*Lily’s POV*
“Lil!” my dad calls out from across the shop.
I turn to him, dropping the bouquets of flowers in my hand and my headphones on my head, heading over to him. He’s holding a bunch of papers, his brown hair neater than usual.
“You know you don’t have to help, right?” he says with concern for the millionth time.
I shake my head, flashing him a smile. It’s not bad helping out in the shop, especially since I enjoy tending to flowers and it’s not my first time anyway and it won’t be the last.
“Then make sure you head home before dinner,” he insists.
I reply with a nod, his eyes moving back to his papers. Dad never fails to continuously be passionate about his work.
Going back to the bouquets of flowers I had earlier, I put my headphones back on, listening to Forbidden Friendship. The melody soothes me, a song I wish could never end but unfortunately does. Wrapping the flowers with a cellophane, the rich fragrance fills the air- a scent so soothing it could nullify any distress. It reminds me of the plain field in my dream, vast and filled with flowers. I wonder if I’ll be able to visit somewhere like that in the future. I hope so.
“Sweetie, can you please attend to anyone that comes in? I need to take a short break,” mom says, my eyes moving to her.
“Sure,” I reply, pausing the music and hanging my headphones around my neck.
My mom smiles, running off into a break room at the back of the shop. I sit in front of the register, adding some finishing touches to the bouquet.
The bell of the shop rings after a while, my gaze moving up to the person. It’s a man, probably in his early 20s, his eyes landing on me.
“Excuse me,” he says. “I ordered a bouquet of flowers a week ago to take with me today.”
I reply with a nod, and ask him a couple of questions, finding his order after a while.
“Will it be fine if you help me write something on a gift card for me?” he asks, taking out a card from his sling bag.
I grab a pen on the desk and place the card on the table, my hand hovering over it.
“Thank you. Well, ‘Like how cherry blossoms show their beauty, you shine brightly like an angel in the wind, one who brightened up my world. I know this may be sudden, but I’ve been waiting to tell you how much you mean to me. But I want to try, even if it ruins our friendship. 143.”
My pen comes to a stop, my eyes moving to him. He’s smiling, his cheeks flushed. Why-
“I would’ve written it myself if my handwriting was good but thanks to you, she’ll be able to read it-”
“What does that mean?”
“…What?”
“143.”
He’s silent for a moment, likely scanning my face before he nods. “It’s like the phrase the moon is beautiful or 831. Even though they’re different, they all have one meaning which is ‘I love you’.”
…Oh. Then that means… Mason-
“Is there a problem?”
I shake my head, planting a smile on my face. “Everything’s fine.”
I finish writing the gift card like I was requested to, giving it to him with the flowers. Once he pays and leaves, I slump onto the chair covering my burning face. Mason loves me? Since when? I try to recall any moment where it was obvious but nothing comes to mind. He’s always acted that way since we became friends but that doesn’t say much. When did he start having feelings for me? And why me?
I reach for my phone, dialing his number and holding the phone to my ear. After a few rings, he answers it, recalling a memory of the time I called him two days ago.
“What’s up, Lily?” Mason says in his usual cheery voice.
My eyes wander to the closed door in front of me, my hands clutching my phone. I called him without thinking.
“Nothing. I just wanted to call you.”
“Really?” he says, his pitch higher than earlier. “Well, thanks for calling. Hearing your voice reassures me.”
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Did something happen?” I question.
He chuckles over the phone, my eyes moving to it.
“Maybe, but I do miss you. That’s one thing I can’t deny.”
His earnest tone, and words not many would say, that’s Mason for you I guess. But how can I tell if he likes me or not?
“Mason… if you were given a choice of anyone in the world, who would you want as a dinner guest?
“You, of course.”
“…Are you sure?”
“Yeah? I mean- who else would I invite?”
I don’t know. Maybe some celebrity? His answer makes it seem like he likes me. Or does he?”
“Then… what would you imagine your first date to look like?”
“…Are you interrogating me?”
“Yes, so what is your answer?”
I look at my phone as I wait for his answer, feeling time ticking by. Maybe he doesn’t like me too?
“I would like to be surrounded with flowers. Specifically lilies. But it depends on who I’m on a date with. Well, I’ll only go on a date with one person.”
I tap my fingers against my phone, a memory coming to mind. Didn’t he say that when he bought me lilies years ago? Is that a coincidence?
“Why lilies though?” I decide to ask.
“Because they remind me of you.”
“…Huh?”
“Oh, I have to go by the way. I have to go eat dinner. Text me instead, okay? Bye bye!” he says before abruptly ending the call.
…What kind of person ends a conversation like that? It’s like he admitted to liking me! Did he not even notice? Though he probably didn’t since he was still all happy-go-lucky. Why does he have to make me a mess at times without trying? And I don’t hate it.
I let my head fall on the table, a sigh escaping my lips. If he does like me, I would’ve expected him to have told me. After all, he always says what’s on his mind. Maybe that’s why he kept saying 143 to me?
“What’s got you so upset?” I hear a voice say, looking up to see my mom. Her fingers intertwine in my hair, her eyes moving from it to me. “And who were you talking to?”
“Who else?” I reply, my mom letting out a sigh.
“But that doesn’t explain why your head is in the clouds.”
I sit up, letting my hand rest on my lap. “It’s nothing serious. And weren’t you supposed to be resting?”
“Yes, but I’m in love with flowers so I can’t be away from them for a while.”
“You mean you’re a workaholic?”
“No? Anyway, if anything’s bothering you, tell me, okay?”
I nod, a small smile growing on my face. “Well, I guess I will.”
I explain everything from when Mason hurt me to what I learnt, her eyes shining brightly as she listens attentively.
“I can’t believe my sweetie has a love life!” she squeals as she clasps her hands.
“Am I not allowed to?”
“No. Especially since it’s Mason,” she says, with a thumbs up, my eyebrows furrowing.
“What about Mason?”
“He’s too good of a person that you don't want just anyone to be with him- you want the one.”
“…Which means?”
“Don’t worry about it. You too are perfect for each other anyway,” she exclaims with a bright smile.
She said it like she’s very sure about it- like she knows Mason likes me too.
“And haven’t you been here all day? I’m surprised you didn’t take any breaks,” she questions.
I roll my eyes, leaning on my hand. “I just had something in mind.”
“You always have something in mind,” she states as she wraps my neck with her arm, ruffling my hair with her knuckles. “But as much as I know you, I know you need to go rest, so get back home before dinner, okay?”
I reply with a nod and she lets go of me, her eyes twinkling like usual. “I’ll go disturb your dad now. Run along!”
She happily skips to his office, my gaze moving to my phone. I guess I should go home now.
I head to my bike that’s parked outside, getting on it and riding home, humming to myself. I wonder why Mason didn’t want me to immediately find out what 143 means. Is he going to keep hiding his feelings for me or-
I shake my head, my eyes moving to my house as I come to a stop. I have no idea what to expect- if it’s that he’ll confess or we’ll remain friends.
Entering my house, I immediately run to my pride and joy- my bed. Laying on it, my eyes move to my ceiling, feeling my eyes go heavy. Maybe I’ll know what to do when he comes back. Or… will we grow distant if he knows my feelings for him?
But if Mason really likes me, I’ll be the happiest person ever.
Soon, my eyes become too heavy to resist closing them, my thoughts slowly fading into nothing.
——————————
Lily's Playlist
• Windy Day by Helios Relaxing Space
• Melancholy by Helios Relaxing Space
• Dandelions by Ruth B
• The Other Side by Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron
• At My Worst by Pink Sweat$ feat. Kehlani
• Live Your Story by Auli'i Cravalho
•Forbidden Friendship by John Powell
• N/A
Mason's Playlist
• The Other Side by Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron
• At My Worst by Pink Sweat$ feat. Kehlani
• Live Your Story by Auli'i Cravalho
• Gift of a friend by Demi Lovato