Getting back to Oasis was about the same as going to The Other Side. Same graying. Same spinning. Same bright flash. Same eye pain. Same headache. This is gonna take a while to get used to...

In the dark of night, I arrived back at the clearing. Looking over to the shop, it looks abandoned. Most places have a light sign or something, but not Rosa's Bouquets apparently. Just a plain dark building. Walking towards it however, something odd started happening. The lights from inside started turning on. Almost as if the building itself was aware I was coming. Or maybe it was Madam Rosa, she has done some weird psychic things so far. I knocked on the door...but no response.

"Madam Rosa?" I kept knocking, "It's me Je- uh, the boy with the green eyes!"

"Oh hello!" She popped out the door, "I'm glad you came back! And it looks like you had a good time in The Other Side too! Those baby bees are so cute aren't they?"

"They're so cute! With their little wings and...wait, how did you know about the bees?" That weird feeling is back...

"Sweetie, I run a flower shop, of course there's gonna be bees around here!" She snapped at me. It made me feel bad how I'm practically questioning her every word.

"I'm sorry for being so suspicious, I just think that-"

"Oh that's fine dear," She cut me off. Probably the best thing to happen, I don't know where I was going with that. "The bugs are coming in, let's go inside now," I walked in and she closed and locked the door behind me. I wonder if there's another way in besides the shop entrance.

We walked into the living room in the back part of the building. I could smell that she had spaghetti for dinner. Ugh... I'm so hungry now...

"Since it seems like you're gonna stay here, let me show you to the guest room," she led me into the hallway. There was a door on both ends of the hall, and two doors in the middle part of the hall. We went to the left side of the hall. Oh... the light fixtures look like cotton candy...

"Your room will be on the farthest left. Here, take a look,"

It was a good room. Simple but lovable. A bed, a single window next to the bed with brown curtains, a small closet with sliding doors, and a nightstand by the bed with a lamp and clock on it. Oh...the pillow looks like a giant marshmallow... I need food. Now.

"I know it's not much, but hey, it's a little room all to yourself. I hope you like it,"

"It's really-" Grrr... my stomach started growling fiercely, "great!"
I was holding my stomach, maybe it'll muffle out the noise.

"No need to do that, ain't nothing to be ashamed of a little hunger growl! Come to the kitchen, I'll heat up some spaghetti,"

Grrr... my stomach answered yes for me. Thanks stomach!

"That would be great, thank you Madam,"

"No problem for my little sweet, come along now,"

I closed my room door, then I followed her to the living room/kitchen. The two rooms were basically one room split half and half.

"I don't have a regular table, so go ahead and take a seat at the couch," she said as she started getting the spaghetti ready.

"So tell me, how'd your little trip go?"

"Oh it was awesome! As you know, I saw some of those bees, and I even got to feed their baby!" I tried to sound positive about the whole thing, most of that trip involved death. Whether it was me almost getting mine or a bee getting harshly shot.

"That sounds great!" She placed the spaghetti onto a tray that got red the moment the plate touched it. It must be some sort of microwave substitute. She continued, "Did you get the thing? The thing I sent you over there for?"

"What thing? My name?"

"Yes that, did you pick yourself a good one?" Steam was coming off it now. That thing works fast!

"Well, I wouldn't say it's the best name in the world, but after a certain piece of advice from a new friend, I think I made my decision. I chose Jesse. My name is now Jesse. I'm Jesse!" Okay I heard the dork in that, but I'm just excited about my newfound identity!

"Well Jesse," she handed me my dinner, "You have the eyes of a raccoon. So eat up, then off to bed okay?"

"Yes Madam." I said as I contently ate my spaghetti. I think I'm gonna like it here.

(Quick Author's Note: Hi guys! Thanks for reading! I'm just here to say that there are 2 main protagonists, and I will be switching POVs between the two. That's all, enjoy!)

October 18th, 2014, Midnight

Gavi

Ugh... I had to work overtime at Tea & Pop today. It's midnight and I'm barely coming home. A 16 year old girl shouldn't have to take this! At least Earl dropped by and gave a ride to the estates. Buses can't come into the estates because of all the uneven roads. So I had to walk from the entrance of the estates to my house. By myself. In the dark. In a place where it's basically a ranch land. Towering trees and big house properties far from each other. Perfect setting for someone or something to attack me. It's sooo great being me! Aha ha ha ha ha ha! Ugh...

I arrived at my front door. I looked into the living room through the peeks of the curtain in the window, I could see my mom waiting for me on the couch. She was going through a family album... again. It's normal to miss family when they're suddenly gone, but isn't crying through old photos all day a bit much? I would cry with her, but life doesn't pause for us to cry. That and I feel all cried out too.

She seems focused, maybe I can get to my room upstairs for some solitude if I'm quiet. I slowly opened the door, luckily she left it unlocked. She didn't notice, good. I crept in and quietly closed the door behind me. All she did was flip the page. Now comes the hard part, up the stairs. Sure it's right there when you walk in, but they creak with every step. Running would make too much noise, so I will have to tip toe my way up. First step, I slowly raised and lowered my foot onto the step. Like a total jerk, the wood yelled out in a cry of pain.

"Gee thanks stairs!" I whispered to myself. I stayed still for a moment, it was really loud. But to my surprise, she didn't notice. Now for the rest of the stairs...

Tip, creak!

Toe, creak!

Tip, creak!

Toe, creak!

I got to the top. Albeit very loudly, but she somehow didn't hear any of it. "Yes! I'm home free! Memory foam mattress here I co-" QUACK!!! I stepped on my duckie slippers, it let out a death cry louder than that first step.

"Gavriela V. Olivers!" She definitely heard that. God, I was so close too! "I stay up till midnight just to see my daughter get home, and she has the audacity to try sneak by me!"

"I didn't ask you to wait for me Mom!"

"Oh so it's my fault then? I'm just a big idiot for trying to do something nice!"

"Oh my god! I never even said that! Stop putting words in my mouth you're impossible!"

"You would know all about being impossible wouldn't you!? You're so ungrateful! You never say 'thank you' for anything!

"That's cause there's nothing to be thankful for anyway!"

"How could you even dare to think that!? Your father and I have done so much for this family! Like–"

"Like what? Please! Enlighten me oh holy mother!"

"Oh ho! You keep taking that tone with me and you're really gonna be sorry then!"

"I don't care anymore, I'm going to bed! Night!"

"You'll be sorry!" I heard her yell out as I slammed the door. Why does she have to make my life any more difficult than it already is!? God! I wish when the cops took Dad away, they would've taken me away too! Why can't she just understand...oh no...

The main souvenir I have from him is dying. A little plant I kept on my desk. I talk to it whenever I have troubles...it was like I was talking to Dad again... Now it's dying... A little plant. Simple yet lovable. Once held green leaves as green as the world's most beautiful emerald. Now brown like a certain thing that belongs down the toilet...

I grabbed it and laid myself on my bed, grasping it closely on my chest. Dirt fell out, but I didn't care. I'm sleeping with this flower tonight, before Mom sees it and throws it away.

"I miss you Dad..." I wept as I held it, drifting off to sleep...