BFDI AND II ONESHOT BOOK!

Business Proposition/Chapter 2: Busy Bee: Flowerpop

Flower was fast asleep at the register desk, drooling slightly, her snores echoing through the quiet storefront. That was, until a loud thud slammed down on the counter in front of her.

"GAH!" she jolted upright, blinking rapidly and rubbing her eyes. Her head whipped around in confusion, heart racing.

Standing before her, perfectly poised with arms crossed and an unreadable smile, was none other than Lollipop.

"L-Lolly...?" Flower mumbled, still half-asleep, still wondering if this was some strange, early-morning dream.

Lollipop rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Get up, sleepyhead! I told you I'd be here. It's 7a.m. you open at eight, don't you? Chop chop!" She clapped her hands with sharp authority.

Flower yawned, stretching out her stiff arms and blinking again. "W-What... How'd you even get in...?"

"That's not important," Lollipop replied with a breezy wave of her hand. "What is important is that I made a few phone calls last night. You should expect a wave of new customers within the hour. So let's get moving! Where's your bouncy co-owner? Go wake him up."

Still groggy and disoriented, Flower gave a dazed nod and shuffled to the back room. She nudged Gelatin awake with a tired groan.

"Guhhh... What time is it?" Gelatin grunted, sitting up and rubbing his face.

"Early," Flower mumbled. "Lollipop's here."

That woke him faster than expected. He stumbled after her into the front of the shop, eyes still half-closed.

"There he is," Lollipop said brightly as she turned toward Gelatin. "Alright, Gelly! Lights on. Kitchen open. Hustle up—we're expecting a crowd."

Gelatin blinked. "A crowd? Wait, really?"

"Yep!" she sang. "Let's just say I put in a good word or two. Now go on, chop chop!"

Too tired to question her, Gelatin shuffled off toward the kitchen. Lollipop watched him go, then turned to Flower with a sly smile.

"And now, you and I..." she began, brushing a strand of petal away from Flower's face, "will talk fashion."

Flower's face lit up, only to quickly glance away nervously. Her cheeks burned at the gentle touch, heart fluttering like mad.

Lollipop took her hand and led her into the storage room, where boxes of spare sweaters and assorted accessories were stacked from floor to ceiling. "You need a model!"

"M-Modelling?" Flower repeated breathlessly. "You're really going to model for me?"

"But of course," Lollipop said sweetly, her tone dripping with amusement. "We're business partners, remember? And what better marketing is there than me, a successful, fashionable entrepreneur, wearing your—ahem... distinctly quirky little creations?"

She grinned, sharp and dazzling. "It's all about influence, darling."

Flower's eyes sparkled. "Right! Influence! Okay, I've got just the thing!"

She reached into one of the boxes and pulled out a deep purple sweater, glittering faintly with rhinestones and swirled stitching. "I've been saving this one!"

Lollipop took it, examined it with a raised brow, then slipped it on effortlessly. It was a snug fit—stylish in an offbeat way and somehow, on her, it looked like high fashion.

"Well?" she asked, posing dramatically. "Do I sparkle with charm and taste yet?"

"You—You look amazing," Flower said softly, unable to take her eyes off her.