"Reality is harsh but stick to it if you wish to never lose yourself to false imaginations" Strange. Why was such a philosophical quote hanging on the door of the flower shop? Slightly curious, Amelia rung the rusted bell for assistance. What followed was a string of curses and a knife just barely missing Amelia's forehead. Luckily, Amelia dodged in time. A woman in her mid-twenties rushed in, looking apologetically at the frightened girl.

"Pardon my manners miss. My mother decided to pay a little visit today and almost killed you in the process while trying to cut some weeds." The woman almost gritted out, glaring behind her ever so slightly. The woman, otherwise identified as Idalaide, almost facepalmed herself for chasing her customer away with her mother's foolishness. Surprisingly, Amelia smiled faintly at Idalaine and shook the incident off. Idalaine, clearly overjoyed, rushed to show her collection, almost tripping in the process.

"Thank you so much for staying m-

Amelia. My name is Amelia." She interrupted Idalaine softly.

"Oh! Pardon me yet again Amelia. Referring to you as miss hasn't been very polite of me. I'm afraid today is just not my day." Ida sighed, actually facepalming herself in the process. Amelia watched in amusement as Ida muttered to herself, saying words that weren't entirely kid friendly. She understood that the dramatic yet kind lady voiced her frustration out by cursing and that she can easily relate to.

"My name is Idalaine by the way but please call me Ida. That name is just too bloody hard to spell or pronounce. Anyway, I never really asked what type of flowers you wanted." Ida admitted embarrassed.

Realization flashed in Amelia's eyes as she remembered the real reason why she came here.

"Oh my apologies. I was looking for a couple of different flowers actually. Here's the list." Before Amelia could hand the list to Ida, Ida's mom rushed in.

"Ida how dare you leave me to deal with those, those monsters!!! Go cut them off before I die from their constant groping. One of them touched my bu-

Now now that's enough mother. I do not think our dear customer needs to know your endeavours with the flowers, not monsters I assure you, flowers." Ida quickly put an end to her mother's scandalous talk with a snickering Amelia beside her.

"How about you help Amelia while I cut them off mother?" Ida said in exasperation. She knew her mother was more than capable of handling the shop but her constant use of wit could be tiresome, especially when customers hardly paid a visit.

Her mother beamed. "Your wish is my command!"

Ida could not help but roll her eyes as she walked back inside to complete her mother's unfinished business.

"Now darling how may I assist you?" Ida's mother asked Amelia with a kind smile.

"I was looking for a couple of flowers to gift."

"Any special occasion?" The woman asked Amelia with a suggestive glance.

Amelia caught sight of her nametag. "For my mother and father Mrs. Ebonite" Amelia replied happily.

"Dear please call me Darleen. No need of formalities." Darleen replied while looking through the list meticulously.

"What a unique yet marvelous selection you made dear. All these flowers would make a lovely gift. Is it their anniversary?"

Amelia smiled faintly. "Its actually my birthday."

Darleen halted for a minute and then resumed on her quest to complete the list.

"I hope you do not mind me asking but why are you gifting them something on your birthday? A little peculiar don't you think?" Darleen asked, confusion shining in her bright green eyes.

"Well not at all. See, in my perspective, I would not be on this planet, coming to your shop if I wasn't born in the first place. When I was born, so were my mom and dad in a way; maybe not entirely but they earned a new identity. All the trouble that my parents went through for me gave them the right to own this birthday much more than me. They should be the one celebrating first." Amelia replied with passion.

Darleen looked at the young girl in awe. It gave her hope to see such beauty in her mind, even in the midst of such a cruel world.

"You mother and father are really lucky to have you. How old are you my dear?"

"I turned eighteen today." Amelia replied with joy.

"This calls for celebration! What are your plans for the day? Darleen asked, finally gathering all the flowers in a tiny, intricate basket.

"I plan on spending it with my parents. I just wish to speak to them. Life has been a little too hectic." Amelia replied, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, tiredness finally reflecting on her eyes.

"I understand. I'm glad to see you have such a strong bond with your folks."

"I saw what you did." Amelia said softly. Darleen put her basket on the table and turned around, her eyes narrowed.

"I know you only said those things to cheer Ida up. I saw how you sneaked glances at her while you said all those humorous "adventures" for yours." Amelia airquoted.

"You love her deeply and you want her to cut some slack. So, you do all these to make her smile, no matter how ridiculous it makes you. You act like a child at times to make her feel like life requires a little bit of fun, no matter what age you are and what you struggle with. Toiling fills the bills but it tends to take away life's precious moments. I must say, Ida is one lucky woman." Tears almost welled up in Darleen eyes, surprised and yet again awed with her words.

"How d-

"Mother I just finished. Are you done with Amelia's order?" Ida looked between Amelia and her unusually emotional mother. "is... everything alright?"

Darleen sobered up. "Yes, it is alright. You snagged yourself a wonderful customer Ida. She's one adorable little cookie." Darleen ruffled Amelia's hair. "Have a wonderful birthday dearie." Darleen walked off slowly.

"That was... unexpected. Happy Birthday Amelia. Did you find your flowers?"

Amelia nodded. "Thank you so much for the flowers. I troubled you both quite a lot." Amelia said apologetically.

"No no of course not. It was a honour to help you out. Your flower selection though, its fantastic. Do you know the meaning of these flowers?" Ida asked curiously.

Amelia nodded, slightly deflated. Ida almost jumped up. "Wait you-

"Thank you for the help. I must be going on." Amelia cuts Ida off walking out of the shop in a rush, leaving a sympathetic Ida behind her.

"No wonder where you are

No matter where you go,

I'll always be there with you to grow.

Times may be tough, my life crazily rough,

Yet, I can feel your eyes like a delicate touch."

Amelia hummed as she walked towards her final destination. She made this song herself. It gave her hope, hope that people are too blind to notice nowadays. She found sanctuary in something that was far away, yet realistic, unlike people who grasp onto false truths and happiness that only last as long as their promises.

She heard it before she reached. The cries echoed into the salt air like distorted lullabies, the pain evident in them. She softly walked towards her place, her home. She glanced down at their coffins with a sad smile, the brightness of her eyes dimming with agony. She crouched and placed the bundle of flowers between the two coffins. It was a tradition, one she repeated every year for the past three years. The flowers consisted of a daisy, an iris, a lilac and a white hyacinth. Each represented something special, something so intimate, that even the darkest of forces could not break it.

Three years ago, she bought these specific flowers in spite. She was so angry with everything that she hated any sort of positivity. She looked at everything pessimistically and she used to think her life didn't have meaning left. However, as the years have gone by, she has come to realize that there's always hope. Even in the darkest of nights, even in the worst of terrors, hope will still shine the brightest; that is if you believe there is hope. The daisy represents innocence and youth; a bittersweet memory since these were snatched away from her, but she's still fighting and she now knew it was okay to let go of some things earlier. She would never get them back that's for certain, but she would rather make it a learning experience than a mourning disaster. The iris represented a message, one she spoke to her mother and father every day, every minute she breathed.

"So much pain to take

No gain at my wake,

Except your love and support

That's when all my troubles abort.

And I miss you.....

Both.

Amelia almost stuttered, her lips quivering. No matter how many years may pass, the emotion is too raw to forget, to raw to even stabilize. Taking a deep breath, she ended her message, her voice softer than the whispers of the wind.

Stay happy, stay safe

In each other's arms

Waiting for me at Heaven's Gates;

I'll come to you mom

I'll come to you dad

And I'll greet you soon, hand in hand.

And she was finally done. God It felt like someone was tearing a piece of her soul. This was followed by the flower lilac, symbolizing the joy of youth. She clearly wanted her happy childhood back but every year she was coming to terms with the fact that she was okay with letting it go. She brought this flower to remind herself of her improvement. To remind herself how she could now look at things with patience, not judge the boys on the street, not feel triggered about every little thing she passed. She realized that the joy of youth isn't always candies, amusement parks and toys. It is learning to look at things with a perspective that changes our entire life, one which allows us to grow and love the broken pieces in everyone. Nothing could be perfect and the world should be okay with that. She would be okay with that. Lastly, the white hyacinth. This was simply symbolizing the prayers she wished to send to her parents. Yet, when she stood in the eerie, quiet and melancholy cemetery, she decided she'd send a prayer to everyone present here. Her mother once told her that if she cared enough to love everyone, she will, without question be loved by everyone, even though most won't show it. Heck, who's playing show and tell? She just wants to be a good person. That's all that really matters at the end of the end.

She carefully stood up and wiped her tears off swiftly. It was time to put on a smile. She troubled them enough. She could imagine her father trying to shoo her off and her mother playfully nudging her out of her sobbing fiasco. She smiled at the thought.

"Goodbye." She said with a soft smile, gracing her lips. She loved them and she would continue to do so till the end. Their lullabies of comfort whispering to her in secret, she walked headstrong to fight her path full of demons.