The Girl That Got Away | B1

Daisies

There were so many daisies that it must have cost a small fortune. How does a teacher even afford this many flowers on that kind of salary?

I walked through town, my arms full of the cheerful little flowers. Mom and Rory had drifted off somewhere, too wrapped up in each other to notice that I'd fallen behind. I could only imagine how awkward things were going to get if she actually accepted this proposal, though she hadn’t given an answer yet.

“Oooooo, look at you!” Shane’s voice rang out behind me. I turned, barely managing not to drop half the flowers, to find her grinning at me, hands on her hips, blonde hair bouncing as she came closer. “Did the rich boy finally buy you flowers?”

I laughed, rolling my eyes. “Not exactly. Actually, these are from ‘teacher guy.’”

Shane tilted her head, amused. “Teacher guy? Like, your mom’s teacher guy?”

“Yep. He proposed,” I said, glancing down at the daisies. “I mean, she hasn’t actually given him an answer yet, but… this? Definitely the grand romantic gesture type.”

Shane’s eyes went wide as she plucked a daisy from my bunch, twirling it between her fingers. “Wow, so he went all out with this ‘I-love-you’ thing, huh? What’s he hiding, a lottery win?”

“Right?” I snorted, amused. “Maybe he’s a secret millionaire or something.”

She grinned. “Yeah, or maybe he just really loves your mom.” She gave me a nudge, softening her teasing with a smile. “So, how do you feel about this guy? I mean, you’re technically gonna have a new dad if she says yes.”

The question took me by surprise, and I looked down at the flowers, trying to put my thoughts together. “I don’t know. He’s… nice, I guess? It just feels weird. Like, everything could change if she says yes.”

Shane watched me for a moment, then gently plucked a few more daisies from my arms. “Hey, you’ll be fine. Besides, if this guy’s gonna shower your mom with flowers like this, maybe he’ll spoil you too.”

I laughed, passing a few more daisies her way. “Here, take these. I don’t even know how I’m supposed to carry all of these home.”

She grinned, taking them. “Thanks. Though, for the record, I’m still waiting for the day the rich boy realizes you’re worth at least a dozen roses.”

“We kissed…” I said, barely finishing before Shane squealed loud enough for half of Stars Hollow to hear.

“Hold up. He takes you on a trip to a New York fashion show, and now you two are smooching? I officially love this guy. Does he have a twin?” She giggled, looping her arm through mine as we continued strolling around town.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Nope. Plus, my grandpa likes him, which is kind of worrying, if you ask me. But it was such a nice night.” I felt the heat creep into my cheeks, and Shane’s eyes went wide.

“You’re blushing!” she teased, poking me in the arm.

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

I rolled my eyes, trying to dodge her poking finger. “I’m bored.”

Her face lit up with a mischievous grin. “Wanna go hide daisies all over Taylor’s store? He’ll be finding dead flowers for weeks.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Hell yes.”

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I was sprawled out on the floor, chin propped up on my hands as I stared at the TV. Rory was stretched out on the couch with Mom, all of us perfectly content as we passed a bag of chips back and forth in blissful silence, the only sound the gentle crinkle of the bag.