Chapter Text
It was a slow day at work, Megan thought.
Only two people came in today, a girl looking for her manager — shocker, Manon always has cute girls looking for her — and a guy who bought the first flower arrangement she showed him. He wanted his girlfriend to forgive him for something Megan didn’t care enough to remember now.
She scrolled through Tiktok for way longer than she would like to admit and was about to close 15 minutes early, go to the back of the store and take a nap when the door suddenly opened, the little bell on top ringing softly and making her look up. A tall, dark haired girl stood in front of her and Megan could swear she’s never seen a girl so gorgeous before —
“Hi. Do you have roses?”
Megan had to blink twice to remember she was on the clock and what a flower was.
“Uh…. hi, welcome. And yes! Of course we do. Any details or any other flower you’d like? I can make you a cute arrangement if you tell me what’s the occasion”
The tall gorgeous woman took a little while to answer. And Megan was definitely not expecting what was about to come out of her mouth next.
“… What’s the best flower to give to someone you don’t love?”
After seeing Megan’s puzzled expression — she’s very well known for having an expressive face — the girl elaborated.
“I’ve been seeing this boy for like… two months? He’s a friend of a friend. And I tried, but I really don’t think I like him. I want to break up with him, but I don’t want to see him cry or any of that stuff. Roses will make it easier, and he’ll know I’m very sorry for all the trouble.”
Megan swallowed hard, trying to push aside the million questions she suddenly had. Who gives out flowers to break up with someone? Was she planning on staying friends with him? Had Megan seen this cute but confusing girl on campus before?
“Well, uh, that’s quite the situation, but I think we can work something out,” she said, tucking a strand of pink hair behind her ear and covering the silly tattoo she had gotten one day with Lara as her enabler. “Do you want to keep being friends with him?”
The girl thought about it for about five seconds before calmly shaking her head.
“Okay… so just goodbye, then, right? Let me make something real quick.”
She tightened the knot of the apron around her waist and got to work, feeling the girl’s gaze on her. Megan tried not to show the slight nervousness she started to feel, her every move scrutinized by a pair of deep brown eyes. To break the heavy silence that had formed between them, she tried her best to lighten the mood in the only way she knew how: with what Lara mockingly called “goofy talk.”
“So… what didn’t click between you two? I’ve been there once, you know, with a guy. Well, we were fifteen. And I broke up with him because he burned my house on Minecraft, so it might not be the same thing, but you have no idea. It took me the entire day, and…” Megan’s rant was stopped by the sound of small chuckles… and a quiet sob. The tall, gorgeous girl was laughing and covering her mouth while a few tears poured down her face. Megan watched her for a moment, processing the situation, then slowly walked over and instinctively took her hand on her own.
“Oh god, are you alright? Don’t cry. The house wasn’t even that pretty, if I’m honest… it was mediocre, and I went on to do better art pieces!” She heard a small laugh from the brunette and kept going. “After we broke up, we played Valorant together once, and I let him die. He paid for his crimes!” She offered a small smile and carefully peeked at the crying brunette’s face.
“It’s okay… I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying.” The girl said, blushing slightly and trying to cover her face. Megan’s brain finally realized she was holding the girl’s hand, so she quickly let go, deciding instead to go to the back of the store and get a small glass of water for her.
“Did he, uh, do something? Is he an asshole? Because all men are, not gonna lie.”
Another cute chuckle in return. “No, he’s a good guy. It’s just… it’s hard. Realizing you don’t… really like guys, in that way. I don’t know.” She took a sip of water slowly, avoiding eye contact with Megan, who was too busy trying to think of something to say.
“Oh, yeah, I imagine it must be hard to figure that out,” she started, immediately cringing at herself. “But if you think about it… if it doesn’t feel good, or right, then you’re making the right decision. You’re doing it for yourself.”
The tall, gorgeous girl smiled again, politely, and dried her tears with the back of her sleeve. Megan was convinced she was the prettiest person in the world.
“Tell you what… I know you want to get him something to soften the blow—” she stood up, tightening her apron once again and moving toward the countless flower options in the little shop. “—but I think there’s someone who could use some roses more.” Megan moved faster than she thought she could, a fire that could destroy ten Minecraft houses suddenly burning in her chest.
About two minutes passed, and she was finally finished. “Here, take a look,” she said, inviting her pretty customer to inspect the arrangement in her hands.
“I don’t know if you know this, but flowers have meanings. Some Victorian child started the trend a long time ago.” She adjusted another strand of pink hair behind her ear, slight nervousness creeping into her voice. “We got pale pink roses for the base—they represent self-discovery and acceptance. White cornflowers for new beginnings, and purple columbines… for resolution.”
She smiled softly at the confused girl in front of her and slowly handed her the small arrangement. “In flower language, this is, well, something like, ‘You have finally decided to love and listen to yourself, so don’t be afraid. Enjoy this new experience.’”
“I… I don’t know what to say,” the brunette said, tears forming on the verge of her eyes once again. “This is so kind of you. I… how much do I owe you?”
“What? No, no, just take them. It’s on the house.”
“No way, let me pay f—”
“I insist. In fact, the cash register doesn’t open. I can’t take your money.”
“I was going to use my card.”
“…That machine doesn’t work either?”
Yet another chuckle Megan managed to get from her. She had actually lost count of the times this girl had laughed now, not that she was counting, anyway.
“Okay, since none of the machines are working today, I’ll take it. Thank you so, so much… Megan,” the taller girl said, looking at the little tag on the left side of Megan’s apron. The sound of a soft, sweet voice pronouncing her name still kind of surprised her.
“Glad I could be of help… sorry, what’s your name?”
“I’m—” The sound of a baby crying outside didn’t let Megan hear her.
“Sorry, what did you say?” she asked, getting slightly closer to the girl.
“I’m—”
The same damn baby again… God, fuck them kids. Megan really wanted—no, needed to know—but her anxiety got the best of her, and all she could do was just smile and nod—a move she’d done so many times it was basically trademarked at this point.
“Well, see you around, Megan. Thanks again.”
“Yeah, see you! Enjoy your flowers!” Megan smiled and watched the girl wave goodbye and leave as the door closed behind her.
A few seconds passed, and then…
“I’M GOING TO KILL THAT DAMN BABY!”