It is late spring, the birds are chirping sweet songs as the flowers are in bloom. Everyone is bumbling around happily except for Alex...
The blaring of an alarm clock shot through the room, Alex shot up from bed deliriously, "HUH- ... oh." He sighed as he pressed the stop button on his alarm... Dragging a hand down his face to help him wake up. " God I feel horrendous, why can't I just be a morning person...". Alex thought as he dragged himself out of bed and towards his wardrobe. Opening the wardrobe revealed intricate molding on the wood, along with a full-length mirror on the door. Alex picked out an outfit consisting of an undershirt with lace around the collar, and then a sage green sweater with a daisy design on it. And for bottoms, he picked out brown baggy shorts with flower patches on them. Looking in the mirror he's met with his slim-built reflection. Alex mentally applauded himself for his immaculate outfit choice, just before he grabbed his bag and made his way out of his home to work.
Alex had a lot more responsibility than most people his age. His parents had died 2 months ago, leaving him with their family shop, a plant shop to be specific. He did have other plans for his future, go to college, get a well-paying job, and then maybe JUST MAYBE when he was older he would take up the family business when he was maybe 47. But he didn't get a say anymore. He wasn't unhappy no, just restless that he wasn't the one to choose how his life was going up until now.
Focusing back on the task at hand he mounted his bike outside his quaint plant store. Suddenly he felt flushed with nostalgia as he stared up at the sign saying Shadowfly, "This is where I grew up... I can't believe it's mine, it's all just so .. Surreal." He thought, a hint of sadness left inside him, a sadness he seems to bring with him no matter what. Was he ready to own their family shop? He certainly didn't feel ready, sure he knew how to work there but he knew nothing about finances. He seemed to be unable to shake these thoughts no matter what. As he walked into his shop those thoughts didn't leave. However, they did quiet down once he distracted himself with cleaning up the store before opening.
20 minutes had gone by since Cameron started cleaning. He glanced at the clock that read "9:27", startling him with how much time passed. "Time blindness is kicking my ass today.." Alex mumbled as he walked over to the front door of the shop and unlocked the door, and then flipped the sign to "open".
Alex had been sitting idle at the register for about 2 hours. He could feel himself getting more and more restless. There were few customers and when there were they didn't require any help. He laid his head on the table, not even bothering to hide how mopy he was today. Alex glanced up from his arms when he heard the bell on the door ding indicating that a customer had walked in. The customer was rather tall but most likely not above average height, probably about 5'9. Alex stood up straight, he couldn't help but feel intimidated by this person. Their size and appearance were most likely to blame. They had dark red hair and freckles around their nose, they wore a black turtleneck with a chain around their neck. And to match the turtleneck they also wore baggy cargo pants.
Alex observed them as they walked around his shop... He looked like a lost puppy, clearly not knowing a thing about plants. "This is it, Alex you got this go help them!" He encouraged himself. Alex walked behind the taller gentlemen and began to speak, "Hello! Would you perhaps like some help." Alex asked, making the taller man jump. "O-oh Yes please..." He replied sheepishly. "So what type of plant are you looking for?" Alex began. " Something easy maybe? Pretty? We have almost everything." He started casually as if he were talking to a long-time friend.
"Oh um... Something easy please"... The taller stranger said quietly.
" Ah easy alright, how about Sansevieria trifasciata?" He stated confidently, only to realize how confused the taller stranger looked. "OH! sorry... That's the plant over there!" Alex said as he pointed at a plant on one of the shelves in the corner. "They're easy to take care of and will liven up a space!" Cameron said with a slightly nervous smile earning a quick nod from the stranger as they walked over to the plant and picked it up to bring to the counter. "Anything else?" Alex asked before ringing him up. The taller stranger opened his mouth before promptly closing it, "What? Cat caught your tongue?" Alex nervously teased. The stranger's face turned red against their skin. "I- uhh... Was wondering if I could get your number?" He murmured. Now it was Alex's turn to blush... He had never been asked for his number before... "Oh uh Y-yeah! Let me write it down for you" Alex grabbed the stranger's receipt and wrote his number on the back placing it into the same bag the plant was in. The stranger smiled at him, waved bye, and left... Before quickly running back into the shop, "My name is Aiden by the way!!" The taller man said quickly before running out of the store.
Aiden, how cute... (common)
