"Why are you worrying so much?" Carl sighed, peeling potatoes as he sat at the kitchen table.

My heart was beating out of my head as I paced in front of him. "I never know what to say to her! She's so friendly and I'm still having trouble...how am I going to ever be normal in front of her?"

"Well, good thing she's friendly, or this would be much more difficult for you." Carl smiled, keeping his eyes on the potato in his hands.

"This isn't funny, Carl!" I sighed, falling into the sit across from him.

"Look, I've seen her follow you around like a lost puppy these past few weeks. She's right there! She's not going away either, so I think you just need to suck it up and do something for her."

"...do something? Like what?"

Carl sighed, putting the potato down. "Goodness, Nolan, perhaps you're awkward but I'm sure she's told you things that she likes, right?"

I blinked.

Carl laughed. "I thought you loved this girl, but you don't really know much about her, do you?"

"That's not true-!"

"I'm just teasing you. Now, do you remember what she likes? Maybe if she has a favorite thing, that would really help."

I thought. "She did ask me why we didn't have any roses in the garden."

"Really?"

I stood up and ran out of the kitchen, yelling "Thanks Carl!"

I couldn't hear his response, only his chuckle.

"Is this some kind of surprise?"

"Well, yes. That's why you are closing your eyes!" I laughed.

I took her hand in mine and guided her to the garden. I was surprised when she didn't react to my rugged paw grabbing her soft hand.

"Are we outside?"

"Yes."

"It smells nice."

"I'm glad you said that."

"Does this have to do with the surprise?"

"Yes."

And I stopped her. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Wait! One second." I turned her slightly to the right. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes. You may open your eyes."

Her eyes opened slowly, and then she gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. In front of her was an entire rose garden. Pink, yellow, white, and red roses, thousands of them, covering the garden in all their glory. She ran into the garden, and I followed her.

She wandered through the area, like a tiny child seeing the world for the first time. She came upon a bright red rose and put her nose to its petals, breathing in gently.

"Do you...like it?" I asked, a little scared to hear the answer.

"Like it?!" She laughed. "This... This is the best thing that anyone's ever done for me!" She turned to me, grabbing me hands and gazing at me, which took me for surprise. "This is...amazing. I can't believe you did all this! How did you do it, in one night too?"

I shrugged. "I'm...good with flowers, I guess."

Then she...hugged me. Which I was also astonished about. She was grateful for something as simple as flowers?

But she was happy, so I didn't think too much about it.