Roses

*Originally, this story had the PoVs dictated by bolds and italics, but I am much too tired to reenact that into here. I hope the views are different enough to tell who's speaking!

He looked down at the flier. He was going the right way, he was sure of it. He memorized the address and all he had to do now was continue walking forward… What if he was wrong? Good God, what if I’m going the wrong way? What if I got the date wrong? Did I even sign up for this? Panicked thoughts raced around his mind, he looked back and forth near constantly from the flier to the streets with people ahead of him. The thoughts continued in his mind, Am I doing this right? What am I even thinking, what am I not doing right… He could feel his heart pumping the more he thought, powering him to walk even faster. He looked down for a good few seconds, reading the detailed and beautifully drawn flier, yes, everything he memorized was right there-

She looked up a second too late and found her purse and papers everywhere on the ground; nearly herself as well. The man she bumped into stopped in his tracks and gasped.

“Oh goodness- I am so sorry madam, I didn't mean to do that,” He reached down and immediately started picking up every loose paper, profusely apologizing every second.

She was still startled from the altercation, but reassured him, picking her own papers up as well, “Please don't apologize, I wasn't even paying attention to where I was going.”

He let out a very quiet ‘Oh dear,’ “I wasn't either, I’m so sorry,” He picked up the rest of the papers, “I think- I think I have them all. Here, again my deepest apologies I did not mean to-”

“It’s certainly okay, sir! No need to apologize, something was bound to happen with neither of us paying attention.” She let out a small giggle, trying to ease the situation. The man gave her the papers, and she got a better look at him. He had… Interestingly blue eyes and bright, curly red hair. In all honesty, he looked extremely distressed and like he was about to cry. There was a weird charm in that; she liked it.

The lady was much shorter than him now that he handed her the papers, albeit most people were. Something caught his eye, though. The same flier he has, the place where he's supposed to perform- Oh God, he got distracted. He was giving her the papers but still lingered on the flier, staring and holding on to them. She was going the wrong way, I should tell her… Oh, but maybe when I give the paper to her on top of all the other ones she might realize- Or because I was walking the other way or maybe I should just-

“Er, sir..?” He snapped back from his consuming mind and chuckled nervously.

“Oh, uh, sorry madam,” He let go of the papers, “I, uhm, I couldn't- could not help but notice that you were, uh, walking the- the wrong way to the concert.” Truly, he wished he could disappear on the spot.

I shouldn't have said anything! She was probably just holding it for someone else. Does she even know what I’m talking about-

Her eyes widened, “Oh, damn- Sorry, was I? I could have sworn…” She quickly flipped the flier right way up, narrowing her eyes in search of the location. Her expression soured.

“… I was. Do you think you could show me where to go? Please?” She looked up at him with saddened eyes.

“Yes, of course.”

“Oh, thank you so much, sir!” She gave him a wide smile, and in return he weakly smiled back.

“Just follow me. I am pretty sure I have memorized the entire address by now,” He chuckled lightly but poorly disguised it by clearing his throat, “What exactly brings you here? I , uh, noticed the accent.”

She smiled, “I just…”

Should she tell him?

“I just needed to get away is all. Plus, I quite enjoy live music from the few times I’ve heard. What about you?”

He looked shocked by the question, nervously darting his eyes around as they walked, “Uhm, I’m- I’m playing the cello. For it.”

Her face lit up, “That marvelous!”

“Oh, thank you,” He grinned.

The walk continued on in silence. Only a few exchanges in glances, maybe even some smiles thrown in. Without their chattering, it felt like an eternity to walk to their destination. Uncertainty filled her head.

What if I said something wrong, is that why he doesn't want to talk? Maybe he's just a bit… Scared?

She took a quick glance up at him and tilted her head. Annoyingly, the sun shone into his face, blinding her slightly from his expression. But from what she could see, something was off with him. Maybe he's as unsettled with the lack of conversation as she was…

He kept as much of a stoic face on as possible. Then he noticed her staring at him and glanced down at her. As he looked, it was like she glowed in the sunlight, beams hitting her eyes and lighting them up in different shades of brown and green and- He swiftly looked away and rubbed his face madly.

The lady went to speak, but as if he predicted what she was about to say (it was pretty obvious, actually), he responded, “I’m fine.”