can you see me i'm shining

closed starter for @florasummers location: the summers’ childhood home

Slipping on a shirt and emerging from his childhood bedroom, Octavian was not surprised to see that Flora had arrived while he was showering and changing. “There’s no water at my building, you know how it is,” he mentioned nonchalantly, as though he was talking about the weather or what he had for lunch. Yet he was a stubborn man and preferred to stay in his Hemlock Docks apartment than upgrade to a nicer area of Crescent Harbor. “You know what my building does have, though? Great views of Fear Knot and its patrons causing a scene,” the man mused as he sat on the couch next to his sister, leaning over to see their parents in the kitchen. “I said I wasn’t going to help until you reached, so I guess now it’s on us… but hear what, I’ll give you the choice. You want to be on vegetable chopping duty, or dessert prep? If you don’t choose either, you know they won’t hesitate to put you on dishwashing duty.”

Flora raised her brows almost immediately at her brother’s words, a knowing look gracing her features and she was sure that Tavian knew exactly what words would follow. “Well…,” she started, lips curling in slight amusement, “I do know how it is but you also know it doesn’t have to be,” Flora poked at his living situation the way she always seemed to do. She didn’t quite understand her brother’s choices – he could afford a place in the area. Downtown. More central and less grim. Having known him all her life though, Flora knew that he was stubborn that way and definitely didn’t listen to what she had to say. Snorting, Flora crinkled her nose at the “extra” Octavian mentioned and gave a slight roll of her eyes. “And I would want that because…?” She trailed off, looking at him expectantly as she waited for an answer, crossing her legs and shifting a little to give him more space on the couch. It was funny how she still felt like they were little kids on nights like these – as if nothing had changed over the years. Huffing out a breath, Flora crossed her arms and looked back at her brother, blinking. “And here I was, thinking we could get out of it somehow,” she mused, copying Octavian to take a peek herself. “You couldn’t have showered longer?” Flora asked, nudging his side jokingly with her elbow, a little harder than needed as she laughed and pushed herself up. “I will not be washing the dishes! So I call dibs on the chopping duty,” she declared with a grin. “What about you? Choose wisely – though I have a feeling the longer we wait, the more likely it is that we both are put on dishwashing duty tonight.”

It didn’t take long for them to arrive at the spot they’d picked out together days prior. The fields were unmaintained - tall grass reaching her knee caps, dandelions masking themselves as beautiful in order to survive. Billie liked this kind of nature that felt unkept, untouched by man. In part, it felt forgotten in a way. Her eyes scanned the land, looking for a spot where the sun hit the green just right. She placed her bag on the ground, kneeling to pull out her film camera. While preparing, she taught Flora how to used it - going over the basics. She pointed the lens in a direction that felt fitting, checking the settings of the camera. “Want to start over there?” She pointed, not too far away.

There was not another person in sight. Billie turned to her friend hands out to receive whatever garment she wanted her to put on first. In her modeling days, getting naked in front of strangers, in the oddest of places was just part of the job. Changing in this field didn’t feel like much of a stretch. The breeze brushed back her hair slightly as she smiled softly, trying to let herself soak up as much of this feeling as she could.

.

Both of the women knew this town like the back of their hand. It came to no surprise that they’d found a location for their shoot without much of a hassle and Flora was over the moon to know Billie was so ready to help her out and experience this with her. It was a beautiful spot – one that felt both familiar yet untouched, considering the plants around had grown all over, wild and green. Her eyes traveled over the scenery, a content smile spreading across her lips as she let out a happy sigh. Nature never failed to ground her and make her feel at peace, so having Billie here with her to model some of her fashion felt like a treat wrapped in a treat. She also trusted her friend to have a good eye for the composition so she followed her along, listening and watching with great interest – a sense of wonder in her eyes. Flora loved learning new things. She loved knowing new things. “I think that’d be perfect,” she agreed eagerly, nodding as she skipped along.

It felt just right. And Flora was happy to know that Billie felt comfortable enough with her to do this in the first place. She rummaged around the carefully packed bag and retrieved the first shirt, handing it over with an excited beam. “What do you think? Is the tie-dye too much?” She asked a little timidly, always caring about what Billie thought of her work.

It’s delight she feels as the sight of Flora’s familiar smile, a simple warmth that spreads from the area she supposes her heart lies within her chest. Weeks could go by, years could, and her social circle could wax and wane with the moon, but just as the familial loyalty to her father and his family’s ideals burns bright within her, so does Helene’s fierce adoration for the woman whose eyes shine exactly as she’d described. “I am,” The blonde confirms, her own gaze glimmering like that of a thoroughly amused feline as she shifts the large box to her hip to hug the woman back with one arm. “Here, this is for you of course.” A few things from New York and abroad. Wine, fabric, sweets she’d baked… In the absence of being able to properly show her affection at all times, she’d learned a long while ago that a carefully curated (although nearly always entirely over the top) gift could suffice when it could show how thoughtful she could be. “I have a gift for your parents, too, but that’s in my car.” 

For all her happiness, however, there’s that note of aloofness, some part of her kept away, hidden away from all. Even Flora, whom she trusted with her life (and far more than she trusted her husband at the moment — she still had to tell her about that). “Are you stuck here all day or is there any chance I could steal you?”

.

It was strange to think that some people never quite left you, no matter how long they were gone. Helene was one of those people for Flora – a constant force of nature that popped up and left like the ebb and the flood of the ocean. Yet, whenever she returned, it was like barely any time had passed at all. They fell into their old ways with seemingly no effort and with no hesitation. The hug was a little awkward due to the present but Flora couldn’t help herself. “Thank you!” She chimed excitedly, accepting the box finally before walking over to a nearby counter to put it down, grinning widely at her friend. Flora had never been one to be won over with material things but she appreciated how thoughtful this was. “They’ll be so excited to hear you’re in town,” Flora was quick to point out.

Her focus was quick to fall back onto Helene though and Flora tilted her head, looking around the rather quiet store for a moment before she shook her head. “No! I think I should be good to leave, I’ll just let them know – I’ll drag you to them to say hi later,” she joked. “I’d like to be selfish for once,” Flora clarified and grabbed the box. “Let me put this away so no one touches it and I’ll join you outside?”

Jack’s smile spread, eyes dancing as she played along. “I guess you’ll just have to wait to see it when it comes out. Don’t worry, I’ll use all the best adjectives: helpful, friendly, radiant. Things like that.” He almost winked, but he thought that might cheapen it. So he only smirked.

He watched in amusement as she poked very valid holes in his offer, sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest. He waited until she was done speaking, flashing his palms in a sign of retreat. “Hey, I did say hypothetically. Of course I wouldn’t take advantage of your hospitality. Just testing out the waters for when that article money does come in and I offer to take you to a real meal. No coupons. No hypotheticals.”

.

Flora was genuinely amused, the slight smile never leaving her features when she played along with the young man’s jokes. With an approving nod, Flora raised a brow. “Is that your genuine valuation or are you giving us a push to make sure our tourism won’t die down?” She joked, considering the adjectives he’d chosen were very flattering.

She wasn’t naïve though, maybe a little bit but not enough to not look right through him as he continued to tease. At his reaction, Flora laughed and furrowed her brows in a rather non-intimidating way. It was almost like she was incapable of even looking mean, no matter how hard she tried but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t. “That’s very smart thinking,” she concluded after a moment, tilting her head. Had he basically just asked her for a date without knowing her name? Flora was both, a little taken aback but flattered and decided to change that. “I’m Flora by the way – and you are…?”

@cristinavaldes​

While Flora always liked staying busy, she liked it more when she was able to hit two birds with one stone, meaning she could work freely and without being interrupted at the local internet café, all while soaking up inspiration until her friend would arrive. She was scribbling away on her tablet, eyebrows furrowed with how hard she was focusing on getting a color right that she’d been agonizing over when she suddenly felt a presence nearby. Her glance lifted and a bright grin spread across her features almost immediately. “Cris!” The young woman exclaimed, her tablet immediately forgotten as she got up to greet her properly. “I’m so glad you could make it - hi!” Flora chimed. “Do you want anything to drink? It’s my treat,” she offered with a raised brow as if to signal that she would barely take a no for an answer should her friend turn down the offer.

Billie knew Flora would never even think about saying anything mean, even if truthful. She knew her friend long enough to know if she asked Flora how she looked the answer would always bee beautiful. Flor had seen Billie at down points, where she hadn’t slept for days and still every word from the other woman’s mouth was complimentary. Still, she could tell when her friend’s words came from an earnest place. Right now, Billie felt pretty - but that had more to do with Flora’s amazing garment. As the other woman continues to gather bits and pieces, Billie traced over her reflection in the mirror one more time. Maybe it was because she felt happy - happy to be doing this with her friend, happy to get an opportunity to feel creative. Maybe the beauty poured from her smile - something still so rare despite how far she’d come.

“Well, we’re not going too far, so if we forget something it’s not the end of the world.” She reminded Flora as she turned to pick up her own bag with the camera stuff in it. Her long legs brought her to the other side of the store where her friend resided by the door. “It’s honestly the perfect day for this too.” Her eyes dancing across the sky through the window. “Let’s go.”

.

Flora wasn’t sure if she was capable of being anything but kind and genuine. Maybe that sounded like she was full of herself but even that wasn’t something in her cards. She’d always been this way – had been raised to be this way. Warm and constant. And this was how her friendship with Billie had been, too. There was no space for cruel words or coldness – they knew each other too well for that. Had been there through ups and downs and even if Billie didn’t feel worthy at times, Flora refused to give up on her. It felt good to know that they were helping each other out this way – with both of them getting to be creative and free with it in a space that felt nothing but safe to either of them.

A laugh escaped Flora and she nodded at the reminder. “You’re right! I can just race back,” she pointed out, standing ready by the door with her garments packed up as she waited for Billie to join her. “Mother nature is fond of us, you’re right,” she replied happily, pushing the door open to let them both out so they could be well on their way. “If we’re lucky, the sun will hit the fields just right! I’m so excited, thank you for doing this with me,” she said, reaching out to give Billie’s arm a squeeze.

location: Sweet as Sugar w/ @florasummers​

Walking into the bakery was the ideal scenario for Cass as she wanted to pick out items to bring to the studio with her as a thank you to the crew who had been working with her tirelessly day in and day out. She still had a few weeks to go before she felt ready to send her demos in for mixing and mastering, but she felt confident that the album she was creating now was not only aligning with the person she felt she was now, but she hoped it would spring her into a whole new confidence for the future to come. She walked passed case after case of treats. How could one choose? Cupcakes galore, eclairs, even scones, cookies, and brownies, all of them seemed to be carefully tailored with not a crack in sight. And that was when she saw them, in a domed case that was closer to the register. The holy grail of bakery items: a creampuff, and a huge one at that! 

By involuntarily action, she could have sworn she was drooling and any effort that was in her mind before to collect for her crew at gone out the window. She wanted to taste the pillowy dough and refreshing cream. Not only that but she saw they were three times the size of a standard creampuff! Was monster creampuffs a thing? That was when she caught the woman also gazing at the domed display and she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Tell me this is a secret treasure for this town because I’ve never seen anything like this in my life, and I’ve been around.” 

.

Considering that Flora had been navigating her way all over the town forever now, there were stores she simply couldn’t walk past. Alongside the new shops that popped up occasionally, there were some that had seemed to be around for as long as she could remember and had become a crucial part of her routines. Going to get one or several treats at Sweet as Sugar, was by far one of her and her parents’ favorite. Work just seemed to go so much more smoothly with a little sugar rush to accompany the otherwise rather dull task of fixing holes in garments – which was what the woman would busy herself with today, mostly because she’d put it off for a while. She’d been busy with her other project. Her very own little business and Flora had rolled her eyes when her mother had reminded her of the tasks that were waiting for her – she knew. Of course, she did but that didn’t mean she was feeling it.

With her eyes taking in the countless pastries – one prettier than the other – it all seemed a lot less miserable though and Flora just couldn’t seem to decide, much like the woman near her. She laughed along at the realization that they both surely would’ve ended up with their noses pressed against the glass. “They don’t play around,” Flora joked lightheartedly. “They’re pricy but worth every penny, I can promise you that. My dad and I usually share though because...I mean, look at them!” Flora giggled.

who : @florasummers​

where : second chances

She ran her hand along the rack of clothing, letting her fingers brush the different fabrics where they hung. Billie mostly stayed behind the camera these days, liking the control it allowed her to have over the narrative and view point. Modeling, at the end, erupted an insecurity in her she was tentative about risking again. Already, this felt different - intimate, safe, positive. Flora allowed her to collaborate creatively deciding together the shoot would be most successful out in the fields by the lake. The tall grass mixed with the vibe of the designs matched in a whimsical way.

Billie turned towards the mirror, studying the makeup Flora painted across her face. How demure she could look with a little effort. She always enjoyed how modeling could feel a bit like shapeshifting. “You made me look so pretty.” She chimed smiling softly as she turned back to her friend. Her hands reached to tuck a curl behind her ear, bashfully. “Ready to go?”

.

Flora had barely slept with how excited she’d been for the day that was to come. She thrived when she got to live out her creativity. Got to show off the garments she’d worked so hard on. It felt rewarding in a way she couldn’t quite explain and yet, Flora couldn’t wait to get started. Having Billie there with her was merely the icing on the cake – the cherry on top. Her friend was beautiful but aside from that, she appreciated that she was so willing to do this for her – with her. Flora was well aware that modeling was a sore spot for her friend nowadays but the fact that there was a trust and deep friendship there to make it anything but an official shooting would hopefully be enough for Billie to enjoy herself, too. It felt good to her. Being able to create something together and all while honoring the town they’d grown up in.

Of course, Flora was no makeup artist. She barely knew what she was doing and most of the time, she just went with whatever felt right to her in the moment. Yet, she was happy with how her concept had turned out. The colors vibrant and Flora could already see them pop against the scenery they’d chosen. “As if that needed a lot of work!” Flora chimed right back from where she was packing up the last few bits they’d need, a laugh falling from her lips. “Yep! I’m all set, I think,” she mused, one hand on her hip as she studied her surroundings once more. “Okay, I hope I didn’t forget anything but yes – let’s go!” Flora announced happily, joining Billie swiftly. “Thank you so much for doing this for me. You look amazing.”

Jack’s grin widened as his eyes settled on who exactly he’d leaned into. After an internal pat on the back for his own choices, he rocked back onto his heels. She was leaning into the joke and he was eating it up. “I mean, you never know, right? I could be new to town. Or I could be like… an undercover journalist doing a story on the helpfulness of a small town community. I guess you’ll just have to wait for my exposé.” 

Hazel eyes traveled back to the menu a moment as he weighed his options. She was cute and helpful and he wanted to navigate this just right. Turning back to her, his smirk grew conspiratorial. “Okay, follow up hypothetical. Would it make me look like an ass to accept your offer and then offer to buy you lunch in return? Hypothetically.”

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“Oh! Does that mean I’ll now be featured as one of the most helpful community members? I’m a proper local, too – born and raised, if you’d like to add that as a side note in your article. I’m sure it’d attract more tourists,” Flora joked along, thankful for the fresh breath of air that came with the stranger. He amused her and that was enough to keep her playing along.

With her elbows propped up on the table as she rested her chin on her folded hands, Flora’s expression shifted into something a little taken aback, a little more curious but she continued to follow his words. “So hypothetically you’d not make use of my hospitality at all but instead you’d probably end up spending more money so I’m not sure if I could accept,” Flora pointed out, a brow raising. “Though if your article would do well, you’d get paid and therefore you might just be fine, right?” She joked, lips turning into a smile. “Seriously though, you don’t have to do that. I’m happy to help if I can, you don’t have to buy me anything.” She laughed. “Coupons, remember? I can buy my own lunch.”

WHERE: a bar, a restaurant, a coffee shop. doesn’t matter. WHO: open. [ @crescentstarters​ ]

His eyes slid over the menu, eyes narrowing at the listed prices. It wasn’t astronomical by any sense of the word, but with no money coming in and eating out a necessity rather than a luxury at the moment, his bank account was suffering. And okay, maybe the drinking was a want rather than a need, but the socializing that came with it was not. Jackson was not made to be alone. So, he leaned into the person nearest him. “Hypothetically, if I were new to town and living my best broke bitch life, what would you say is good here?”

The good thing about working for and with her parents, was that sometimes it didn’t matter if Flora’s lunch break took fifteen minutes or two hours, which meant that she could drag it out a little on days where she didn’t exactly feel like working but sitting outside a café or in the park to work on some new print designs instead. From the corner of her eyes, she’d spotted someone who seemed to be new in town - or at least, she’d never seen them around before which would’ve been odd, considering how much she got around. As he leaned in, Flora was quick to turn and tilt her a head a little, surprised that the stranger approached her but her surprise was quickly masked with a bright smile. “If you were to be new to town and living your best broke bitch life,” she echoed under a small laugh, “I’d tell you welcome and that you’re in luck because I come here a little too often to the point where I’m getting coupons just for showing up,” Flora whispered as if it was a secret but she felt comforable offering to share, mostly because the guy seemed harmless and around her age. “They make a really good grilled cheese and their salads are also on point - and not super expensive if you were hypothetically looking for something affordable.” Flora pressed her lips together, reaching for her bag. “Or you get whatever you feel like and you can have my free drink and 30% off any sandwich. You know...hypothetically.”

@norahweaver​

“Oof!” With a loud exhale, Flora put down a rather heavy box of sewing supplies down on her coffee table, reaching up to brush back a lock of hair from her forehead as she beamed at her guest, an excited expression washing over her features. “Welcome to my humble atelier, Ms. Weaver,” she joked, putting on her most professional voice before a soft laugh escaped her. “Also known as…my living room,” the woman added with a slight roll of her eyes. She wished she had more space to offer but it was rather limited outside of the store and sometimes, not even Flora felt like sticking around just for fun. Being at the store usually meant work and right now, she didn’t want to be working. Now, she wanted to spend time with a friend and possibly show her a thing or two while catching up. “Do you want anything to drink or a snack before we get started?” She asked. “Or should we get right to it?”

It was clear that neither were putting in much of an effort to sell the charade, and Phoebe couldn’t decide whether that made her like the woman or hate her guts. She supposed she’d get a better read on it later, once the heat had worn off and she had time to better analyze her feelings. “Really?” she asked, inspecting it closely. She hadn’t really looked before swiping it; she wasn’t much of one for makeup anyway, and the idea of paying for it felt slightly ridiculous. “Y’know, now that I look at it more, I’m not really sure. Maybe I should think it over…” And then, because she had a bad habit of not knowing when to stop: “That’s twice you’ve saved me now.” Not. “I feel like I’m gonna have to owe you something soon.” 

A lot of people thought Flora was naïve – not stupid but a little too easily swayed when it came to those with ill-intend, merely because she’d mastered the power of pretense in the sense that she didn’t lie and didn’t fight anyone but that didn’t mean she’d budge. As sweet as she could be, she’d never let anyone walk all over her so in order to fool her the woman would have to try harder. “Yes! Absolutely,” Flora played along, her eyes fixing on the lipstick before they wandered back to the stranger’s again. She knew it probably hadn’t been her intention to actually get it but this felt safer – and more legal. “That’s a shame but I understand, the colors a little out there and I’m also pretty particular when it comes to the shades,” she once again humored her, pressing her lips together before chuckling. “Oh no – you’re good! Just don’t let things fall into your purse more often around here,” Flora added, her words soft and only for the other woman to hear.

Billie wished she was easier, for no one if not Flora. She wished she could be bright and easy, like a day in summer sat in the shade with a cold lemonade. It wasn’t fair how heavily she leaned on her friends. It wasn’t fair that she missed important days because of times like this - crippled by her own emotions. It wasn’t fair the way she made Flora worry. Sometimes Billie felt like she said all of the things her friend needed to hear, like she’d cut back on drinking or she’d go for a walk at least everyday. When she said those things, in the moment, she believed them herself. She wanted to be better. The problem was she didn’t want to be better for herself.

Billie’s eyes traced Flora’s, knowing every little shift of color in them by now, knowing exactly where the iris and the pupil touched. The pain in them didn’t feel unfamiliar either. The uncertainty packed away neatly in little boxes. Flora succeeded at keeping her emotions organized. Her hand glided on the soft skin of her friend’s fore arm, lacing her fingers into the other woman’s.

“Boring?” Billie chuckled, dryly at first, still wrapped up in her own suffocating melancholy. “Flor, you’re like the least boring person I know. You’re like stupidly talented..” She nudged softly. Billie refrained from mumbling on about every little thing she loved about Flora. At the suggestion, she felt a pit of anxiety bundle in her stomach. In this state of mind, it felt easy to nitpick every little aspect about herself. Before modeling she rarely thought much about how she looked, and now that she stopped it was easy to forget. Billie worried how she could fall back into that cycle again.

“Could I help with the shooting to?” She’d found comfort in controlling the lens, in making her image her own. Billie trusted Flor to make her feel safe, but she liked the idea of also being part of the creative ideas. “We can use my camera.”

.

Flora had always been good at this, at being a grounding force if needed. It was as if Billie was the ocean – relentless and wild during its high tide and Flora was the shore, trying her best to breach the waves and soothe them until they ebbed and slowed. It didn’t feel like a chore to her but just another part of their friendship. It wasn’t all bad, not all hard and she appreciated Billie’s energy, her courage when she allowed herself to have it but lately, she’d watched her fall apart in a way she’d rarely seen. She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing slow in hopes that Billie would mirror her and she gave her friend’s hand a squeeze as they talked.

Giggling, Flora shook her head. “I don’t know how else to describe it! I don’t feel bored, I just feel like that’s how people see me,” she admitted quietly, shrugging lightly. The words felt good to hear – reassuring and warm and Flora soaked them up. She rarely doubted herself. She knew she had the talent, the drive but sometimes, especially with how much time she spent at the store, she felt almost trapped. Like she was running in circles, unmoving at times and rushing in others. She had clients, she had fans – whether or not they were town people who’d known her all her life, she thrived knowing she could make people happy and just as excited for her creations as she got. Her question was careful and the last thing Flora wanted was to put pressure on her friend, so she watched Billie closely, trying to make out any shift into discomfort. 

“Please!” Flora exclaimed, sitting up a little but keeping Billie’s hand in hers. “I’d love it if you did, you have such a good eye for it!” She said excitedly, smiling at her brightly. “Whatever makes you feel comfortable, it can just be the two of us – a little Instagram special,” she said, shimmying her shoulders jokingly.

Billie very rarely felt understood. Explaining herself always felt like drowning or flailing about with no sense of grounding.  Sometimes she wanted someone to grab her and scream that she wasn’t crazy, because often that was how she felt. Like, somehow her brain simply functioned different than everyone else’s. She imagined being friends with someone like that, caring about someone like that was hard. Most of the time thats why she kept it to herself. Billie saw it written on Flora’s face - the sort of lose for words and confusion. Quickly it became clear her comment about her best friend being next struck a chord.

“I don’t plan on it  Flor.” She whispered with a shrug. “Losing you. I don’t plan on it.” With that being said, she didn’t really plan much of her own self destruction. Impulses ran through her that were hard to fight off. Her fight or flight instinct usually kicked in as a mixture of both - fight so that her flight was easy. Billie laid back on her bed, pulling at her friends sleeve to join her. She rolled to her side, tucking her hand under head head.

“Can we talk about you?” She murmured quietly. “I want to know what’s going on in your life.” Billie knew talking about it all relieved some of the weight, but talking about it to a great length wasn’t going to solve any of her problems. Her head reached to twirl a piece of her friend’s hair.

.

Having known Billie for as long as Flora had, she’d learned to adjust and read the other woman in ways not a lot of people could, she was sure of it. Their friendship went a long way back and Flora had gotten used to the ups and downs, the ebbing and flooding but nowadays, she rarely budged and yet, it wasn’t always easy. She tried to understand, tried to be an anchor for Billie if she needed her to be but sometimes, she wouldn’t catch it – it was almost like Billie wanted to keep floating every now and then but who was Flora to judge? Her life was hardly complicated and sometimes she wondered if she was only able to shrug it off because she couldn’t entirely relate.  

“Well, you better don’t, Billie!” Flora told her firmly, a desperation in her glance because as hard as it could get, she didn’t plan on leaving her behind. So far, Billie hadn’t done anything to push her away in a way that kept her away and her expression shifted into something almost a little upset, considering she’d do anything for her friends. She huffed out a small breath and joined Billie swiftly, laying down flat on her back.

Her head turned slowly and she let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “There’s not a lot going on,” she whispered back. “Just the same old reruns of the Flora Summers Show – you know I’m boring like that,” the woman mumbled, closing her eyes for a moment. “I played around with some new prints for my shop,” she said finally, looking over at Billie again, a hopeful glance meeting hers. “I know you have a lot happening but I was thinking that if you’d like a distraction…maybe you’d like to model them for my website?” Flora asked carefully. “Just a fun little shoot with yours truly,” she joked gently.

date: TBD time: early afternoon location: Second Chances status: closed, for @florasummers

It’s quiet. But, then again, isn’t it always in such a tiny town? At this rate she’d might as well tell people she’s taking some time away in the countryside: a sleepy town with diners and mom and pop shops and founding families— it was so very quaint and incredibly picturesque. The thought of uttering such words in even a facetious manner brought Helene to roll her eyes as she stepped into the little store. ‘Flora deserves far better than this,’ She thinks to herself, glancing around the place with perfectly concealed distaste. ‘I need to get her out of here.’ And perhaps she would. Perhaps she wouldn’t. Helene could give Flora the tools the way one could lead a horse to water. But, she couldn’t make her move any more than she could make a horse drink. Speaking of horses: she really ought to look into having Nikita brought here. 

“I’m sorry, but is there a Miss Flora Summers here?” Her voice is light, faintly accented in a way that would have her father demanding she spend the next summer at home. Blackcurrant, clove, and roses envelope like some shield, like some warmth that isn’t so easily read upon her features— so to say, she looks pleasant but unapproachable, carries herself with an aura that marks her a foreigner to Crescent Harbor. Vaguely intimidating with that high-born tilt of her head that she and her siblings always carried, nevermind the two years they’d spent here before. “She’s about this tall and has a dazzling smile paired with the most luminous eyes that one could ever hope to meet with their own gaze—” It’s laughter in her tone, playful as she presents a gift box to the other. “Hello, minette.” Affectionate, sweet, and paired with a smirk there is no mistaking that Helene is as she always is: entirely herself.

.

It was a slow day at the store, which wasn’t exactly something out of the norm but Flora enjoyed the peace – it gave her the time to get everything back in order and work on her little projects, just a few tweaks here and there until the bell rang to let her know a customer had walked inside. She loved living in Crescent Harbor and yet, it was all she’d ever known. Flora rarely ventured into bigger cities, the hustle and bustle too overwhelming, too loud and dirty but a lot of her childhood friends seemed to think differently. A lot of them had left for good, some had come back, some had left again and some stayed behind.

A familiar voice ripped her from her thoughts when she was just folding and putting away some jeans and her eyes widened at the realization of just who it was who’d approached her, speaking with an elegance Flora only knew from one person in particular and the more she said, the wider her smile grew. “Miss Flora Summers at your service,” she chimed with a giggle her tone sporting her best customer service voice before she gave a surprisingly graceful curtsy and her eyes indeed sparkled when she turned to face the blonde. “Mon cœur! You’re here?!” She exclaimed, her tone excited and genuinely happy when she mirrored her smirk with a smile and let out a happy squeal as she opened her arms to welcome her friend into a hug even before accepting the gift box offered to her - this was more important to her.  

Floral existed as the spoon full of sugar coating the medicine. Sometimes someone would say something Billie already knew, but hearing someone else say it somehow made it feel more true. Floral’s hand interlaced with her own kept her from floating away. “Not out of pity.” Billie swallowed a lump in her throat. Lachlan probably felt that way, especially after all of this, with how casually she wanted to treat it. Used, he had explained. She never intended for that, but perhaps that mattered less. “Because.. because he seemed like he was in a lot of pain, and I wanted to take it away if only briefly.” The way she used sex on occasion, colored her decision to kiss him that night. She’d hope if someone saw that kind of pain in her they’d chose to distract her from it, rather than ask if she was okay. Was that pity?

“I wish I could tell you what I wanted.” Her mind felt like a maze at times. She often hid how she truly felt from herself. Sometimes her wants flip flopped like a game of ping pong. One day she craved being with Anna. Other days she hated the idea of being committed to one person. “I don’t not want to fix it.” Her shoulders shrugged.

“It does matter, Flor. I don’t want to keep hurting people. I’m worried - I’m worried I’ll have no one left..that next it will be you ..” Perhaps Flora and Bash were the only people she had left, the only people she hadn’t pushed away. She didn’t share everything with Flora. Billie was never a 100 percent truthful not even with her best friend.  The idea of losing Flora crossed through her mind sending a pain to shiver down her spin. “Can we talk about something  else now?”

.

Flora continued to listen. Continued to try her best to keep up and her focus on Billie. Her brows continued to stay pulled together, a gentle nod the only thing accompanying her friend’s words. A part of her understood – another wasn’t all too sure if she did but nonetheless, Billie was an adult who could make adult decisions, right? It wasn’t her place to question them, especially when it came to her relations with other adults.

“It’s okay not to know,” she reassured, shaking her head as she worried her lower lip between her teeth, eyes averting to the floor as she tried to think of something to say, something to reassure Billie but instead, she allowed her to continue instead. A small laugh escaped, causing one hand to move to cover her mouth subtly, though Flora immediately shook her head. “That’s a start?” She offered with a soft smile.

Her features were quick to shift into something puzzled. Something confused considering she’d been by Billie’s side for so long now that the idea had never once crossed her mind. “Why would it be me?” She asked quietly, shaking her head once more. There were things Billie did that Flora couldn’t seem to understand. Choices she’d made that she might not have approved of but at the end of the day, they’d stuck together through it all and yet, she was sure that if she’d wanted to leave, she would’ve left by now. Exhaling a deep breath through her nose, Flora nodded, her lips pressing together when she got up again to sit next to Billie instead, looking back at her. “Yeah, okay…yes,” she said quietly, nodding. “Like what?”