"Don't you think your room is kinda... I don't know, boring?" Ruben observed one day at Cecelia's house. It was Tuesday, and it had been a week since the Flower Fiasco Part 2.

Her family had been very complimentary of her school photo, and the crown, although wilting, held a special place on her bureau.

Cecelia frowned at him as the two of them sat on her bed, working on chemistry homework.

"What? It's not boring, it's just..." she paused and searched for the right word, "simple."

Ruben rolled his eyes and looked around.

"No, it's boring. It's all white, there's no color." His eyes held a mischievous gleam. "You know what it needs?"

"Ruben, I swear to god if you say eggs and green paint I'll cry. I'm not making my room Green Eggs and Ham themed, although it is one of the great American classics." She laughed as she thought back on how Ruben had dressed for picture day: not Sam-I-Am with green eggs and ham like he'd wanted to, but The Cat in the Hat, decked out in a tux with a red bow tie and of course, the signature red and white striped hat.

"No, I was going to say flowers. But I won't stop you if you want to do that instead," he laughed and she threw a notebook at him.

"Flowers, huh?" She looked at him in embarrassment as she felt a blush creep up her neck.

"Lucky for you, we know just the place, don't we?"

Ten minutes later, Cecelia was inside Smell The Roses and Ruben was doing God knows what in the car.

She looked around the shop for a moment and almost began to feel disappointment when she didn't see a certain someone. Not that she was hoping to see him —not at all.

She accepted that it wasn't in the stars that day and turned to leave when she heard a voice shout behind her.

"Holy foxglove!" Xerxes exclaimed when he saw her standing in the shop. He walked out from a door behind the counter and smiled shyly.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Cecelia grinned, glad that he was there. "And what the heck is a foxglove?"

"It's a... a type of flower. Don't worry about it. I was just in the back, there's like a small greenhouse and I was just, you know, it's my job, so..." he rambled on nervously and Cecelia let a smile onto her face.

"You are really riled up, aren't you?" She teased him and he blushed obviously, placing a hand on the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I..." he sighed and let out a nervous laugh. "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting to see you here today."

"Want me to warn you next time?"

He rolled his eyes and glared at her playfully.

"So what do you need today?"

"Ruben says my room is boring, and I need something to decorate with. So I'm just here to get some flowers, not a whole bouquet, just a small one."

Xerxes nodded. "What kind are you looking for?" He asked.

"I've been here twice already and I have never known what kind I want. Today is no different."

Xerxes slid off the denim jacket and placed it on a chair behind the counter. "Come with me."

He led Cecelia through the shop and began to help her put together a small bouquet.

"First Things first: what color is your room?" He inquired. Cecelia blushed again, and she knew that if somebody asked Ruben that question, he would say, 'Maybe if you're lucky, you'll get to see for yourself.' She was no Ruben, and besides, innuendos and pickup lines didn't sound right coming from her mouth.

"Pretty much just white. Some wood furniture, so I guess..." Cecelia shrugged, looking around. "How about those? They're pretty." She pointed to some pink flowers displayed to her right.

"Those are peonies," Xerxes said, picking a few from the bunch and adding them to her growing bouquet. "Good choice." He began to talk about the care the flowers would need, but Cecelia had zoned out while looking at him. The way he spoke, with care and confidence, made Cecelia's heart leap.

"–so don't put forget to water them, and–" he abruptly stopped, breaking Cecelia out of her trance. "Are you listening?"

"What?" She asked, and her eyes snapped to the door where she noticed Ruben walking in. "Oh, god."

The bell jingled as he entered the store, a confused expression on his face.

"It's been, like, 20 minutes. I sent you in to get a few flowers, Cecelia, damn." He complained, and upon noticing the boy next to her, "Hi, Xerxes."

"Hey." Xerxes smiled and nodded to him.

"Have you picked all the flowers out?" Ruben asked with a conspiratorial smile. "Or were you–"

"I've got the flowers!" She cut him off, forcing down a rising blush. "I just need to pay and then we can figure out where to put them."

Xerxes and Cecelia moved to the counter, followed by Ruben.

"You know, you're the flower expert, Xerxes. And we don't have any idea where to put them. Why don't you come with us and help us figure out where they should go?" Ruben grinned, wincing a little when Cecelia side kicked him in the shin.

"Oh, I don't know. I've still got a few minutes left of work, and-" he began.

"You get off in a few minutes? Perfect! Just close up shop a little early. I'll be waiting in the car." With that, he turned and left.

"Sorry about him, you don't have to do that, it-" Cecelia felt her face flush as she laughed the awkward situation off.

"I'll come. The flowers are 10 dollars." He took the bill she handed him and slipped it into the register before locking it and grabbing his jacket.

"Oh, you will?" She blushed.

"Is that alright? I don't want to invade or anything." He smiled sheepishly at her.

"No! I mean, yes. Yes, it's alright. Come on, then." Cecelia and Xerxes walked out of the shop and locked up before meeting Ruben in the car.

"Vaminos, amigos." He yelled.

Cecelia pulled away from the curb as Ruben turned up the radio, sparing quick glances to a smiling Xerxes in the backseat.

They reached her house and were soon in her room —well, everyone but Xerxes. He stood outside the door awkwardly.

"What are you, a vampire?" She sighed as he shifted weight between his two feet. "Do I have to invite you in?"

"Sorry," He let out a nervous laugh and carefully stepped in, not moving further than that.

"Oh my god." Cecelia laughed and began to pull flowers out of the bouquet, arranging them into three separate vases.

"Where should this one go?" She turned to Xerxes for advice.

"Well, first of all, you should switch these so they'll live longer." He finally walked forward to rearrange some flowers. "Cause those ones need a lot of sunlight, those ones need a lot of water, and those ones are fine in the shade."

"I'll put this one by the window." Ruben cut in and moved the vase.

"Should I just leave these here?" Xerxes asked, beginning to feel uncomfortable in Cecelia's room.

"Why don't you put it on my bureau?" She requested, and he happily complied.

As he placed the vase down, he noticed the withered flower crown, intricately woven and with some stems now poking out.

He'd have to tease her for that later. 

•••

hope you all are enjoying 15RFF!
special shout-out to ______Original for the fantastic cover up in the media space for this chapter!