A Flower in Bloom

“What are you making, Mia?”

Sunlight cast over Jenny’s face as she leaned forward, her voice echoing around the empty classroom. The calm lull of late afternoon brought a peaceful feeling to Mia, more so with her sewing tools in hand. Deft fingers worked a crochet hook through a loop of pink yarn, then after a few more twists and turns, the threads flourished into a flower.

“Wow! That’s gorgeous!”

She smiled bashfully. “T-Thank you, Jenny... I hope they will like it.”

“Oh, a new commission?” her friend blurted out, then gasped, “On top of your part-time job?! Girl, you’re overworked! You told me you’d stop accepting orders to focus on the university entrance exams.”

“T-That’s, um… I’ll be fine, and b-besides, I love what I’m doing.”

Jenny shot her an unimpressed look. But aware of how stubborn she could get when it came to her hobby and passion, she only heaved out a defeated sigh. She took out her phone and opened her social media feed, scrolling through post after post.

Mia smiled wryly to herself, thinking she decided to just ignore her. Yet as she was about to pick up her hook and yarn again, she shoved her screen at her face all of a sudden.

“Well, then, as someone so into fashion, you’ve got to know about this.” By that, she meant a picture of a group of dashing men posing in a popular magazine.

“Oh!” Her expression brightened. “Is that the latest seasonal collection? Ah, but that one appears to be for spring… Shouldn’t the newest lineup be for summer?”

“I’m showing you an old article. Of course, the photos for summer aren’t released yet. The fashion show is tonight; you’ll see them then.”

“Really? I-I didn’t know…”

“I thought you’d be updated about this kind of thing.”

“Ermm… M-My phone broke last month.”

“Say what?!” Jenny bolted from her seat. “No wonder I can’t reach you! And you never reply! Wait, is that why you’re working more than usual? Are you replacing it?”

“No, n-not for now... I-I still have my old phone with me, but I use it when it’s only urgent, and uhhh…” Mia trailed off, fidgeting. “…I’m working to save money for something e-else.”

“Ohoh~ I see. Is it a date?”

She knew she was joking, but she still couldn’t help but blush. “N-No…”

“It is! Look at you turning all red! How cute! So, who’s the…? Hold on. Don’t tell me…”

Realization dawned on the girl’s face. Mia didn’t anticipate she’d be able to connect the dots that quickly, but then again, she didn’t often interact with the opposite sex, even in school. Still, it’s strange she caught on under the context of a ‘date.’ Wes would be mortified, considering he’s already courting another with all his might.

“Mia! You naughty girl!” Jenny cried out. “I took my eyes off you for a bit, and you’ve already hooked up with a guy?! A stranger no less! What was it he did for you to trust him so easily?”

“J-J-Jenny, please c-calm down… T-That’s not it at a-all…”

“I’m warning you. You met him when he's dumped by his crush, and suddenly, you’re going out? Why, that fickle-hearted little-”

“It’s not a d-date! I-I’m just going to h-help him… Listen, Jenny…”

Mia went on to ramble, elaborating her master plan to transform Wes’s appearance. Her friend listened with both surprise and skepticism. She seemed to still want to object after hearing the details, suspicious of his true intentions.

“You’re too kind, but I think I get it.” A smile full of fond exasperation danced on her lips. “That’s a first.”

Mia tilted her head quizzically. “T-The first what?”

“That you’re going the extra mile to lend someone a hand and, I guess, to befriend them.”

Her cheeks flushed while a fuzzy feeling curled in her chest. The truth was, between her and Wes, she’s the one with the ulterior motive. She did give the suggestion partly as an excuse to talk with him again.

Of course, she wasn’t hoping for anything other than friendship, and she’s happy enough that someone was depending on her for once.

“So, when will you meet?” Jenny inquired.

“Huh?”

“Which day and place did you agree on? You’re ready, right? Did you give him your old phone number?”

A moment of silence passed. Her face drained out of color. She began to tremble in her seat.

This was quite a problem; they did not talk about that at all.

“Mia?”

“S-Sorry, Jenny! I’ll be leaving now! Thanks for everything!” And with that, she set off.

“…What did I do?”

---

‘Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid…!’

Mia repeatedly berated herself as she ran down the street leading to the café. Her heart hammered loudly, her fingers growing cold from the night air. The sun had set a while ago and plunged the surroundings into unsettling darkness.

She had no phone number, no time, no date, no location—nothing but the memory of a boy with a warm, gentle smile that lingered even long after he was gone.

It had been two days since they met, yet she only realized now. When he’d agreed to let her help, she may have celebrated too early and forgotten everything else. Not to mention, she had been fretting over his state that whole time, stuck in a dirty shirt and all.

‘Maybe the staff know him. I’ll try to ask for his address or contact number, in case they have it, though I worry that employee will get mad at me again. If that doesn’t work…’ Her chest clenched painfully. ‘…I’ll figure it out.’

The bell above the café door jingled as she pushed it open. She was out of breath, panting heavily, but she wasted no second scanning the place; it was empty. Even the counter was left unattended despite the shop still being open for a couple more hours.

‘It’s okay. I’ll wait. There must be somebody around.’

Mia slumped into the same chair she had sat on that afternoon. Her mind replayed every word, every look, every laugh; they felt so far away now. She sniffled quietly as tears filled her eyes and threatened to fall.

‘I’m such an idiot… I keep messing up…’

No sooner had she stepped forward than she stumbled back. As though weeping with her, lightning struck through the sky, and heavy rain poured down without mercy. The streaks of water on the window reflected her desire to cry out her regret and frustration.

‘Ah… There’s no way he’ll be here at this rate...’ She had no right to, yet she found herself hoping anyway—to not only find a way to see him again, but to really see him right there and then.

Outside, a figure passed by the window and briefly blocked the light from the streetlamp. She turned to look, but there was no one—or so she thought. Suddenly, the door opened, ringing the bell, then footsteps approached.

“Mia.”