First story! Yay! After about two weeks of revision I decided to take a risk and post it now. :) Dedicated to Horticulture on FR for bringing me into this shipping hell.
Disclaimer: I do not claim any ownership over Flight Rising, its deities, or its affiliates.
There was a pretty girl standing the balcony. She was always there on time, Ember noticed. From eight thirty to nine, the girl would stand in the sunlight, watering plants. Succulents, fruit trees, flowers. Morning glories sent tendrils toward the sky, alyssum overflowed windowboxes and reached for the ground. It was a surprise that they managed to prosper in the summer California heat.
They were beautiful. The plants, that is. Well, the girl too. Oh no, now it sounds like the girl is the second thing on her mind, and she isn't, and-
"Em? Earth to Em? Ember, I advise that you not daydream while on a ladder. Ember?"
Ember glanced down. Archie was waving a hand at her while balancing a pile of books in the other.
"You've worked in the library for three months now. And you have been daydreaming for two of them. And now you have book cataloguing for two months." He called up to her. The redhead rolled her eyes and slid down the ladder, shaking off the last few images of the so-called "pretty girl."
"Cut me a break, Archie. I can still use the 'I'm new to this' excuse for another week."
"Three days, technically. And no cutting breaks." Archie pushed the books into her hands with a raised eyebrow.
"You can take a small rest, though. An intern can cover for you."
"...Aren't I the intern?"
"Complications. No one needs a repeat of last Thursday, right?"
Last Thursday, summarized in one word, was hell. Some sort of major college project was due soon, and college kids around town flocked to the library for reputable sources. During the rush, Ember focussed primarily on the Balcony Girl and accidentally misstepped while on the twenty-five foot ladder. And also landed on a nice, comfy pile of sleep-deprived hungry teens.
"I'm still pretty sure my tailbone receded into my spine, by the way. Thanks for being the kind, compassionate boss and giving me an entire hour off."
"I know I'm great, you're very welcome!" Archie called behind him, walking away from the unimpressed redhead.
She should talk with balcony girl soon.
There was a pretty girl at the pastry shop. She was always there on time, Flora noticed. From eight to nine in the morning, the redhead would drink coffee (black, she noticed), text, or read a book. She would often steal glances at Flora's garden.
Flora pretended not to notice.
Sometimes, the pretty girl would come with a friend. He dressed in an annoying shade of lime green. They weren't lovers, at least, Flora didn't think they were. They didn't kiss, didn't hug.
(She won't admit she hoped pretty girl was single.)
"Just make out already."
Flora spun around, meeting the eyes of her intrigued sister. She was flicking through channels on the TV, twisting a lock of white hair between manicured fingers.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm simply watering the plants."
"Suuuuuure. You ran out of water about two minutes back, by the way. While staring at that pastry shop. Longingly. Lovingly, almost. You-"
"Don't you have work to do?" Flora cut off her sister mid-sentence as she placed the watering can onto a wicker chair. "What was the point of taking an epidemiology class if you won't do anything with it? Go save mankind or whatever."
"Sister, you wound me. Hath thou forgotten thine profession? For I study the chemicals, the poison, the blood in thine body. A shame! A shame! My blood does not know me!" Paige threw her arm over her head dramatically, slinking further into the couch.
"You're a toxicologist. Shush. Also, leave."
Flora spent ten minutes pulling her sister off the couch and out the doorway, eventually threatening Paige that she'll bash her with a broom.
The silence afterward was welcomed. The occasional pigeon cooed outside on the balcony bars, demanding food. Flora saw no harm in feeding them. Cars would honk outside from time to time, and pedestrian chatter below provided background noise. Flora was lying down on her white leather couch, attention switching between the clock and the television in front of her.
Gladekeeper messaged Archanist 9:23am
When are you comin home? Sis left
(finally)...
I might get caught up after work, sorry.
I'm taking a break with the new intern.
The one that fell on those students?
Yes.
Oh, well, have fun.
We will. By the way, will Paige join us
for the meteor shower Thursday?
If she doesn't fall asleep first lol.
I would hope not. I will come over during
lunch break.
...
She should talk with the pastry shop girl soon.
PLEASE review! Edit 1- that goshdarn texting omg