EUPHORIA | B. SAKA

• 9 •

Lianne's sitting behind the counter of the flowershop, while Lily's making some bouquets in the back of the shop. For the past few weeks Lianne's been spending a lot of time here when she's not at school. She really likes coming over, it really gives her creativity a boost.

The door to the shop opens and two women walk in. One is pushing a buggy. Lily immediatly emerges from the back and walks up to the two girls to pull them in a hug.

"Hey, I'm sorry but I totally forgot you were coming," Lily says. "Let me just finish up."

"Emile's been rubbing of on you, I see," one of the girls grins teasingly.

Lily shakes her head laughing and walks up to Lianne. "I'm sorry but I forgot to tell you that I'm closing earlier today. I'm going dress shopping with Sophie,"

"No problem, I have a lecture in an hour," Lianne smiles at her and starts packing her belongings.

Lily smiles apologeticly. She walks back to the other room and leaves Lianne with the two other women, who are looking at the girl curiously.

"Hey, I don't think we've met before," the girl, who talked to Lily before, says. "I'm Sophie."

"Lianne,"

"I'm Marion," the other girl smiles. "Do you work here? Did Lily finally hire someone?"

"No I don't work here. I'm just here to sketch," Lianne replies.

Then the baby in the buggy starts crying and Marion picks her up. "I'm going to call Ben, Sof. She's been crying the whole morning already," she says while trying to soothe her daughter. "I think she's coming up with some illness."

"Okay, I really wanted this to be a girls day with my goddaughter, but I don't want her to get sick," Sophie smiles.

Suddenly the baby stops crying when her eyes fall on Lianne. She puts her tiny little arm out to touch Lianne's curls.

"Seems like someone likes your curls," Sophie grins.

Lianne smiles back awkwardly. She's never been that good with kids and doesn't know how to act around them.

Lily walks back out again to save Lianne from the baby's hands. "I'm ready!" she smiles brightly. "Let's get you the most gorgeous dress in the world!"

"We'll have to wait for Ben. He's picking up Elly, she hasn't been feeling well this morning," Marion says.

Lianne has finally put away all her stuff and puts on her coat. "I'm leaving, see you later Lily and it was nice meeting you," she says while leaving the shop.