Stargazer Lilies
“It’ll take about half an hour.” Said a tall brown haired boy into his cell phone, “Yes, I know… I know. Twenty tops I swear!”
He pushed open the glass door to hear the ring of the bell, welcoming him into the small shop.
Harry, who was standing behind the counter, was instantly intrigued by the boy entering the shop. However, he chose to wait until he was off the phone before approaching as he looked kind of stressed and upset.
“Okay. I’ll see you later. Okay… I lov….”
He started saying however, the way he pulled the phone away from his ear and stopped talking suggested that the person on the other end had hung up on him.
Harry watched the boy walk around the shop looking at bouquets and boxes. All of the coloured strings and tethers. He took in each and every coloured flower in each little grey bucket around the room. It was as he stopped to look at a particular flower for more than a few moments that Harry decided it was time to step in.
“Beautiful, aren't they?” Said Harry approaching the boy, however, it didn’t sound like a question but rather a statement.
“I… Yes, what are they?” The boy asked, clearly startled by Harry’s presence.
“They’re called Stargazer Lilies." Harry smiled.
He then looked at them closely. It was clear to the boy from his expression that he was surprised at what he saw.
"What is it?" The boy asked, confused.
"It's just that... no I just must not have noticed before." Harry replied, an amused and confused look playing on his features.
"What, what is it?" The boy asked again, a little more forcefully.
“Normally they’re pink but as you can see these two are blue.” Harry pointed to two deep blue flowers, surrounded by a sea of almost identical pink ones.
"Whats wrong with that?" He asked, still confused.
"It's just, I could have sworn they were all pink. I don't think I've ever actually seen a blue one before." Harry explained,
"Is it a problem that their blue?" The boy asked,
"I... no" Harry smiled lightly “But, they're really rare. A lot of people think blue stargazer lilies don't exist. There's a story behind them as the blue ones are rare."
"A story?" He asked, looking back at the lilies,
"Well, many people believe that they grow pink and turn blue.”
The boy looked up to him, slightly confused.
“Turn blue?” He questioned, “What do you mean?”
Harry smiled.
“Well, the story is that they all grow pink and get picked. But apparently, if a pink one comes in close contact with two people who are soulmates they turn blue.” He explained, his eyes lighting up as he spoke, “I know it’s just a silly story. It’s probably just a mutation and I probably wasn't paying attention when I put them out."
The two were silent for a moment before Harry said, "I personally prefer the soulmates story.”
The boy smiled back, “Yeah, me too.”
Harry and the boy just stood looking at the flowers for a moment before Harry remembered he was working.
“Anyway,” He spoke up, “What can I do for you today?”
The boy looked up confused, “I… you… what?”
“Um… you came into the shop. I work here. What can I help you with?” Replied Harry awkwardly.
“Oh yes!” The boy's face glowed red, “Sorry… I’m here looking at wedding flowers.”
“Okay, will the couple be joining you?” Asked Harry,
“Excuse me?” The boy turned to look at Harry properly,
“Well, usually the couple meet with the wedding planner to look at flowers?” Replied Harry easily,
“Oh… No, I’m the one getting married.” The boy replied,
“Sorry.” This time Harry turned red, “I shouldn’t have assumed.”
“It’s alright,” The boy smiled, leaning forward to look at the name tag on Harry’s apron before pulling away. “No harm done is there Harry?”
“I suppose not.” Harry smiled slightly in return. “So, will your partner be joining you?”
The boy looked uncomfortable. His features morphed from a small smile into a frown but was once again instantly turned into a clearly faked, awkward half smile.
“No… No, she’s at work. She trusted me to do this part.” He replied quickly, “She’s not really into fine details like flowers.”
“Well, she’s missing out.” Harry replied quickly, “I happen to think this is the best part.”
The boy laughed lightly.
“Of course you would. You work in a flower shop.”
Harry walked away from the boy and over to the counter where he picked up the business card for the shop. He turned around to see the boy had curiously followed him.
Harry handed the boy the card and smirked before saying.
“No, that's why I OWN a florist.”
The boy laughed again. As he laughed his eyes lit up.
The two looked at each other. Both smiling, neither saying anything. Both lost in each other's eyes. Harry felt something brush his hand, holding it but he didn't want to look away as he couldn’t be sure but it seemed as if Louis was inching closer to him.
Closer and closer….
Closer. And. Closer?
Until they were almost...
“So, uh, your wedding… flowers…” Harry suddenly stepped back away from Louis, their hands breaking apart.
Louis smiled sheepishly.
“Right yes, my wedding… flowers.”