Chapter Text
I was doing it again.
I’ve spent the last twenty minutes pacing back and forth in front of the flower shop on Berlin St. I could see him through the ice covered glass, smiling at costumers as they headed out the door, each time it opened I ducked over to the corner out of view. Trying my hardest not to be seen. But once they were out of the way I’d lean slowly back over to get a good look at his rosy cheeks. I don’t remember when this started. Me waiting a good thirty minutes before heading home from my shift at the tattoo parlor. Me, pacing outside the flower filled shop, barely standing straight on the iced over pavement. But for me, seeing his smiling face, which was full of freckles, covering his tan skin that looked like it was just touched by summer was enough.
Hey!” A familiar voice said behind me as I leaned forward once again to take a look into the shop, I cringed when I heard him coming closer.
Connie was dressed the same as ever, in his 1975 sweatshirt he wore to every shift, with the same pair of ripped jeans with holes in the pockets he promised were authentic. Ironically, I’ve been to his dorm, I know he has plenty of clothes. Yet he’s convinced wearing the same outfit to work is good luck. What the fuck.
“What is it Connie?” I replied, turning quickly to see his hands stuffed deep into his sweatshirt middle pocket as he took me in.
“Dude, your shift ended like an hour ago. Why are you still here?”
I watched as his eyebrow raised in confusion and I could feel my face heat up.
Good thing to note, starting at the beginning of my senior year of high school I realized there was probably an issue with me never finding a girl I was attracted to. So as a result, I tried to date several different girls who had showed interest in me before, but they all fell apart shortly after. There was no interest on my part, I tried my best to keep them happy but it got harder and harder as I felt nothing towards them that way. Eventually I just got tired of it and resigned to believing I wasn’t attracted to anyone.
That is, until I finished my first shift at the tattoo parlor a few weeks ago and passed this flower shop.
“Soooo..” Connie started, leaning back as a smirk worked onto his face. “I get it, I’ve seen her before. That girl in there is pretty cute.”
What girl? I thought turning back over to look into the store, where there was in fact a girl now working at the checkout booth. She had brown hair in a high ponytail and dimples, I guess she was cute, Connie definitely thought so. I’d never even noticed her before, was I that far off the deep end?
“Shit.” I muttered, realizing that if he wasn’t working the checkout area anymore his shift was likely over. And if his shift was over he’d be heading out this door, and he headed out the front door.. crap.
“Wanna go talk to her?” Connie continued, the smirk still working its way into his high cheek bones, god did he piss me off sometimes. I needed to get out of here now.
“No Connie, I.. Don’t… Actually I’m going to head out.” I replied, running my hands stressfully through my hair. I could feel my heart speeding up as I breathed out into the freezing winter air.
What if he’s already recognized me and to see me again? Some stalker watching him through the shop window?!
Connie just shrugged it off and pulled open the shop door heading inside. I should have known from him, if I wasn’t going to go for a girl, he definitely was.
“Excuse me.” I heard a voice said as I begin my speed walk to my car down the street.
I’d never heard the voice before, but as I turned around I registered that I had in fact definitely seen the face before. I looked around confusingly wondering who he was talking to.
“Sorry uh, this is for you,” He said, walking quickly up to me, I swear so close our shoes were barely touching. From here his freckles were bright even in the winter chill, his eyes a honey brown.
“The girl, Sasha in there, asked me to give you her number so I..you know.. saw you and I..” He rubbed the nape of his neck and he held out his hand with a folded piece of paper to me.
I didn’t know what to do, do I take it?
I’m not interested in her, but if I don’t it’ll be rude to him right?
Though, he’ll think I’m into her if I do, which I’m not, I’m into him.
“Oh woah, uh really?” I said, stuttering to make a sentence, running my hand through my knowingly already messed up dirty blonde hair.
“You don’t-“ he begin, staring down at the paper he was holding out, then peered up back at me, “You don’t want her number?”
I let out a long sigh, squeezing my eyes shut to avoid eye contact with him.
“Honestly?” I replied, opening my eyes and looking up at the moon, “not really.”
“Oh.” Was all he said, sticking the folded piece of paper into his coat pocket, making a crinkling noise fill the silence.
“Yeah.” Was all I could say back, face planting myself as he continued standing in front of me.
I wasn’t looking at him, and I couldn’t tell whether or not he was looking at me. But the silence was building between us as the freezing wind slowed and we were left standing in front of the flower shop silent.
“But everytime, you look into the shop when she’s working..” The boy with the perfectly parted hair thought out loud crossing his arms, I could feel his eyes burning me up forcing me to make eye contact with him.
“Right.” I said, I am definitely digging my own grave right now, “Is that what you thought?”
He simply nodded his head, his lip coming out into a small pout.
Now he, he is cute. I could feel my heart quickly pick up, like I’d just ran a five mile race.
“I’m Jean.” I stated, sticking out my now sweaty hand, now so over this awkward situation. I didn’t really want him to figure out I’ve actually been eyeing him this entire time, but if he does, I might as well get his name.
“Marco.” He replied, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth as he shook my hand.
Marco, Marco, Marco.
“Well Marco, sorry you stood out in this freezing cold for really no point.” I said trying to lighten the mood.
Marco broke out laughing, “Yeah thanks it is freezing what’s it now? 8 degrees?”
“If we’re lucky.” A smirk grew on my face without my control as the mood quickly lightened.
“This is gonna suck, gotta catch the bus back to campus.”
“You go to BrookTown University too?” I asked, completely shocked, it’s the only campus you can get to by bus.
“Woah yeah, I’ve never seen you there before!” He said with equal surprise I felt. Okay no matter what happens for the rest of the night, my life is made.
“Yeah, I’m in the science department, I want to be a Chemist. What about you?”
Suddenly his face blushed and he lowered his head slightly running his hand through the side of his hair.
“Undecided. Originally I was going into the theater department, but then I realized I didn’t enjoy it like I had in high school. So now I’m back to the drawing board.” I watched Marco slowly raise his head to meet my eyes, I wasn’t sure what expression he was expecting me to have, but I guess a smile wasn’t it.
“It’s not a big deal.” I said with a sigh, “We’re still freshman, got time.”
“Coming from the person who’s already in a specific department heading toward a specific career.”
“Trust me. I’m at the drawing board too.”
I hadn’t realized we’d been standing here talking in the freezing cold for the last 10 minutes, until I noticed Marco shiver.
“Uh, do you-“ don’t embarrass yourself me “want me to ride you home- no drive you home, in my car.. uh over there, back to campus?”
“Really? That’d be great! Are you sure it’s okay?”
And there my stupid heart goes again, beating so fast it rings in my ears.
“It’s fine! Pretty sure if you try walking all the way to the bus stop you’ll end up with frost bite.”
I could hear him laugh, so full of life, as we headed towards my car, together.
“You know what Jean, you’re probably right.”