Paper Flowers

Chapter Two

"Hi. My name is October."

October... What a wonderfully peculiar name.
The barista handed October their card back and they put it back in their wallet.

"I couldn't help but hear your dilemma and I frequent this establishment a lot so-" they pulled out a punch card.
"Thanks for the extra punch, miss..?"

"Lavender! Uhm, Lavender Honeycutt... it's a pleasure to meet you, October."

For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off of them.
They sported a beige sweater with a white collar sticking out, black fitted pants, and dress shoes. If dark academia was a person, October would be it.

He flashed a smile.

"It is a pleasure indeed, Ms, Honeycutt."

"Two Honey Lavender lattes!"

October and I made our way to the end of the bar and grabbed our drinks, thanking the barista.

"I'm sitting here alone if you would want to join me?" October pointed out a round table in the corner with two chairs.

I didn't know where I was, I didn't have a phone or wallet, I was anxious and confused but for whatever reason I felt like sticking here in a public place would be the best idea for right now.

"Uhh, sure thing."

We walked to the table and took a seat. I was still looking around l, trying to piece together where I was, when October got my attention.

"So, Lavender Honeycutt... Do you get honey lavender lattes because of your name or?"

I rolled my eyes, giggling.

"Ha Ha," I teased. "I've heard that every time they call my drink order and my name. But, for your information, no. I get it because it tastes good and it's a decent balance of sweetness."

They let out a laugh, picking up their mug.

"Hey, I had to ask. I'm a pretty curious person."

I smiled and took a drink just as they took a drink.

"You're right!" October exclaimed.

I cocked my head to the side.

"It really is a decent balance of sweetness."

"Oh! Right!"

I looked down at the table. I don't know how to proceed. Should I flat out ask for help? Should I tell them that I have no idea where I am? Maybe I should just at least ask where I am. That's it! I'll ask what town we're in.

I went to ask October about the town but they spoke first.

"So, I'm not really good at small talk or anything so I have a go to question I ask people when I meet them to kind of get a feel of who they are, y'know?"

"Oh, uhm... Okay. What is it?"

They shifted in their seat, planting his hands on the table excitedly.

"What did you want to be when you were growing up?"

What did I want to be growing up? It's been awhile since someone asked that. A fond smile grew on my face as I recalled memories of me from Halloweens and after school activities.

"Well, most people wanted to be astronauts, doctors, princesses... I wanted to be..."

They scooted closer, looking almost excited about the answer.

"A librarian."

"A librarian?"

"Yes, a librarian! Is that odd?" I couldn't help but chuckle.

"No, that's just... " He started laughing. "I'm just picturing a little kid dressed up in old people's clothes telling people to keep it down!"

My chuckle turned into a laugh.

"Wow, I wish I had my phone to show you my Halloweens growing up!"

They tried taking another drink while still laughing but defeated, he set the mug down and covered his face.

"Ohh man, I'm sorry! I promise I'm not making fun! What made you want to be a librarian?"

The laughing had calmed down from both of us.

"I just really liked books. I always got those reading awards at school and the library's summer reading program and couldn't stop. My nose was always in a book and I thought 'wow, wouldn't it be cool to live in a library?' and of course my parents told me librarians didn't live in libraries so as devastated as I was, I decided I wanted to be a librarian..."

I felt my cheeks warm up, I guess saying it out loud made me a little embarrassed.

"Wow..." October whispered, then looked a little serious.

"So, wait, you're telling me that librarians don't live in libraries?"

I rolled my eyes and slapped his arm as they erupted in laughter.

"What about you? What did little October want to be when they were growing up?"

"Well, I wanted to be a florist."

"A florist like, flower arranging and stuff like that?"

"Yeah! I just... really love flowers. Still do!"

"Oh, so do I! You know, my favorite flowers are daffodils. I lived in a small town that in the countryside had daffodils around every spring. I would make my mom or dad pull over just to pick some. Gosh, it's been awhile since I've actually seen fields of daffodils... I wish there was a daffodil field close..."

I sunk in my seat a little, recalling that precious memory. That was back when things were more simple and easier. Back when as kids, we didn't have to worry about rent, bills, or anything of that matter. I felt a tap on my hand.

Looking up, October had extended their hand and leaned in closer to me.

"Would you like to go to a field of daffodils?"

"What..?"

"Yeah, we can go to a daffodil field, Lavender."

Where am I that has daffodil fields? I know that common sense would be not to follow a stranger to a random field in an unknown town but the thought of seeing a field of bright yellows was tempting. Maybe I could also see a sign where we are right now on the way there.

"S-sure! Okay!"

October flashed me a smile.

"Okay, close your eyes."

"Excuse me?"

"Close your eyes!"

Oh, they meant to just picture it. I was disappointed but reluctantly closed my eyes. I felt October rest his lands on mine.

"Now, imagine the most beautiful field filled with bright yellow and soft white daffodils."

I took a deep breath and exhaled, thinking about a sea of vibrant yellows, light greens, and speckles of white, a bright blue sky, and a slight breeze.

I was so focused that I could actually feel the breeze and my hair moving with the wind.

"Open your eyes, Ms. Honeycutt..."

I opened my eyes, expecting to see October sitting in front of me in the coffee shop with our drinks but instead my eyes were gazing across a massive field of daffodils, as far as the eyes can see and a bright blue sky with a few fluffy clouds slowly inching across.

"I-What-How did-"

I started hyperventilating and took a seat on the ground. Panicked, I grasped October's sweater, almost pulling them down. October got on their knees in front of me and gently lifted my hands, looking me in my eyes.

"Lavender... You're okay..."

"No! I don't know where I am, I don't know how this is happening or where my phone is, I- I feel like I'm in a dream-"

I stopped.

"I'm..."

"Yes, Lavender. You're in a dream."