Obsession From the Shadows

Preparations

F/s - favorite sweet
F/f - favorite flower
F/c - favorite color

After I heard why Y/n wasn't here for the rest of the day, my heart ached in sympathy for her. It wasn't revealed why her friend did that, but I don't think there would be any acceptable excuse. I had called her last night and she assured me she'd be fine. She had also agreed to meet up with me at Robinson park by 1 o'clock. That gave me the whole morning to set my plan into action.

Waving goodbye to my moms, I first headed off to the grocery store. I wandered down the snack aisle and browsed the shelves. Finally, I found what I was searching for. F/s is Y/n's favorite candy, I just know she's going to love it. I turned around and went to buy this, grabbing a couple of other snacks such as chips to prepare for a fun picnic with Y/n. The checkout line was long but went by quickly. It was just some old-timers buying a few items. After the frail woman in front of me paid for her cat food and left, I stepped up and handed my items to the acne riddled cashier to scan. He rang up my total and while I pulled out the cash, he set my things in a brown paper bag. Getting my change back, I don't bother to put it in my wallet, just opting to stuff the coins in my pocket. I grab the bag and head out. It wasn't too heavy and luckily the local flower shop was only a couple minutes away.

As soon as I stepped foot inside, I was hit with the strong, sweet scent of flowers. The shop was crowded, but with an array of different plants. It was pleasant and comforting despite the slight chaos. As I went, some leaves would brush against my hips. I took some time to look at all the vibrant colors, but I was in search of one in particular.

"Do you need help finding anything, sir?" A petite brunette woman in a black apron came up to me from behind the counter. She swept her long hair back to look neater.

Clay shuffled his feet sheepishly, "Uh... yeah, I do." There wasn't really a reason for such a big guy like him to be so bashful, but it was the fact that he was here for Y/n made him shy. "Can you help me find the f/fs?"

"Of course! Right this way." She guided Clay to a clear vase filled with f/f. It reminded him of the time Y/n got a bouquet of them for her birthday. She was so excited that her smile infected the whole room. The woman noticed the boy gazing off at the flowers, "Getting this for a certain someone?"

"Yup, I'm planning on giving some of these to her." He picked up one by it's stem and twirled it lightly in his fingers, grinning lightly.

The florist gave a knowing look, having heard this story all too many times before. "If you'd like, we have a two for one deal on all flowers. Maybe you could make a bouquet for her."

Clay's eyes twinkled in anticipation. He quickly set out, grabbing four good looking f/f. Then walked over to some other ones that complimented the first flowers color. Walking up to the florist, who now stood by the register, he set the bundle down on the counter.

"Just this for today, sir?" The woman questioned, tilting her head.

Clay nodded. "Yes, that will be all. Can you tie it in a f/c bow maybe? If you have it, that is." He brought his hand up and scratched the back of it nervously.

"Oh yeah for sure! Will this ribbon work?" She opened a drawer under the counter and pulled up a lacy f/c ribbon. It looked as if it was made of a silk. Clay couldn't deny, it was an absolutely gorgeous ribbon.

"That will be perfect, thank you." His grin was from ear to ear, already imagining what Y/n's reaction will be when he hands it to her later today.

It was slightly difficult for Clay to manage carrying a grocery bag and a bouquet of delicate flowers, wrapped up gently in brown paper, but he managed. After all, he was too busy being excited to finally confess to Y/n. Of course he had a gnawing nervousness about rejection, but he felt it to be time to face his fears. As much as he tried to rationalize it, he wondered if maybe this was the wrong time to ask Y/n out. After all, she had just suffered something that was probably pretty traumatic. Despite all of these reasons, it was too late to turn back now. Whilst he was distracted, a candy bar shook itself loose from the grocery bag and fell down onto the sidewalk. Hearing the thud of the candy falling, Clay turned around. He saw that it was his, so as carefully as he could, the boy bent down to pick it up. Just as he grabbed the bar of chocolate, he looked up to see that he was right in front of an adorable little toy store. Paying no mind to the fallen item, he haphazardly put it back in the bag, too busy being entranced by something that was in the display window of the toy shop. It was a fluffy teddy bear with brown fur and pink ears, also holding a light red heart between it's paws. Clay stared at the plush toy. Would Y/n like this? He figured it was worth a shot. Readjusting all the things in his hands, he pushed through the door of the tiny store. The air conditioning inside the store was almost too cold to be comfortable. Mahogany floors creaking, he made his way over to a shelf filled with the same bears he had seen in the window. Each bear was about the length of his two hands on top of each other with fluffed out fur to give them that cutesy chubby look. Sifting through them with one free hand, he searched for one that was in perfect condition. Feeling satisfied with the one he grabbed, he brought the plush up to the till. It was a little pricey, but he figured that since he has already splurged, might as well go the full length. He set the bear down at the register, and waited for the cashier. Juggling the flowers and the grocery bag in his right hand, Clay pulled his wallet out from the left pocket of his cargo pants. Leaving his wallet nearly bare now, he pulled the exact amount of cash needed.

After paying, the boy reorganized himself by putting the bear into the grocery bag. He put his arm through the handle and carried the bouquet of flowers on the same side as the bag so he'd have one arm free.

Finally with no more places to go, he could finally reach his destination of the park at 12:45. There would be fifteen more minutes before Y/n came, giving plenty of time to choose his location and set everything up.

Entering the park he settled on a wooden bench that was far enough away from the main path to have some privacy, but in a clearing so Y/n could find him quickly. He set the flowers down gently on the bench and set the bag right beside them. Taking the teddy bear out, he put the bag full of candies and snacks aside for later. Pulling out his phone he sent a quick text to Y/n— who was "Y/n <3" in his contacts— to let her know where to find him.

Now all Clay can do is wait and pray for the best.

[Omg I'm so sorry for taking so long!! Hope this sweet little chapter with Clay made up for it though]
-Y/n