Flowershop

Chapter Seven

His eyes darted quickly to the left. They then moved to the right. Then suddenly, Kiku opened both eyes, panting. He shook slightly as he hugged himself. He wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeve as he tried to recall the events that took place in his nightmare. He couldn't think of it, it was like trying to hold water in your hands. He drank some water from his bedside table and laid back down, his hands covering his face.

Kiku was at the flowershop by 6:00, with bags under his eyes, not getting much sleep the previous night. The thought of having another nightmare wouldn't allow his brain to rest. He tried his hardest not to fall asleep on the job. He thought he was doing fine, that is until he fell asleep while watering the rose of sharons. He almost succeeded in drowning and crushing the flowers. He straightened up after that, and made more of an effort.

Kiku waited silently in front of the counter while waiting for customers to start rolling in. He turned his head immediately as he heard an American man on the phone. He walked in and shoved his phone in his pocket, showing Kiku a radiant smile. "Hey, Kiku!" Alfred greeted rather loudly. Kiku was lucky the shop was empty. He couldn't understand how one was so loud so early in the morning. Kiku managed a quiet "Hello." The blond turned as he reached into his messenger bag, blabbing about nonsense while doing so. Alfred pulled out two breakfast sandwiches from McDonald's, and handed one over to Kiku. "Here, eat this man, you look hungry!" He shoved the food onto Kiku, watching him expectantly. Kiku looked at him uncertainly, and then at the sandwhich.

Kiku looked sideways at it, then took a bite. He thought it tasted alright, but he never liked eating them because they were so damn greasy. He politely took another bite, then set it down. He continued to listen to Alfred talk and talk, until Alfred got a phone call. He looked at his phone, and his lips formed a straight, tight line.

Before Kiku could even ask, he was leaving, and didn't even bother answering it. Right before he exited, he looked over his shoulder to say, "Remember bro, the park, when you get off!" and with that, the door swung closed, with a ring of the bell. Kiku was left alone with another, elderly regular. He looked at his sandwich carefully before taking two more bites, then throwing it away in the trash.

Kiku walked solemnly to the park, wondering where Alfred would take him this time. He reached the park, and picked up his pace slightly. He sat down on a nearby bench, and rubbed his back. He waited for about ten minutes before the American actually showed up. He stood up expectantly, looking at Alfred intently. Alfred smiled at him and called out to him.
"Kiku!! I have the perfect place to go today, we are going to have so much fun!" He said, grabbing Kiku's hand and leading him towards his car. "Wh-where exactly are we going?" Kiku questioned, slightly out if breath from having to keep up with the man. "Well, you know, I was thinking since we were both having a stressful time, we can go somewhere that makes everyone happy!" He ranted, still dragging Kiku along. "So- Where is th-" Kiku started, but got cut of by a wave of Alfred's hand. "You'll see bro! It'll be so fun!" He exlaimed, looking like a happy toddler. "Okay..." Kiku replied hesitantly, not exactly sure if they had the same idea as fun.

Alfred shut the car doors and rolled down the windows, letting the air whip their hair about. Kiku was antsy, he didn't have the faintest idea where Alfred was driving them, but he could tell he probably wouldn't like it. He squirmed in his seat, looking out of the window, enjoying the scenery of New York. He looked ahead at the sight in front of him, and all what he could do was stare. Alfred had taken him to an amusement park.

Kiku had been to amusement parks before, but never had he considered actually riding anything. He was too interested in the food, and all the other little things around the place. He had never ridden one before, but Alfred would make sure that would change.