Flower Shop Camellias

Baby's Breath

Keith watched as his toes sunk deeper into the wet sand disappearing slowly, then all at once. He wondered what it would be like if the earth swallowed him up and took him in farther and farther away from where he stood. It didn't seem all that unrealistic. Softly the waves lapped against the shore, their white and foamy fingers lacing around his ankles.

~*~

11 hours earlier

"There's two deliveries today, bouquet of Sunflowers and a flower crown of Baby's Breath; get this: it's literally for a baby. Someone is doing a photo shoot with their newborn today and they want it for the photos. Isn't that adorable?!"

Keith's boss Kelli bounced up on her tip-toes and cradled her face in an adoration. Her auburn hair tied in a high ponytail bopped up and down in her excitement.

"This is just what I love about this job." She sighed deeply, almost looking like she was about to cry. "You should put some of the ribbon on there too, check out the binder for some ideas."

Keith nodded and took out the floral wire and scissors from the drawer.

"When are the deliveries?"

"The sunflowers are at noon and the crown is at three. Lance should be here soon, I texted him this morning. But you know...knowing him--"

"--I doubt he's up yet."

"Exactly." Kelli winked. "I'll be back at 5 for the last shift. Got any plans tonight?"

"Plans?"

The two of them shared a laugh.

"I'm just saying that it's the summer and its nice outside, why not go to the beach or something? You've been hanging with Lance right? He surfs, ever think about learning?"

"Surfing? Ahh I don't know..."

"You know what? Because I'm a ~cool boss~ I'll let you go at 4 today. I don't mind coming in early. Go to Seidou's or something you could take Lance."

"What do you mean take Lan--"

"--You know what I mean." Kelli winked once more and took off her apron.

Keith rested his head against the desk, his face feeling hot against his arms shielded by the fabric of his black hoodie.

"Get on those Sunflowers!"

~*~

"Shit! I'm late!!"

Lance threw open the door to the shop causing the bells to jingle angrily. He was indeed late. The antique grandfather clock sitting in the corner began it's tune as the big hand clicked to the 9.

Disheveled as always, Lance wore wrinkled clothes that looked like they had been taken out of the hamper. Normally his chocolate brown hair was somewhat put together in a way that made sense but today Lance had abandoned any efforts. He wore a sky blue shirt under his delivery jacket that was tucked into crinkled light wash jeans.

Keith noted how huggable Lance had unknowingly managed to look that day.

"Please don't tell me that they live on the opposite side of town." He panted.

"Shouldn't you know? Kelli should have texted you the address."

"Oh, right."

Lance hastily took out his phone and wiped sweat from his forehead.