𝑳𝑨 𝑭𝑰𝑳𝑳𝑬 𝑨𝑼𝑿 𝑭𝑳𝑬𝑼𝑹𝑺

୭̥⋆*｡✽ 𝐥𝐱𝐢.

The closer we get to the shop, the more anxious I become. I haven't been back there since I closed last Friday, and I don't want anyone just lurking around trying to take a peek inside. I still haven't thought about what I want to do about this whole situation yet. I want Scarlett's advice. So far, I only got ELizabeth's input, telling me it'll die down eventually and everything will be okay. I figured as much but I still have this uneasy feeling that something will go wrong again.

In front of the shop stands a familiar figure that I could recognize anywhere. He has visited the store enough times that I now know when he enters the store just by the sounds of his footsteps against the floor. "George? What are you doing here?"

"I wasn't sure if you were open so I came down to check."

I put Rose down and fish in my bag for my keys. I unlock the door for the three of us and let George then Rose go in before I close behind us. "Well... we're not. But for you, I'll make an exception. Rose, darling, can you say hello to George?"

Rose hides behind my legs and offers a little wave. She's not usually this shy when meeting other people, but I let her hide anyway. My parents used to force me to socialize with people I barely knew and I hated it. Therefore, I will not force Rose to do the same.

"What can I get for you?" I ask him, while Rose tries to latch onto me like a koala. It's not gonna be easy but I can still do my job so I let her. George lets me pick for him, so Rose and I have a look around and I let her choose a small bouquet of carnations.

Wrapping the flowers is difficult with a child in my arms but I eventually manage to do something presentable and hand it off to George. "Lita? Can I do the money thing again?" I nod and whisper the price in her ear.

"That will be... I forgeted."

"Forgot, sweetheart." She repeats after me before asking for the price again. "He owes you ten dollars."

"That will be ten dollars please." She holds her hands out for the money and George places a bill in her hand. She hands it over to me and holds her hand out for the change except I don't have any to give her.

"He gave you a ten-dollar bill, so we don't owe him anything now. Now say thank you." I explain. I can tell it's a little bit difficult to grasp right now, but she trusts me enough to let the matter go for now and says thank you. We walk George out, and I lock the door behind him, that way I know no one will annoy us. I let Rose roam around the aisle while I sit on the corner. She brings me back every single pink flower she finds, which is starting to be quite a lot.

"Rose sweet girl, we have enough flowers now." I call her over. She reluctantly make her way back to me and hands me the last of the flowers she picked out. I let her pick some paper and a ribbon to tie everything together, and she has a cute little flower bouquet in her hand.

"How much do I owe you Lita?" She asks when I help her put her backpack on. It dangles from her shoulder but she looks so precious.

"Well, since you're my favourite costume, it's free." I tell her with a wink and she gasps. I put her on my shoulders and I carry her home. I try to hurry because we've been out long enough and even though Scarlett hasn't called or texted, if we stay out any longer she'll start to worry.

We manage to get home eventually. To help Rose get some energy out I race her up the stairs. I know how stupid this sounds, especially considering how Scarlett injured herself but at least I know now Rose won't jump on her mother the second she sees her.

The moment she hears the door unlock, Rose pushes the door open. She's too quick and I don't catch her unfortunately. "Rose! Don't run!" I say, loud enough for her to hear.