Soul Flower II

The wonderfully odd and unique world of Blueberry. A place where beauty lies within the soul, creating everlasting love. The population sign said 888. Many lived here for over 1000 years. Knowledge and growth are limitless in their eyes, they haven’t scratched the surface for knowing everything. I used to believe once I graduate college I’ll have learned everything I needed to know in life, that is until I failed out. 

Loss of ego is exactly what I needed to start my growth after my college experience. My name is Bradley Jonesiere, I’ve been living in Blueberry for an entire year since yesterday. Since day one my experience hasn’t changed, I grow mentally, physically, and spiritually every day. The very first month is like training. They sent me to a water tower every morning. I had to climb a wobbly ladder to the top of the water tower. I was nervous for a few days, especially going down. 

I learned the history of the brilliant speakers, leaders, and charming people who lived in Blueberry. For the first 13 days it felt like a history class, typically boring and useless, but I loved every second. The rest of the month I learned how to use some basic abilities, I could create objects I needed like manifestation. If I wanted it, the chances were I couldn’t create the object, but if I needed it, I could create it. It was like magic without a wand or staff. Magic comes from a powerful mind with powerful substance. 

After month number 1, I no longer needed to train at the water tower. I stayed at home with a few books I needed to learn. After a while I started reading them at the park. Finally, I saw humans and animals walking around instead of the ghost town vibes I had for a while. Inside of one book explained this happens when people first arrive. 

Month number 3 came out of nowhere and it tasked me with a new project. They taught me how to plant and grow my food. A 900-year-old lady named Petal taught me. She gave me hundreds of tips and spent a lot of time with me, teaching me how to make my favorite foods. After month 3, I manifested some food without growing. That terrifying mouth-shaped piece of paper came flying through my mail slot. Tearing itself open and yelling at me. One letter was all I needed to never do it again. Those letters were like dark magic in my mind. The more I ate the fresh grown food, I realized how much better I feel eating healthy foods. I eat fruits and veggies all the time now so junk food didn’t even attract me anymore. 

Month number 6 started a new task, I got to be trained by a friend of mine, Anallah. She was a personal trainer for working out. This was easily my favorite project so far. I used to lift occasionally back at home, but I was never serious about it. I remember feeling great. When I was sore the next day, it was an incredible feeling for me. Usually people don’t like the feeling, but I knew I was getting stronger, so I embraced it back then. Then I started working out with Anallah… “PUSH, PUSH UNTIL YOU CAN’T FEEL YOUR BODY ANYMORE SHRIMP BOY.” 

She was insane with training. Outside of the gym she was a nice quiet girl, but when it was time to train she was a different person. After a few months of that, I got some equipment in my house and no longer needed her training as she taught me everything she knew. Although it would be nice to train with her again because I realized she actually pushed me to my limits with her aggressive training style. At home, I became less motivated. My next project came at the perfect time.

Month number 9 began right as I started fumbling the bag with my workout schedule. We focused this task on productivity. I was hoping my guide Ver would teach me. We haven’t seen each other since pretty much day one; I thought he was going to be my mentor. Anallah said he was on an extensive project, so I figured to not worry. My teacher this month was not a member who had been there for hundreds of years; he had only been there for a few months more than me.

He waved and smiled in my direction.. I walked near him, hoping he had a good explanation why he was already a teacher and I wasn’t. Instead, he explained the program he will put me through, but I focused on figuring out what our differences were. He was shorter than me, pretty muscular. His appearance won’t help me figure it out. I listened to him. Maybe he was a suck up and earned a job early. I learned his name was Von, and he graduated college with a business degree.

 Instantly my posture broke, and I lost motivation to listen further. 

College, I knew I should’ve tried harder in college. I probably would’ve been super successful if I finished. It’s the only explanation why he was ahead of me in my head.

He gave me a calendar and told me how to plan stuff out, but I don’t really remember what he said. I returned home, throwing my keys on the counter and collapsing on the couch face down. A letter came flying through my mail slot, I figured it was a magical letter about to jump out yelling at me so I put my pillow over my head. I never heard the voice, so I slowly peeked at the letter. It was on the floor, not transforming into a mouth, so I ripped it open. It said, “Dear Bradley, please come to the entrance office ASAP. Ver has a message for you.” 

My mind went in a totally different direction than college. I haven’t heard from my mentor in ages. I ran to the office instantly, almost tripping through the doorway. 

“My goodness Bradley, slow down!” A lady at the front desk said. Which was weird because every time I went to this office it was empty. 

“Oh sorry, I didn’t expect anyone to be here.” I said. “Who are you exactly?”

“Tut tut, disappointing Bradley, I’ve seen you so many times, but you don’t know my name”

My eyes lit up. After hearing her voice more, it hit me like a truck.

“YOUR THE LADY WHO SENDS ME MAGIC LETTERS.” I said.

She laughed and told me they always signed her name at the bottom of the letters, so I should’ve known. I was always so scared of those letters, I never read them. Her name was Mrs. Modie. After we talked for a while I knew the next time I got a magic letter I knew it wouldn’t startle me knowing it was a sweet old lady (with some attitude.) She gave me a letter from Ver and I went back home. On the way, I ripped it open.

The letter was all white besides 2 words. All he said was get inside. What the hell does that mean? I expected a letter explaining where the hell he has been, but instead, 2 words! My jaw clenched, my hands turned to fists. Once I got through my door, I slammed it and threw his letter in the garbage. 

Over in the corner of my house, a yellow and black flash appeared. It cycled like a tornado. I took a couple step backs and then there he was. The flashes faded and my mentor stood there with a smile on his face. “Bradleeyyy.” He said.

“It’s great to see you! But where have you been!” I said.

“Listen, I have minuscule time, I’m on an enormous project that has taken much longer than expected.” He sat down, looking tense. “I came to help you.” 

He was apologetic for his absence, but I could tell he was going through tough times. He knew about my troubles with my new teacher, how I was jealous and it was affecting my growth. 

Everything he said was correct. I let jealousy best me, which stopped my growth for the day, and if Ver never came today, it would’ve continued. The reason Von was so young, teaching newcomers was because he left Blueberry before. I paused and peered looking down. “Why would I want to leave this place, it’s so much better than outside?” I said.

He smirked and looked deeply in my eyes, “Have you forgotten your family Bradley?” 

“No, of course not I --.” Ver spoke for the next few minutes. It was eye opening from what he preached to me. My parents haven’t seen me in a year. They haven’t received a text or any news about my life. They probably had a funeral for me. Ver explained I can sign up for a period of leave in the entrance office. This would give me the opportunity to see my family and not break any Blueberry rules. I realized how selfish I’ve been. They are probably worried sick, and I’m here getting mad when I have an off day. 

Suddenly, the yellow and black flashes came covering Ver. “Oh, snap! Well, it’s my time to return Bradley, I hope all goes well with your family.” He smiled. “By the way, you look nice, Anallah has been working you hard.” He vanished, but I wasn’t sad this time. With his help, I really know what I need to do.

The next day I went to sign up to leave Blueberry. I completely forgot about my lesson with Von. When I got to the entrance office, Mrs. Modie had already pulled out the sheet I needed to sign. She asked how long I was going to be. I really didn’t have an answer for her. I just told her anything between 2 hours and 2 weeks. My time to leave wasn’t for a few hours, so I figured I should see Von and explain to him why I missed. 

First, I walked to my house to get packed for going home. When I returned to my house, there was a note taped on my door. It was from Von. One thing I learned from the note is that he hates getting his time wasted. This made me laugh honestly, he’s one of those types of people. On a schedule and can never break that. After his note I figured I won’t bother him while he’s moody, so after I packed I cleaned inside and outside of my house.

When I left Blueberry, I saw the population sign go from 888 to 887 instantly. Then, a few seconds later, a green and orange cycling flash appeared and someone walked into Blueberry. The sign went back to 888. 

It was my first time out of Blueberry in a year. Outside was so beautiful compared to when I was last here. My senses felt much better, but I still sensed the same vibe of my city. The weather was different. I knew I had to run an hour to my house. Anallahs training was good preparation for that. 

Upon arrival, everything seemed the same. Cars were the same color, and everything about where I used to live was exactly how I remember. My first step towards my front door was easy, but then I realized. I haven’t been here in a year. I got into my head and brought anxiety throughout. There were no calendars in Blueberry, so I didn’t know what day it was. Hopefully, it’s not a family game night. That would be awkward. I took a few steps, panting. Once I reached the door, I took a couple deep breaths to calm myself down. 

Knock, knock — 3 more knocks — The door slightly opened, I could tell from the painted nails it was my mother. She couldn’t open the door fully because she was trying to hold our dog back. My dad came and helped her out, which led her to finally opening the door. A glass slipped from her hand as she stood staring at me. My father looked up and immediately forgot to hold our dog, which came jumping on me.

Shocked would be an understatement. They didn’t speak for about 30 seconds until I said, “Hey mom, hey dad.” 

They both jumped out at me, squeezing me with love. I could see tears running down my mom’s face and my dad wouldn’t stop hugging me. How could I make someone so happy to see me? They brought me inside. Everything looked the same. It’s like I left only a few days ago.

Tonight was family game night, after my reunion with my mom, Dad, dog, and younger brother. We sat playing apples to apples. They had a thousand questions for me, but the only question In my mind was why does everything seem the same. Of course I never asked, though. 

We played and chatted for hours until I looked over at my brother’s phone that flashed. His lock screen said August 2nd, 2021. That isn’t possible. I left July 1st, 2021. I gazed around the room and asked how long I’ve been away. They all gave me odd looks and told me around a month. This was shocking, but I kept my composure and acted normal. I could stay at Blueberry for a year living my best life and come back here barely missing a thing.

That was splendid news now I could try to live a somewhat normal life. A repaired relationship with my family went a long way with mental health. Even though they almost stopped me from going to Blueberry, I wasn’t mad at them. They weren’t mad at me, even though I really messed up their lives for the past month.

I told them some stories of Blueberry, but I dimmed it down so it could be believable. The next day they took off work and spent the day with me. I wasn’t the only one who was learning in the month apart. My parents taught me how to meditate. They picked up the skill after I left to calm down their nerves. This could be what I teach at Blueberry when I’ve grown enough. Meditating was very relaxing and helped clear my mind. 

I spent another few days there; I meditated as long as I could and spent time with my family. Once it was time for me to leave they worried, but I assured them I will be back soon. On my walk back, I reflected on how lucky I am. My quality of life has risen so high in the past month. Which for me was actually 9 months. 

I returned to Blueberry watching the sign go from 888 back down to 887, then when I entered it went back to 888. Von was there waiting, his jaws clenched as I was a few minutes late for his lesson. A new lesson, a new adventure. Soon I will lead these adventures. First, I have to become understanding of my mind and conquer myself, then I will help others do the same.