Winter had opened the shop early.
She told herself it was because she needed to restock the lavender shelf and prep for a custom order due that afternoon. But the truth sat in her chest like a fluttering secret - delicate, untouchable, and very much named Kaelira Solene.
The name hadn't left her thoughts all night. Aria had pressed a chamomile sprig into her favorite old journal and sketched out a quick memory of Kaelira's smile - the one she gave right before saying, "Can I come back tomorrow?"
The bell above the shop door hadn't rung once all morning, but Aria didn't mind. She arranged freesia and mimosa in the display window, turned the radio to her favorite indie acoustic playlist, and poured a second cup of green tea - just in case.
And then, right as a new song drifted in like birdsong through an open window, the bell did ring.
Aria straightened from the tulip crate. She didn't expect her heart to skip.
Kaelira stepped in with a cautious smile, sunglasses tucked into her coat pocket, a wide hoodie over her frame. A black cap was pulled low, but she wasn't trying to hide - not today. She looked around like someone arriving somewhere they'd been thinking about all night.
Aria's lips curved upward. "You came back."
Kaelira grinned. "You said I could."
That simple exchange filled the space with something light and golden.
"I brought something," Kaelira said, pulling a small flat parcel from her bag. "For you."
Aria blinked, surprised, and took it gently. Inside was a thin, pressed tulip - the same blush-white one from the day before - nestled between parchment sheets.
"You said to press the petals. I thought we could try together," Kaelira said, rubbing the back of her neck, a little shy now. "But I got impatient."
Aria laughed softly. "It's perfect. Thank you."
Kaelira looked around. "So... what's today's flower?"
Aria thought for a moment. "Today feels like... forget-me-nots."
Kaeliea raised an eyebrow. "That's poetic."
"They mean true love and remembrance," Aria explained with a soft smile, "but I think they also mean... someone you hope comes back."
Kaelira's cheeks colored faintly. "Then I'll buy all of them."
Aria chuckled and handed her a tiny bundle tied with sky-blue ribbon. "First customer discount."
They sat at the little tea table again, this time with fresh mugs and a tiny plate of honey cookies Aria had made that morning. Kaelira took a bite, then froze.
"This tastes like a hug."
Aria blinked, unsure whether that was good or bad.
"No-like, really," Kaelira said quickly, "like something your grandmother gives you while you're crying over a boy who doesn't deserve you."
Aria laughed - actually laughed, hand over her mouth. "That's very specific."
Kaelira pretended to toss her hair. "Experience. Traumatizing. But at least it led me to this cookie."
They sat there, sipping and laughing, sunlight breaking through the gray morning clouds outside. The shop glowed gently, golden light catching on flower petals and hanging terrariums.
Kaelira stood and wandered again, pausing beside a vase of lilacs.
"These smell like my childhood," she murmured. "There was this tiny garden behind the training dorm. I used to sneak out to sit by the lilac bush. I'd hum old songs and pretend I was somewhere else."
Aria watched her quietly, heart warm. "You've always loved flowers?"
Kaelira turned. "I didn't remember how much. Until yesterday."
They made another bouquet together - not as an excuse this time, but simply because it felt like something sacred. They didn't speak much as they moved, but the silences were comfortable, full of glances and almost-smiles.
Kaelira picked:
• Forget-me-nots (Memory, loyalty)
• Lavender (Calm, devotion)
• Sweet pea (Goodbye and thank you - which made Winter frown, but Karina winked, "Not the goodbye part.")
• Pink carnations (Gratitude)
When Aria handed her the wrapped bouquet, Kaeliea reached into her coat.
"I also brought this," she said, pulling out a small keychain.
It was a tiny plush peony.
Aria took it, blinking. "Is this for me?"
Kaelira nodded. "For your key. Or your journal. Or your cat, if you have one."
"I don't," Aria said, smiling down at the gift. "But maybe I'll get one just for this."
Kaelira gave a quiet laugh, then hesitated.
"I don't get to do this," she said softly. "Be somewhere quiet. Not watched. Just... talk to someone without worrying if they're secretly recording."
Aria didn't answer right away. She just stepped closer and looked up at Karina with something soft in her gaze.
"Then don't worry here. You're safe, Kae."
The idol blinked. She didn't realize how badly she needed to hear that.
Then the moment shifted-lightened-when Winter turned, cheeks pink, and said, "Also, if you do get followed again, I've got pepper spray and a very aggressive watering can."
Kaelira snorted. "You're terrifying."
"Only when provoked."
As noon approached, Kaeliea checked her phone reluctantly. Her manager had left six messages. A car was circling the block, waiting for her.
"I have to go," she said, voice tinged with something wistful.
Aeia nodded, walking her to the door. But this time, Kaelira didn't just leave.
She paused with her hand on the doorknob, then turned back. "Hey, Aria?"
"Yeah?"
Kaelira held up the bouquet. "I want to fill a whole wall with these. Different ones. All from here."
Aria blinked. "You're starting a collection?"
"No," Kaelira said, eyes bright. "I'm starting a reason to keep coming back."
Aria didn't answer. She didn't need to.
Instead, she stepped forward - just a little - and tucked a tiny bloom of blue forget-me-not behind Kaelira's ear.
"Then I'll be here," she whispered, "every time."
Kaelira smiled. This time, it wasn't shy or guarded. It was full.
And then she left, bouquet in hand, heart unexpectedly light.
Inside, Aria turned back to the pressed tulip, now safely framed beside the register.
She pulled out her journal and added a new page.
Bouquet #2: The Return Bloom.
For days that feel like beginnings, not ends.