It was dim outside; lights flickered on and off in the streets of Midgar. It didn't seem the place to grow flowers. . . Did it?
Aeris Gainsborough was Midgar's only flower girl. She liked it, actually. She didn't mind being different from the other citizens. She wanted to give Midgar a shine, a little touch of something different than oil-running machines and dull courtyards.
She would ask people kindly to buy her flowers.
"Would you like to buy one of my flowers? They're only one Gil a piece." To her surprise, some citizens just walked right passed her, ignored her, and taunted her. Aeris got used to it. She knew people wouldn't be buying her flowers all the time, but she still had a wonderful time growing and picking them.
As Aeris was about to walk out of her beautiful home, her mother stopped her in an instant.
"Aeris, haven't you been out enough this week?" she questioned, taking slow steps down the spiral staircase. Aeris gulped and shook her head; her long, thick braid swinging back and forth.
"Mom, I know you're trying to protect me, but I'm not a little girl anymore. Please understand that. I love you, and I know for a fact nothing will happen to me. It's been five months, Mom, and the Turks haven't touched me," Aeris explained. Her mother still had a worried look on her face; feeling and realizing that Aeris was right. She wasn't five anymore, she was a grown woman.
Aeris didn't wait for a reply from her mother. She sprinted down Sector 5 Slums to an old, unused church that seemed like it was abandoned for years.
When Aeris was about ten years old, she discovered this church. In Aeris's world, everything was delightful and if it wasn't, she would make it just that. The church made Aeris feel disappointed. How could anyone leave this church? It was lovely and charming. The painted-glass windows were an excellent touch to the church, so when Aeris was working in her garden, she got light once in awhile. The flowers were bloomed and ready to be picked. It seemed like the perfect day to sell flowers. Aeris had a good feeling not as many people would reject her offer today; maybe two or three, but not as much as normally.
A grin started to spread across Aeris's face as she carefully placed the flowers into her wooden basket. Her green eye's shimmered in sunlight as a thought ran across her mind.
Can life be any better than this?
The thought jumped around her mind. No, it couldn't be any better than this. Aeris had a wonderful life, and she knew it.
After picking a few dozen flowers, Aeris headed to the main street; where she usually sold her flowers. As she thought, more people came up to her to buy flowers. A few kind people said, "Thank you," and "These are beautiful flowers, young lady," and others didn't say a word, which made Aeris a little uneasy.
Why sell people flowers if they aren't even going to say thanks or anything polite!
There was a shop located left of her. She always went there. It was her hangout spot.
It was a Café' shop where Aeris got her seeds to plant the flowers. You probably wouldn't think you would buy plant seeds at a Café', but Aeris did and she became well known at this particular shop.
"Well, nice to see you today, Mr. Vickers!" Aeris said cheerfully, entering his store. Mr. Vickers gave her a warm smile and demanded her to sit down.
Aeris brushed her crimson dress off and sat down on one of the leather stools.
"Well, what do you want today, my dear?" Mr. Vickers asked. Aeris thought to herself for a moment then smiled.
"May I have some ice tea?" Aeris politely replied, folding her hands on the counter. Mr. Vickers gave her a thumbs-up and headed to the mixing supplies. While he was making her beverage, Aeris scooted over to a rack where the flower seeds were. Roses, daisies, you name it! Aeris picked out some sunflower seeds packages and told Mr. Vickers to put it on her bill. He replied with a nod like he always does.
Aeris waited patiently for her ice tea to be ready. She was in absolute no hurry, so she didn't mind.
"Here you are, dear," Mr. Vickers spoke, placing the glass of tea in front of her.
"Thank you."
Aeris savored the delicious tea, which she hadn't had for a long time. It had to have been ten minutes when she was finished.
"How much do I owe you, Mr. Vickers?" Aeris asked, handing the empty glass.
"You know what? It's on me," Mr. Vickers answered.
"No, I can pay. How much?" Aeris questioned. Mr. Vickers told her to say no more and he scooted her out of the store.
The streets looked more packed than ever. People were crowded mostly on the corners.
Aeris walked out onto the sidewalk, her brown boots making a tap-tap-tap-tap every time she took a step. She stopped, held her basket in both her hands, and looked around. A vehicle drove in front of her and after it had disappeared, Aeris walked across the street; ready to sell more flowers.