Aurora 2024

Sara Allard

was a level of disrespect—no, treason—that I couldn’t let stand. How could she admit to wastin’ hundreds of dandelions so casually? I’m so distraught by this betrayal that all I can stammer out is a “YOU’RE FIRED!” before I fall to my knees and stab my spade into the earth. With a bleat not unlike a baby goat’s, Layla kicks the spade out of my hand. I scream” hand me my spade this instant!”, but that bark doesn’t hold any bite when your opponent can stop you by raisin’ her arm in the air. When did these young people get so tall? This makes me resort to playing dirty. I pull on Layla’s ratty blonde hair, which catches her off guard long enough to droop the spade towards my reach. This leads to me and Layla dancin’ a bizarre tango, with a rusty spade playin’ the role of the rose. Our battle continues until a subtle, crispy snap declares the winner. Somewhere during’ this embarrassing’ dance, my little rebel dandelion has been killed. Crushed by one of our shoes, and which one I can’t be sure. I see Layla’s eyes fill with hot tears but decide now’s not the time for sympathy. Instead, I pick up the Frog Prince, tell Layla “It’s for the best,” and walk back to the house with a new spring in my step. I try to get a little shut-eye before the morning shift, but I only sleep in fits. That sneaky little flower being put out of its misery should have me sleepin’ like a baby, but I can’t shake the feelin’ that my troubles aren’t over. My vision pulses with dandelion yellow like usual, but now

64