Sonya’s Flower Shop

Noah walked in to Sonya’s Flower Shop and started looking around. He really didn’t know much about flowers and had no clue what to pick out for his mom’s birthday. He did know that red roses were for romance, but that was the extent of his flower knowledge. He hoped to find Sonya or one of her employees. A girl should know what his mom would want. He walked towards the cash register, looking her help, and stopped dead in his tracks. The cashier was definitely not a girl. The cashier was the hottest guy Noah had ever seen. Short blonde hair, stunning blue eyes, slim athletic body, and looked like he was in his mid-teens just like Noah. He guessed the guy had to be sixteen to work in the shop, but he looked no older than seventeen. He composed himself, so he wouldn’t look or sound like a complete idiot and walked up to the cash register to ask for help.

Aiden spotted the boy as soon as he walked in the door. Hot as hell. Dark hair, dark eyes, tan skin, and looked about the same age as he was. Aiden chuckled softly to himself. The guy looked completely lost in the flower shop. Gift for a first girlfriend maybe? Aiden sure hoped not. If he could get a read on this guy, he wanted to ask him out. The boy started walking towards the cash register, stopped, then started walking again.

Noah took a deep breath and thought about what he wanted to say before he said it. He was always nervous talking to new people, but this guy made him even more nervous than usual. “Uhm, excuse me, sir. I was looking for help picking out flowers. Is Sonya here? Or do you happen to know anything about flowers? I’ve never bought flowers before. I know they all mean different things and I’m just so confused on what to buy.”

Aiden grinned. “Well, you’re off to a good start. You are correct in that I am not Sonya. I’m her son, Aiden. We live right upstairs, and it’s always been just me and her, so I’ve helped down here for as long as I can remember. I’d be glad to help you pick out some flowers today. Who are they for? A new girlfriend?” Aiden caught himself holding his breath waiting for an answer.

Noah blushed and couldn’t even look at Aiden. “No. I don’t have a girlfriend. They’re for my mom. It’s her birthday tomorrow. It’s been a rough year and I wanted to get something special for her.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. I hope everything is ok. Do you know what kind of flowers she likes?” Aiden asked.

“No idea. And yeah everything is getting better… for both of us I think.” He looked up at Aiden finally. “Could you help me pick out something a mom would like?” He shrugged and gave Aiden a shy smile.

“Yeah. Of course.” Aiden walked out from behind the cash register. He clapped Noah on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s look around.” He glanced at Noah. “By the way, you never told me your name.”

“Oh God. I’m so sorry. I’m Noah. You said your name is Aiden?” Noah asked.

“Yeah. I’m Aiden. A pleasure to meet you, Noah. Now let’s pick out some flowers.” Aiden said with a smirk.

They walked around the little store for about fifteen minutes. Aiden showed Noah just about every flower arrangement in the shop. Finally, they narrowed down the choices and Aiden began trying to engage Noah in non-flower related conversation. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before? Did you just move here? What school do you go to?”

“We just moved here from across town. My parents got divorced. I’m still using my dad’s address to finish my junior year at West Side High. Which means senior year I get to start at a new school. I hate that so much.” Noah’s smiled instantly turned into a frown.

“Hey, I’m sorry. That really sucks.” He put his arm around Noah’s shoulders. “I’ll be a senior next year, too? Will you be going to Mystic River High?”

“Yeah. So, I guess I’ll know one person at least.” Noah said looking up at Aiden. “I’m sorry for getting emotional. I’m still getting used to the whole thing.”

“No worries, Noah. You pick out a college yet?” Aiden asked.

“God, no. Still working on the applications. I don’t even know what I want to do with my life yet. Ugh.” Noah rolled his eyes and laughed. “I’m such a mess. Just put my picture in the dictionary next to ‘teen angst’.”

Aiden laughed and poked Noah in the ribs. “How about next to ‘teen hottie’ instead.”

Noah blushed and cleared his throat. “Uh, I think I’ll go with these.” He pointed at the display of tulips.”

“Good choice, especially this time of year. Tulips are a great spring flower. I’ll put in a few assorted colors. I’ll be right back.” Aiden went into the back room and a few minutes later, he returned with an armful of tulips. “Here you go.” He looked Noah up and down. “So, you play a lot of sports?”

Noah blushed again. “I run track and cross country. I used to play baseball, but I don’t anymore. What about you?”

“I get enough of a workout around here. Lots to do with lugging bags of soil and fertilizer everywhere. I don’t have a lot of time for sports.” Aiden said.

They arrived back at the cash register and Aiden took Noah’s money. “I guess this means I’ll have to let you leave now. I hope your mom loves the flowers.” Aiden said, looking disappointed.

Noah glanced down at the flowers. “Hey, Aiden, you made a mistake. There’s an extra flower in here. A different kind.”

Aiden’s grin returned. He reached into the bouquet of flowers and pulled out a single red rose. “It’s no mistake. It’s more of a question. Would you like to go out to dinner with me Friday night, Noah?”

Noah nearly jumped for joy. “Yes! Absolutely, yes! I’d love to go out to dinner with you.” After putting Aiden’s contact info into his phone, Noah left Sonya’s Flower Shop, clutching his rose close to his chest, happier than he had been in a long, long time.