Chapter 108: No One Can Escape Fate (1/2)
Zinnia found herself contemplating over what flowers to choose. She had been stuck for quite a while choosing lost on choice. She bit her lip in annoyance as the clerk walked over. ”Excuse me mam do you need any help?”
Zinnia slowly left her gaze on the flowers turning to the shop clerk. ”I'm not sure, I'm trying to pick out flowers for some friends of mine. Both are in hospital, and I need a little something.”
”Two different sets then?” She asked. ”How close are these friends to you?”
”Well one of them is younger than me, she's gone blind, but she's saved my life serval times.”
”Hmm, blind? That is a tricky one, well I think we should choose smell overlooks then. I have plenty of choices of flowers that could brighten up a room with smell alone. What about lilies? Simple, vibrant colours and a strong fragrance bound to make anyone happy?”
Zinnia smiled nodding. ”That sounds perfect.”
The shop clerk began pulling them together, wrapping them up. ”What about the other person?”
”Oh, that would be my leader and best friend. He got very ill lately but is making a good recovery.”
”Best friend, you say? Hmm, what're your feelings for this boy?”
”F-Feelings?” She choked. ”I don't know, what do you mean?”
The shop clerk smirked turning around. ”Wait here I've got just the thing.”
Zinnia stood by holding the lilies as two girls began bickering to each other rushing in. ”Umm, excuse me.”
”Me?” Zinnia questioned, looking confused.
The girls kept pushing each other before one spoke up. ”We're big fans! Could we have your autograph?!”
”My what?” Zinnia flinched thrown off and not sure how to react. ”You want my autograph?”
”Yes, please Ingrid miss! We saw you walking by and just needed an autograph.” One of the girls scooped together, getting elbowed. ”Oh, and a photo if possible.”
”Umm, sure?” She responded not really knowing how else to respond. As she was handed a piece of paper Zinnia froze for a short moment realising, she never had to sign anything before meaning she didn't have a signature to work off. In the heat of the moment, she just scribbled her name in a fancy way with a tick at the end. The girls seemed happy with it and with a quick and slightly awkward photo later they were off leaving Zinnia dazed.
”I saw those two watching you since you arrived. Guess they only worked up the courage to talk to you. I take it you're a streamer then?”
”Oh yeah, I'm a member of Team Rhapsody.”
”Team Rhapsody you say, wow, my son is always watching you guys. He'll be super jealous I got to meet one of you. Sorry for the wait, I put together a range of different Zinnias. We have the Aztec sunset, swizzle and soleado variety here sure to make your special someone happy.”
Zinnia took the flowers looking at them in awe before giggling. ”I've never seen these sorts of flowers before. What's the chance you bring the flowers I'm named after.”
”Your name is Zinnia? Ha, must be fate or something. Are you happy with them?”
Zinnia took in the smell nodding pleased. ”They are perfect. How much do I owe you?”
The shop clerk shook her head. ”They're yours. Don't worry about the fee. Your autograph will be enough. My son will be ecstatic to have it.”
Zinnia went a bit red smiling not use to this sort of attention. But she complied, giving her the best autograph possible. Signing the end, her vision pried over to the bordered-up window. ”What happened?”
”Oh, that? Some kids came round and smashed the place up stole the small amount of money we had.”
”Why would anyone steal from a flower shop? Were they caught?”
She shook her head. ”We didn't bother calling the police. Day by day, they become more useless. Why bother with those fossils when you can be a streamer right? Seem to be the only thing we can rely on, the good ones that are. Like yourself.”
”I wouldn't go that far… Thank you for the help, I hope the store goes back to normal soon.”
”Thank you, I hope these flowers bring happiness to the special one in your life Zinnia.”
Zinnia turned around, holding the set of flowers tightly blushing as she whispered to herself. ”It's not like that… I think?”
****
”The Alice win once again; you now owe me three chocolate bars, sis!”
Iris sighed, looking in the direction of the chessboard. ”Remind me why I agreed to play chess with you? I am blind!”
”Knock, knock.” Zinnia spoke, standing in the doorway. ”Am I interrupting anything?”
”Zinnia? Come in, please.” Iris yelled, sitting up. ”I heard what happened at the Montague estate.”
”How did you?”
”Word travels fast around here,” Alice explained. ”Are those flowers?”
Zinnia held up the lilies. ”Just a little something to brighten up the room, I wanted something even Iris could be happy with.”
Iris held them smelling the present as she smiled. ”These are lilies, yes? I can tell straight away by the smell.”
”The Alice approves, thank you Zinnia.”
”It's nothing. How are you both?”
”The doctors said I can go home soon. They just need to run a few more tests. It will be nice to be somewhere I'm more familiar with, even if I can't really tell the difference anymore.” Iris sighed. ”It's a real shit show, isn't it?”
”It could have been worse.”
”Yeah, that's what they all say… So much for being a streamer.”
Alice stood up, comforting her sister. ”Alice has already told you sister; she has a plan to fix your eyesight.”