November Gardenias
Kimi K2 (0711) and Llama 405b
the smell of gardenias mixed with chlorine, sharp and sweet, always returning when she touches the scar on her left shoulder. she broke the surface of the water, sick with adrenalin, and the first thing she saw was her mother screaming on the sidelines, water past her ankles, and then the uncle pulling her under again. the smell of salt and sweat as she kicks herself free. his skin was slick and pale and she could hear her heartbeat through the water. something kept dragging her down and she surfaced again and again. one two three four. she runs out of breath. there’s a splash and her cousin grabs his arm and her father pulls her out. and her mother is still screaming when she wakes up.
November◆ About the ending
❧ About the title