Livia walked into the Florist shop early the next morning. She found Delores at the front counter filling out order forms. She smiled when she saw Livia. “Justin told me you’d gone to school.”

“I’m back for winter break,” Livia said.

“You have a flower order?” she asked.

“No. I heard you need seasonal help and wanted to apply.”

Delores’ eyes widened. “Can you start today? I have two Aquila boys out with the flu, and it’s going to be a rough day—”

“I’d love to. How much do you pay an hour?”

Livia expected minimum wage, but Delores paid a few dollars more. Livia figured that was a pretty good deal for a seasonal labor job. “I can do that,” she said. “How many hours do you expect to need me per week?”

“Between 20 to 30,” Delores said.

Livia nodded. “Alright, what paperwork do you need me to fill out?”

Delores sighed in relief. For the first two hours, Livia filled out the necessary paperwork. Then Delores asked her to fill dozens of small containers in the greenhouse with potting soil.

As Livia worked, she listened to several other employees chat while they unloaded a truck full of poinsettias. They spoke with lighthearted banter about the arrival of a holiday-themed photo booth in the forum. Livia had learned last year this was an annual tradition, but she’d never understood why it was so popular.

“Number one way to announce you’re dating right about now,” A male voice teased. “How about you, Clara? Are you going to snag a man and drag him down there?”

Livia perked up as she heard Clara Porcius say, “No, not on my list of things to do in December.”

Since Clara’s father was a tribune, her Plebeian family was considered one of the highest-ranked in Taurus House. When Livia first came to Caesarea, Clara ignored her. After the fall festival, however, she showed interest in becoming Livia’s friend.

“Are you going to stay single forever?” he ragged on her. “It’s not a secret Taurus house needs babies.”

Livia paused in her work and gasped. What an awful thing to say!

Clara answered with a brag. “Taurus House awarded me an educational grant.”

“Wow,” the young girl with them spoke in a disbelieving tone. “An educational grant? You’re going to college, Clara?”

“Yes, I’m going to college,” Clara insisted, glaring at the girl. “Why do you sound so surprised?”

“Well, you’re…not the brainy type,” she said.

Livia clenched her fists and reined in her temper. Who did this girl think she was to talk to another person that way?

“Yeah, and neither are you,” Clara snapped back.

“At least I accept that,” she said as if that fact made her better than Clara.

“Shut up,” Clara snapped. “Some of us can decide we want more than day labor jobs.”

“There’s nothing shameful about day labor jobs,” one of the guys responded defensively.

Delores’ voice called from the back door of the shop. “Livia! Livia!”

Livia brushed off her hands and exited the greenhouse. Clara stood with three other workers. They all looked shocked at her sudden appearance. Clara turned a deep red.

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“Yes, Ma’am,” Livia said.

Delores laughed, embarrassed. She waved Livia’s deference off. “Delores, please. Just Delores. I need you to watch the register for a moment.”

“I’d be glad too,” Livia said. She stepped across the gravel-strewn ground between the greenhouses and the shop. Her crunchy steps were especially loud, as four sets of eyes followed her as she stepped into the shop.

“I need to step into the side office to return some phone calls. Please, assist any customers.”

“What if I have questions?” Livia asked.

“Ask Clara,” Delores told her.

Livia wondered why Clara wasn’t called in to do this job. Livia had worked several cash registers, but she wasn’t trained on the specifics of the one in the shop.

“Will do,” she said.

Delores disappeared, and Livia stood in the silent shop and wished she had something to do other than stand there. Soon, the team assigned to poinsettia duty rolled in the plants on flat dollies.

Livia approached the others. “Can I help?”

Clara looked at her. “Did Delores hire you?”

“Yeah, like an hour ago.”

Clara shook her head. “Well, that’s good because I don’t think the other two are coming back.”

“Why not?” Livia asked.

“They said they’re sick, and maybe they are, but they came to work drunk last week.”

Livia’s eyes widened. “So…”

“Delores will probably fire them,” Clara said. “Now that you’re here.”

“Is this…considered a bad job?” Livia asked. “I know people are looking for work.”

“It’s pretty cold this time of year,” Clara said. “And most people looking for a job are Lupus. It’s considered a bad job for them. Do you consider it bad work?”

Livia shook her head. “No. This is what I grew up doing. I did food service when I got older because the pay was more reliable. Landscaping/gardening work is seasonal.”

Clara nodded. “After Christmas, Delores will lay us all off. She doesn’t hire again till May.”

“I’m only working until I head back to school again in mid-January,” Livia said.

Clara nodded. “Still single, then?”

“Actually,” Livia hesitated, feeling awkward about the question. Shouldn’t Clara ask what Livia was studying instead? “I’m dating someone.”

Eyes widened all around.

“Corvin,” Clara guessed.

“How did you know?” Livia asked.

Clara grinned, pleased to be correct. “Well, there were all the rumors, but…he waited for you in the hospital after the games.”

“We weren’t dating then, but a couple of days after that, we had a conversation and…” Livia gestured with her hands awkwardly.

Clara laughed. “Well, I hope things work out. Corvin deserves a break after what his last girlfriend, Bella, put him through.”

Livia inhaled. “Congratulations on getting the educational grant, Clara. Hyrum is not easy to impress. So, you should be proud of yourself.”

Clara’s eyes widened. “Thanks.”

“What industry are you planning to go into?” Livia asked.

“Uh,” Clara cleared her throat nervously. “I want to be an RN.”

She said it like she’d never confessed that to anyone before. Livia wondered if anyone had asked. Caesareans fixated so much on relationship status that they often ignored everything else.

Livia grinned. “That’s awesome! That’s why you’re volunteering at the hospital?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you still doing that?” Livia asked.

“Yeah, I am.”

“Do you enjoy it?” Livia asked.

“Most days,” Clara said.

“That’s probably the best you can expect from most jobs.” Livia smiled. “Can I help with these poinsettias?”

“Um,” Clara looked at the others. “Sure.”

“Clara, can you introduce me?” Livia asked.

The two boys were both Aquila. They were named Calvin Atticus and Florian Rufinus. The girl’s name was Irene Tatius and she was from Rattus House. They regarded Livia with a suspicious wariness.

Livia tried to shake off their cool reception and continued to chat with Clara. “So, I’m studying diagnostic sonography.”

“Oh, yeah, you…don’t want to…” she seemed confused. “Talk about Corvin?”

Livia paused and studied her. She didn’t know how to respond. “You don’t want to talk about college?” Livia asked.

“No, I do. I mean, yes? I—it’s just weird. Most girls wouldn’t stop talking about Corvin. It’s weird you’re focused on school,” she explained.

“I find it a little strange that you’re so bold about discussing such personal topics,” Livia admitted.

Clara’s chin drew back. “What?”

“Sorry, not trying to offend you,” Livia said.

“I’m not trying to offend you either,” Clara said, alarmed. “What did I say wrong?”

“I mean, are you asking how Corvin's semester went? He wrote an excellent paper—”

Clara started laughing. “No, you’re supposed to tell me how wonderful he is to you, and how happy you are, and that type of stuff.”

Livia frowned. “He is very good to me, and I am happy we are together.”

Everyone laughed.

“We need details,” Irene said. “Gossip.”

“I’ll have to disappoint you then,” Livia said. “I don’t gossip.”

Livia watched the uncertainty enter their faces. The silence fell heavy and thick between them.

“We wanted someone to treat him better, right?” Florian spoke up. “This is what that looks like.”

Livia decided a major icebreaker was needed. “Did I tell you the story about my roommate’s lizard?”

This was provocative enough to capture their attention. Livia rattled on about Ares while she helped to unload the poinsettias. They were still wary and a little distant, but they were curious and listening. They were giving her a chance.