Page 124 of Wallflower in Bloom

“Hi,” Violet said sweetly.

The little girl got shy and whispered something to her mom. The mom took the mic. “She wants to know how you’re so brave?” The mom shrugged, smiling.

Oh. Her heart.

This wasn’t the pitying question Jennifer had asked weeks ago. About how she could dare to exist in spaces not usually occupied by shy, plus-size people.

This was the young version of Violet asking for a map to navigate the choppy waters ahead.

“You mean talking in front of people?” Violet said, clarifying. The little girl nodded her head, embarrassed but excited.

Emotion clutched at Violet’s throat. She blinked the feelings away for a minute.

“I do it scared.”

The little girl tilted her head in confusion.

More detail on the map, Violet. “I think about all the people I could help, which helps me be brave even though I’m scared. When I was brave, I met new friends, went to fun places, and got to wear a very fancy dress. So, just know if you have to be brave, there might be good things on the other side.”

Violet felt so lonely doing this without Jack. It wasn’t half as fun without him egging her on, joking, and helping her share even more of what she loved.

Rose gave her the ‘wrap it up’ motion. They were out of time.

But something nagged at her.

She couldn’t talk about being brave and not actually take the big leap she feared: putting it all out there. Asking for what she wanted instead of doing what made life easier for others.

“I have a confession,” Violet said into the microphone, her mouth having run away with her sanity. “Recently, I wasn’t very brave. I didn’t stand up for myself because I wasn’t willing to risk being told no. To feel rejected. I took the safe route instead of asking for what I wanted.” She looked around and saw people filming with their phones.

Crap. You gotta keep going.

“And what I wanted was just…him. Plus, I hear they have houseplants in Vancouver.” A chuckle sounded in the crowd. “I took the easy way out and didn’t risk anything, but I know I should have been more courageous. Because love and plants are worth being brave for.”

She was sad to see the hour end as her confession was met with applause. She genuinely enjoyed helping people and even had a small line form to talk to her afterward.

When the little girl asked for a photo, Violet held back all her emotions but one tear and smiled so happily for the camera.

With the help of Rose, she eventually left an hour and a half after her speaking wrapped up, tired but happy.

“I knew you could do it,” Rose said, squeezing her side.

“Violet Parker.” Lily pretended to hold a microphone. “You just crushed your first solo public event. What are you going to do next?” Lily held the pretend microphone to Violet.

“I’m going to Vancouver.”

“What?” Rose and Lily yelled in unison, stopping in the parking lot.

“At least to tell him how I feel. I never even told him I loved him.” This was the time. Be bold, and other people could be bold, too.

Even if nothing changed between them, even if they’d only be friends who fake dated for the summer, she had to tell him how she felt.

How falling for him had let her become her best self.

“Damn, Vi,” Rose said. She wrapped her arm around her neck and pulled her in for a kiss on her head. “That is the bravest, scariest thing anybody could do.”

“Don’t talk her down from it.” Lily danced with excitement as they walked towards their car. “She needs to admit her very obvious feelings to him.”

Violet piped up as she slid into Rose’s car with a smile. “Now, maybe somebody else can finally admit their feelings.”

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