Blue Flowers

Ok, I really liked the picture prompt two weeks ago, so I'm doing it again. 

 

Here you go:

 

 

 

I can't help but think, a picture may be worth a thousand words, but it can inspire 100 thousand more ...

 

 

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My Response:

 

 

Ella ran through the field, arms spread wide, as if she were trying with all of her small soul to take it all in.  She threw her head back and laughed, the sound ringing across the field of blue flowers.  The warmth of the afternoon sun enveloped her.  Freedom.  This was what freedom felt like.  Chores done, bath taken, hair brushed, and an open field to run in.

 

The riverbank rose ahead of her, and Ella lifted her skirt as she climbed it, already anticipating the smooth swallows of water in her throat and the feel of round pebbles under her toes.  She crested the rise and looked down.  Then she frowned.

 

He looked up from where he crouched at the water's edge.

 

"Ella!"  He glanced back down at his hands, then lifted something out of the water and held it out towards her.  "Look at this frog I found!"

 

Leave it to a boy to ruin my day, Ella thought, but she started down towards the water anyway.  She wasn't going to be scared off, either.

 

Ella walked down to the water, but pointedly kept her distance. 

 

"You keep that frog away from me, Jesse Park, or I'll tell your mama you've been using her bloomers to catch 'em!"  Ella lifted her chin haughtily and slid her bare feet into the water, shutting her eyes and sighing.

 

Jesse dropped his arm and cocked his head, "Aw, Ella, don't be like that.  He's a pretty little thing."  Jesse's eyes lit up, "Almost as pretty as you are!" He beamed.

 

Ella's eyes flew wide open.  She turned back to Jesse and gasped.  "Jesse Park, did you just compare me to that ugly toad?!"

 

Jesse's jaw dropped open and he looked down at the glistening creature in his hand.  "He's not ugly ..." he objected.

 

Ella turned her back to him.

 

Jesse sighed and bent down, letting the frog loose.

 

"Ah, Ella, you know you're the prettiest girl in the third grade ..." Jesse started.

 

Ella blushed slightly and allowed her chin to drop down.  "Only in the third grade?" she plied.

 

"Well, Rebecca Wells is by far the prettiest girl in school, but she's already fourteen, and my Mama says girls only get prettier as they get bigger ..."  Jesse tried to peer around Ella's shoulder to gague her reaction.  "But I'm sure by the time you're fourteen, you'll be the prettiest in the whole county!"

 

Ella turned, cheeks flushed, and allowed Jesse a small smile.

 

"My Mama made some sugar biscuits this afternoon," Jesse offered.  "If I bring you home with me, she's like to let us each have some ..."

 

Ella perked up.  "Well, and your Mama does make the best sugar biscuits in the whole county ... Bet I can beat you there!"

 

They raced across the shallow river, shining drops of water flashing in the sunlight, and headed off across the field.