imperfect

Chapter four

After a few weeks of regular therapy appointments, running The Sugar Bean, and dealing with some financial stress, Varian seemed to have been getting back to his chipper self. Of course, he still had the running fear of his childhood coming back, but he was rather optimistic. He knew people cared about him, and he knew that he wouldn’t have to suffer for as long as he did if something were to happen to him. Still, though, he would lay awake at night and tremble at the thought of ever seeing that haunting face again.

One morning, as Varian and Alec were getting ready for the day, there was a knock on the door. Alec was the first to respond. He tiredly walked over and opened the door. He turned to Varian.

“It’s for you,” he muttered, though there was a slight happiness. He opened the door more to reveal a small women with a vase of flowers.

“What is it?” He cautiously stepped over as he saw the flowers, “Who’s it from?” The young lady spoke.

“I don’t know, sir. Just take them. I’m a delivery service, not a table.”

“Oh, sorry, Ma’am,” he nearly stuttered as he took the vase inside the apartment. Alec closed the door and went over to inspect them.

“Is there...a note or something?”

“Doesn’t appear to be,” Varian said, a little disappointed. All the two boys found was a name card. It had nothing else on it. Alec checked the time, then rushed out with a quick goodbye. The other didn’t bother with the flowers; he needed to get ready for another busy day at his cafe.

Varian was swift to get to work. He fairly liked to work with his new co-worker, and possible friend. They had a lot of small things in common such as favorite flavor of ice cream; Strawberry. It was the little things that made life more colorful than Varian had originally saw it.

He walked in, seeing Miss Russo talking to Mitch. They were having a discussion on her daughter, Samatha.

“Why don’t you just date her? She’s clearly into you,” Miss Russo argued. Varian went to put on his apron.

“That doesn’t mean I’m into her,” Mitch argued back.

“Isn’t she pretty though? She’s turning twenty, and hasn’t dated anyone since middle school. Middle school.”

“She’s pretty, but I barely know her.” Then the focus of the conversation turned to Varian.

“Varian,” Miss Russo turned to the 19 year old, “Would you date Samatha if you were given the chance?”

With a faint blush on his cheeks, he slowly nodded. He didn’t know a whole lot about relationships other than the stories he would overhear at The Sugar Bean. Miss Russo turned her attention back to Mitch.

“See?” she paused for a brief moment, pointing to Varian, “He would date her.”

“I already told you.”

“Hey,” Varian muttered, grabbing the attention of both as he moved behind the counter, “Maybe you two can work things out? I don’t want to hear,” he stopped for a second, gesturing to them, “this.”

“Arguing is all she knows. I don’t know how you can stand her, Varian. She’s stubborn!”

“Oh, I’m the stubborn one,” she remarked, and again the uncomfortable male reined them in with gentle words.

“You both are stubborn in the best ways. I think it’s important to see both sides of the argument, and--”

“You can’t be serious, child! I’ve known you longer. Why can’t you just agree with me? You’re just like my children!” Miss Russo shook her head. Varian clearly seemed hurt. He sighed, looking at his friend for help.

“Look,” Mitch started, not really wanting to say the next few words, “I’m sorry. I’ll get in touch with her and try.”

“You will, will you?” She glared at him, a small smile hidden.

“I will. It won’t be a date, but I’ll try to get to know her.”

“Good. Now you’re understanding,” she turned back to Varian, “When are you going to get a girlfriend?”

“Oh,” Varian didn’t know how to answer that question, “I-I don’t know…”

“Don’t worry, child. You’ll find someone someday. I’ll see you two tomorrow, take care,” she smiled at Varian, then glared at Mitch before she left. The hard-working boys then went on with their day.

Varian tried his best not to think about the question that was asked earlier, but he couldn’t stop. Would he ever get a girlfriend? Does he even have a single chance? He wasn’t completely sure, but if things were meant to be, maybe he would find a nice girl to settle down with. Until then, he didn’t want to think about it, but then his mind went to the flowers. He paused, looking at Mitch for a moment.

“Hey,” he started, Mitch looking directly at him now, “can I ask you a strange question?”

“Shoot it.”

“What?”

“Just ask it,” Mitch chuckled, then Varian sighed.

“Well, earlier I received a bunch of flowers and--”

“If you’re asking me if I sent them, I didn’t,” he stated with another small, yet slightly nervous, laugh.

“No, that’s not what I was going to ask. I was going to ask if you think anyone likes me. You know, in that way?”

“Maybe, but if someone sent flowers, then you probably know the person. Unless they’re stalking you, in which case I’d call the cops before anything else happens.”

“But, if they...like me, then they wouldn’t hurt me, right?”

“Well,” Mitch started, rubbing the back of his neck as he struggled to find the words, “not exactly.”

“Why is that?” Varian asked innocently.

“Haven’t you ever watched those true crime shows? People are messed up, V.”

“Oh,” he mumbled, then the two went silent the rest of the evening.

Varian went back to the apartment, getting a text from Alec to remind him to tell Jessica he was okay and doing well. Of course, that’s what Varian did every morning, but with the mystery of the flowers, he must’ve forgotten. The moment he got home was the moment he called her up. They had a bit of a conversation before she asked what happened that morning that caused him to not call her.

“Oh, well, there were just these flowers that were delivered. They were addressed to me,” he explained.

“Aw, well, maybe someone has a secret crush on you. Did you get a note with it?”

“We couldn’t find one.”

“Aw, okay. Tell me more as things happen, okay? I’m glad you’re doing better.”

“Thank you, goodbye.”

“Later,” she hung up, and then he did.

Varian wanted to investigate these flowers further, just to make sure there isn't anything he missed. He let his mind wander with possibilities, but it was cut short when his roommate walked through the door. Alec scoffed when he noticed Varian looking through the flowers. He went to prepare dinner for the both of them. The innocent man looked at the other, smiling cheerfully.

“Hey, Alec. How was work?”

“Fine. I lost one of them though,” he grumbled in response.

“Oh, are you alright? What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Varian.”

“You can’t keep it all inside, Ale--”

“I said, I don’t want to talk about it. Leave it be,” Alec sternly told him, which made Varian shut up and mind his own business. He continued to search through the wide-variety of flowers when he found a folded up piece of notebook paper. He grabbed it and opened it up. Within the first three words, he dropped it.

That was all he had to read to realize who they were from. He didn’t even want to read anymore, and so he didn’t. He just left the room and hid underneath his blankets. Alec noticed the paper, then he read it.

Dear Little Forget-Me-Not,

How are you? I hope you’re doing well with all of your new responsibilities that it takes to run a cafe. Plus, your friends have to absolutely love you. You are the only flower that blooms, love. You won’t be able to forget the memories I gave you, because I won’t let you. You’re mine, and you know that. I just wanted to remind you I’m always watching, and that I’m always around.

Love,

Evan