It was a cold and rainy Sunday morning, where any sane person would be in bed under a mound of blankets with a warm drink at their side, not about to roll out of bed.

“I don't want to get up yet.” I mumbled into my pillow, looking at the rain running down my window. I rolled back over into the mound of stuffed animals against my wall, wanting just a few more minutes of sleep but my attempts fail when I hear my Mom open my door.

“Lumir, sweetling time to get up.”

With a groan I roll out of bed, slipped on my glasses, the air is chilly outside my blankets. I suppress a shiver shuffling into my slippers and robe then sluggishly made my way down to the living room.

For a second I stood there watching my Mom as she rearranged a couple pieces of furniture getting everything ready.

I sat down on my yoga mat as Ellie stumbled downstairs and over to hers with a sleepy mumble I think was a good morning.

And with a clap, Mom lead us through our fifteen minute stretches, then our thirty minute meditations. The rain adding a soothing relaxing feel to the otherwise silent room.

Mom ended the session with a final stretch of her legs as she stood and made her way over to the kitchen.

“I have your coffee ready just the way you like it.” She said with a smile.

“Five spoonfuls of sugar?” I question just to make sure.

“Yep, I also mixed in some chocolate syrup.” Showing off the syrup bottle- that I can never find in the house.

I made a playful grab for it, but she lifted out of reach with a laugh.

“Anyway thanks, it's perfect” I said taking a sip as I sat down on the stool at the island, Ellie right behind me. Mom handed her coffee, Ellie took her sip with an pleased sigh.

“After you guys have your coffee and wake up a bit we can clean up the shop, and get it ready for the day.” Mom said with a big grin on her face. She had way too much energy this early and she didn't even drink coffee.

We responded with “Fine.” almost in unison.

We've been helping out at the shop for as long as I can remember, so it was second nature for us to check in and give Mom a hand- we even got paid- not that we needed the money. I just liked helping out. 

Mom twirled back to the stove and started on breakfast, leaving me and Ellie to talk about the last episode of a dance show that we've been watching together. Ellie telling me how she was dying to try out one of the moves she saw when we heard heavy footsteps came from upstairs.

“Looks like you're fathers finally up.” Mom chuckled.

My Dad was the sheriff of our small town of Crimson Springs and sometimes didn't come home till late at night if not the next day.

“Morning honey.” He said as Mom went over to him with his packed breakfast and lunch in hand, gave him a kiss on his scruffy unshaven cheek. She smirked at his frown but burst into giggles when he pulled her back and kissed her properly on the mouth. I silently swooned while Ellie pretended to gag.

He smiled to us. “Morning kiddo's.”

“Morning, Dad.” I greeted.

“Morning.” Ellie said.

“You have a wonderful day at work and don't get hurt." Mom said with a chipper voice and another kiss.

With a ruffle to both our heads Dad turned and started towards the front door.

Before he left Ellie called out with a teasing tone.

“You better be back tomorrow before school- unless you forfeit your breakfast. You know its Moms special one!”

Hearing a loud laugh Dad poked his head back around the corner. “You'll have to wrestle me for it.” He said with a tease.

Ellie smirked puffing out her chest. “Easy, I'm still in the lead old man!”

He stuck his tongue out. “We’ll see how long that last!” He left as our breakfast was sat in front of us.

Mom's famous powdered maple syrup oatmeal was paired with a side of fruit. At the sight of it I instantly woke up.

“Thanks Mom.” I said digging in.

“We rarely get this, what's the occasion?” Ellie said with a confused yet happy smile on her face.

“Nothing! Just felt like making it this morning that's all.” Mom stated as she submerged the dishes in soapy water. “Well you guys eat up and get ready for work, I'll be potting some lilacs, if you need me I'll be-”

“In the greenhouse we know." Ellie and I both interrupted playfully.

With a chuckle and a kiss to both our cheeks she left.

Ellie finished before me.

“I'm going to take a quick shower then I'll be down to help.”

I snorted. Her quick showers took an hour if not longer.

“Okay.”

When I was done I washed the dishes putting them in the dishwasher, then wiped down the counters and stove, tied up the trash and set it outside for pick up. Then made my way up to my bathroom, took a quick shower and dressed in some comfortable jeans and a sweater and went over to the shop.

The flower shop was family owned though mostly by our Mom. We did bouquets, get well soon arrangements, down to our family mixed teas and cakes. If it had anything to do with plants then my family was the go to.

I opened the door and inhaled deeply, the smell of fresh flowers and cakes greeted me. Walking into the adjoining kitchen I slid on my apron with the shops name and began prepping the large ovens.

I took the broom and began sweeping the shop of a few fallen petals as I normally did early in the day, not really thinking anyone would come in today.

The sound of the rain outside was coming down a bit harder but still not the thunderstorm the news said was due this morning. I swept the floor watering the flowers as I went.

Ellie made her appearance when I was more or less done.

She turned the corner skipping into the room wearing one blue- white and a purple- white striped leggings, a pleated black skirt, her black boots with her purple kitten sweater on, headphones blaring some really loud song with too much yelling.

She came over to me swinging an arm around my shoulders.

She looked up her baby blue eyes bright with mischief and her signature Cheshire cat smile. Her long black hair hugging her face shadowing the dark makeup she wore.

“Anyone come in yet?”

I pushed up my bulky glasses. “No but it's still early.” I nudged her. “What took so long? I'm almost done.”

She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “What? It takes time to look this good.”

We shared a laugh at that though I didn't see the point of makeup, she was pretty without it.

“Anyway, why are you even dressed up? Are you going somewhere?” I checked my phone with a grin as she stiffened and went to retreat. “Is this about a boy?”

Her response was a deep blush. “Shut Up! It's just a friend of mine needs help with their summer project and they need it by second period tomorrow-”

A laugh bubbled out. “Sure, sure. And my favorite color is black.” She shot me a dark look, my hands lifted as I backed away with another laugh. “Okay okay, I'll drop it but you can't hide this for long- anyway,” I said trying to stop laughing. “Just let me finish in here-!”

I broke off as the bell above the door jingled and said door swung open with the force of the wind outside hitting me in the back and sending me tumbling forward.

I braced for impact but the pain never came.

I opened my eyes to see a brown gaze that looked exactly like melted chocolate.

My breath hitched. It's him!

I'd know his face anywhere. Square jaw, dark arched eyebrows, that nice nose. My gaze dropped to his smooth evenly full kissable lips-

Whoa, not the time!

“Sorry about that.” He smiled then easily lifted me from our awkward embrace and back to my feet, his hand enclosing my shoulder. “Are you alright?” He asked slightly ducking to my height to look at me.

Wow he was close.

“Y-yes. You fine. I good?” I blushed mortified. “I-I mean I'm fine, are you okay?” I ducked out of his touch, grabbing the broom with shaking hands.

He smiled with a light chuckle and my poor heart squeezed.

“I'm good.”

Ellie cleared her throat gaining our attention and saving me from my flustered tongue tied self.

“Hello and welcome to Evergrow Plants and Tea's. Can we help you?” Ellie said giving me a small grin as she slid her headphones around her neck.

Mystery boy glanced at me once more before looking over to her.

“Yes, I'm looking to buy thirteen roses.”

Ellie nodded as she ran behind the counter with tall dark and mysterious following, the rest of their convention going unheard to my blushing ears.

This guy was tall, clearly 6’7 feet. A giant to my and Ellie's 5 foot height.

He had thick muscles but not overly so- still soft around the middle- tanned caramel skin. A black v neck covered his chest along with a simple brown rain jacket over that, torn up acid wash jeans came cuffed at his plain black sneakers. 

Then there was this guys hair and I have never seen a more dazzling white or white in general unless it was dyed but his looked natural. It came to his shoulders in a curly-wavy mix, his tips and roots jet black.

But still those eyes had me drooling. How could someone look like this and be real?

Ellie caught my eye giving me That Look.

The one thing about having a sibling was if you were close enough you could come up with your own little language, to avoid all kinds of things.

You're staring. She said with a roll of her eyes and a casual rub of her nose.

Am not. I countered with a shake of my head and a shrug.

She smirked as she gathered mystery guys flowers.

Sure sure, want me to ask him anything? She asked with a roll of her eyes and a smirk.

I stood at attention almost dropping the broom again. Did I want to know anything? Uh yes! But I needed to keep my interest under wrap or Ellie would make this embarrassing real quick.

I nodded and went back to sweeping as Ellie began.

“So haven't seen you around here before the summer. You new to town? Or passing through?” She asked picking out the thirteen roses, gently shaking the spare water from them. Pink, yellow and orange roses. Hmm?

Mystery guy smiled softly and spoke in a voice that was thick with an accent I couldn't place. 

“I'm not new, used to live here when I was younger.”

“Oh? Maybe I know your folks? Any friends?” My sister questioned in a way that came across natural and not pestering.

He paused then answered just as soft. “The Wendell's? They're my parents.” He said as he took the wrapped roses from her suddenly frozen hands.

Ellie’s eyes were wide for two seconds before she schooled her emotions. “I do know the family. Uh anything else we can help you find today?”

He glanced around the shop eyeing the cakes longingly then shook his head and paid.

Ellie took the money giving him his change. “Huh well welcome back I guess, I hope to see you around.”

“Me too. Though you'll probably see me at school tomorrow. But I do need to run,” He turned and we locked eyes again. He smiled warmly. “I hope you both have a wonderful day.”

And he was gone with a jingle of the bell and a the sound if rain.

I sighed wistfully.

How did god decide on making people like him? Did he suddenly feel inspired and was like 'Huzzah! I'll make this one so beautiful that every heart will melt on the spot!'

Ha, well congratulations you succeeded.

A bang drew my attention back to Ellie her head on the counter.

I made my way over. “Sis?”

“That was the guy you've been telling me about?”

Fighting down a blush. “Yeah that's him.”

“Do you know the name he mentioned?”

“No but it sounds kinda familiar. Why?”

She looked up with a loud squeal. “The Wendell's, are the main family of the town. They freaking founded the whole thing like centuries ago! That guy was the town founders great something something grandson and he's going to our school!” She cut her eyes to me. “Geez, you've even seen his older siblings at school, right?”

I might have but eh. I shook my head with a shrug.

She sighed putting her headphones back on and ran to the back of the shop, towards our large backyard and adjoining house.

“I need to text like- everyone! This is huge!”

I watched her go then leaned against the counter suddenly very eager for tomorrow, which was unlike me. When it hit me.

We never asked his first name!

I stared at the flowers in front of me. I couldn't believe it. He was finally right here- I could finally talk to him and I froze up and forgot the most important question.

And knowing Ellie, she wouldn't come back till Mom dragged her.

I groaned sliding to the floor, tapping the broom to my forehead as a boom of thunder sounded over head.

Great going Lumir.