Once-Ler [Let It Grow] Chapter. 6

From then on we were almost inseparable. Going into town EVERY day to unsuccessfully not sell a Thneed. But having each other, the forest, the friends, we were okay with it. Until one day that is...

"That's it," Once-Ler seemed sincerely upset this time, "my family was right!" He began, storming away from me as I reach up to him. He throws his Thneed , hitting a woman in the face. I run up to him.
"Once-Ler!" I scream at him, looking at the woman apologetically. However, the Thneed had been consuming her eyes, her unable to see my expression. She began tugging at it viciously, but I only continued to walk along side of Once-Ler. He sighs heavily and stops walking, shaking his head, his eyes tightly closed as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
"I'm sorry Ester. I just got so sick of the people... At first I was okay with it. It was easy to deal with. But day after day? It's starting to hurt." I take his chin in my finger tips, kissing his lips ever so softly, feeling them curl underneath mine with a smile. He just giggled lightly, our lips unlocking.
"Thank you," Once-ler says warmly, "you're just too sweet, no way I could stay upset. Let's head back." He takes my hand in his, pulling on Melvin's reigns as we gradually began our way home, a smug look on his face.

We approach the Lorax, pipsqueak, baby swammy swan and one of the humming fishes playing a game of cards. The Lorax turns toward us, smiling widely.
"Hey whoa! Bean-pole! Where's your Thneed? Ya sell it?" Lorax asked, noticing the only Thneed around here was mine, soft in all of it's orange goodness.
"N-no. No I didn't sell it. It's ahead of it's time anyways.." Once-Ler said, pouting mildly just at the thought.
"Well, you tried your best. Have a seat, we'll deal you guys in." The Lorax scoot himself aside, making room for Once-Ler and I within the circle.
"What are we playing?" I ask, resting my head on Once-Ler's shoulder as he pet my hair gently, planting a kiss on my head.
"I'm playing poker, he's playing goldfish and I think he's hungry." With that, The baby swammy swan swipes away one of the humming fish's cards, swallowing it in one bite. The humming fish's mouth dropped, and his eyes began to tear up. I picked him up and kissed his cheek reassuringly.
"Guess that means it's time for pancakes!" Once-Ler says, standing up as I fall back, him as my balance. He shows me a teethy smirk and chuckles.
"Woops...I...Sorry Ester." He extends an arm out to me as I laugh, picking me up from the ground.
"All good, someday you'll be smooth." I said to him, smirking playfully.
"You two sometimes..." We hear below us from the Lorax.

Inside, Once-Ler wears the apron this time, insisting he himself make the pancakes alone this time. I allow it, after all, what woman wouldn't enjoy a man making them food? Plus, he looked pretty cute in that apron. I watched as he slaved over 9 rounds of pancakes.
"Who's up for ninths?!" He asks eagerly, holding a tall plate of pancakes. I had finished after round 3. However, these animals couldn't get enough. I was curled in a pile of them, gently falling asleep. The Lorax grumbles, holding his furiously poking belly.
"Alright, pass 'em over." Once-Ler begins to trail toward the bed as my eyes begin to close and suddenly there's a massive shaking, forcing my eyes wide open. Once-Ler grips his pancake tower tightly to him.
"Wh-whats g-going ooo-on????" Once-Ler wonders, his voice shaky. He sets down the pancakes, him and I both reluctantly standing in front of the door, afraid of opening it. The animals and The Lorax follow, until we reveal the outside world.

Now, when I say world I do mean WORLD. Once-Ler goes limp, his knees giving in as we stare at an enormous crowd of people. I spot Norma, squeezing through them and running up to Once-Ler and I. However, she is declined access to us, as we are now being smothered by this large crowd. They all began singing Once-Ler's jingle.
"Everybody needs a Thneed! A fine thing that all people need! The Thneed is good! The Thneed is great! Let's hope we're not too late!"
I tried holding on tightly to the Once-Ler yet, I was dragged apart from him. The crowd tossed me toward The Lorax. I looked down at him, questioning the entire situation with my eyes. He only glared at Once-Ler, his nose beginning to scrunch. Norma squeezed out of the crowd once more and trailed toward me, an enormous grin on her face.
"They love it! Once-Ler is going to be a huge success!" She says, looking at me for a reaction. However, I couldn't truly give her one.

The crowd threw Once-Ler into the air, carrying him in their hands. Norma poked at me as she caught me staring. I smacked her hand. Then noticed what I had done and turned to her.
"I'm SOOOO sorry....Honey, I'm sorry.." I take her hand in mine, rubbing it lightly.
"I don't know what to think right now." She smiles with somewhat of a worried expression on her face. Looking up toward the crowd I see money flying, everywhere. People clenching it tightly and shoving it into Once-Lers gleaming face. His smile so huge and bright, his cheeks were throttled to burst. He was happy. But why wasn't I? I shrugged off the rudeness of these people and tried to think of the better things. Once-Ler HAD in fact become successful. His Thneed was huge. I am the woman in his life. His dreams are coming true. I am immensely happy for him. So, maybe, it's just worry. But why would I need to worry?


Once-Ler:


As the waves of people carry me, I scream with joy,
"Oh Yeah! We're in business BABY!" I say, also clenching a few wads of cash in my hands. The fresh smell of crisp bills are almost intoxicating. I whip my phone from my pocket, digging for it and then calling my....mother? I think twice about this and, unknowingly, I call her up.
"Oncie?" She answers.
"Mom! Hey it's me! I told you I was going to be a success! You need to get the whole family out here right now! We're GONNA BE RICH!"
"What?! BRET! CHET! GET YOUR AUNT AND UNCLE! WE'RE HEADING TO ONCIES!"
No congrats, no nothing. With that, she hung up. I look over at Ester and The Lorax and Norma. All of them questioning me with their eyes. The Lorax with a scowl. I nervously laugh, looking at them reassuringly.
"I'm going to need all the help I can get...don't worry..."