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Brian's View

"No...no...no..." I mumbled as I walked down the aisle of flowers.

"Hello, how are you today?" I rather short man said cheerfully, moving his arms behind his back.

"Oh, Hi, I'm doing alright," I said taking my eyes off of a bouquet of yellow lily's and looking over into his too cheerful face. I knew his cheerfulness was all an act, part of the store "policy." Always be courteous to customers. The customers always right...blah blah blah.

"Could I be of any assistance?" he asked. I shifted my gaze from his smiling face to the flowers around me.

"Well, I...um..."

"I'm guessing you might?"

I shifted my gaze back to him and nodded my head, "Yes, I think I do."

"Date?" he said suddenly right after my statement,

"Excuse me?" I asked a little confused. He chuckled and brought one arm from around his back while saying, "I was asking if you need some flowers for a date."

"Oh! Yes, yes I do," I said quickly. He smiled again and then said, "I can help you. Come right this way."

He motioned for me to follow him down the isle. I looked one last time around me and then followed right behind him. We came to a large table decorated with several vases of flowers. He turned around and looked at me with the same stupid smile on his face.

"These are our most popular selections for a first date or an anniversary of some sort," he explained nodding toward the flowers on the table. I looked them over and bit my lip. They were beautiful, very beautiful, but something just wasn't right.

"Is this a special girl?" I heard him ask. I looked over at him and didn't say anything for a moment. Of course she was special, if she wasn't, I wouldn't be trying so hard to find the perfect set of flowers for her. I wouldn't try so hard to make myself look good. I wouldn't try so hard to not act stupid.

I slowly nodded my head and said, "Yes, very special."

His stupid smile formed on his face again and he said, "I think I have just the thing for you."

I watched as he walked around the table to the other side. I stood there for a moment and then realized I was supposed to follow. I made my way around the table and he pointed out a very large vase of white roses. I was guessing that there had to be at least 3, maybe 4, dozen roses in it.

"Wow," I said.

"That's what most people say when they see it. It's not our most expensive piece but it's up there. The ladies seem to really enjoy it," he said. I looked over at his smiling face and couldn't help but want to smack it off of him.

"Does it have to come with the vase?" I asked pointing to the green marble vase. His smile faltered a little and he just shook his head saying, "No, we can separate the flowers into 3 dozens if you want."

"Hmm..." I mumbled to myself looking them over. Nicole was a special girl, a very special girl, and she deserves the best in everything. She deserves something special but this...this was just too much. She didn't seem like the type of girl that expected much, that expected something expensive. She seemed like the type of girl that expected something that came from the heart.

I shook my head finally and said, "No."

"No sir?" the man asked, his smile fading away.

"It's too much," I said looking into his face. He looked over at the flowers and said, "But...the ladies really love it and you said yourself that this girl is special. Special girls deserve special gifts."

I shook my head once more and said, "No, sorry, but it's just too much."

"Money?"

"No, just the whole thing."

"Would you like something smaller?" he asked slowly.

"Much smaller, but I don't need you to show me anything else. I know what I want," I said. His smile returned and he said, "What have you decided on?"

"How much is one?"

"One?" he asked puzzled.

"Yes, one. One rose," I said slowly so I wouldn't have to repeat myself.

"One rose?"

"Yes, one single rose," I said gritting my teeth. I was becoming frustrated and very irritated by the fake smile plastered on his face.

He stared at me for a moment and then said, "$1.50."

"I'll take that one," I said pointing to one of the white flowers in the vase. He stared at me with his mouth slightly open with a look of complete disappointment on his face. It was my turn to smile. I put the cheesiest smile that I could manage on my face and said, "Yup, that one right there. Do you need me to point it out to you again? I'd be happy to..."

"No," he said quickly, shifting his eyes to the flowers and gently taking one out. He looked up at me quickly and mumbled, "This way please."

I followed him all the while smiling that stupid smile he was smiling before.

That Night

Nicole's View

"Maddy, I'm nervous," I said as I paced back and forth, wringing my hands in the living room. Madeline sat on the couch cross legged, reading a magazine as she stuffed popcorn in her mouth from a bowl that was sitting in her lap.

"Why?" she asked never taking her eyes off of the article she was reading. I stopped and looked at her frustrated. I stepped forward and snatched the magazine from her grasp.

"Hey!" she exclaimed looking up at me as I tossed it behind me.

"Help me," I pleaded. She looked at me for a moment, chewing the last of the popcorn in her mouth and licking her lips.

"Nikki, why are you nervous?" she asked. I shrugged and looked at the ground, "I don't know."

"You wanted this to happen. It was part of the job," she said again. I sighed and walked over, plopping down on the couch.

"I know," I said quietly.

"Don't worry about it. You have all the time in the world to finish it," she said patting my leg lightly. She grabbed the bowl of popcorn in her lap and set it on the ground in front of her.

"I don't have all the time in the world and you know it. I have a time limit. No one has all the time in the world," I said looking at her as she sat upward after setting the popcorn down. She looked over at me and said, "OK, maybe you don't have all the time in the world but you have enough time to get it done."

"But what if I don't?" I asked.

"Then you're screwed and you go to hell," she said seriously. I got wide eyed and my mouth dropped open in horror. She burst out laughing as I did so.

"What's so funny? That's so not funny!" I exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. Girl, you know I'm kidding!" she laughed pushing my shoulder lightly.

"When it comes to this, I don't know if you're kidding or not," I mumbled.

"Nikki, don't worry about it OK? You just started. You have a lot of time. Don't sweat it," she said softly. I looked up at her and she smiled at me lightly.

"Do you think I'll get it done?" I asked. She searched my face for a second and then nodded, "Yes, I think you will."

I smiled and wrapped her in a hug, "Thanks babe."

"No problem, now remember to have fun."

"I haven't done this in a while," I said biting my lip. She patted my leg and said, "You'll do completely fine."

"I hope so," I sighed.

"Nikki, come on. Stop being so nervous. He's gonna love you! You look so pretty with your hair up like that and with that dress! Do not worry about a thing," she said. I looked at her smiling face and couldn't help but smile myself.

"Thanks Maddy," I said getting to my feet and straightening out my dress.

"He's at the door," she said simply as she picked up the popcorn bowl again. Right after she said it, the door bell went off. She just smiled cheesely up at me.

"I love how you do that," I giggled.

"That's why I do it my dear," she smiled. "Now go answer the door!"

"OK, OK, remember, you're my sister," I reminded her. She looked up at me like I was stupid and said, "I know! I aint stupid."

I smiled at her and walked over to the door. I looked at the small mirror that was on the wall adjacent from the door, and checked my hair and make up. I straightened my dress and took a deep breath, opening the door afterwards.

"Hey Nicole," I saw a handsome Brian standing in front of me with his arms behind his back. He was wearing a pair of khaki pants and a blue sweater. He had a silver cross necklace around his neck and the smile that was on his face stood out the most in him as he stood there. To sum it up, he looked good. Real good.

Brian's View

"Hi Bri," Nicole smiled her beautiful smile at me. I licked my lips and slowly brought my arms from behind my back revealing the single white rose that I had bought. Her eyes brightened with happiness when she saw it.

"This is for you," I said handing it over to her. She took it and brought it up to her face, shutting her eyes when smelling it.

"Thank you so much," she gushed. "This is so thoughtful and sweet."

"I had a feeling you'd like it," I grinned.

"Like it? I love it!" she exclaimed happily. I couldn't help but lightly laugh at her happiness. The girl standing in front of me seemed like the kind of person that could never grow upset or become depressed. She seemed like she was always happy.

"Madeline, come here a sec," Nicole called to her sister as she turned around. I leaned forward a little bit and saw a blonde haired girl turn her head to look at us. She smiled when her eyes met mine. She quickly got up and rushed over.

"Hi! I'm Madeline! Remember me?" she asked pushing past Nicole. She extended her hand and I took it.

"Yup, I remember you now," I laughed.

"How?"

"You're hyperness," I said.

"Hyperness? Am I hyper? I didn't think I was hyper!" she said to Nicole. Nicole just laughed. "You're so clueless sometimes Maddy."

Madeline just stared at her. Nicole rolled her eyes and chuckled, "Go back inside. Brian and I are going to go now."

"Fine, be that way. I'll see you guys later. Have fun!" she said as she walked slowly back into the apartment.

"And oh, bring her back in one piece please," she said as she turned around. Nicole pushed her lightly and I just laughed, "Sure thing."

"Bye!" I heard her exclaim before Nicole shut the door.

"Sorry," she apologized.

"About what?" I asked as we began to walk down the sidewalk and to my car.

"Her, she can be a little energetic at times," she replied, fiddling with the rose that was still in her hands.

"Don't worry about it. It's nothing I can't handle. Besides, I have to live with 4 other guys just like her," I smiled. She laughed lightly and looked up at me. Gosh, she sure looked beautiful.

"You look beautiful tonight," I commented. She bit her lip and looked down. I could tell she was turning a light red.

"It's a compliment," I grinned.

"I know. I'm sorry, I don't take compliments too well as you can see," she said as she looked up into my eyes.

"I think it's cute."

She just smiled at me.

"But, seriously, you look great," I said. I was really blown away at how she looked. I didn't notice before at what she was wearing cause I was fixated on her face, specifically her eyes, to notice.

She looked down and smiled, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I glanced at what she was wearing when she wasn't looking. She was wearing a purple spaghetti strap dress that showed off her slightly tan skin and curves perfectly. It had a black see threw material over what looked like a silk fabric under it. Embroidered in the see threw material were glitter and small sparkling gems. She wore black strapped high heels. She was wearing the same silver crossed necklace that she was the day before and her hair was curled and put up into a messy bun. She looked amazing.

"Ready for a nice night?" I asked as I opened the door for her. She smiled and nodded her head as she slid into the passenger's seat. I closed it softly and jogged around the car. I slid in and closed the door behind me, starting the car up afterwards.

"What music would you like to listen to?" I asked as I turned the radio on.

"Um, anything is fine," she said. I nodded and turned the station, hearing the song "Lets Get Married" by Jagged Edge.

"This is such a sweet song," she gushed.

"Yup, sure is," I smiled as I pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the street.

"Where are we goin'?" she asked curiously.

"I can't tell," I grinned over at her.

"Is it a surprise?" she asked hopeful.

"Well..."

"It is isn't it?"

"Maybe, maybe not," I shrugged. She groaned and said, "Man, tell me!"

"Nuh uh," I smiled widely. She stuck her tongue out at me and laughed lightly.

"Fine, I'm just gonna sit here like a good girl and play nice," she said straightening herself up and folding her hands in her lap. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her.

"What?" she asked looking over at me with a small smile.

"You look too..."

"Proper?" she finished.

"Yeah, yeah proper," I nodded.

"That's the point Brian! Duh!"

As she laughed I looked over at her happy filled face and couldn't help but smile myself. Smile a real smile. Not a fake one like I put on most of the time, but a genuine smile. There was something about her, something that she possessed that forced me to act normal. No matter how hard I tried, I acted like myself when I was with her. She was something different alright, but I liked it. I liked her, more than I thought I did.