Reaching

1

"This must be the finest creation, " I heard the figure in my reflection recite.

"Irreplaceable. One of a kind. Too unique not to stand out". The more I looked at the figure, the weirder it got. My face started swirling, and the reflection of my room was turned upside-down.  I snapped out of the moment and carried on brushing my hair, this time with a confused frown - and the mirror out of sight.

I prepared some oatmeal with sugar to eat for breakfast and walked off to my morning shift. I have a summer job in a flower shop in the quiet part of town. Many seniors live here, which is why the crime rate is so low. The only thing you really need to worry about is to not go out of stock on cake or flowers. God forbid the old folks run out of cake. Although I enjoy my job, I won't be able to work here full-time for much longer as I will enroll in the local college soon. 

While I went about my shift, stocking up and watering the flowers - the bell on the door rang, and my attention went from the book to the customer. An elderly man, maybe in his 70-s. He looked like a typical old man, in typical old-man clothes. He carried a doctor-suitcase in his hand. "Can I help you with anything? We have beautiful flowers for any occasion" I greeted. «No, I'm just looking, " he replied, looking me up and down with a thoughtful expression. 

He picked up a bouquet of roses and paid. While I wrapped the flowers, he spoke my name. "Luciana..." I looked up in confusion, his eyes fixated on my name-tag. "oh, uh... It's Italian, " I said, slightly bothered by the awkwardness. "I go by Lucy for short, though" I said in a half-hearted attempt at making the atmosphere less tense.

"Italian!". He laughed while leaving the shop. I sighed and shook my head while taking off my name-tag, sliding it into my pocket. I guess working here isn't always a dance on roses. The old folks love to make areas quiet and peaceful, but they somehow sure manage to make my time working here pretty... special.

I spent the rest of my shift taking care of customers and cleaning.  At about 4pm my coworker arrived to take over, and then I took the subway home. I stepped in the door to our apartment and took off my shoes before throwing myself on the couch. "Hey Lucy, " I heard Claudia yell from the kitchen. "Hey, " I replied, hugging a pillow. She probably took this Friday off from classes.

I live with two roommates. One guy and a girl. Claudia is 20 and studies history, while Oliver is 19 and spends most of his time streaming or partying. I have no idea how he can afford to live as he does. It has crossed my mind that he might have an onlyfans or something, because last time I checked - he doesn't have a job, and it's hard to make a living off streaming alone.

She entered the living room, still in her pajamas. Claudia's parents are Brazilian, blessing her with tan skin and brown eyes. Her hair was put up in a ponytail. "You still up for that party tonight?" she asked.

"Yeah, is Oliver coming?" I replied, eyes fixated on the ceiling. "I think so, I'll check with him later, " Claudia said, now holding her phone. "Anyways, I think I've found your soulmate!" I quickly cast her a look. "What?" I asked. She showed me her phone while laughing, and I couldn't help but laugh with her. It was a picture of an old man in a typical old-man selfie. Oof.

"I'm just kidding, " she muttered through a chuckle. "You got my hopes up, " I added and scuffed. "I'm sure we'll find someone for you at the party, Lucy, " Claudia said and winked. 

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes while trying to hide a smile. As if.