"she did not know how to tell him she loved him. but how she wanted him to know. so she tried every other way she could. planting kisses on his skin. forming constellations. stargazing."

-

That morning in Manhattan began with dark clouds descending the broad sky and a soft drizzle covering the streets. And along with that murky weather, came thousands of diapproving looks and hurried footsteps.

The boy standing outside the floral shop, sensing the upcoming downpour, slowly picked up the full grown tulips and lilies from the lined up stack and came inside, an annoyed look visible on his face. It was a bad business day.

"Peter, what's taking you so long? Hurry."

Well, his boss was just like a cherry on top. On top of piles of annoying, stupid, irrelevant things.

"It's going to rain soon, can I go home now? I mean I don't think someone's going to come by today. Its a bad day for business. The tulips-" And he was stooped mid-sentence by the ringing of the bell, indicating that well, someone, wanted flowers after all.

"Excuse me, um, can I get a bouquet made, please? I know its a horrible weather but I am in great need of it." A soft voice made both of them turn over.

And there she stood.

The first thing he noticed was that, she was still beautiful. Still one of the most beautiful girl he has ever come across.

Second? She was drenched. From head to toe.

"See, there's someone after all-" his boss looked at him with a smirk before turning towards her, "Miss Faye, how are you? Oh probably very drenched right now. Do you want me to get you a towel?"

The fake smile almost made Faye cringe but instead of showing it she gave him a polite smile, "It is okay Henry, my driver has gone to get me a towel, I will be fine."

"That's a great news, Miss Faye. But I guess I won't be able to assist you today, since I have just got an important business call. You know how it is, right? I am thinking of opening a new shop down the street and its the construction team. Something with the money. So, I will have to go. But don't you worry, I am living you with my best worker. You will have a delightful time. Good day." And giving her a sloppy grin, the man took an umbrella from the stands and bid her goodbyes, something that Faye was happy to return.

"You look like a drenched cat." And she turned around to glare at the guy standing behind the counter.

"Looks like you're still annoying."

"Always a pleasure, Lockwood."

"I don't even know why I am friends with you."

"Well, I am irresistible, cute, funny, hot, sexyyy. In all, I am a meal. How can you not be friends with me?"

"You just gave me five more reasons to hate you."

"Oh shut up. You love me."

"Come on Pete, just get me a bouquet of white lilies and roses." She rolled her eyes playfully, before taking the white towel that her driver had just passed her. Throwing a grateful smile towards his way, she sat on the beige couch, pulling out her drenched coat and revealing a white sundress.

She was just patting her hair, going through the blonde strands when a familiar ringtone, ('It's U' by cavetown) engulfed the surroundings. A ringtone certified for a certain someone who put the stars in her life.

She picked up her phone without looking at the ID.

"Good morning." The deep, groggy voice from the other line whispered.

"Good morning to you too, sleepyhead." She greeted back, chuckling.

"Where are you? You left me all alone in your own house." She started picturing him as he continued complaining. He was probably sitting on her bed, still unmade, a bowl of cereals in front of him because he was too lazy to make something, his legs propped up, head between the pillows. He has probably started the TV as well, not because he wanted to watch it, no, River never watched TV alone, no, it was just his easy way of cutting off the silence.

"Not my fault. I did try to wake you up but you did not even buzz. Then I realized you worked up to 3 am last night, so I just let you sleep. I am in a floral shop right now, just getting some flowers packed up."

"I am pretty sure you did not even take an umbrella with you. Its raining dork, you are going to catch a cold. And then, I will have to take care of you. And you will be on bed, all fucked up, with that bitchy attitude and tissues surrounding the whole bed with mucus dripping from your nose." He probably scrunched up his nose at the last part.

"You are just such a delight. I have never wanted you more." He chuckled at that, his eyes literally smiling.

She rolled her eyes before continuing, "By the way, you don't have to worry about anything, Abdul just got me towels and a raincoat so this hoe won't get sick."

"Well, that's good... I mean, you will not even let me kiss you or come near you if you get a cold, how will I fucking survive then?"

"Oxygen bitch."

"You don't even let me be romantic for once." And despite his complaint, they both smiled.

"Faye, the flowers are ready." They both were taken aback by the sudden voice and she looked up from her hands and nodded at Peter.

"Babe, I need to go. Talk to you later?"

"You want me to pick you up from there? Send Abdul home, that old man works a little too much for his own good. Give him the rest of the day off, maybe?"

"Well alright, but how do you know where to find me?"

"I just checked my phone, its May 15. I know where to find you." And her smile just got wider.

"Alright then, pick me up after an hour?"

"And then we stay home and watch Netflix and chill?"

"River?!" She could practically feel the redness on her cheeks, that was turning a deeper shade by every passing second.

"I meant chilling while watching Netflix. Geez, Lockwood, what else goes through that dirty mind of yours?" And that made her glare at him through the phone.

"That's it. You are not getting any kiss from me today."

"Hey, that's not fair."

"Life is not fair."

"I doubt it is when you are with me."

"Stop flirting with me. I am still mad."

"No. You're my girlfriend. I am supposed to flirt with you."

"River."

"Faye."

"Fuck you.".

"I know you want to. And I am right here, between the sheets, all ready for you."

"Ewww, that's it, that's it. I am gonna go. Sprinkle some holy water on yourself. Bye." And she heard him laugh from the other end. A beautiful sound that was music to her ears.

"I love you sunshine. Take care." He said, after some time.

"I love you more."

"I don't think that's possible, Lockwood. I will always love you more than anything in this world."

And even if she had entered the shop with annoyance spilling through her features, she left with a giddy smile, despite a soft drizzle still embracing the city.

Some flowers and River.

That's all she ever wanted.

********************************************

"They haven't cleaned this place for a long time, huh?" And her hands slowly picked up the dry leaves from the cold marble.

"So, I brought your favourite flowers. Let me just place it in here." Saying that, she placed it in the ground, a soft smile on her face.

"How's everything up there? Heaven giving you a hard time?" Her eyes traced the words written in the marble.

"Sumner... I graduated high school last week. That's it. Your girl made it. Cheers to that. Umm... I had applied for universities as well and yesterday, letters from both Parsons and FIT arrived. You know, the big buildings that we pass through in the way to the art gallery? The streets where I used to force you to slow down the car, so I could take a glimpse of the buildings, remember? I got in Sumner, I got in." And she laughed, her hands on her face, her eyes glistening with tears.

"It's been such a beautiful year Sumner, mamma is so much better now, she even launched a summer line last month. It was the bomb. I designed some things as well you know. Oh S, it's been so good."

"Also, well, I am dating somebody now, it's been over a year. God, you would have given me a triumphant smile if you would have been here, you always used to say I would end up with him one way or another. And we both used to get so annoyed at you wherever you would tease us about it. Yes Sumner, its the same kid. It's River Blake. Can you imagine?"

"I have been so happy Sumner. Things are finally falling in place. I have not forgiven father though, I don't think he deserves my forgiveness. And I know you would have smacked me right now but I am okay with it. I am okay with the fact that he's not it our lives anymore. I don't even know where he is these days. Mom took her shares out of the company, she is expanding her industry S. She even said that I could straight up join her and start with the designing. Well, I am still thinking about that. But I think learning first will be better. Even Maddy would be there, she got accepted as well. I mean, she deserves it. She worked so hard the last four months. River got recognized by NCSA, so did Max and Zach, but he's going for business. He said, he loved football but there's no one to look after the growing Blake enterprises. So he's quitting. He's such an angel. I know he's doing it for Zach. Oh Sumner, how did I get so lucky? How did a guy like him fall for me?" And a laughed escaped from her lips.

"Life has given us so much. Good and bad. I wish you were here right now to celebrate existence with me S, I miss you so much more these days. I miss you dear sister." A tear fell from her eyes and fell on the ground.

"Thank you for always being there Sumner, thank you for still being here, with me, in my heart. Thank you for telling me that bold is beautiful. Thank you for teaching me how to spell, how to read. Thanks for being the one who taught me how to walk."

"I used to hold your pinkie with so much strength so I would not fall. When you decided I was ready enough you did not let me hold onto your pinkie, and I would fall, you would pick me up, use those hello kitty bandages and kiss my injuries. You were more of a mother for me Sumner. You are more than a mother for me. You were my boat in an ocean of insecurity and hatred. You saved me from so many things that I don't even know about."

"And I am so sorry I did not save you. I... I am so sorry I was not fast enough. I am so sorry you did not get to graduate from college. You are still the brightest and smartest girl that I have ever come across, S. You did not deserve that. I am so sorry I was not able to change it. I am sorry you did not fall in love. You used to be so passionate about it, even if life had given you every reason not to be. I am sorry you never got to get married, you used to be so happy when you were the bride in those bridal games we used to play. I am sorry you did not get to live enough, I know you wanted to. I am sorry I was not able to complete that bucket list you had hidden under our bed sheets. I am sorry for not being enough. I am so sorry Sumner." And she let those tears fall freely from her orbs.

"But I promise I will live enough for both of us. I promise."

"Baaabe, where are you?"

River? That sounded like River.

"Bitch, you promised to go shopping with us today."

Maddy?

"I swear guys, I never felt comfortable with the concept of cemeteries."

"Hmwhaaaaa"

"Aaaaaaaa. Fuck Max, don't ever fucking do that again. I thought I was going to have a fucking heart attack."

"I once read in a magazine that one should not swear in a cemetery, Bree. Ghosts doesn't like that."

"Guys shut up and find Faye."

And she slowly rubbed her stained eyes from the back of her hand, an uncontrollable smile making its way to her features.

Her friends. They were all here.

"Looks like I will have to go Sumner. Mamma is gonna come by later, okay? I love you, take care." And when she turned around, she saw all of them standing right in the front, with smiles on their faces, and bouquet of white lilies on their hands.

"What? We loved your sister, too. A little more than you, actually." And saying that Madeline placed the flowers in the tombstone, others following after.

After placing the last bouquet, River came near her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, his face snuggled up on her neck.

"I figured you would be sad so I invited all of them. There's a fair opening up near our farmhouse today, let's go for a holiday, yeah? I mean, the clouds just cleared up. We deserve this break after all that stress. I told your mom, she doesn't mind. Also, Madeline packed your clothes, said something along the lines that 'I would not know shit about styling' I mean, I style my own self and you love my fashion sense, right?!." And she laughed, before planting a quick kiss on his lips.

"I love you."

"I know. I love you too."

And when she turned around, she saw her friends laughing as Max had put a spider on Aubree, which led to her screaming. She watched as Aubree pushed Max in the mud and kicked him.

They were crazy, sure. And sure, things will change in the upcoming years. But she knew the bond between them would never.

They are more than enough.

They are home away from home.

****