Anxiety bloomed in Anya's chest. Her legs felt cold and her stomach was starting to hurt too. The inauguration was tomorrow and Kaynath was rushing about, as she ripped open a packet of balloons and passed some to the workers while blowing one. The balloons were gold and white, which went very well with Kaynath's side of the decorations.

"Anya! Help me blow some balloons."

Anya nodded as she pumped the balloons quickly. Kaynath was blowing them by mouth as there was only one balloon pump around. She didn't want to be embarrassed by trying to blow a balloon and failing at it.

"Is your lipstick smudge proof?" she asked suddenly, noticing Kaynath's red lips in perfect condition; though she could tell she probably blew quite a bit from the ones floating around.

She and stupid smudge-proof lipstick. Who the fuck did she think she was anyways?

Kaynath shot her a look and blew extra hard as the balloon popped and Anya winced. "What?"

"I mean, won't it smudge and get into balloons?"

"Are you worried about the balloons or my lipstick being smudged?" Kaynath smiled cheekily.

"Um, the balloons? Isn't it weird if people see lipstick stains on it?"

Kaynath huffed. "Excuse you, it is a pretty good lipstick."

"Exactly, you shouldn't be wasting it on balloons."

Uh oh.

"No–" Anya started but Kaynath already took long steps and reached her.

Curse her long fucking legs. She was too tall for her own good.

"Would you rather I waste it on you, instead?"

Anya felt her face heat up even though she knew it was coming and turned away. Was Kaynath actually flirting with her, or just making fun of her? Probably the latter. She'd fumed inwardly on not being able to unnerve Kaynath the same way.

They went back to their work until Kaynath got a serious look.

"Anya, I have been trying to contact Mirza for some days, but there's no messages at all."

"Are you sure about that? Not pulling something to distract me from preparations?"

"There are other ways to distract you other than jeopardising a big day tomorrow," Kaynath raised one eyebrow.

"Maybe she's just mad at you," Anya ignored that comment and tried to focus on responding properly.

"Possibly. That's like, the only reason I told you," Kaynath crossed her arms.

"Why isn't she talking to you, though?"

"None of your business," Kaynath replied all too fast. Anya scrutinised her. "Just a small misunderstanding."

So there was a lot Anya didn't know that happened in Mirza's life. Well given how the three of them were sorta friends, or that Mirza was friends with her rival, she supposed it would just rile her up.

Still, it made her feel a pang. Were they really best friends if they didn't bare their hearts out to each other? If she didn't rip her heart out and show all the thorns to Anya?

Oh well, it might have just been something minor.

To be on the safer side, she sent a text to Mirza.

Anya: Hey, hope you're all good. You'll make it tomorrow right?

The text was delivered but wasn't seen. Mirza usually responded in a few hours so they'd have to wait.

The words circled around her head like parasites leeching off her. She wasn't good enough for anything.

There was no time to be depressed when she had work to do. Anya surveyed a look around – compared to her decor Kaynath's family had shelled out and made everything look so much fancier. A wired archway sat in the front, which she presumed they would decorate with balloons and flowers. Oh well, she could definitely start with flowers.

She went over and thought about it. White and gold being their theme, probably daisies and marigolds would be best. The flowers sprung on the wires as she waved her hands, adjusting their sizing. Once she was done, she tucked them in, making sure they were secure.

"Are you sure you should be doing flowers today? Won't they wilt tomorrow?"

"Eh, not really. I mean these will, a bit, but I have set the design so new ones will spring up tomorrow in their place."

She had no idea if she would even sell anything. There were just garlands, to be sold. It wasn't like people wanted flowers every time, either.

"You alright?" Kaynath asked, looking at her. She had finished blowing balloons and was securing them on the arch now.

"Just wondering if these flowers would sell," she said pensively. She was too tired to lie.

"Flowers are–"

"So out of fashion?" Anya completed bitterly. "Is that what you want to say?"

"No. They are very improvisable."

"I know. It just seems no one wants to give flowers anymore," she mused, sitting down. "That is quite sad."

"Maybe you just have to adapt too, see new ways of making people want them."

"Wow, you're actually supporting me, for once," Anya smirked a little.

"Not really. You just looked...out of it."

"Mhm, keep telling yourself that."

"Keep telling yourself you're getting better at flirting."

"What?" Anya asked incredulously.

"What?"

"I would never–"

"For the record, me neither."

Kaynath didn't look all that bothered by it, so it was just her. Was she reading too much into it?

"What did you even imply, you doofus?"

"Shut up, you flower girl."

"You good, though?" Kaynath asked after a beat.

"I suppose," she shrugged. "Nothing to do, other than wait, is it?"

"Yeah."

Secretly, Anya knew, she hoped she got the text first and she knew Kaynath wished it was her instead.

"Need help?" Kaynath gestured to some empty shelves that needed to be filled.

"I could fill it with every different plant species I know, but I doubt anyone is gonna be interested in it that way."

"Sell them as witchy plants," she laughed softly.

"That's not a bad idea. I already do something like that for freelance anyways."

"Yeah, so maybe you could set something up here."

"I dunno, that's kinda superstitious right? I mean who believes in witches anyways?"

"Your clients."

"No, well, they need it for... special purposes."

"For what?"

"None of your business," Anya said proudly.

"Well, walked right into that one."

"It's just, some of them are not quite suitable for humans."

"Like, what, there's no plant that's gonna kill someone?" Kaynath laughed but Anya didn't join her.

"There isn't, right?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Totally not. That's a good fantasy you have there."

The facts were on the tip of her tongue, but she had been ridiculed before for spouting nonsense so now she kept quiet. It made her itch– there were quite a few times she could contribute to conversation and yet, should she? Was it way too much of an obscure fact? Would she be asked to shut the fuck up because it was pretty boring?

"Is your sister still there?" she asked at the same time as Kaynath blurted, "Tell me more."

"She's still at home, yes."

Kaynath looked at her expectantly.

"You...want to know about the deadly plants?"

"If you want to tell, I suppose," Kayanth said, her eyes softening.

Kaynath did have the prettiest hazel eyes Anya had ever seen and so she relented. Just once, this time, she would try again.

It was definitely not because of those pretty eyes.

"So!" Anya clapped her hands together in excitement and raised an index finger as a small, pink flower sprouted into her hands.

"The temple flower?" Kaynath asked suspiciously.

Anya looked up in surprise. "You already know of it?"

"Well, I have seen it used in temples," she nodded as she took a closer look.

"It's the oleander or rosebay flower, or Arali. Its flowers are poisonous if ingested and fatal, even. It can cause cardiac arrest too."

"Woah," Kaynath's eyes shone and she touched the flower. "It's so small."

Anya jolted a little as Kaynath traced the flower on her palm, sparks shooting throughout her hand. She blinked once or twice to clear her head. If Kaynath kept doing that, she was going to start sweating soon.

Kaynath fortunately, or unfortunately picked a flower and let go all too soon. The warmth disappeared but the look on her face was worth it, like a little child in awe of the world.

"You could kill someone with it," Anya nodded.

"Is this what you sell to people?" Kaynath's eyes widened as she looked at Anya incredulously.

Anya pursed her lips.

"No." Her face was set and she waved her hands until the flower disappeared. "I sell herbal medicines which I make."

"Really?" Kaynath said. Anya couldn't read her tone so she shrugged.

"I guess. Is it too boring for you?" she bit her nails, looking away.

"Not at all."

"You must certainly tell me more, Anya," Kaynath swished and waved her hand. "This is all too fascinating to ignore."

Anya felt nettles pricking her skin as she rubbed her forearm. She couldn't tell if Kaynath was making fun of her, doubted her words or simply wanted to poke fun at her.

She glanced at her phone but the message hadn't been read yet. Mirza seemed to be awfully busy and Anya missed the hell out of her. She couldn't wait to see her, to discuss outfits and all in all, just get ready as Mirza did her makeup for her.

***

A/N: Another chapter! I know Mirza's POV hasn't been posted  in a while and it will be, soon, if you were wondering. To think that I am writing all this because I am procrastinating from an art project goshh. Also, I have sketched Anya, line art and colours left for anybody wondering. 

As always vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter!