Chapter 25

As red as a rose
Extremely flushed and red, especially in the face from embarrassment or physical strain.

• o 🦋 o •

Riley’s birthday was drawing closer. I was really starting to look forward to it now. This was like one of the last steps. All that was left after this was make 100 hand-written invitations. 

Sigh. Typical Mica. 

Anyway, today we were visiting a flower shop to look for decorations and a special bouquet for Riley’s Birthday. I know. It’s not a wedding, we don’t need flower deco but… Mica insisted. And Riley does love flowers so why not? 

It was a warm, sunny day. The streets lit up like it was a movie set. 

I pulled up to the store on my bike and spotted my boyfriend outside the shop, on the phone. His eyes lit up when he saw me and he waved. 

I waved back. 

“Yeah. Okay..” He spoke into the phone.

I parked my bike before wrapping my arms around Mica. He giggled. 

“I will. Have fun, dad. Bye.” Mica hung up. 

I kissed his cheek. “Hey, boyfriend.” 

“Hi.” Mica chuckled nervously. 

I let go of him and he turned my way. He got on his toes, almost kissing me when an old lady began crossing the street near us. 

“I should go help.” Mica said and he sprinted off to help the old woman. I felt so warm inside. He was so endlessly sweet and thoughtful. UGH! How much can you love a person?

They were talking about something. And soon enough the old lady began to laugh at something Mica said. I smiled at them. 

“You are such a gentlemen. There really is hope for the youth.” The woman said happily when they’d reached my side. 

“I know, right. I’m so lucky.” I agreed. 

The woman looked up at me confused. So did Mica. 

CRAP. 

Then the lady smiled. “Ah, I see. You two hold onto each other.” She nodded.

Mica turned bright red and so did I. 

“S-sure. Of course.” I agreed. 

“Yep.” Mica nodded, staring at the ground. 

“Thank you, dear.” The old lady touched Mica’s hand before going inside a little tea shop. 

I chuckled and Mica met my eyes and laughed a little too. 

We went on inside the charming flower shop. It smelled freaking divine in here! The amounts of colors were mesmerizing. Daffodils, lilies, magnolias, roses! It was an old wooden shop but because of the flowers it really came to life. The sun poured in from the large windows. I could stay here forever.

“Hello gentlemen.” The lady behind the desk greeted us. She had deep red hair and seemed to be in her twenties. She was wearing stylish pointed black glasses.

“Hello.” We said in unison. 

“Can I help you with anything or would you just like to look around first?” 

I looked at Mica. 

“We’ll look around first. Thank you.” He said politely. 

“Of course.” The lady nodded. 

Mica and I strolled through the lovely store. Those bouquets were all so expensive! Sixty bucks for flowers!? 

I glanced at Mica. He was fiddling with his fingers. He seemed nervous. 

“Are you still thinking about the old lady?” I asked. 

“Hm?” Mica looked up. “Oh, no. Not at all.” His ears got red. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yeah.” He nodded and quickly moved on. 

We were looking at sunflowers which is basically Riley in flower form. She loved sunflowers. Mica was trying to decide which other flowers would go well with them. 

“Or.. maybe lilies would be better. More elegant.” 

“Uh.. have you met Riley? Sunflowers for the win. You could always add lilies on the side.” I shrugged. 

Mica nodded but he didn’t say anything. He just kind of stared off into space. He didn’t seem to be all there. He turned red again and he was violently picking at his skin. 

I grabbed his hands. “Mica.”

He looked up surprised. “Oh.” 

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Um…” Mica’s eyes darted all over the room. He looked unsure and embarrassed and a little scared. What the heck had gotten into him? 

“Oh! I’ll go ask for some help!” Mica pulled away and walked towards the florist. 

I sighed. He was acting really weird. 

I looked around. This started when we entered the store… Flowers… 

Oh! Maybe he wanted me to buy him some flowers! Of course! As a good boyfriend it was my duty! 

I only had sixty bucks so that would be that for this month but it was okay! For Mica- gladly.

I looked around. Okay. Flowers. 

WHICH ONES?!

Roses? Corny. 

Sunflowers? Inelegant. 

Uh.. Uhhh… 

My eyes fell on a bouquet with lavender in it. 

I picked it up and smelled it. Ahh! Delicious. Mica kind of smelled like lavender a little. And! He had given me that lavender soap so he had to like it!! This was perfect. 

I turned around and Mica was busy talking to the store clerk. He was stuttering a lot more than normal. 

This had to be it!

I couldn’t wait to give him these!

But! I had to act cool. I put them back in the basket and went up to Mica. 

“So we could use sunflowers as the centerpiece and add smaller, lighter flowers which will give both elegance and a subtle playfulness.” The lady smiled. 

“Yes. Sounds perfect.” Mica agreed easily. He was tapping his foot. Wow, he really couldn’t wait!

The lady started to fill out a form since we needed to order a LOT of flowers. Mica zoned off. He began to frown. Honestly, he looked anxious. There was no way this was just about a bouquet. I was really worried now. 

Mica gave the lady his information and that was it. 

“Alright. We’ll have these delivered at the venue a few hours in advance.” The lady nodded.

“Perfect.” 

“Great! Well, have a nice day. It’s sunny out so it should be easy!” The lady laughed. 

Mica only faintly smiled and nodded. “Have a nice day.”

“Uh.. you go on ahead. I’ll be right there.” I said. 

“Okay.” Mica agreed. He seemed relieved to leave somehow. He wasn’t suspicious of me at all!

Wait.. Maybe flowers reminded him of his mom?! In that case should I get them or not?!

The lady behind the counter smiled. Then she nodded like she knew. “You want some flowers for your boyfriend.” 

I’M SORRY, MICA. I SUCK AT THIS.

I nodded. “I don’t know if he’d like it, though. It’s kinda a sensitive topic..” 

“You can never go wrong with flowers. I promise, he’ll be happy.” 

I sighed. “I’m not sure. They might remind him of someone he lost..” 

“You know, being reminded of those we’ve lost isn’t a bad thing. It can be a great thing in fact, to feel that they’re not forgotten and that their love still lingers.” The florist said gently. 

She saw my apprehension. 

“Which ones were you thinking of getting?” 

I pointed to the lavender bouquet. “That one.” 

“Lavender is calming and symbolizes purity, devotion, serenity and grace. I think it’s perfect.” The lady went over and took out the bouquet. 

“If you promise me you’ll give them to him, I’ll give these to you for free.” The lady pushed the bouquet in my hands. 

“I couldn’t.” I shook my head. “They’re so expensive!” 

“And I’m a sucker for love. And I think..” She looked through the open doors at Mica who stood by the road, his back turned our way. 

“I think he could use some flowers. The poor thing is so anxious. Please, I insist. Just invite me to the wedding, okay?” 

I chuckled. “I will. Thanks.” I smiled. 

“It is no problem at all. Now go!” She pushed. 

I nodded and walked out of the store. 

Mica was still fumbling with his hands. 

“Ta-da!” I said, jumping into view. 

“Wow!” 

“Here, they’re for you!” I handed the bouquet to Mica. 

“What did I do to deserve this?!” 

“Well, I love you. And you love flowers, I know you do. And it’s lavender.”

“Yeah, I can tell. They’re great.” Mica smelled the flowers and smiled. “Thanks.” 

For a moment he looked super happy as he stared at the bouquet in his hands. Then he started to worry again. 

“What’s going on? Don’t say nothing cause I can see you worry. Is it about your dad?” I asked. 

Mica looked surprised, and embarrassed again. He looked at the flowers. “Kind of.”

“What’s going on?” 

“Well..” Mica caressed one of the flowers. “My dad called and.. He’s.. My..” His cheeks were fiery red. Mica took a deep breath. “My dad’s out of town for business.” 

I nodded. “Is he leaving you alone for long? Does that make you nervous?” 

“No- No, that’s not it, it’s…” Mica gulped. “He’s only out of town for the weekend.” Mica shyly met my eyes. “And.. I could tell Charles to take the weekend off too.” 

I nodded slowly. “You want to be alone? Do you need me to leave you alone for some time?” 

“No! No. I..” Mica sighed. He was so freaking cute and all shy.. but why?! 

“I want to be alone.. with you.” Mica said. He watched me carefully. 

“Okay. So? How’s that something to get nervous about!” I laughed. 

Mica sighed as if there was something obvious I wasn’t getting. 

Mica took a step closer to me. He looked around. “Do you want to stay over?” He asked quietly. 

My mouth dropped. Wait, was he..? Did he mean…?!

I looked into Mica’s eyes. Was he for real?

“Say something. Please.” Mica stared at the ground.

Oh. 

That’s why he was nervous.