Axel's Daisy

16 • Destiny

    I was on the verge of a breakdown as I slowly breathed through my nose and released it through my mouth. The tremors in my hands wouldn't stop as store owners, florist professionals, and families came for moral support. They were lucky; each girl waved happily to their families. I looked at my dad as he gave me a thumbs up and blew me a kiss. I blew one back, and Mrs. Alberta stayed by my side.

  She knew how much it meant to me. It would help me support my dad, and stability was what we truly needed.

    We had to present at the center of the small stage that overlooked our workstations. There were ten girls in total, and I was the fifth one, right in the middle. I made sure to organize everything: the water sprinkler, the small shovel, the gloves, the face mask, the bows, the decoration bouquet bags, and the cutter.

  The challenge was to decorate three vases with flowers and add a story that complemented the design. We had twenty minutes to complete it and impress the reviewers.

  I checked my phone, but there was no reply from Axel. My jitters were the worst, and I shook myself a little to let it go.

  You have worked all your life for this. You've got this. You are Destiny, an amazing florist with talent inherited from your mom. I gave myself a quick pep talk.

    Betty's smirk was full of arrogance toward me. I didn't know why she acted all high and mighty from the start of the review as she lined up behind the first competitor. She was the second in line, while other girls chatted with each other.

  The show began as my eyes settled on the guy who came with a backward shirt and wet hair, a silly smile on his face as he took a seat next to my startled dad.

  He came here for me.

  I didn't realize how much I missed him until I saw him. He missed me too, his golden eyes sparkling at me like I was the center of his universe, held by an affectionate smile.

  The lights dimmed as Mrs. Alberta began her speech on the side of the stage.

  "Hello, ladies and gentlemen. This is Alberta with you," she introduced, continuing, "Today we gather to witness the extraordinary talent these young girls offer us. I couldn't be prouder to represent them and be part of their journey to becoming the most successful florists. Thank you for giving these exquisite girls a chance to work with you. Real rewards are only for people who deserve them, and they deserve the world," Mrs. Alberta spoke from the heart, tears in her eyes as she dabbed away a few, "I present to you the Blossom Center Girls."

  Everyone clapped wholeheartedly for Mrs. Alberta. She was kind and soft-spoken; it was hard not to love her.

    The show started with Amanda, a quiet girl. She headed to her station, the light capturing her hands as she decorated her vases. During her first ten minutes, she didn't manage her time well; the buzzer went off when she only finished two vases with Irises and Lilies. She sobbed as the reviewers voted no for her. If the three vases weren't finished, it was an instant loss.

    Then came Betty. She began by smartly using the shovel to prepare the soil, allowing her time to decorate later. She cut the ends of the flowers for each vase, but her taste was questionable. She mixed Irises and Chrysanthemums, known for having different vase lives, which damaged each other. Still, she finished in time and was applauded.

    She smiled even wider at me, and there was something off about it as the two girls before her had showcased their talent but failed to cut the plants properly and add enough soil.

  Then it was my turn. I kissed my necklace for good luck and went to my station.

  My hands confidently grasped the soil as I filled the vase with the right amount. I used the shovel and my other hand to arrange Petunias and Geraniums for my first design. I wrapped a pink bow around the white vase in the first five minutes, watered it attentively, then moved to my next vase. I collected Roses and Blue Perennial Salvia, replicating my training. For the last vase, I chose light pink Perennials and Lilacs, which my mom loved.

    With five minutes left, it felt like my mom was beside me, guiding me as I cut the split ends of the flowers and arranged them in the soil. I used a red bow, her favorite color, and could almost feel her smiling at me.

    The reviewers gasped as worms slithered through my flowers, and my heart sank as the vase cracked. My worst nightmare happened. My lips trembled, and my gloves fell off the table.

I felt like I  was sinking in a sea of disappointment. My chest ached as if I was carrying a heavy burden, each breath coming harder than the last. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision and making everything seem distant and unreal.

  I glanced at Betty, who gave me a snide wink.

  My legs carried me out of the room as I fled the center with tears like hurricanes. I climbed a small hill, took off my flats, and moved closer to the edge.

  "Daisy,"

  I knelt on the grass and sobbed uncontrollably. It started as heavy breaths, and my heart felt like it was breaking out of my body as I heaved another sob. My body tiredly whined between cries.

  "Let it out, love."

    His arms welcomed me into a safe haven as I yelled out the rest of my emotions. My eyes fogged up, and my scratchy throat screamed some more.

  He still didn't let me go. My back rested on his chest between his legs, his fingers gently stroking my hair, his arms tight and protective around me.

  Until everything went black.