I've had this idea in my head since I was a kid, and I'm now finally writing it, so forgive me if it's a bit childish. I'm also honestly not great with multi-chapter works so here's to this not sucking.
I will be honest: updates will be very...very slow.
The morning sun rose very slowly over the city of Gardenia, the rays stirring awake the small beach town. Although most people were still asleep, Flora was not one of them, choosing to rise before the sun, and to begin her day as it rose.
Making her way through the empty streets, Flora began to compose a list of her tasks for the upcoming day. She had to open the flower shop, complete all the orders, order new flowers from the supplier, take care of the last-minute customers, complete her schoolwork, plan a study group, pick up Miele from school, prepare dinner, do the laundry…
Flora shook her head as her plans for the day began to overwhelm her. One step at a time mija , Flora repeated her mother's words to her. One step at a time.
Finally reaching the store, Flora unlocked the front door and entered, the fresh scent of the flowers filling her and calming her mind. Continuing with the morning routine, Flora opened the store for business, ready for the day.
Before long, customers filled the flower shop, making their orders in preparation for Christmas in two months. All morning, Flora rushed around the flower shop, like a busy bee. She didn't mind being busy, however, as it kept her mind off of the situation at home.
By the afternoon, there were no visitors in the shop, finally entering its slow period of the day. Not one to waste an opportunity, Flora decided to take up her neglected schoolwork, collecting her textbook and laptop, attempting to answer the questions. Quickly unable to concentrate enough, Flora grew frustrated with her work, leaning over the desk with her hands in her face, a headache forming in the base of her skull.
Lost in thought, Flora neglected to notice the young man who entered the flowershop and looked around at the flowers, before walking up to the front desk. "Excuse me..."
"Huh?" Flora glanced upwards to find the most beautiful man she has ever seen. Although he wore a loose shirt and jeans, she could see that he was very muscular. His black hair was oddly long, falling past his shoulders, loosely tied at the end. His face was handsome, his jawline chiseled by the gods themselves probably. But the most striking features were his eyes , the cobalt blue staring intensely into Flora's green ones, but they held kindness, with a hint of amusement.
Embarrassed, Flora stood up straight. "I am so sorry!" She apologized, scrambling to close her materials. Once she succeeded, Flora looked into his eyes and turned on her best customer service voice, "How can I help you?"
"It's okay," the man waved any awkwardness away with a laugh, "I just have a question on which flowers to pick to send a message."
"Okay, what kind of message would you like to send?" Flora asked, making her way around the front desk.
"How do you say 'fuck you' in flower?"
Flora stopped mid-stride. "What?"
The man grinned impishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I have a friend who's kind of an asshole, and I want to tell him 'fuck you' but in a nice way." At Flora's lack of response, the man continued, "The whole situation is hard to explain, but trust me, 'fuck you' flowers are the perfect gift for him."
"Oh...Okay." Flora had no idea what to think of this bizarre situation. It nearly knocked her off her feet. Most customers were only interested in how flowers looked. This man was very interesting indeed. "I can build you a bouquet that conveys...your message, is that okay?"
"Sure." The man grinned widely, "Do whatever you'd like, miss."
With his permission, Flora quickly zipped around the shop, collecting various colorful flowers. Once she finished collecting, she stepped into the back of the flower shop, out of the sight of the man. Typically she'd arranged bouquets at the front desk, but for some reason, he made her nervous.
After she skillfully arranged the bouquet, Flora stepped back out onto the sales floor, where the man was patiently waiting near some roses. Smiling at her return, they met at the front desk.
"Okay so, in this bouquet I have yellow carnations at the center, they mean disdain and disappointment. Directly in front of those carnations I have this hydrangea, which means heartlessness. To each side of the hydrangea I put mock oranges and monkshood, which means deceit and danger, respectively. Surrounding the entire piece I put a ring of foxgloves, meaning insincerity." Flora paused as she caught her breath from the run-on sentence, looking up from the bouquet, to find the man staring at her, his lips curled up in a smile.
Suddenly unable to speak, Flora stuttered through her next words, "And um… I think that, uh, this would work out...for you, or uh, for your friend rather."
"Thank you, miss. You really know how to incorporate the language of these flowers while keeping the arrangement so beautiful."
"Thank you, I try." Flora couldn't help the blush from entering her cheeks at his compliment. Not many people even realized that flowers had meanings, much less appreciate how Flora took those meanings into consideration when building arrangements.
"I almost don't want to give it away. I wish I could make a painting of it before I give it to Riven."
"Wait, to Riven?"
"Yeah, he's the friend that I'm giving this to."
Flora tried desperately to keep from laughing, but failed miserably. "I know Riven! He goes to my school! And he's dating my friend Musa!
"Ah, so you know how much of an asshole he is?"
"Well..no? Moreso misunderstood, I think?" Flora's weak defense of Riven came out more as a question. She knew that Riven was rather...difficult, both based on her own experiences and from what Musa told her about their arguments, but Flora was never one to actually call another person an asshole. On top of that, Flora understood that he had a difficult childhood, so his aloof nature, while intimidating and frustrating, can be understood.
"Fair enough. He's a good friend of mine so I can actually say that about him. " The man shrugged. "So...you go to Alfountain High School? And I assume that you're a senior?" (1)
"Yes and yes."
"Cool. I might see you around then. I just transferred there and I start next week."
"Oh really?" Flora tried to play her interest off as she questioned the man for more information, "Why did you transfer in the middle of the year?", but instantly regretted it as his demeanor suddenly became cold.
Wiping the strands of hair from his face, he sighed heavily, "My parents move around a lot for work. So…",
Flora knew a difficult subject when she saw one. She wished she could somehow un-ask the question, but she couldn't, so she asked, "How do you know Riven?"
The man opened his mouth but was interrupted when his cell phone rang. "Speak of the devil, that's him now." He declined the call, a dangerous choice, Flora thought, Riven hated when people didn't answer their phones.
Handing his card so Flora could process the payment, he continued, "I have to go, but thank you for the bouquet, miss uh…"
"Florance, but I go by Flora."
"Flora." The man smiled, and Flora felt as if she were on air. " But hopefully I'll see you around!"
Handing the man his card back, Flora blushed, "You're welcome. I'll see you around, um…"
"Helios, since we're giving out legal names first," he smirked, his eyes twinkling, "But I usually go by Helia." (2)
"Helia." Flora repeated. It was an interesting name, but she liked how it rolled off of her tongue. "Have a nice day!" Flora waved Helia off, "And don't let Riven know where the bouquet came from!" She quickly added.
With a laugh, Helia acknowledged Flora's request, then left the shop.
With Helia gone, the shop seemed much emptier than before, as if his presence took some of the energy out with him. Flora felt saddened, but she didn't know why. She just met him, she didn't even know who he was.
Whoever he was, he left a big impression on her.
(1) I couldn't decide between Alfea High School or Red Fountain High School, so there you go.
(2) I always cite my sources whenever possible, so Helia's first name as Helios is not my original idea. That comes from the fanfic "Names" by Cahaya Sidur, but I always enjoyed the headcanon. It's a short fic but I love it.