Young Adults

CHAPTER 7

On a crisp, chilly, yet beautifully sunlit Saturday morning, (Y/n) found herself assisting her mother in setting up the plant store.

Although her mother insisted she didn't need to help, (Y/n) didn't have any plans and wasn't one to idle. The idea of sitting around doing nothing made her feel unproductive. She preferred to be active, and today, she busied herself at the floral arrangement counter. This was, without a doubt, her favorite part of the entire shop. Customers often requested her arrangements, and she found joy in crafting them.

(Y/n) delighted in the way certain flowers complemented each other. For autumn, she loved pairing the soft fluff of Cotton with delicate Baby's Breath. But when it came to color schemes, nothing captivated her more than the wistful elegance of trailing wisteria intertwined with perfectly braided lavender. Positioned to the left of the entrance, the floral arrangement section was conveniently located for those who needed to pick up or deliver orders in a hurry, without navigating through the entire store.

The best part about this spot was its proximity to a large glass panel that offered a view of the bustling shopping district outside. Trees, evenly spaced, formed a splendid canopy overhead, allowing pedestrians to stroll beneath in comfort. The streets were immaculate—no litter, no solicitors, no graffiti—just a pristine, peaceful scene.

And, across from the shop, a quaint bookstore beckoned, the perfect retreat for her lunch breaks during the summer when she worked alongside her mother.

"Crap!"

(Y/n) jolted as her mother rushed out from the back office, clutching her keys and purse.

"I'm so sorry, sweetie! I need to dash home—I completely forgot the papers I need to show the inspectors today," her mother explained hurriedly.

"Oh, yeah, no problem. I can watch over the store while you're gone," (Y/n) replied.

"Really? I was going to have you come with me. You're okay with staying here?" her mother asked, a bit surprised.

"Yeah, I'm not quite finished here yet, so I'd rather stay and wrap things up," (Y/n) said, though the truth was she didn't feel like making the trip back and forth.

"Alright, kiddo. Just be sure to lock the door behind me," her mother instructed.

(Y/n) walked out from behind the counter, following her mother to the door. She locked it behind her and waved goodbye until her mother was out of sight.

Suddenly, "Estrelar" by Marcos Valle started playing in the background—a song she'd heard countless times in the shop since she was young. It was one of her mother's favorites.

Singing along softly, she returned to the counter and began flipping through a catalog of trending bouquet and flower arrangements.

"Ah, the crescent bouquet... I want one of these when I get married," she mused to herself.

Knock knock!

(Y/n) jumped, quickly glancing at the window beside her. A group of high school boys wearing her school's insignia on their letterman jackets was standing outside. Two of them were whistling at her while another made exaggerated kissy faces. Just then, Colt Grice appeared, shoving the boys ahead. When he peered into the shop and spotted her, he froze momentarily, then offered a kind smile, mouthing "sorry."

She gave him a brief, curt nod in acknowledgment. Colt noticed the 'closed' sign and continued on his way with his friends.

(Y/n) sighed in relief, glad the store wouldn't be open until tomorrow. She wasn't in the mood to deal with hormonal teenage boys.