Memories in Flowers

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Strangely enough, after Lauren left, Aiden returned to talking normally with me, as though nothing happened. That was what it looked like on the outside, but if I were to observe more carefully, Aiden had got his guard up. I knew, then, that his current behaviour was led on only by the fact that I was my father's daughter, and I was my brothers' little sister. Somehow, that knowledge hurt like hell, but I hadn't thought about his words yet, or Lauren's, so I couldn't say anything, not even to lighten the mood just for that moment. I was uncomfortable with this conflict we were having after so many days of peace but... let's just say my pride when facing such a thing I was so passionate about would be the death of me right this moment, and I was actually letting it happen.

Aiden tried to make the mood at dinner with me and his parents as light as possible, and thankfully, Aunt Fallon didn't seem to notice anything. I wasn't too sure about Uncle Alex though — he could be quite perceptive. When dinner ended, I saw him having a talk at the balcony with Aiden. I didn't think it was a good idea to eavesdrop, so I went upstairs, turned on the audiobooks application on my smartphone, and started listening to Pride and Prejudice. I constantly looked towards the door, hoping that Aiden would come in and say something, like he always tried to do in the past to resolve the bad vibes, but he never came.

~*

I told myself I had less than two days left, until Dad came back, to do something about the relationship between Aiden and I. It was clear Aiden didn't want to have anything to do with it now, to clear the air. I was nearly bored to death yesterday with no one to talk to; I ended up reading some books and listening to music up in my room. At one point I wanted to go to Mrs Hill's, thinking that since it was where we got closer, it could be the place for us to patch things up, but I didn't have the courage just yet. Constantly telling myself to do something about it with so little time left was enough to push me.

During breakfast that day at the Lockwoods, with the familiar smells of toast and melted cheese, I decided it was time.

"Aiden," I said, hoping really hard my voice wasn't shaking as much as I was nervous, "I've been thinking a lot since... that day." I didn't think there was a need to specify which day. It was obvious enough.

"Hold on."

I gulped, feeling my heartbeat speed up by ten fold. A minute later, he sat down, placing a plate of steaming toast in front of me. I nodded my thanks.

"So, what is it?" He sniffed his food, then tucked in.

"Well," I started, munching into mine to help calm myself a little bit, "I have thought it over and I think it is possible for me to get through things by working for Mrs Hill. I remembered what Mrs Hill had said before, why she wanted to continue with her business even though the shop was on the verge of bankruptcy, and... although I'm not very sure how good it will make me feel, but I can try to understand the happiness of getting a customer the right sort of bouquet, or flowers and such. That happiness could become enough for me."

He was already grinning before I finished what I had to say, looking a little goofy with his mouth full. My heart jolted for a whole new reason.   

"Do I have Lauren to thank?"

I blinked. "Well, she did talk to me about it."

"I see. Emma, there's something I'm really curious about."

"Go on."

"How did the both of you even end up being friends? I could easily hear her from downstairs! Nearly scared the shit out of me."

I scoffed. Just like that, we returned to the way we were before, so I told him that we just clicked, and there wasn't entirely a method of how we became friends. We just ended up sitting at the same table during our orientation in secondary one as thirteen-year-olds. It was also because of her that I became a little more outspoken among people I wasn't as close to.