Lily

🌸 Evolet 🌸

The rusty bell above the heavy wooden door tings as I enter the flower shop. Warm air rushes past along with the scent of earthy soil and manure. Is it weird to love the smell of soil mixed with roses?

The small store is crumbling at the base but every inch of the store is covered with plants, from the mismatched tables, the cement flooring, and handing from the exposed brick walls. 

"I'll be with you in a minute," somebody calls from a distance.

I wander to the first display table and brush my fingers over a hedging bush. The silky green leaves slide across my fingertips as I wander further across. On the end of the table is a blooming pink hibiscus flower which has a couple of buds on it.

There's no sweet aroma but hibiscus flowers do make a delicious tea. I glance up and jolt back at the sight of the young man standing beside another table of plants. His piercing blue eyes trail over my body, then snap back to my face.

His silky black hair is short and ruffled into a neat but messy look. He's taller than me, with a wide, lean, muscular frame. Does he work here? The casual black t-shirt and lack of a name badge has me baffled.

I twirl my long black plait around my index finger and smile. 

He scratches the back of his head and smiles.

"Um, hey, can I help you with something?"

"I have this space in my house that needs a plant."

"What kind of space is it? Does it get morning or evening sun or would you say it's shadier?"

I frown. "Hm, perhaps a medium amount of light?"

"There's a lot of options for plants then."

His smile is adorable and the way his blue eyes light up makes my stomach erupt with butterflies.

"I also need a plant that won't die if I forget to water it. I aspire to be a good plant owner but sometimes I forget to water them. I don't want a cactus or something with spikes either. I like leafy green plants with flowers."

"Perhaps the spathiphyllum-"

"Spathi-what?" I frown.

"Sorry, I work with plants outside of this job and we use scientific names. You'd probably like the peace lilies. They have large green leaves and beautiful flowers." He points to a flower across the room, so I wander over to investigate.

The oval crisp white petal stands out against the dark green foliage.

"It does prefer moist soil but if you forget to water it, you can easily bring these plants back to life with some water. It likes to be a little root bound, so that's another thing you won't need to worry about. It's also great for removing the toxins in the air."

"It would be perfect if it removed the toxic people from my life," I mutter under my breath.

He subtly frowns before moving on.

"We also have a purple version if you'd like a different colour."

"Hm, I'm kind of in love with the white lily."

"We also have the chain of hearts which is very popular with customers. It has heart-shaped leaves on the vines. You can place it on shelves or in a hanging basket. The vines grow long and you can wrap them around whatever you like."

"You've sold me on the peace lily. I think it'll be perfect for the space I have in mind."

"Which one would you like?"

"Can you pick for me? You have a better eye for this than me."

He takes a pot to the counter and I quickly follow before I buy something I shouldn't. If I can keep this plant alive, then maybe I can have another one.

He rings the plant on an old till and I hand him the money. Our gaze meets again and I stare into his light blue eyes. They are such a beautiful shade of blue.

"Can I help you with something else?"

I take the pot and shake my head.

"Thank you for all the help."

I shove the door open with my shoulder and hurry down the sidewalk.

* * * * *

Clya's sporty car is parked on the curb when I arrive home. I considered driving away and waiting until she leaves but it'll make things worse for me.

I inhale a deep breath as I cut the engine and hop out of the car. She climbs out of the car and hurries up the driveway. I take the peace lily from the backseat and hand it to her.

"You've been plant shopping."

"I decided the house needed some new decor."

"Sounds wonderful." Her smile is forced. I admire how hard Clya is trying with the small talk despite wanting to poke and prod me for answers.

I'll play along, even though it's just a tedious conversation.

"What's up?" I fake smile.

"I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd pop in and see how you are." It's funny because her house is at least a forty-minute drive from mine.

"Thank you, but you don't need to keep checking on me. I promise I'm fine and if I needed your support, I will message you."

I take the other shopping bags from the backseat and wander to the front door. I quickly unlock the door and dump the bags on the kitchen bench. Clya places the plant on the floor and perches on a stool.

"You don't seem fine."

"I am, though." I take a deep breath to calm the emotions swirling within me. What do I need to say for her to believe I'm actually happy?

"It's okay if you're not fine, and you're allowed to be upset even if you ended the relationship. You were together for a long time."

"What if I'm not upset? What if I'm okay?"

"Evolet."

"Clya."

She tucks a strand of loose black hair behind her ear. Her blue eyes are dark with worry and her shoulders are slumped forward. Clya cares a little too much sometimes but I do love her for that.

"I know everyone's waiting for me to break down, but I haven't felt this free and happy in a very long time. I love Adam and I think a part of me will always love him. We were both suffocating in that relationship and I set us free."

"Sometimes relationships lose their sparks, but you just need to shake things up."

"I don't think we knew what we wanted. Adam and I met when we were young and naive."

"Adam proposed to you, he had the perfect ring picked out."

"If I made the wrong choice, then perhaps our pathways will lead us back together."

"I feel like you're making a mistake." Clya frowns. "Men like Adam don't just wander into your life all the time."

"If you think Adam is so perfect, you're welcome to date him, I hear he's just turned single." I wink and she shakes her head.

"I'll drop the topic because it seems like you've made your mind up."

"Thanks." I smile. "So it's your birthday on the weekend, what are we doing?"

"Mum's talked me into a nice sit-down meal, but I wouldn't mind going to that jazz club you love. We can dress up all bougie and drink cocktails until one of us gets kicked out."

"I love this idea, but we should go shopping for new dresses this week."

"How about Wednesday night?"

"Could we do Tuesday, I'm babysitting my boss's kids."

"Okay." She nods. "And please, no boys."

"Fine, no boys."

Clya squishes me in a tight hug before looking me over. I put on an oversized smile with the hopes she'll leave me alone.

I'm painfully aware that I've broken more than just Adam's heart with our breakup but I can't live my life for our families.

I walk Clya to the car before returning to my new things. Adam and I had very different ideas about spending money and styling the house, so I'm glad I finally have a chance to add everything I've always wanted.

I place the peace lily in a cute pink pot and place it near the large window in the dining room which overlooks the deck outside. Perhaps I could buy some plants for the deck with my next paycheck.

I'm willing to believe that I need plants for the outdoor area rather than accept the fact I actually want to see that guy again.