Chapter 6
The morning sunlight filters through my curtains, stirring me from my sleep, my bed feeling much emptier than the night before. I turn over to the space where I can’t believe Carson slept next to me.
Carson.
Carson Young slept next to me, in my bed, with his arms wrapped around me. I slap my hand over my burning face with a groan. I can still smell his cologne on my sheets. Oh god. I can’t believe we did that.
Rolling over to grab my phone off my nightstand, I find a little note on top of it. Of course, he just had to leave a message too.
hey, didn’t wanna wake you.
you look so cute snoring.
have a good break julieee and enjoy it ok!
don’t even think about going to the rink.
anyways, here’s my number.
since we’re friends now and all ;)
cute notepad btw.
I flop back down on the bed and read the note a few more times before rolling over. Oh my god, He’s just so, I don’t even know. A grin spreads across my face. I’m too happy about a stupid piece of paper right now.
Friends…are we friends now? I laugh just thinking about it.
I guess I kind of don’t mind the sound of that.
Maybe that will be good for us to be friends.
We’ll never go farther than that. I’m still pretty sure he’s straight, for one, so that will make us forever only friends.
Which means he won’t become a distraction for me.
A sigh escapes me as I get up from the bed and pad over to the kitchen.
My head pulsing with a numb pain. I was actually still going to train today, but I might be way more hungover than I thought.
I start the kettle for some tea and grab a mug from the cupboard.
Not sure when’s the last time I drank this much, but it’s definitely kicking my ass.
“This sucks,” I mumble, cringing at the queasy feeling in my stomach. I’m never drinking with Carson and his team again. Ok maybe.
It was fun.
But Carson might be right, I could try taking an actual break today, explore the town a bit.
The hiss of the kettle echoes through my flat before I turn it off, pouring myself a full cup.
I guess it’s the perfect day to visit that flower shop I always walk by on my way to the rink.
It would be nice to support a small florist instead of the grocery store.
* * *
It must have rained sometime last night because the ground is still a little wet as I’m walking through the neighborhood.
The smell of fresh flowers greets me when I walk through the door of the florist’s shop.
He walks over to meet me where I am, his smile is bright, he has light brown hair, he’s a bit taller than me, and his eyes are a warm brown.
He’s wearing the same green apron he’s always wearing every time I peek in.
Now that I’m a bit closer, I can see the name of the shop embroidered on it: Bloomish. That’s a cute name.
“Hello!” He says. What a cheerful guy, something I notice about Americans, they’re always so cheery. It’s quite cute.
“Hi.” I smile back.
“Are you looking for anything in particular today?”
“Not really. I just walk by a lot and figured I’d stop in. And I love arrangements.” I mumble, fiddling with my sleeves.
“Oh ok is it for your house?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok, I’ll make you something I think you’d like. Sound good?”
“Sounds great. Thank you.” I nod.
I wait by the counter while he picks out the stalks for my arrangement. When he comes back over, I’m in awe at what he’s chosen to put together. They’re the most beautiful zinnia I’ve ever seen. I would’ve never thought to pair them the way he does, I mean, I guess he is a professional.
“I think this would be a great flower for you.” He smiles.
“Ah, really?” I mumble, and he nods. He lays the zinnias down with some other filler stalks and flowers he’s picked out.
“Do you skate?”
“Ah, how’d you know?”
“Your jacket!” He points at my skating federation jacket with a beaming smile.
“Oh, right. Yes, I’m a figure skater, but I’m being forced to take a break.” I say rolling my eyes.
“It’s good to take a break sometimes, though, no?” He laughs.
“I suppose. So everyone says.” I chuckle.
“Well, at least you’re trying.” He says working in the last piece of the arrangement.
And it’s so beautiful when he’s done. I can’t wait to put it in my kitchen. He’s really talented.
“So, sometimes we have floral arrangement classes. You should stop by for a class; that would be a good break. And I think you’d be great at it.” He smiles.
“Thank you, I’d love that, I don’t know if I would be any good though. I’ve…never made my own before.” I doubt.
“You’ll be great! Here I’ll write my number down! We should chat, always nice to have a friend in town, and I’ll let you know when there’s a class!”
“Oh..thank you. I’ll text you.” I smile. Wow, two numbers in one day, that’s a record for me. He wraps the flowers in a nice brown paper and ties it off with a bow.
“The arrangement is beautiful, thank you so much.” I praise.
Just as he’s handing it to me, the other guy I sometimes see helping around the shop comes out from the back room with a broom, his face is a bit red right now. But his hair is long, a similar length to Carson’s, but a rich dark brown, and his eyes are kind.
“Hey, babe! I think there’s a raccoon in the ceiling again.” I laugh, “Oh…hello!” The man beams.
“Hi,” I mutter with a faint smile.
“Kevin, this is… oh wait, what was your name!? Sorry.” The florist says, furrowing his brows.
“No. It’s Julian, I’m so sorry, how rude of me.”
“No, it’s ok, I’m Liam, and this is my husband Kevin, we both own the place.” He chuckles.
How nice is that to own a flower shop with your husband in a small town. I wonder how they met and decided to do this together. I usually only ever see Liam making the arrangements though, so I guess his husband might be handling the business and raccoon side of things.
“Nice to meet ya, Julian,” Kevin says, shaking my hand.
“You as well.”
“Well, I should probably leave you guys to your raccoons.” I tease.
“Ah yeah, pretty common around here, watch out for them, they’re feisty.” Kevin grins.
“Don’t pay him any mind, he’s just silly.”
“I’m serious!” We both laugh.
“Stop in again sometime!” Liam says.
“I will and thank you again! They’re so beautiful.”
“Of course!” He says with a wave as I step out into the autumn air.
* * *
By the time I return home from exploring a bit, it’s quite late, and I think I’ve done enough to consider this a successful break, especially for me. I turn on the living room and kitchen lights before making my way further into my flat.
Besides the florist, I also visited some other small local shops and picked up a few knick-knacks like picture frames to put my family photos in.
It was a nice day.
I bring the floral arrangement over to the kitchen counter and place it in the vase, stepping back a little to see if it looks right.
And wow, I love it so much. Flowers always bring life into a space, especially since most of my things are black, and it’s just nice to have something else alive in here with me.
I laugh at the thought. I pull out my phone to take a photo of the flowers.
I should text Liam and Carson to let them know I added their numbers.
Me: Hi Liam it’s me Julian.
Liam: Heyy Julian! Thanks for stopping by earlier!
Me: Of course, thank you again for the arrangement it’s beautiful.
Liam: Aaww glad ya like it!
Liam hearts the photo of the arrangement in my kitchen when I send it to him.
Opening Carson’s contact I shoot him a quick text too, saying I got his number and asking how he was doing.
I want to tell him about my day, but I don’t want to seem too clingy.
I don’t really chat with anyone besides my parents and my coaches, so I feel a bit nervous but excited texting him.
It feels good, honestly, having other people to talk to lately.
I start on cooking some dinner after washing up and getting into my night clothes. The light from the TV flickers across the walls of my flat. My bowl of soup is hot in my hands as I eat with my legs folded on the couch.
I want to pay attention to the drama, but I can’t stop thinking about going back to training tomorrow. A break was nice, and I know it’s good to have one here and there, usually it’s weekly for most skaters, but I really can’t focus if I’m not constantly skating.
It’s like I think I’ll forget how to do it or something, which is absurd. But that’s why I keep my breaks to a limit. I’m usually at least doing light run-throughs even on my off days.
I place the bowl down on the coffee table. The skin on my cheeks burning a bit as I reread the note Carson left this morning.
I guess I figured I’d try this whole ‘taking a break’ thing out.