near the flowers in the Market. My mother needed natural ingredients for her famous casserole, it was her bright idea to send Clover and me to the market this morning. 

I approach the stand where the tomatoes look the best, as I add pressure with my thumb to test the texture of the fruit. "Clover, what do you think?" I turn to address Clover for her approval.  A rush of embarrassment runs through me as I see the lady staring at me, her assuming I was talking to myself. Clearing my throat, I put the tomato down awkwardly leaving to find Clover. 

Clover had made her way to the flowers again, continuously taking pictures with her Canon camera. Before I approach her, I look at her for a while. This girl was my best friend, I don't know where my hatred comes from. I start walking towards her. 

Clover looks up from her camera as she notices the man in the stand watching her. "Do you mind? I'm just taking a few shots for fun," she explains to him. 

"No, you're fine. You just seemed too focused." He answers. I stand next to her and wait for her to acknowledge my presence. "May I help you, Sir?" He asks.

"No, I'm fine. Thanks." I reply.

"Oh, Hey," She acknowledges me at the sound of my voice. "Austin, take a look at this picture. I think it came out pretty good. I can't wait to show this to Arizona. I was able to get the colors to be very expressive."

Before I could reply the man pitches in, "You must really like flowers?" 

Clover smiles brightly, "You have no idea. It's not so much the flowers being pretty but the colors, yeah, know?"

He seems amused as he agrees. 

As I take a good look at the man, he seems familiar. 

"Do you have a favorite?" He asks Clover. "Flower, I mean?"

She looks up from the camera, " I can't really say I do. The thing is I live in the city and well, there's not much green in there. But I like colors, sunflowers and tulips are beautiful. I also really like that orange one over there."

He points to the flowers over his shoulder, "Marigolds?"

"That's just beautiful" Clover is in awe. "I'm Clover."

"Named after a flower, not surprised. I'm Blaze."

Feeling a bit left out from the conversation, I inform Clover we have all the things we came here for. As I try to convince Clover that we have to get going, Blaze stops us, "Hey, Aren't you Knight? From bull riding?"

A bit taken aback, I answer slowly, "Yes, I am. You ride?" His face is familiar, maybe I've seen him in the audience or he might be a worker at the event. 

"Sure, do. I'm Blaze Houston number 6 in bareback riding."

Clover looks impressed. "Wow, you ride and like flowers. Didn't see that coming."

"I like flowers, but most do it more to help out my folks."

"It was nice meeting you, but we have to go."

As I try to pull Clover away, Blaze stops us once again. "Clover wait, here." He has her a banquet of orange Marigolds. "If you ever want to know more about flowers or just talk, you know where to find me." 

"She doesn't need them, we have fine flowers back at our Ranch." I pull Clover away, leaving a great distance between them, and give him back the banquet. "Let's go, Clover. 

"Wait, Austin. Why are you in a rush? Plus, I know you must have amazing flowers, but he was just being nice."

"What? Do you want to accept the flowers? I have flowers. If flowers are what you want, I have great flowers." I try to reason with her. 

"Yes, I know. but He was giving the flowers to me not you. I don't see why you're so worked up about it." She turns around to walk back where Blaze is.

I grab her, "Clover, let's just go."

"I wasn't even done talking."

Blaze interrupts, "She said she was not done talking."

"News flash she has me to talk to." I bark back

"Really? who are you to decide that?" Blaze asks.